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Chairman's Message: Getting to Know Each Other!
Dear Friends,
HudsonJewish introduces people to each other. By holding regular events and announcing other Jewish organizations' activities to the community, HudsonJewish connects people and groups.
In this issue, volunteer Jessica Lemmon writes about our first Friday night dinner, which took place February 1 at United Synagoue of Hoboken. Almost 100 people attended the sold-out event! (Mark your calendar for the next HudsonJewish dinner, June 20 at Congregation B'nai Jacob in Jersey City). Among March highlights, downtown Jersey City hosts its first HudsonJewish gathering this month: a " Meet and Greet" informal coffee on March 31 at 8PM in Paulus Hook. (Contact HudsonJewish Trustee Raylie Dunkel for more detail: Raylie@HudsonJewish.org). Here are a few dates opportunities to meet: Shabbat Across America (March 7-8) and festive Purim celebrations are held at many synagogues (March 20-21). United Synagogue of Hoboken's wildly popular "Casino Night" takes place on the night of March 8. The Bayonne JCC Purim Carnival takes place March 16. And the Monthly Shabbat Dinner at Congregation Mount Sinai in Jersey City Heights is on March 28. Diverse educational and cultural opportunities abound. Check out the 5-part Sunday morning series at Temple Emanu-El in Bayonne (March 16 - April 13) with classes led by Rabbi Clifford Miller and Dr. Deborah Miller. Join Cantor Marsha Dubrow of Congregation B'nai Jacob for Shakespeare's "Merchant of Venice" at NJCU (Sunday, March 2). USH's film series at the Burchard Auditorium includes a screening of "The Ritchie Boys" about Jewish refugees from Nazi Germany who returned to Europe as US soldiers (March 15). These events and more are detailed in the HudsonJewish online calendar. Consult our website, www.HudsonJewish.org for more information. As always, your comments and feedback are welcome. L'hitraot, Adam S. Weiss, Chairman Hudson Jewish Community Forum, A New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation Adam@HudsonJewish.org
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"It's Not Just the Chicken," Say Attendees: February 1 Shabbat Dinner A Smash Despite Torrential Rain!
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By Jessica Lemmon
Hoboken, Februay 1: In conjunction with United
Synagogue of Hoboken, HudsonJewish held its first community-wide Shabbat Dinner this past month -- and
what a wonderful event it was!
 Even
on the messy, rainy mid-winter's night, nearly 100 people gathered in
Hoboken, safe from the cold and wet, and surrounded by the warmth of
the Hudson County Jewish community. Rabbi
Scheinberg led Shabbat services in the beautiful USH
sanctuary. Afterwards, we gathered around the center pews in
a huge circle as the USH choir led gorgeously in songs and
the kiddush. Dinner
in the social hall was an occasion for serious schmoozing. Old friends
reconnected, new friendships formed, and long timers of the community
mingled with many new faces, including people who are brand new to the
area. After a delicious glatt kosher meal, Hoboken's Rabbinical
Intern, Rabbi Aaron Philmus, led us in the birkat hamazon, and after
even more schmoozing, we reluctantly filed out. What a great way to start off the year! A highlight of the night was when Rabbi Scheinberg called out the various towns of Hudson County and had us raise our hands to acknowledge which town we lived in. Hoboken, Jersey City, Bayonne, North Bergen, and West New York were among the towns best represented. We even attracted guests from New York City
and Newark. "We may have come for the chicken," said one attendee,
"but it's really about the great sense of community that's growing in
our region. Who knew?" Many
thanks to John Kristal, Asaf Maman and Matt Meistrich for organizing
the Shabbat dinner, and to the many gracious hosts who welcomed the
whole community to United Synagogue of Hoboken.The next HudsonJewish dinner is scheduled for Friday, June 20 at Congregation B'nai Jacob on West Side Avenue in Jersey City. ------------------------------ Jessica and Alan Lemmon were among the first HudsonJewish volunteers when we the project began in 2007. They both now serve as Honorary Trustees of HudsonJewish. Contact Jessica@HudsonJewish.org. |
Jewish Interest Stories in Local Press
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Local Jewish life was featured in two recent Hudson County publications:
Palisade Magazine: In the March edition of Palisade Magazine (pp. 41-46), authors Theta Pavis and Elizabeth Eilender describe the re-emergence of a diverse Jewish community in the area. Their article, "Saving Synagogues, Rebuilding Community" will be reproduced on the HudsonJewish website soon.
Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy: In a piece in the March edition of the Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy newsletter, the JCLC details the rediscovery of an original Art Deco sign, "Hurwitz Building" during renovation at 920 Bergen Avenue, a historic Journal Square location most recently occupied by the Canton Restaurant. See story and photo, "As Canton Is Replaced, History Is Revealed: Renovation of Beloved Restaurant Uncovers Prior Signage."
If you have information about this particular building or about the historic role that the Jewish community has played in the economic, cultural and political life of our area, email us at Info@HudsonJewish.org.
JCLC President Joshua Parkhurst is also a Board Member of Temple Beth-El of Jersey City and an Honorary Trustee of HudsonJewish.
(Many thanks to the Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy. Photo credit: Justin Frohwirth) |
Jewish Day School: Survey to be Distributed
| The Hudson County Jewish Day School Committee will soon be distributing a survey to all families who may be interested in a Jewish school in the area. If you or someone you know would like to be included, contact us at Info@HudsonJewish.org. Tentative results may be announced as soon as March 25. |
Downtown Jersey City (Paulus Hook) "Meet and Greet"
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 HudsonJewish Trustee Raylie Dunkel will host an informal coffe-and-cake discussion for Jewish people and households in the Downtown Jersey City/Paulus Hook neighborhoood.
The goal is to connect the neighborhood's Jewish people while assessing interest in downtown social and cultural events.
Come meet neighbors and learn about Jewish resources and groups in the region.
Please let others know about this conversation -- there are many new residents in the area who may not be aware of HudsonJewish or the community.
For details contact Raylie Dunkel: Raylie@HudsonJewish.org. |
CareLink 2008 - Meal Delivery and Home Visits April 13
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HudsonJewish Supports Jewish Family & Counseling Services
Come join volunteers from the entire Jewish community in the annual Jewish Family & Counseling
Services pre-Passover CareLink community service project, Sunday April 13, 9AM - 12PM.
Participants assemble meals and then deliver them in small groups to isolated older adults in Bayonne, Jersey City and Hoboken. Homebound /isolated people receive a friendly
visit and kosher-for-Passover food package just before the holiday. CareLink is a wonderful bonding experience and an excellent way for your organization to demonstrate concrete support to the community. All
organizations are encouraged to inform their members of this event. To sign up, send an email with names/contact information to HudsonJewish Trustee and Board Secretary, Michelle Levine: Secretary@HudsonJewish.org. More information is available on the HudsonJewish calendar. |
March Events
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For access to post your own organization's
events to the HudsonJewish Calendar, email us at Info@HudsonJewish.org. (Posting your events is the best way
to avoid scheduling conflicts). Please post by the 25th of the prior
month. Events are posted for the following 6 weeks. Check the online calendar for
time/date/location updates.
Sunday, March 2, 11AM: Jewish War Veterans, J. George Fredman Post 76, honors Reverend Monsignor
John Gilchrist for his years of tireless work to improve Jewish-Christian
Dialogue. Location: Temple Beth El of North Bergen, 300 75th Street, 07047.
Sunday, March 2, 1:30PM - 6:00PM: "Merchant of Venice": Congregation B'nai Jacob Event: Cantor Marsha Dubrow of Congregation B'nai Jacob
of Jersey City joins a distinguished panel of guests at the Actors
Shakespeare Company presentation of "The Merchant of Venice." Pre-show wine & cheese reception and a
post-show question & answer session.
