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Message from The Board of HudsonJewish
HudsonJewish Looks To The Future: A Personal Story by Raylie Dunkel
During the past few years that I have been a member of the Board of Trustees of HudsonJewish I have often asked myself "Why am I doing this?" It isn't an easy question to answer. Like many of you reading this newsletter, I am an "immigrant" to Hudson County, specifically to Downtown Jersey City. Like many of you I moved here for reasons having nothing to do with Jewish life:
. Desire to be in an urban environment
. Convenience to New York City
. Advantages of a "good deal" in real estate
. Excitement of being part of the revitalization of a city
Of course, moving also means re-creating the fabric of life: physically, economically and personally. And there was even more to be discovered and re-defined: Who was I as a Jew in this new place at this time? I grew up in Brooklyn where being Jewish was an unconscious experience every day. Later, moving to a suburban setting meant that membership in a large congregation defined my Judaism. Now that I was in an urban environment again, I realized that I had to redefine myself Jewishly without either of the external contexts that I understood. So I joined a Conservative congregation even though it was on the other side of the city. (Not that I am not particularly religious, but the congregational programs fulfilled at least some of my needs).
And then I found HudsonJewish: a new group with a new agenda--to build a Jewish community "from the bottom up" and independent of old ways of thinking about reaching out to newcomers. Here was a group of Jews interested in reaching out to ALL newcomers as well as to the established Jewish institutions like synagogues and the Jewish Community Center. The message was new and interesting: "What do YOU want?" HudsonJewish didn't push any one program, institution or message. It offered the possibility to define one's Jewishness on one's own terms: intellectually, culturally and/or religiously. It was up to me to decide where, when and how to participate. But one message has come through loud and clear: step forward and participate or there won't be any Jewish environment to participate in.
Over the past few years it has been intriguing to find myself in the middle of the HudsonJewish mix. The organization includes people from every conceivable Jewish background. And we have established various vehicles for participation. There are large scale events such as our "Hanukah on the Hudson" where hundreds of people across the county celebrate together. There are our intimate "Salons" where people gather to discuss topics of current interest (the last topic was fascinating: "Exploring the perceived connection between Jews and liberal political agendas"). There are presentations that explore Jewish themes, such as meeting the students and leaders of the Holocaust Studies program in the Jersey City Schools, and an upcoming program about the Jews in Cuba. And of course there are purely social activities such as the Wednesday bike rides that are a fun way to meet other local Jewish people during a leisurely ride in Liberty State Park followed by a stop at the local beer garden.
As with any organization there are cycles of development. We have accomplished a lot in a short time through the hard work of a dozen individuals. It is now time to engage the next generation of leadership of Hudson Jewish.
There will soon be openings on the Board of Trustees as some people will move into other roles or move from the community. HudsonJewish therefore invites the participation of anyone interested to help us breathe life into the community by hosting activities, putting on programs and continuing to coordinate the huge variety of interests expressed by everyone who reads this newsletter - now well over 1,500 people, by the way. If you are reading this newsletter you are interested in the continued growth of the Jewish community in Hudson County whether it is cultural, social or religious. Now is the time to be a do-er.
Perhaps you have a program you'd like to start; or perhaps you wish to volunteer to take over one of our existing roles as current Board members roll off after their 2-year terms expire. (In particular, we could use someone with accounting and finance experience to serve as Treasurer)! Publicity is another specific need. In short, HudsonJewish has many specific needs, but most of what we have accomplished resulted from someone saying, "wouldn't it be nice if . . .."
So, I leave off with one message to the community: Help HudsonJewish build local Jewish life by stepping forward to create it in this "new" land.
- Raylie Dunkel, Trustee, HudsonJewish
Raylie@HudsonJewish.org |
Second Jewish Social/Intellectual "Salon" in Downtown JC a Great Success. Third Planned for August 11.
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The second Jewish Salon, held Tuesday, July 14, was attended by approximately 20 outspoken and thoughtful people from throughout the region, who discussed whether and why Jews are perceived to "vote liberal" in the US. (Attendees came from as far away as Manhattan to participate). Opinions ranged from the message of the prophets to the lasting legacy of the New Deal. Homemade refreshments--brownies in particular--were another benefit of attendance.
The next Salon will be held on Tuesday, August 11, 7:30-9:00PM at the CASE Museum, 80 Grand Street (corner of Grand and Washington) in downtown Jersey City. Topic to be determined, but sure to be compelling.
Pending confirmation with Salon "regulars" it looks like the gatherings will take place regularly on the second Tuesday of each month.
