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Message From The HudsonJewish Board of Trustees: Discovering Our Community
Dear Friends,
What a difference a year makes.
One year ago, HudsonJewish did not exist. The was no community website, no community calendar, no community-wide organization, and no forum to discuss regional Jewish issues. There were no community-wide Jewish events and nobody was discussing community planning. Many of the 35 or so rabbis and Jewish lay leaders who attended our first ad-hoc meeting on April 17, 2007 had never even met before that night.
One year ago, yet another venerable Jersey City synagogue (Agudath Sholom, the former "Bergen Avenue Shul") was in the process of dissolving -- which very few people knew about because there was no Jewish community newsletter to cover the story. And apart from Jewish groups in Hoboken, notably United Synagogue of Hoboken, only a handful of individuals were performing effective outreach to the thousands of Jewish newcomers who continue to settle in our area.
These were the conditions that made HudsonJewish necessary one year ago, and why volunteers from across the region have devoted so much energy to building it.
What surprised us most during HudsonJewish's first year is how little the various segments of our local Jewish community knew about each other until they started to meet in person. For example, even though many long-time Jewish residents of Bayonne and Jersey City are aware that Hoboken has experienced an economic revival, most had no idea that hundreds of Jewish children lived in the County until HudsonJewish brought them together for "Hanukkah on the Hudson" at the Bayonne Jewish Community Center. (Which many people outside of Bayonne had never even heard of). Likewise, very few of the newcomers to our area -- i.e., people who have lived in the region for 3 years or less -- realize that it encompasses a dozen synagogues, many of them located in neighborhoods (Bayonne, North Bergen, Jersey City Heights, etc.) that used to be heavily Jewish before the "flight to the suburbs" of the 1960s - 1980s. The changing character of Jewish settlement in Hudson County also surprises many people: an increasing number of suburban Jewish "empty nesters" are now discovering our neighborhoods, reversing the trend by which virtually every Jewish Baby Boomer departed Hudson County decades ago. HudsonJewish seeks to connect all of these segments together by drawing Hudson County's Jewish newcomers into active engagement with each other and with the existing Jewish institutions.
Our community still faces significant challenges. While many newcomers are setting down roots in the area, others consider Hudson County a "stop-over" destination and may be reticent to join organizations that they might leave in a few years. (NB: Discover our synagogues anyway -- you'll find friendly people and a very warm welcome on any Shabbat)! In addition, some of the older community leaders, despite their years and wisdom, find it difficult to recognize or plan for Jewish population growth because they have never experienced it before.
HudsonJewish therefore needs your assistance. Yes, donations are appreciated, and you can help our volunteers defray expenses by contributing at: HudsonJewish - Donations. You can also let local merchants know that our website receives substantial traffic from an attractive demographic, so placing an ad is not only a good deed, it's also good business. (For rates, see Advertising on HudsonJewish.org)
But there are even more important things you can do. Forward this newsletter to other Jewish people in the area. Show your Jewish neighbors how to subscribe to this newsletter on our homepage at HudsonJewish.org. Even better: write us a note to tell about yourself or stop by our booth at the Hoboken Street Fair on May 4th. (You can't miss our "shin-shin-shin" logo). If you really wish to become educated about Jewish life in our area, you can read the report that HudsonJewish is distributing to philanthropic foundations and other potential funding sources: HudsonJewish: Connecting Our Community.
Whatever you do, find a way to participate: HudsonJewish is a volunteer organization, so your energy and ideas are always very welcome - especially if you have skills in website management, grant-writing, event planning, publicity, fundraising and advertising sales.
If HudsonJewish can assist you in any way, or if you have ideas about programs or events, contact us at Info@HudsonJewish.org.
L'hitraot,
The Board of Trustees of HudsonJewish
- Neil Davis (Neil@HudsonJewish.org)
- Raylie Dunkel (Raylie@HudsonJewish.org)
- Yael Israel (Yael@HudsonJewish.org)
- Michelle Levine (Michelle@HudsonJewish.org)
- Adam Weiss (Adam@HudsonJewish.org) |
Connect With the Community at the Hoboken Street Fair on Sunday May 4
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The Hoboken Street Fair is a highlight of the Hudson County calendar, and for the first time, HudsonJewish will have its own booth! Look for our distinctive "shin-shin-shin" logo, and use our booth as a rendezvous point. Come meet the volunteers who make HudsonJewish possible, and get to know other people in the community. For more details contact Board Secretary Michelle Levine: Michelle@HudsonJewish.org. |
Informal Meet-and-Greet Coffees
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The first HudsonJewish coffee took place March 31 at the home of HudsonJewish Trustee Raylie Dunkel in the Paulus Hook section of Jersey City. Eighteen guests attended, many of them relative newcomers to the neighborhood. Here are some of the follow-ups:
(1) Downtown toddlers group -- parents welcome too.
(2) Chavurah-style Shabbat service and pot luck dinner to take place Friday, May 30.
