Welcome to Congregation Ahabat Sholom.  Entering our 101st year, we are a modern orthodox shul located in the "diamond district" of Lynn, Massachusetts, minutes from Marblehead, Salem, Swampscott and just a short walk to the Atlantic Ocean. Led by Rabbi Avraham Kelman we are the only vibrant Orthodox Synagogue on the North Shore running all three daily minyon services--7 days a week.  We offer a warm, family oriented atmosphere with youth services, hands-on holiday workshops, ongoing daily education classes, Torah seminars for women, weekly Kabbalah classes for men and women, a Chessed Committee, free babysitting (on Saturdays and Holidays), and delicious (and, of course, always Kosher) Kiddushes. For membership or donation information please email the office or call 781-593-9255.

Give Yourself a Gift

A few weeks ago, my dear friend, Linda Dubinsky said, "Jo, would you be willing to follow up on some phone calls for the Shul's 100th Anniversary Affair?"
My response to her was, "I would do anything to help you out."
I underscore the word "you" because Linda and I go back many years together and she is my best friend. Thinking I was doing a good deed for her and the shul, I rolled up the imaginary sleeves, and went to work with a positive attitude.
The first call was made to a State Representative for an ad in our souvenir program book. I was very impressed by the questions he asked about the shul. I told him as much as I knew about its beginnings. He not only took out an ad, but said that he wanted to attend. That was the beginning of the calls to the delegates on my list. As the days and calls went by, I learned a little more about the importance of Ahabat Sholom in the lives of others and was reminded of its importance to the Dansky family.
I remember vividly walking into the office with Shirley Lubarsky, of blessed memory, sitting at the desk, telling her that I had a son Craig who had never had a lesson for a Bar Mitzvah, and he was then 12 years old! Shirley suggested I send him in and talk to Rabbi Zaitchik, which I did the very next day. That was 31 years ago. In fact, Craig's daughter, Jessica will celebrate her own Bat Mitzvah this September.
I am so grateful that Linda asked me to do this. This is the first time I feel I am able to give something back to the Shul, if only in some small measure. I am grateful to Hashem, to have brought me to this day. Give yourself a gift. The next time you get a call to help the Shul in any way you can, "just say yes!"

Fondly,
Josephine Dansky