About Us

Congregation Agudas Israel strives not just to welcome, but to embrace all who come through our doors. We are connectors–to one another, to God, to Israel. CAI recognizes the humanity of all. We do not check your card at our door, but hope that you will find an inspiring kehillah (community). As a proud member of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, we believe in the authority of halacha (Jewish law), yet understand that Judaism has always changed and evolved. Everyone is equal in the eyes of both the Holy One and our community. CAI is a house of prayer, a house of gathering, and a house of study. In these three traditional forms we encompass all of our activities. Remember, gatherings can be a whole lot of fun! Our prayer is spirited. Our study inspires connection.

​With a 130+ year history, we are committed to the city of Newburgh and its environs. Yet our age does not make us stodgy. Our new small sanctuary is modern, yet feels like home. The bright colors and beautiful mosaics connect us to our traditions, and help us welcome the next generation.

Whether you are a long time area resident or just visiting, we are happy to meet you. Rabbi Jacob Rosner looks forward to greeting you during services, classes and our many events. From lighting our giant Hanukah menorah, Shabbat and holiday dinners and parties, enjoying a minor league baseball game or a community trip to a kosher deli, we are happy to be together. Other activities include Walking Club, monthly Movie Club and Scholar In Your Residence Speaker Program via Zoom, our annual Fall Community Bark Mitzvah and our annual Spring Community Car Mitzvah. Our Social Action activities include our food drives to benefit the local food bank. We are missing you! Come visit soon.

135 Years of Congregation Agudas Israel​

Updated History (February 2021)

There has been much progress in the years following the publication of this document.   For many years there had been discussions on how to unite all of the Jewish organizations in Newburgh.  In 2009, a group of leaders from Congregation Agudas Israel (Conservative Synagogue), Temple Beth Jacob (Reform Synagogue) and the local JCC (Jewish Community Center) met to discuss these ideas.  We spent the next 3 years finding a common vision, setting goals, planning, fund raising and “selling” this to all three organizations.  This culminated in moving all of the organizations together into one campus at the end of 2012.  We named the new campus Kol Yisrael.  

Over the next several years we upgraded the facility to include both a large and small sanctuary, 2 Kosher and one Kosher-style kitchens, a gymnasium and a second floor to house classrooms for a Hebrew school, art room and dance studio.  Events are held in the building (or virtually) almost every day of the week.  We eventually hired a director to supervise the staff and coordinate the campus activities.  
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As a member of Kol Yisrael, our synagogue has grown in many ways.  We are now able to enjoy many activities together with the entire Jewish community.  The JCC has introduced many secular activities including art and dance classes, Pickle ball in the gym and many others.  Most of the religious services for the two Synagogues are held separately, led by their respective Rabbi’s.  However, we have been successful in holding many joint activities as well.  This includes a picnic on the front lawn of the campus every summer with a Friday Shabbat service held jointly by the two Rabbi’s.  We also have had Hanukkah and Purim celebrations jointly among others.  Our children are now able to attend the same Hebrew School held on-campus.  We believe that our Synagogue and the entire Jewish community in Newburgh will continue to grow and prosper together.