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Chairman's Message "HudsonJewish: Connecting Our Community" Dear Friends, HudsonJewish now has a tagline, "HudsonJewish: Connecting Our Community." What do these five words mean? Let's start with what they don't mean. - HudsonJewish is not a synagogue. Our region has plenty of those, and we encourage you to find the right one for you and your family! - HudsonJewish is not a JCC. There's a lovely one in Bayonne. - HudsonJewish is not the UJA. Hoboken, Bayonne and Jersey City run individual UJA campaigns, and the northern part of Hudson County is included in the "catchment area" of the UJA Federation of Northern New Jersey. HudsonJewish volunteers contribute to the UJA, not the other way around.
So, what is HudsonJewish? HudsonJewish is a home-grown, grass-roots initiative of local volunteers to revive Jewish life in our area. HudsonJewish connects our community by: - Maintaining our informative website as a 1-stop source of information on everything Jewish in our area; - Sponsoring events like "Hanukkah on the Hudson", Shabbat dinners, and the informal meet-and-greets for new people in the area;
- Publishing this newsletter, both electronically and on paper;
- Serving as the community's "concierge" by answering inquiries and referring them to participating organizations; - Hosting the bi-monthly Hudson Jewish Community Forum where people can meet face-to-face.
HudsonJewish is necessary because our region is home to an increasing number of newcomers who lack deep roots here, and who may be unaware of each other or of our region's long-standing Jewish institutions. For example, a young couple that recently settled in Jersey City told me that until they happened upon a HudsonJewish pamphlet, they thought they would need to take the PATH to New York City to attend synagogue. Now they are members of one right here. This story is not unique -- until HudsonJewish was established last year, there was no easy way for a newcomer to learn about the wide spectrum of Jewish activities in our area. In fact, even many long-time residents were surprised to learn of the existence of the syangogues outside their own neighborhoods.
Our community includes many singles, couples, young families, and "empty nesters" who have migrated here from other places -- especially from the suburban New Jersey areas of Bergen, Essex, Morris, Union and Monmouth Counties. New York City and Rockland County also appear to be well-represented among the newcomers. Of course, Jews from other areas call Hudson County home today: the local Israeli community appears to be growing by leaps and bounds. What all of these groups share is their experience as "immigrants" to Hudson County. HudsonJewish is helping all of them get connected. Come connect with us at the Hudson Jewish Community Forum. The Forum will meet this Thursday, April 3, 7:30 PM at United Synagogue of Hoboken. Every local Jewish organization is invited to make a brief presentation to the community; use the occasion to meet them! 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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Downtown Jersey City "Meet and Greet" Tonight!
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The first HudsonJewish informal meet-and-greet coffee takes place
tonight (Monday, March 31), at 8PM at the home of Raylie Dunkel in the Paulus Hook section of Jersey City. Whether you are a new or old resident of downtown Jersey City, tonight's gathering is a great way to connect with other people who have moved to
the area. Additional meet-and-greets will likely be held throughout the region in coming
months. For more information, or to host an informal Jewish event in your neighborhood contact Raylie@HudsonJewish.org. |
Passover - Community Seders at Local Synagogues
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At least 4 local synagogues are hosting community seders
this Passover. Attending a synagogue seder is
a great way to connect with other people in the community. Reservation deadlines vary; consult the HudsonJewish Synagogue Directory and Calendar for information about seders at:
- Temple Beth Am of Bayonne
(Rabbi Gordon Gladstone)
- Temple Beth-El of Jersey
City (Rabbi Kenneth Brickman) - Congregation Mount Sinai of Jersey City Heights
(Rabbi Shlomo Marks)
- United Synagogue of Hoboken
(Rabbi Robert Scheinberg)
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Meet Our "Community Concierge" Annette Shandolow-Hassell
| Annette Shandolow-Hassell, a long-time resident of North Bergen, was recently featured in Matthew Amato's
"On The Streets Where We Live"  column in the North Bergen Reporter (March 16, 2008). Born in Nuremberg, Germany and reared in Hawaii (among other
places), Annette is the first female co-director of Temple Beth El of North
Bergen and an Honorary Trustee of HudsonJewish.
In addition, Annette serves as "community concierge" for HudsonJewish.
Have a question about where
to find gefilte fish in local stores?