Play begins at 3pm. Tickets are $30.00 or $15.00 for students, senior
citizens, and children under age 18. Location: New
Jersey City University, West Side Theatre, 285 West Side Ave in Jersey City. Contact: Tickets@TheaterMania.com or call (866)
811-4111. For further information call
Jeremy Shaffer at (212) 315-2120.
Sunday, March 2, 7:00PM - 8:30PM: Shalom Baby at United Synagogue of Hoboken.
Monday, March 3, 6:45PM - 8:30PM: JYAH2 dinner. Contact: HobokenJYAH@yahoo.com.
Monday, March 3, 7:30PM: HudsonJewish Board of Trustees Meeting.
Thursday, March 6, 7:00PM - 9:00PM: Jewish Family & Counseling Services Advisory Meeting. BayonneJCC, 1050
Kennedy Blvd, Bayonne. Contact:
Sylvia Heller @ 973-765-9050.
Friday, March 7, 6:00PM - 9:00PM: Shabbat Across America at Temple Beth Am.
Entire
community invited to celebrate 12th Annual Shabbat Across America. Traditional Shabbat dinner begins at 6, with
services led by Rabbi Gordon Gladstone at 8. Come share a Shabbat experience together. Dinner catered by
Lox, Stock & Deli. Advance registration is required.Location:
Temple Beth
Am 111 Ave. B Bayonne. Contact:
201-858-2020.
Saturday, March 8, 7:30PM - Midnight: "CASINO NIGHT!". Hoboken's biggest night of the year! United
Synagogue of Hoboken's second annual Casino Night, complete with live entertainment,
takes place at the Hoboken Elk's Club (Washington Street between 10th and 11th
Streets). A portion of the proceeds will benefit Hoboken's
Jubilee Center. Reserve online at:
www.HobokenSynagogue.org.
Sunday, March 9, 11:00AM - 2:00PM: Sunday Brunch at Temple Emanuel. Food by Lox, Stock and Deli; entertainment
provided by June Sturz and Company.
Reserve by calling Brotherhood President, Allan Rosenfeld, 201-437-9789.
Sunday, March 9, 7PM-8:30PM: Shalom Baby at United Synagogue of Hoboken.
Tuesday, March 11, 7:30PM - 9:3PM: Synagogue Leadership Initiative: "Newspapers vs. Web 2.0: Communicating the Value of Membership Through New Versus Traditional Media. Reaching Generation X, Y, Z and Beyond". Organization leaders
and volunteers should not miss this important presentation, made available
gratis to Hudson County organizations by the UJA
Federation of Northern New Jersey. Presenters
will discuss advantages and disadvantages of traditional and new media:
press releases, websites, email, new and old media. Presenters: Jonah Halper, Associate Director,
American Friends of Shalva; Nickie Falk, SLI Consultant and President,
Millman-Falk Communications, Inc. Location: UJA of NNJ HQ: 111 Kinderkamack Road,
River Edge, NJ. Contact: Nickie Falk, CAE, SLI Consultant, 201-488-6800, ext. 254. NickieF@ujannj.org. For a carpool from Hudson County,
contact HudsonJewish Honorary Trustee, Annette Hassell: Annette@HudsonJewish.org.
Tuesday, March 11, 7:30PM: Monthly Women's Rosh Hodesh event at Congregation Mount Sinai. Join Rebbetzin Barbara Marks for an evening
of learning and activities. A warm welcome is assured! $5 covers cost of materials. Refreshments
will be served. Purim theme.
Wednesday, March 12, 8PM: Mount Sinai Board Meeting.
Thursday, March 13, Shalom Baby Play Group sponsored by UJA of NNJ at JCC of Fort Lee. Join Shalom
Baby Play Group in celebration of Purim!
Come dressed in costume. Make a fun craft, sing songs, hear a story, and
meet other parents & children. Appropriate for parents and children ages
0-3. RSVP to Rachel Jurisz at 201-488-6800, ext. 252 or rachelj@ujannj.org by Thursday, March 6th.
