Jewish Life
Beaver Lake Estates is a Torah observant, Modern Orthodox Vacation Community. We strive to maintain a community that is built upon the principles of Ahavat Chinam, Yirat ShaMayim
and a love for Medinat Yisrael.
Congregation Ahavas Yisroel
Shul-Beis HaMedrash is our home for our daily Minyanim, our Shabbat Minyanim and learning groups. Our daily weekday minyan meets at 8am. Our daily weekday Mincha and Maariv minyanim typically meets 10 to 15 minutes before Shekiah-Sunset. A short Dvar Torah is given by one of our residents between Mincha and Maariv. On Sunday mornings there are three minyanim spaced every half hour from 8am. On Shabbos morning, we also daven in our spacious upstairs Shul which recently was enhanced with a new Aron Kodesh.
Sifriah-Library the Shul-Beis HaMedrash is home to our state of the art and most recently updated Sifriah Judaica library. To meet the needs of our residents, our Sifriah contains multiple sets of Shas, ArtScroll Mishna and Talmud Bavli volumes, Tur and Shulchan Aruch, a vast and varied collection of Divrei Torah on the Chumash. It also houses current journals, and many volumes on varied topics, e.g., history, philosophy, biographical, inspirational, etc.
Shabbat at Beaver Lake is the highlight of every week. Our homes are filled to capacity with extended family members and guests. On Friday night for Kabbalat Shabbat, there are many choices of Minyanim in our Shul-Beis HaMedrash, our upstairs Shul, or at the bungallows and in private homes. On Shabbat morning one has a choice of three minyanim; Hashkamah, Nusach Sefard or Ashkenaz.
Shabbat Kiddush following Tefillah is the famed Beaver Lake Kiddush. It is set in a beautiful open area; it is the perfect time to socialize, and of course enjoy great food and beverages.
Shabbat Menucha, a leisurely walk to the lake to enjoy the serenity and beauty of the lake or stroll down many of the paths and roads at Beaver Lake to see “Bli Ayan Harah,” all of the residents and guests going for a Shabbat walk. The playground is a natural draw for the smaller children and the perfect site for schmoozing.
Shabbat Mincha there are four Minyanim spaced throughout the afternoon giving you much flexibility for a Shabbat nap and Shalosh Seudah.
Shabbat Shiurim our two longstanding Shiurim are the Daf Hayomi Shiur and the Pirkei Avot Shiur, all given by local residents. At times we are honored to have visiting pulpit rabbis deliver an inspirational Pirkei Avot Shiur.
Melaveh Malkah
Beaver Lake also hosts Jewish singers and entertainers on Motzei Shabbat as part of our entertainment program.
Chagim at Beaver Lake
Rosh Hashanah: has always been a spiritually uplifting davening at Beaver Lake. The beautiful fall setting, inspirational Ba’alei Tefillah coupled with an Olam that actively participates in the singing, sets the tone for a meaningful Yomim Noraim.
Sukkot: A large community Sukkah, enjoying the Chag with family and fellow Beaver Lakers—that says it all. Yes, it does get a little cold in the Sukkah at night, but that hot chicken soup is the best anti-freeze.
Pesach: For the past few years, celebrating Pesach at Beaver Lake has become the perfect alternative for many of our residents. Enjoying the comfort and spaciousness of your summer home with the option of having all of your Pesach meals catered is the ideal solution for a stress free Yom Tov.
Shavuot: As a prelude to our summer season, Shavuot has historically been the most popular Yom Tov at Beaver Lake. “Zman Matan Torahteinu” is celebrated with varied shiurim on Leil Shavuot, Divrei Torah by our youth and, of course, an awesome dairy Kiddush.
Eruv Chatzeiros: The Eruv encompasses all of Beaver Lake. Prior to the summer season, and after the harsh winters in Monticello, the Eruv is thoroughly inspected by rabbanim from the Yeshiva of South Fallsburg. Additionally, prior to every Shabbat, the Eruv is inspected by a certified Rabbinic Eruv inspector to insure its Kashruth.
Prior to the summer season, the Eruv is renewed in a public ceremony. The box of Matzah is mounted on the back wall of the Shul-Beis HaMedrash and is clearly labeled.
Chesed: Every Jew is infused with the desire to perform acts of Chesed. Beaver Lake as a community continues that tradition with the following:
Our annual Blood Drive
On 2 Shabbatot we also have communal Tzedakah Drives for Catskills Hatzalah and local Yeshivot and struggling shuls.
Concession: is open daily. Our concession offers a varied menu of dairy and meat options. All ingredients and products are inspected by our Kasruth committee. All dairy and meat dishes are prepared and heated in separate sections of our kitchen.
Pool: our expansive pool complex is tastefully enclosed, ensuring privacy to accommodate the needs of our residents. During the day the pool offers times for family swim, and separate men and women’s swimming sessions.
“Beaver Lake” is a beautiful, ultra clean lake fed by natural underground springs. The lake is home to many species of kosher fish and the catch is a great source of a healthy, nutritious dinner. Since the source of our lake water is natural spring water, it is Halachically a kosher Mikveh. It is very convenient to have a local Mikveh for Tevilas Keilim. It can be also used for personal use, but obviously with discretion.