| Join Our List |
 | |
|
Message from the Board
Dear Friends,
Rosh HaShana, the Jewish New Year, begins on Monday evening, September 29th. Yom Kippur begins with Kol Nidre on the evening of Wednesday, October 8th.
If you would like to attend High Holidays services in Hudson County but do not yet have a relationship with a local congregation, now is the time to make arrangements with the synagogue of your choice. In light of safety and security concerns we encourage you to contact them ASAP. While all synagogues would be pleased to see you on any Shabbat or other occasion, some may not be able to accommodate "walk-ins" this year -- for example, United Synagogue of Hoboken is likely to be at the limit of its physical capacity.
The HudsonJewish website is the one-stop shop for everything Jewish in Hudson County, New Jersey. Whether you are a long-time resident, newcomer, or prospective resident of our area, please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the organizations that serve the Jewish community. Bookmark the Calendar page to find out what is happening, and review the Directory and Map pages to learn about the local Jewish neighborhood. And of course, make sure to alert other Jewish people in the area to our existence! All Jewish organizations are invited to post their events to the HudsonJewish calendar.
During the past year, HudsonJewish has sponsored a wide variety of events to connect people with each other. We are particularly pleased to see Jewish life coalescing in downtown Jersey City, where there is now a regular Friday morning toddlers group and occasional havurah-style Shabbat gatherings. For more information on downtown Jersey City Jewish life, contact HudsonJewish Trustee Raylie Dunkel: Raylie@HudsonJewish.org.
As always, many thanks to the volunteers and contributors who are making HudsonJewish possible.
L'shana Tova Tikatevu v'Tichatemu
(May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year)!
The Trustees of HudsonJewish
Adam Weiss, Chairman
Dr. Neil Davis, Vice Chairman
Michelle Levine, Secretary
Yael Israel, Treasurer
Raylie Dunkel, Trustee |
| High Holidays Services |
|
All local Hudson County synagogues are listed on the HudsonJewish Directory HudsonJewish Directory. Please remember that local Jewish institutions need your support to survive -- many have clung to existence despite 40 years of steady population decline, and are only being rediscovered by a new generation now. Due to space limitations and special security or other expenses during the High Holidays, some synagogues may request donations from non-members. Please support them generously.
Here is information on several local synagogues that have been most active in welcoming newcomers and actively supporting HudsonJewish outreach efforts:
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
United Synagogue of Hoboken ("USH"), 115 Park Avenue, Hoboken, 07030. USH is Conservative congregation with a very open, educational and informal style. Its educational programs, including the Kaplan Cooperative Preschool serve a large population of families in and around Hoboken and Jersey City. USH is the hub of Jewish life in Hoboken, and sponsors the ever-active Jewish Young Adults of Hoboken ("JYAH") social group for 20- and 30-somethings. A growing number of "empty nesters" is discovering USH also.
- Selichot program and services, Saturday night, 9/20, 9-11PM
- Rosh HaShana Evening Services, 9/29 and 9/30: 7PM
- Rosh HaShana Morning, 9/30 and 10/1: 9AM
- Rosh HaShana Afternoon, 9/30 and 10/1: 5PM
- Tashlich: 9/30, 5:30 PM at Pier A Park (ritual casting of sins into the water)
- Kol Nidre, 10/8, 5:15PM
- Yom Kippur Morning, 10/9: 9AM
- Yom Kippur Afternoon, 10/9: 4:40PM
- Neilah, 10/9: 6:05 PM
Children's programs and babysitting will be available during most services at USH. Programs are tailored by age. Consult the schedule and reservation form on the synagogue website: USH High Holidays Childrens Programs or call the USH office and ask for Education Director Grace Gurman-Chan, 201-659-4000. A $25/child fee applies for baby sitting.
Note: Undergraduate students at Stevens Institute of Technology will be admitted free with advance reservations. Admission for adult guests is $250 ($100 for guests of USH members). Payments by prospective members may be applied toward dues if you join USH during 2008. No prospective member will be turned away because of financial hardship, but advance arrangements are required by contacting the synagogue office at: 201-659-4000.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
In case of overflow from USH, the community is encouraged to discover nearby Congregation Mount Sinai (128 Sherman Avenue in Jersey City Heights, not far from the Light Rail elevator at 9th Street in Hoboken/Congress Street in Jersey City. An eclectic community that follows traditional Orthodox practices, Mount Sinai boast a very comfortable and inclusive environment, a multinational/multiethnic congregation, and a "user friendly" style that is welcoming to people who may be less familiar with a traditional congregation but are open to learning more. Please make advance arrangements. Contact information is on the Mount Sinai website or contact HudsonJewish Trustee and Mount Sinai member Neil Davis for details about this interesting organization in the Jersey City Heights neighborhood.
