Last Friday, Congregation Agudas Israel delighted families with a one-of-a-kind puppet show during their weekly family service. The performance, “How Abraham Discovered God,” combined music, storytelling, and handcrafted puppets to engage children and adults alike.

Cantor Carl Sayres lent his musical talents to the show, singing and performing the voices of the puppets. The creative team behind the production included Mimica Tsezana Hyman, who made the puppets and idols; Frank Wolf, who built the stage; Klaus Solomon, who crafted the floor; and Jodi King, who painted the set. Melissa Kurtz worked on the script, while puppeteers Laurie Hedlund, Richard Kurtz, and King helped bring the story to life.

The production stood out not only for its artistry but also for its sustainability—almost all the puppets and stage pieces were made from recycled materials. At the end of the service, every child left with a handmade puppet doll as a keepsake.

The synagogue, a conservative, egalitarian congregation and founding partner of Kol Yisrael, is located at 290 North Street in Newburgh. The event highlighted the creativity and community spirit that are hallmarks of Congregation Agudas Israel.