Ask Annette. Need to find a
Hebrew instructor? Ask Annette. New in the area and looking for a suggestion
on which synagogues to check out? Ask
Annette! You can reach her at: Annette@HudsonJewish.org.
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Local Jewish Youth Group
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Several people have inquired about forming a Jewish
youth/teen/adolescent group in Hudson
County. Laurie Sokol, a member of Temple Emanu-el
and the Bayonne Jewish Community Center, is collecting names and contact information of interested
families. Email Laurie for more information at: Lauriesokol22@yahoo.com.
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Jewish Volunteers Connect at CareLink 2008 - April 13
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Meal delivery to home-bound elderly or isolated people
Volunteers from throughout the local Jewish community will participate 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 Hudson County. CareLink is a wonderful bonding experience and an excellent way to volunteer. Families with adolescents are especially encouraged to take part.
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. |
Jewish War Veterans Honor Local Monsignor John Gilchrist
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North Bergen, March 2:
Jewish War Veterans Post 76 honored Monsignor John Gilchrist, pastor emeritus of Holy Cross Parish (Harrison) and formerly of Our Lady of Fatima (North Bergen), in a ceremony at Temple
Beth El in North Bergen.der David Kronick presents award to Msgr. John Gilchrist JWV Post Commander David Kronick presented an award in appreciation of Msgr. Gilchrist's dedication to improving Christian-Jewish dialogue. Kronick and Gilchrist have known each other
for many years; the men became well-acquainted while Kronick served as New
Jersey State Assemblyman for northern Hudson County and Gilchrist served at Our Lady of Fatima
in North Bergen. They served together on the Hudson County
Tenant Council. Msgr. Gilchrist feels that Jews and Christians,
must stay in dialogue. He says, "I'm
certain that our Jewish friends have much more on their minds. We must be there to listen, to respond, and to
try to heal wounds."
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April Events
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For access to post your own organization's
events to the HudsonJewish community calendar, email us at Info@HudsonJewish.org. (Posting your events is the best way
to avoid scheduling conflicts). Events are posted for the following 6 weeks. Check the online calendar for
time/date/location updates.
Wednesday, April 2, 6:30pm - 9:00pm: JYAH2 Happy hour and Trivia Night at 10th and Willow.
Thursday, April 3, 7:30pm - 9:00pm: Hudson Jewish Community Forum. HudsonJewish celebrates
its first anniversary at this month's Forum -- our first in Hoboken. Whether you are a newcomer or a long-time
resident, come meet other people in our region-wide Jewish community. Each local Jewish organization is invited to
make a brief presentation. Agenda to include: - HudsonJewish at the 1-year mark: accomplishments and next steps
- Brief presentations by all local synagogues and Jewish organizations - Open Microphone - Opportunity to socialize, connect with other people - Volunteer opportunities Location: United Synagogue of Hoboken, 115 Park Avenue in Hoboken. (Easy access by Light Rail). Parking is tight in Hoboken, information on 4 nearby lots is
available on the USH website.
Sunday, April 6, 8:30am - 11:35am: Sunday Morning Series at Temple Emanu-el of Bayonne, 735 Kennedy Blvd. in Bayonne. Classes with Rabbi Clifford Miller and Mrs. Debby Miller are in progress through April 13. Member $20; non-members $25. Details:
- 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
Sunday, April 6, 3:00pm - 6:00pm: National Council of Jewish Women - Hoboken/Hudson: Challah Making Class. Come bake with us! Location:
United Synagogue of Hoboken.
Monday, April 7, 7:30pm: HudsonJewish Board of Trustees Meeting,
Location TBA.
Tuesday, April 8, 7:30pm - 9:00pm: Women's Rosh Hodesh event at Congregation Mount Sinai of Jersey City Heights. Join
Rebbetzin Barbara Marks for an evening of learning and activities.
Wednesday, April 9, 10:15am - 12:00pm: Café Chai at Bayonne JCC.
Piano Concert and Sing-Along featuring June Sturz and members of the
Bayonne Senior Orchestra.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008, 8:00pm - 9:30pm: Congregation Mount Sinai Board Meeting.
Thursday, April 10, 7:30pm - 9:30pm: Synagogue Leadership Initiative. The Synagogue Leadership Initiative (SLI)
Membership Affinity Group is our area's premier support group for Jewish organizations
seeking to build membership. The topic
for April 10th relates directly to events in Hudson County:
"Reaching Out Together Through A Cooperative Synagogue Marketing
Plan."