--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Temple Beth-El of Jersey City. 2419 Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City (corner of Harrison Street, near Communipaw). Temple Beth-El is a Reform congregation that serves a growing and very diverse, community including many interfaith, multi-ethnic, single parent and gay and lesbian households. Learn about Temple Beth-El's dynamic Rabbi Kenneth Brickman and Student Cantor Jamie Marx on Beth-El's informative website. Beth-El supports an active religious school and adult education programs.
- Selichot services, Saturday night, 9/20, 8PM
- Rosh HaShana Evening, 9/29, 8PM
- Rosh HaShana Morning, 9/30 and 10/1, 10AM
- Rosh HaShana Children's Service, 9/30, 1PM
- Kol Nidre, 10/8: 6:45PM
- Yom Kippur Morning, 10/9: 10AM
- Yom Kippur Children's Service, 10/9: 1PM
- Congregational Forum (Congregants share stories of their Jewish Journeys), 10/9: 2PM
- Yizkor Memorial Service, followed by Afternoon and Neila closing services and break fast, 10/9: 3:30 PM
Note: Contact the synagogue office for information on High Holidays admission: 201-333-4229. Children's services and the Yizkor Memorial service are open to the public free of charge. |
| Thank you to the Law Firm of
Roberta Tarkan, Esq.
482 Central Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07307
Tel: 201-656-7000
|
HudsonJewish relies on the generosity of individuals and organizations in the community. Roberta L. Tarkan, Esq. is a proud supporter of HudsonJewish. Ms. Tarkan has over 20 years of experience in employment discrimination, real estate transactions, personal injury, and landlord-tenant disputes (representing both landlords and tenants) in the Jersey City/Hudson County area.
She invites members of the community to contact her for a confidential consultation.
|
|
| "Come Home For the Holidays" Program of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism |
|
| Attention former-USY Members!
Project Reconnect invites former members of the Conservative Movement's youth programs to attend High Holidays services free of charge at participating synagogues. More information is available on the Project Reconnect website.
|
| Selichot Programs Saturday Night, September 20 |
|
|
Synagogues throughout the Hudson County area are holding special events this Saturday night, 9/20, for Selichot.
A program at Beth-El of Jersey City begins at 8PM; program at United Synagogue of Hoboken at 9PM.
Temple Israel Community Center (207 Edgewater Road in Cliffside Park) is sponsoring the "Klezmer On The Kliff V", featuring the Hester Street Troupe (pictured above). Rabbi Shammai Engelmayer and Chazzan Barry Butensky will lead services. For more information, contact Temple Israel and let them know that you heard about this program from HudsonJewish! |
| Israel Fair at the Bayonne JCC, Sunday, September 21st, 12-4PM |
|
The Bayonne Jewish Community Center, an underwriter of HudsonJewish, invites the entire community to celebrate Israel's 60th Anniversary with an afternoon of fun and food for all ages. Activities/events will include:
- Israeli products and crafts fair
- Jewelry, crafts, Dead Sea Spa products
- Israeli food court
- Folk dancing
- Entertainment
- Art & Travelogue
- Childrens events, face painting
The Bayonne JCC is located at 1050 Kennedy Boulevard in Bayonne. For more information, call 201-436-6900 or contact BayonneJCC@aol.com.
Make sure to visit the HudsonJewish table -- we are very fortunate to have a JCC in our area, and encourage all to show their support! |
| Follow-up on Recent Community Events |
|
|
USH Restoration Kick-off Celebration, September 14th
United Synagogue of Hoboken's Star of Israel Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places, as reported widely in the local press. A restoration project for this historic synagogue, which now serves over 250 member households, will commence after the High Holidays this year. Mount Sinai Centennial, June 15th
Almost 100 people attended Congregation Mount Sinai's Centennial Gala on June 15th. A dedicated group of area newcomers is bringing new life to this venerable traditional congregation in Jersey City Heights, and carrying on Jewish traditions established in the neighborhood over 100 years ago.