(3) After-work kosher wine tasting to take place at Liberty Liquor (corner of Washington & Morris) on Thursday, June 26. For more information consult the HudsonJewish calendar or contact Raylie@HudsonJewish.org.
HudsonJewish will host the next informal coffee in Hoboken, at the home of Dara Kurlander, on June 30. For more information consult the HudsonJewish calendar or contact Dara@HudsonJewish.org. If you would like to host a gathering in your living room, please contact Raylie. |
| 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. |
CareLink 2008 - Passover Meal Delivery
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Mobile Multi Mitzva Machers
Volunteers from all over our region delivered dozens of kosher-for-Passover meals to homebound or isolated Jewish people on April 13 as part of Jewish Family & Counseling Service's CareLink 2008 project.
 Participants assembled meals at the Bayonne JCC and made deliveries singly or in groups.
Mitzvas included: Visiting the ill; Respecting the elders; Feeding the hungry. If you would like to take part in similar community service projects, contact HudsonJewish Board Secretary Michelle Levine: Michelle@HudsonJewish.org. |
May 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
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - .
Thursday, May 1, 7:30pm - 10:00pm: Joint Yom HaShoah Service at Congregation B'nai Jacob. Rabbi Kenneth Brickman (Temple Beth-El of Jersey City), Cantor Marsha Dubrow (Congregation B'nai Jacob of Jersey City), and Rabbi Robert Scheinberg (United Synagogue of Hoboken) conduct a community service in memory of the victims of the Holocaust, accompanied by the United Synagogue of Hoboken Choir. There will be readings and memorial candle lighting by survivors. Location: Congregation B'nai Jacob, 176 West Side Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07305. Contact: 201-435-5725.
Friday, May 2: Yom HaShoah - Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Friday, May 2, 7pm: Hoboken Shabbat in the Park. Join USH for a lovely outdoor Shabbat service: Park Avenue between 4th and 5th Streets.
Friday, May 2, 9pm: JYAH2 Shabbat dinner hosted by Jodi F. Contact: hobokenjyah@yahoo.com. RSVP and bring a dairy dish. A group usually walks to the dinner together following services at United Synagogue of Hoboken. (Note that services tonight will be outdoors in the Park).
Sunday, May 4, 11:00am - 6:00pm: Hoboken Art & Music Festival. Stop by the HudsonJewish booth to connect with other people in the Jewish community, or use the HudsonJewish booth as a meet-up point! United Synagogue of Hoboken also has a booth, and rumor has it that Chabad will be represented too. Locations are not assigned until the event, so look for our distinctive "Shin-Shin-Shin" banner. HudsonJewish volunteers will be staffing the booth all day, answering questions about local Jewish life. Street Fair includes over 300 booths, featuring photographers, artists, crafters and food. "Kid Zone" on 3rd Street features The Fuzzy Lemons, Mr. Taxi Trix, Starfish, Hanna Valente & more. We'd love to have company all day! Contact: Secretary@HudsonJewish.org
Tuesday, May 6, 7:30pm - 9:00pm: 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. Location: Congregation Mount Sinai of Jersey City Heights, 128 Sherman Avenue, JC, 07307. Contact: Rebbetzin Barbara E. Marks: BarbaraEMarks@Gmail.com or the Mount Sinai office: 201-222-3445.
Wednesday, May 7: Yom HaZikaron - Israeli Memorial Day
Wednesday, May 7, 8:00pm - 9:30pm: Mount Sinai Board Meeting. Location: Congregation Mount Sinai of Jersey City Heights, 128 Sherman Avenue, JC 07307. Contact Board Secretary (and HudsonJewish Vice Chair), Dr. Neil Davis: Neil@HudsonJewish.org.
Thursday, May 8: Yom HaAtzma'ut - Israel Independence Day (60th Anniversary of the Establishment of the State of Israel).
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." Forum for membership committees to exchange information on what works and what doesn't. Location: UJA of Northern New Jersey: 111 Kinderkamack Road, River Edge NJ. Contact: Nickie Falk, CAE, SLI Consultant, 201-488-6800, ext. 254 or email: NickieF@ujannj.org.
Thursday, May 15, 10:00am - 11:30am: Shalom Baby Play Group - Shavuot. Shalom Baby is the Jewish welcome wagon for parents and their babies & toddlers in Northern NJ. Play group is a great way to make new friends. Activities include free play, a story/music, and snack. Location: Congregation Adas Emuno, 254 Broad Avenue, Leonia, NJ 07605. Contact: Rachel Jurisz, Shalom Baby Coordinator, at 201-488-6800, ext. 252 or rachelj@ujannj.org.
Thursday, May 15, 8:00pm - 9:00pm: Bayonne JCC Board Meeting.
Thursday May 15, 8:00pm - 11:00pm: JYAH2 - Israel's 60th B-Day Bash @ Mulligan's. ($35 cover includes Open Bar and DJ). Location: Mulligan's - 159 First St., Hoboken NJ (btwn: Bloomfield/Garden). Contact: hobokenjyah@yahoo.com.