Thursday, April 10, 7:30pm-10pm: National Council of Jewish Women Book Club/Movie Night: "Tune in Tomorrow
(Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter)."
Location TBA.
Friday, April 11, 9:00pm: JYAH2 - April Potluck Dinner. Bring a dairy dish! Join the crowd for services at United Synagogue of Hoboken, or just show up with a dairy dish. RSVP for dinner location: hobokenjyah@yahoo.com.
Sunday, April 13, 8:30am - 11:35am: Sunday Morning Series at Temple Emanu-el of Bayonne. (See above, under April 6).
Sunday, April 13, 9:00am - 12:00pm: CareLink 2008. HudsonJewish is proud to co-sponsor this
year's CareLink program, a pre-Passover food delivery and visitation event that
serves isolated older adults in our immediate neighborhood (Bayonne,
Jersey City, Hoboken). CareLink is a community-wide
project of Jewish Family & Counseling Services. Families with adolescents are
especially encouraged to participate. RSVP
with your contact information to: Secretary@HudsonJewish.org. Meal assembly begins 9AM at Bayonne JCC.
Sunday, April 13, 12:00pm - 3:00pm: National Council of Jewish Women's Annual Passover Seder Brunch. Mothers,
Daughters, and Friends welcome! All members should bring a dairy dish suitable
for Passover or $10.00.
Thursday, April 17, 8:00pm - 9:00pm: Bayonne JCC Board Meeting.
Saturday, April 19, Erev Pesach/Passover - First Seder
Saturday, April 19, 5:30pm: Passover Seder at Mount Sinai. (No, not THAT Mount Sinai). Congregation Mount Sinai invites all who are hungry to come
and eat at their annual communal Passover seders, to be held on the first and second nights: April 19 and April 20.
$36/single; $54/couple; $18/children 2-12; under 2 free. RSVP required by April 14. Location: Congregation Mount Sinai of Jersey City Heights, 128 Sherman Avenue, Jersey City. For more information, contact Rabbi Shlomo
Marks, RavShlomo.MtSinai@Gmail.com
or the synagogue office: 201-222-3445.
Sunday, April 20 2008, 5:30pm: Community Seder at Congregation Mount Sinai of Jersey City Heights.
(See above; Mount Sinai will be holding
community seders on both nights).
Sunday, April 20, 6:00pm: Community Seder at Temple Beth Am in Bayonne. This is traditionally a
well-attended seder, and space will be limited.
Location: 111 Ave. B in Bayonne. For reservations and more information contact Rabbi Gordon
Gladstone at the Temple
office: 201-858-2020.
Sunday, April 20, 5:00pm: Community Seder Temple Beth-El of Jersey City. The
entire community is welcome to join Temple Beth El of Jersey City at its community Passover Seder. Rabbi Kenneth
Brickman will lead. Passover
seder meal, cantorial music, and lively discussion. This is a wonderful event for singles,
couples, seniors, and families with children.
Location: Temple Beth-El of Jersey City, 2419 Kennedy Blvd.
in Jersey City
(close by corner of Communipaw
Ave.). For
more information contact the Temple Beth-El office: 201-333-4229.
Wednesday, April 23, 10:15am - 2:00pm: Passover Model Seder at Café Chai. Join Rabbi Robert Scheinberg of United
Synagogue of Hoboken for Passover food, music, prayer, and community! Location: Bayonne JCC, 1050 Kennedy Blvd. Contact Chai Cafe
Reservations: 201-697-3355.
Friday, April 25, 7:00pm services, 7:45 dinner: Congregation Mount Sinai hosts a monthly Shabbat dinner on the last Friday of each month -- even during Passover. Traditional and non-Traditional Jews are invited to discover this eclectic community in the Heights section of Jersey City. Services begin at 7:00 PM; dinner starts around 7:45 PM. Reservations required by
Tuesday. $10 per person, children under 2 free. RSVP to Rabbi Shlomo Marks with contact info
and number of people: 201-222-3445 or RavShlomo.MtSinai@Gmail.com. Location:
128 Sherman Avenue
in Jersey City Heights. (3 blocks west of Palisade
between Griffith and Bowers).
Sunday, April 27, 8:00pm - 5:00pm: JYAH2.