Musical Shabbat at B'nai Jacob, June 20th
Over 80 guests attended the milestone Musical Kabbalat Shabbat dinner at Jersey City's Congregation B'nai Jacob on June 20th. "This reminds me of the weddings and parties we used to have here years ago," said Betty Arenson, a long time member of Bnai Jacob. Anita Ollivierre, another long-timer congregant echoed her remarks. "We could have lots of guests and parties here again". Cantor Marsha Dubrow, a scholar and performer of Jewish music, led services. Jane Canter, Co-President of Bnai Jacob points out the importance of supporting the community and participating in community events: "An important aspect is that every event should make money; not necessarily a lot but nothing should lose money. The members and the outside community must be taught to support these institutions financially at every turn or the synagogues will not be there when they are needed." Guests came mostly from Jersey City and Bayonne, including friends & family from the surrounding areas in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, some as far away as Pennsylvania and California.
Chavurah-style Kabbalat Shabbat in Paulus Hook, May 30th
HudsonJewish Trustee Raylie Dunkel sponsored a pot-luck Shabbat dinner on May 30. Approximately two-dozen downtown Jersey City residents (including many children) enjoyed a lovely community meal and services led by Cantor Marsha Dubrow. Residents of downtown Jersey City and vicinity are encouraged to contact Raylie about the further development of Jewish life in the neighborhood. ( Raylie@HudsonJewish.org).
Kosher Wine Tasting at Liberty Liquor in downtown JC, June 26th
On June 26th, dozens of Jersey City residents, many of them the "after-work crowd" that is relatively new to the area, enjoyed the first (that we know of!) kosher wine tasting program in Jersey City at Liberty Liquor on Washington & Morris Streets. We hope that this will be the first of many.
USH Congregational trip to Israel, August 2008
Twenty-six members of United Synagogue of Hoboken accompanied Rabbi Robert Scheinberg on a congregational trip to Israel. Highlights included a visit to Tirat Karmel, a small city of 20,000 near Haifa, with which USH members Pamela Strell and Laura Foligno have worked to establish a "sister city" relationship. The group also met USH members who have moved to Israel in the past several years: Andrea Baron and Daniella Barak. |
Thank you to Gutterman Bros. Funeral Directors
Toll free (any time of day or night): 866-473-3700
|
Since 1892 the Gutterman family has served the Jewish community with dignity and respect. Gutterman Bros. Funeral Directors has supported HudsonJewish since our inception in 2007. |
| Contact Lawrence P. Gutterman, NJ License 4507. |
Hoboken Street Fair - September 28, 10AM - 6PM
|
|
|
The Hoboken Street Fair (September 28 this year) is always a highlight of the fall season. Jewish organizations, including United Synagogue of Hoboken, National Council of Jewish Women, Jewish Young Adults of Hoboken, and Chabad Lubavitch, will be represented, so stop by their booths to meet other Jewish people in the community. Photos from the last Hoboken Street Fair this past May are available on the Hudson Jewish website: HudsonJewish - Photos.
|
| More Jewish Activity in Jersey City & Vicinity |
|
|
Toddlers Program
The establishment of a Jewish toddlers program in downtown Jersey City is evidence of the growing Jewish community there. The program meets Friday mornings, 9:30-10:30AM. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, babysitters and other friends are welcome to join in welcoming the Sabbath with a sing-along and challah. For more information, contact Rachelle Grossman of the Kaplan Cooperative Preschool at 201-653-8666, or Toby Kizner: Toby.Kizner@jacobs.com
Post-Yom Kippur Break-Fast
Downtown JC residents are invited to attend a pot luck break-the-fast together at the conclusion of Yom Kippur. All are invited to arrive after 6PM, or whenever they can come following services. Children are especially welcome. For more information and to volunteer for a specific dish, contact HudsonJewish's unofficial den mother and dedicated downtown doyenne Raylie Dunkel: Raylie@HudsonJewish.org. The last pot luck attracted around 25 people, mostly newcomers to the neighborhood.
Tashlich-on-the-Hudson I
Although it is now illegal to dump toxic waste into the Hudson River, you are welcome to cast your sins there. Please join United Synagogue of Hoboken for its annual tashlich ceremony at Pier A Park. September 30, 5:30 PM, Pier A Park in Hoboken. BYOB (bring your own breadcrumbs).