Saturday night, March 15, 7:30PM - 9:30PM: Film Series from United Synagogue of Hoboken: "The Ritchie Boys". Documentary tells the story of the young
men who fled Nazi Germany and returned to Europe as soldiers in US uniforms,
having trained at Camp Ritchie, Maryland, in intelligence and psychological
warfare. Always courageous, bright,
determined, and inventive, they fought their own kind of war. (2004), 90 mins. Location:
Burchard Auditorium, Stevens Inst., River St. b/t 5th and 6th Streets. Contact:
United Synagogue of Hoboken
201-659-4000.
Sunday, March 16, 8:30AM - 11:35AM: Sunday Morning Series at Temple Emanu-el of Bayonne. Five class series runs Sundays, beginning March 16 -
April 13. 8:30-9:15 AM: Greet the day
with morning services. 9:15-9:30 AM:
Coffee and a Nosh. 9:30-10:30 AM: Jewish
Medical Ethics. 10:35-11:35 AM: Israel Looks in
the Mirror. $20 members; $25 non-members. Location:
Temple Emanu-El, 735
Kennedy Boulevard, Bayonne, NJ.
Contact: Temple Emanu-El,
201-436-4499. For more info, visit www.TempleEmanuElNJ.com. Sunday, March 16, 12PM-3PM: Annual Purim Carnival at Bayonne JCC.
Event will include games, inflatables, great prizes, delicious food, and
entertainment. This is always a fabulous
event for children and families. Come
out and join us for an afternoon of Purim fun!Wednesday, March 19, 7:30-10PM: JYAH2. Join JYAH2 for hamantaschen and drinks at Goldhawk. Contact: HobokenJYAH@yahoo.com
Thursday, March 20: Fast of Esther
Thursday evening, March 20: Purim!
Contact your local synagogue for Megilah reading times!
Friday, March 21, 7:30PM - 9:00PM: Purim Family Service and Celebration. Join Temple Beth-El of Jersey City for Megilah reading and a Family
Celebration. Location:Temple Beth-El of Jersey City, 2419 Kennedy Boulevard.
Sunday, March 23, 8:30AM - 11:35AM: Temple Emanu-el of Bayonne Sunday Morning Series. (See March 16 for
details).
Sunday, March 23, 12:00PM - 2:00PM: JYAH2 Potluck Brunch. Contact: hobokenjyah@yahoo.com. Monday, March 24, 7PM: National Council of Jewish Women Living Wills Event. Contact 201 888-1692. NCJWHoboken@Hotmail.com.
Tuesday, March 25, 7:30PM - 9:00PM (Tentative): Jewish Day School Committee Reports on initial survey results. The
committee exploring a Jewish day school is scheduled to report back to the
community on the results of research and interviews to date. Check the HudsonJewish calendar for more
detail as the date approaches. Location:United Synagogue of Hoboken, 115 Park Avenue, Hoboken
Thursday, March 27, 8:00PM
- 9:00PM: Bayonne JCC Board Meeting
Friday, March 28 2008, 7:00pm - 10:30pm: Mount Sinai Shabbat Dinner. Congregation Mount Sinai of Jersey City Heights hosts
a Shabbat dinner on the last Friday of each month. All are welcome to discover this exceptionally
eclectic community. Services begin at
7:00PM; dinner starts around 7:45 PM. Reservations
required by Tuesday so the congregation knows how much food to prepare. Cost: $10 per person, children under 2 free. (Please pay in advance; the congregation does
not handle money on Shabbat). RSVP to
Rabbi Shlomo Marks (RavShlomo.MtSinai@Gmail.com) with contact info and number of people (201-222-3445). Location:
128 Sherman Avenue,
Jersey City Heights, 3 blocks west
of Palisade between Griffith and Bowers.
Sunday, March 30, 8:30AM - 11:35AM: Sunday Morning Series at Temple Emanu-el of Bayonne. (See March 16 for
details).