Join other singles/young adults as they feast on leavened bread at Grimaldi's Pizza in Hoboken. RSVP required: hobokenjyah@yahoo.com.
Tuesday, April 29, 7:00pm - 8:30pm: Holocaust Remembrance Program in Bayonne. Bayonne's
annual Holocaust Remembrance Program is scheduled for Tuesday, April 29th, 7pm
at City Hall. Adults and children over 5 are invited to this moving program, featuring a speaker, essay contest winner, and candle lighting. This is
the only such program held inside City Hall, and is well-attended by
inter-faith clergy representatives, local politicians, & the community at
large. Location: Bayonne
City Hall, 630 Avenue C, Bayonne, NJ
. For more information contact the
Bayonne JCC: 201-436-6900.
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May Preview
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Friday, May 2: Yom
HaShoah - Holocaust commemoration.
Monday, May 5, 7:30pm - 9pm:
HudsonJewish Board of Trustees Meeting.
Tentative location: Temple
Beth-El of Jersey City.
Tuesday, May 6, 7:30pm - 9pm: Women's Rosh Hodesh event at Congregation Mount
Sinai of Jersey City Heights. Join
Rebbetzin Barbara Marks for an evening of learning and activities. For more information, contact Rebetzin Marks
at BarbaraEMarks@gmail.com
or call the Mount Sinai office: 201-222-3445.
Wednesday, May 7: Yom
HaZikaron
Wednesday, May 7, 8pm - 9:30pm: Congregation Mount Sinai Board Meeting
Thursday, May 8: Yom
HaAtzma'ut - Israel
Independence Day
Tuesday, May 13, 7:30pm - 9:00pm: Synagogue Leadership Initiative: "Understanding the Marketing C's and
P's: Evaluation/Feedback Tools and Preparing for the New Membership Year."
Thursday, May 15, 8:00pm - 9:00pm: Bayonne
JCC Board Meeting
Thursday, May 15, 8:00pm - 11pm: JYAH2 - Israel's 60th Birthday Bash. Join Jewish Young Adults of Hoboken/Hudson to
celebrate Israel's
60th Birthday! Co-Chairs: Dara
Kurlander, Jessica Strahl and Erica Seitzman.
$35 includes Open Bar and DJ. For more information contact hobokenjyah@yahoo.com.
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Lost and Found
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Did you attend the Shabbat Across America dinner at Temple Beth Am of Bayonne on March 7? If so, have you noticed that the raincoat you wore to the event has mysteriously transformed into something larger, smaller, or somehow different from how it was before March 7? Strange forces may be at work, or maybe you inadvertently swapped coats with the person who recently reported the same experience. Details: beige London Fog
raincoat w/ beige lining. If
you find it, please contact info@HudsonJewish.org!
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Do you know someone who wants to stay in the loop but lacks email? Annual subscriptions to the print version of this newsletter are available by sending name, address and check for $36 to:
HudsonJewish
P.O. Box 225
Jersey City, NJ 07303
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Advertise your business to the local Jewish community . . .
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| . . . and patronize businesses that support it!
HudsonJewish is the premier medium to advertise your
business to our fast-growing growing local Jewish community, estimated by the American Jewish Yearbook to include over 12,000 individuals. Many of our readers are relatively new to the area, and seek a trusted source of referrals for the products and services they need.
Pricing and other details are on the ad information page of our website, www.HudsonJewish.org. For more details, contact us at info@HudsonJewish.org
or telephone 973-420-7907. |
HudsonJewish Does Good Work for Our Community . . .
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. . . Help Us Keep Doing It!
HudsonJewish is a grass-roots, volunteer effort to rebuild Jewish life in the HudsonCounty area by connecting Jewish people with each other and with the Jewish institutions
that serve our community. Our volunteers are accomplishing tasks that no other Jewish organizations in our area perform: community-wide outreach, coordination and communication.
We rely on you, our community, to enable us to continue
this valuable work. Please contribute online through the Support HudsonJewish page of our website, or by check to: HudsonJewish, PO Box 225, Jersey City, NJ 07303
Contributions may be made in honor (or in memory) of loved ones, friends, or special occasions. Contributions will be acknowledged publicly; indicate whether you prefer to donate anonymously. Please help us continue this important work to rebuild a thriving Jewish community in the Hudson County region! |
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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.
HudsonJewish: Connecting Our Community
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