For more information or to RSVP contact the event organizer and HudsonJewish Trustee Raylie Dunkel: Raylie@HudsonJewish.org.
PS. Volunteers to serve on the HudsonJewish Program Committee should also contact Raylie. |
Jewish Bike Riding Group
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HudsonJewish is
delighted to announce the formation of an informal bike riding group. The group will meet Wednesday evenings at the
Korean War Veterans memorial at the south
end of Washington Street
in downtown Jersey City. The ride will finish with a beer at Zeppelin Hall beer garden. Assemble at 6:30PM and depart at 6:40PM. The ride will be cancelled in case of
rain. Again, this is an informal group -
bring your own bike, helmet, and anything else you need for a leisurely ride. For more information contact Susan Farenci
at: sfarenci@gmail.com
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August Events
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To post your own organization's events to the HudsonJewish community calendar, email Trustee Jessica Lemmon (Jessica@HudsonJewish.org) for a username and password. Posting events is the best way to avoid scheduling conflicts and broadcast your events (and existence) to the community. Dates/times/locations may change, so check the online calendar for updates. More information is often available on the HudosnJewish website.
Sunday Mornings, August 2, 9, 16, 11:00am: Sunday Brunch'n'Learn series with Rabbi Shammai Engelmayer "How the Bible Came to Be." $7 per session, $18 for the series. Reservations are required ASAP: 201-945-7310. Temple Israel Community Center, 207 Edgewater Road, Cliffside Park.
Tuesday, August 4, 7:30-10PM "Shalom Baby." Expecting a child? -- Join Rabbi Scheinberg at United Synagogue of Hoboken for a session on welcoming a new child into your family and the
Jewish community. Learn about values, customs and community resources
available to help as the family grows. Cost: $20/couple. RSVP: Office@HobokenSynagogue.org.
Thursday, August 6th, 7:00pm: Come see The Gordys perform in Sinatra Park, Hoboken! The Gordys include members of United Synagogue of Hoboken this free concert features their mix of rock and roll and Klezmer. Sinatra Park is off of Frank Sinatra Drive, between 4th and 5th Streets. Sponsored by the Hoboken Department of Cultural Affairs.
Friday, August 7, Sunset: USH Shabbat In The Park. You bring a kosher or vegetarian meal; we supply the challah and grape juice. Outdoor kabbalat Shabbat.
Tuesday, August 11, 7:30-9:00PM: Jewish Intellectual/Social Salon. Topic TBD but sure to be compelling. Location: CASE Museum, 80 Grand Street near corner of Washington. Contact Raylie@HudsonJewish.org. Wednesday, August 12, 8:00pm: Join JYAH for a night of beer tasting in Hoboken! Guess all the Sam Adams Brewery Fresh Beers correctly and win prizes. $20 per person. Liberty Bar & Grill, 61 14th St, Hoboken. RSVP to Liberty Bar directly:: libertybarandgrill@yahoo.com. Friday, August 14th, 6:00pm:
"Shabbat in the Park." Enjoy Shabbat under the stars in lovely Hudson
County Park in Bayonne. There will be Musical Kabbalat Shabbat Service
led by David Frankel, followed by evening services, and
then candlelighting and supper. All our welcome to join in what
promises to be be a new, delightful experience. Cost is $20 adults,
$10 children under 13. Please RSVP by August 10, Temple Emanu-El
201-436-4499. Hudson County Park is located on 37th Street and Kennedy
Boulevard. |
| Upcoming Events |
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Wednesday, September 9, 7:00pm: Join the young women of Hadassah as they officially charter the newest chapter- Hoboken Hadassah at the United Synagogue of Hoboken (115 Park Avenue). Learn about Hadasah experiences as well as how to make a tasty cocktail! $5 Hadassah members, $10 non-members. To RSVP by Sept 1, visit: www.nnj.hadassah.org/hoboken-sept-charter.
The High Holidays are right around the corner. It is possible that some local synagogues will be literally too full to accept more guests. Be sure to check www.hudsonjewish.org for information on all local synagogues and call them for membership or ticket information as far in advance as possible. Erev Rosh HaShana: September 18 Rosh HaShana Day 1: September 19 Rosh HaShana Day 2: September 20 Kol Nidre: September 27 Yom Kippur: September 29 |
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"HudsonJewish" and the HudsonJewish logo are trademarks of the Hudson Jewish Community Forum, A New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation having 501(c)(3) status. Our mission is to nurture and support Jewish life in Hudson County, New Jersey.
HudsonJewish: Connecting Our Community
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