Monday, March 31, 8PM - 10PM: Informal Coffee & Cake "Meet & Greet" in Downtown Jersey City (Paulus Hook). Hosted by Raylie Dunkel,
Paulus Hook resident and HudsonJewish Trustee.
Meet other people in the downtown Jersey
City community.
Contact: Raylie@HudsonJewish.org.
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April Preview
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Wednesday, April 2, 6:30PM:
JYAH2 Happy Hour and Trivia Night at 10th & Willow.
Thursday, April 3, 7:30PM: Hudson Jewish Community Forum. Hudson
County's local "Jewish
Parliament." Location this month: United Synagogue of Hoboken.
Sunday, April 6, 8:30AM: Sunday Morning series at Temple Emanu-el of Bayonne.
(See March 16 for details).
Monday, April 7,
7:30PM: HudsonJewish Board Meeting
Tuesday, April 8,
7:30PM: Monthly Women's Rosh
Hodesh event at Congregation Mount Sinai.
Join Rebbetzin Barbara Marks for an evening of learning and activities.
A warm welcome is assured! $5
contribution covers cost of materials. Refreshments served.
Wednesday, April 9, 8PM: Congregation Mount Sinai Board Meeting.
Thursday, April 10, 7:30PM: Synagogue Leadership Initiative: "Establishing A Working Plan." Practical tips for organization leadership and
volunteers.
Friday, April 11, 9PM-11PM: JYAH2 Pot Luck Shabbat Dinner.
Sunday, April 13, 9AM - 12PM: CARELINK 2008. Jewish Family & Counseling Services sponsors this annual
pre-Passover visit to isolated older adults in Bayonne,
Jersey City and Hoboken. Homebound elderly/isolated people will receive a friendly visit and
kosher-for-Passover food package. CareLink is an excellent way to
demonstrate tzedakah, tikkun olam and respect for the aged. All
organizations are encouraged to participate in this important community event
by informing members of the opportunity to volunteer. Contact
HudsonJewish Board Secretary Michelle Levine with number of people and contact
information: Michelle@HudsonJewish.org.
Sunday, April 13, 8:30AM:
Sunday Morning series at Temple Emanu-el of Bayonne.
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Passover -- Just Around The Corner
| | Passover runs from the evening of April 19 through April 27 this year. Many local groups are sponsoring community seders on the first (April 19) or second (April 20) nights. Two synagogues, Temple Beth-El of Jersey City (Reform) and Congregation Mount Sinai of Jersey City Heights (Traditional) have already posted seder information on the community calendar. Check for details on additional seder locations and times. |
Newsletter Available on Paper!
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| Non-Computer Users Can Subscribe to Paper Edition!
Even people without computers can receive this informative newsletter -- HudsonJewish now offers annual subscriptions on paper.
To subscribe, send your name and address with a check or money order for $36 to:
Hudson Jewish Community Forum
P.O. Box 25
Jersey City, New Jersey 07303
Please let non-computer users know about this opportunity! |
Call for Volunteers
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Short- and long-term projects available
"People often ask us how they can help," says HudsonJewish Vice Chair Dr. Neil Davis. "It's easy: just contact us to see what's on the 'To Do List' and
we probably have something you'll enjoy!" HudsonJewish has one-time (a few hours), short-term (a few days) and long-term projects (2-3
hours/week) for individuals and groups. This is a high-impact way to contribute to the community while making new connections.
For more information contact Dr. Neil Davis, Vice Chairman of the HudsonJewish Board of Trustees: Neil@HudsonJewish.org. Did you know that the act of volunteering helps to lower
your blood pressure? Just ask the doctor!
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| Conclusion | Whatever your Jewish background and interests may be, our
growing community has a place for you! For more information
on Jewish life in Hudson
County, visit the
HudsonJewish website at www.HudsonJewish.org or contact Info@HudsonJewish.org.
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The Hudson Jewish Community Forum ("HudsonJewish") is a New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation. Our mission is to nurture and support Jewish religious, cultural and institutional life in Hudson County, New Jersey.
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