Tashlich-on-the-Hudson II
As Hoboken goes, so goes downtown Jersey City, where residents are invited to cast their sins into the water at the second annual Paulus Hook Tashlich-on-the-Hudson, Sunday October 5, 2-4PM at the south end of Washington Street. (BYOB). |
|
September-October Events
|
|
|
For access to post your own organization's events to the HudsonJewish community calendar, email Jessica Lemmon (Jessica@HudsonJewish.org). Posting your events is the best way to avoid scheduling conflicts and broadcast to the community. Dates/times/locations may change, so check the online calendar for updates.
--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Friday, September 19, 9:30-10:30AM: Toddler Time in Downtown Jersey City (see above for description)
Friday, September 19, 7PM: Shabbat and Shmooze at United Synagogue of Hoboken. Meet the community, nosh on tasty treats including an ice cream sundae bar, and enjoy a relaxing evening in a warm and inclusive community. All are welcome. A great way to meet the community before the High Holidays. RSVP appreciated: admin@hobokensynagogue.org.
Saturday evening, September 20, 9PM: Selichot program and penitential prayers. United Synagogue of Hoboken presents video, "Choose Life," by the faculty of the American Jewish University in Los Angeles, followed by the brief Selichot services at 10:30PM.
Saturday night, September 20: Selichot services and programs at many synagogues, including Temple Beth-El of Jersey City at 8PM.
Friday, September 26, 9:30-10:30AM: Toddler Time in Downtown Jersey City
Sunday, September 21, 12PM - 4PM: Israel 60th Birthday Celebration at the Bayonne JCC. Event features Israeli vendors, jewelry, crafts, pottery, Dead Sea Spa products, Israeli food court, folk dancing and arts. Special events for children include Maccabiah games, facepainting and crafts. Location: 1050 Kennedy Boulevard in Bayonne. (See feature item above).
Sunday, September 28, 10AM - 6PM: Hoboken Street Fair, Washington Street in Hoboken. Visit the United Synagogue and Chabad Lubavitch booths
Monday, September 29: Erev Rosh HaShana
Tuesday, September 30: Rosh HaShana, 1st Day
Wednesday, October 1: Rosh HaShana, 2d Day
Friday, October 3, 9:30-10:30AM: Toddler Time, downtown Jersey City
Sunday, October 5, 2-4PM: Tashlich on the Hudson.
Wednesday, October 8: Yom Kippur begins at sundown with Kol Nidre
Thursday, October 9: Yom Kippur
Thursday, October 9: Post-Yom Kippur Break Fast in Downtown Jersey City. (See above)
Friday, October 10, 9:30-10:30AM: Toddler Time
October 13-20: Sukkot
Tuesday, October 21: Shmini Atzeret
Wednesday, October 22: Simchat Torah
Friday, October 17, 9:30-10:30AM: Toddler Time
Sunday, October 19, 2:00-7:00PM: Bus trip to NJ Museum "Culture In Context" exhibit; Jewish musicologist and Congregation B'nai Jacob Cantor Marsha Dubrow is featured presenter at 2PM.
Friday, October 24, 9:30-10:30AM: Toddler Time
Friday, October 31, 9:30-10:30AM: Toddler Time |
| Share This Newsletter |
|
| You can share this newsletter by clicking on the link below:
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
|
| Save the Dates! |
|
|
Sunday, December 28, 2008: Hanukkah on the Hudson!
Sunday, March 15, 2009: "Fiddler on the Roof" at NJ Performing Arts Center, featuring the legendary Chaim Topol. HudsonJewish is able to acquire a limited block of premium seats, which will be made available for purchase by lottery as the date approaches. More information will be posted on the HudsonJewish website. | |
| Recognizing Our Generous Contributors |
|
Founded in 2007, HudsonJewish is a grass-roots, volunteer effort to nurture and support Jewish life in the Hudson County area by connecting Jewish people with each other and with the institutions that serve the community. A list of contributors is published on the HudsonJewish website at: HudsonJewish - Donors. Add your name to the list of community supporters by contributing online 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 on the website; indicate whether you prefer to donate anonymously.
100% of Donations Support Local Jewish Programs
|
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
|
|
|