Friday, May 16, 8:00pm - 9:30pm. BJ Jersey City's Friday Night Live! Congregation B'nai Jacob and Cantor Marsha Dubrow celebrate Israel's 60th at the monthly Friday night Shabbat service with musical instruments and the Cantor's "moving and shaking" music. Services at 8 followed by delicious Oneg Shabbat. (Note: Next Friday Night Live! on June 20, 2008 will include B'nai Jacob's all-community Shabbat service and dinner). Location: Congregation B'nai Jacob, 176 Westside Avenue in Jersey City.
Saturday, May 17, 10:00am - 3:00pm: NCJW - Hoboken/Hudson - The Relay for Life. Contact: (201) 888-1692 or ncjwhoboken@hotmail.com.
Sunday, May 18, 12:00pm - 5:00pm: "Mama's Lukshen Kugel and the Klezmer Mountain Boys" Join the members of Congregation B'nai Jacob in celebrating Yiddish culture on this day trip to the YM-YWHA of Wayne. There will be two lively Yiddish films: "Mama's Lukshen Kugel" and "The Klezmer Mountain Boys". (Subtitles in English and Russian). Between the performances enjoy the festival's kosher food. $20/person. Bus leaves at 12PM from parking lot of B'nai Jacob of Jersey City (176 West Side Avenue). You absolutely do not have to know how to read, understand or kvetch in Yiddish to enjoy! Reservations must be paid for by May 12. Contact any of B'nai Jacob's friendly organizers: Etta (201-332-9583), Lenore (201-333-3682), Min (201-435-0575) and Pauline (201-434-4654).
Thursday, May 22, 7:00pm - 5:00pm: JYAH2 Volunteer Opportunity Location TBD. Contact: hobokenjyah@yahoo.com.
Friday, May 23: Lag B'Omer
Thursday, May 29, 8:00pm - 10:00pm: "Live from 1050-A Coffeehouse". A bit of Bohemia at the Bayonne JCC. Singers, poets, musicians, jugglers, and other extroverts welcome. Whatever your talent, come and share it. Call Sue Miller (201-232-7212) for details. Sponsored by the Youth and Family Committee of the Bayonne JCC. Location: Bayonne JCC - 1050 Kennedy Boulevard, Bayonne, NJ. www.bayonnejcc.org. Friday, May 30, 7pm - 10pm: Downtown Jersey City Pot Luck Shabbat. Share a pot luck Shabbat dinner with other downtown JC residents. HudsonJewish Trustee Raylie Dunkel hosts this event for the fast-growing community in and around downtown and Paulus Hook. Contact Raylie at 201-413-1110 or Raylie@HudsonJewish.org.
Friday, May 30, 7:30pm: Kabbalat Shabbat service and dinner at Congregation Mount Sinai, 128 Sherman Avenue in Jersey City Heights. RSVP to Rabbi Marks: ravshlomo.mtsinai@gmail.com or the synagogue office 201-222-3445.
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June Preview
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Monday, June 2: Yom Yerushalayim
Monday, June 2, 7:30pm - 9:30pm: HudsonJewish Board of Trustees Meeting. Contact info@HudsonJewish.org.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008, 7:30pm - 9:00pm: Monthly Women's Rosh Hodesh event at Congregation Mount Sinai. Location: Congregation Mount Sinai of Jersey City Heights, 128 Sherman Avenue, JC, 07307. Contact: Rebbetzin Barbara E. Marks: BarbaraEMarks@Gmail.com or the Mount Sinai office: 201-222-3445.
Wednesday, June 4, 5:00pm - 8:00pm: JYAH2 Happy Hour at 10th and Willow Restaurant/Trivia Night. (Corner of 10th & Willow in Hoboken). Contact: hobokenjyah@yahoo.com.
Sunday, June 8: Erev Shavuot
Monday, June 9 - Tuesday, June 10: Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks
Friday, June 13, 9:00pm - 11:00pm: JYAH2 Potluck Dinner at Allison's Place. Bring a dairy dish. For more information contact: hobokenjyah@yahoo.com. (A group usually walks together following services at USH).
Sunday, June 15, 4:00pm - 7:00pm: 100th Anniversary Gala - Congregation Mount Sinai of Jersey City Heights. A hundred years is something to celebrate! Concert featuring Angela Oren, who sings in English, Romanian, French and Spanish. Dessert, coffee and tea will follow. Location: 128 Sherman Avenue, Jersey City 07307. For more information contact Ann Blaustein, President Emerita: 201-656-2066. Visit this jewel of a synagogue on any Shabbat and meet the dedicated people who are bringing it back to life! |
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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:
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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 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, 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. (This newsletter is one example). 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.
100% of Your Donations Support Local Programs |
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The Hudson Jewish Community Forum ("HudsonJewish") is a New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation. Our mission is to nurture and support Jewish life in Hudson County, New Jersey.
HudsonJewish: Connecting Our Community
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