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HudsonJewish is pleased to present the November 2010 Newsletter. We hope that you enjoy it and find it helpful.
For more information, consult the HudsonJewish website any time at www.HudsonJewish.org, or reach out the local organizations that are at the heart of Jewish communal life in our area. A full list with contact information is available on the website.
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Special Film Showing: "Talking Through Walls: How the Struggle to Build a Mosque United a Community," Sunday, Nov. 7, 3PM in Hoboken
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| The film "Talking Through Walls" is the inspirational story of how the interfaith leaders of Voorhees, New Jersey found a way to keep peace and show the world what can be accomplished through the power of compromise and tolerance.
Starting with distrust, fear and anger a community aired its differences, overcame misgivings and learned to communicate across religious, ethnic and class lines. Leadership in the community worked diligently to see the project through to fruition.
Can the same be done in NYC with the political and emotional haze surrounding 9/11? The answer is yet to be discovered. This film and the discussion following will help all to evaluate the situation.
'Talking Through Walls" will be shown on NOVEMBER 7, 2010 at 3:00 PM at United Synagogue of Hoboken, 115 Park Avenue, Hoboken. Following the film there will be a panel discussion with representatives of the Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities in Hudson County. Discussion will focus the events of the film within the context of the controversial situation in building the mosque in Lower Manhattan.
Produced and directed by Stephanie Daniels, a Jersey City resident, the film will be discussed by an interfaith panel. Panel Members:
* Rabbi Robert Scheinberg, United Synagogue of Hoboken
* Imam Mohamed Al-Hayek, North Hudson Islamic Center,
* Rev. Eugene P. Squeo, Co-Pastor, Parish of St. Patrick & Assumption/All Saints
HudsonJewish is co-sponsoring this event. |
Mark Your Calendars Now for "Hanukkah on the Hudson, 2010!" NOTE DATE CHANGE. New Date: Tuesday, December 2, 6-8:30PM
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| HudsonJewish and the Bayonne Jewish Community Center are proud to announce our 4th Annual Joint "Hanukkah on the Hudson!" This year's community-wide Hanukkah celebration will take place on the second evening of Hanukkah, Tuesday, December 2d, from 6-8:30 PM. Food, music, dancing, and the lighting of the traditional Hanukkah flames. Ticket prices as follows: Adults $10 in advance, $14 at the door; Children $6 in advance, $9 at the door; under 3 free. A PayPal link will soon be live on the HudsonJewish website.
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AIPAC Organizational Meeting in Hudson County; Major Event Nov. 15 in Livingston, NJ
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| Hudson County residents Beth and Ricky Mason, Cindy and Jason Altberger, and Danny Dunn hosted a meeting in the Mason on home on Monday, October 17th to provide members of the community with an introduction to the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee, also known as AIPAC. While AIPAC has strong membership in other parts of New Jersey and the New York metro area as well in other major metropolitan areas across the country, it is under-represented in Hudson County. The meeting organizers hope to significantly strengthen membership in our area. Immediate goals include providing a forum by which community members can become educated on the U.S. - Israel relationship and providing a direct conduit through which our community can form and foster a productive relationship with our elected member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
AIPAC is the only American organization whose principal mission is to lobby the U.S. government about legislation that strengthens the relationship between the United States and Israel. AIPAC has been described by The New York Times as "the most important organization affecting America 's relationship with Israel." Every day, the professional staff and members of AIPAC are hard at work helping to educate members of Congress, candidates for public office, policymakers, media professionals and student leaders on college campuses about the importance of the U.S.-Israel friendship. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the organization has 10 regional offices focused on bringing its message to legislators throughout the country. Today, AIPAC is broadening and deepening the U.S.-Israel bond by working to secure vital aid for Israel to help ensure Israel remains strong and secure. AIPAC is working to promote strategic cooperation between the two nations, to develop sound U.S. anti-terrorist policies and to stop rogue nations such as Iran from acquiring weapons of mass destruction. AIPAC is registered as a domestic lobby and supported financially by private donations. The organization receives no financial assistance from Israel , any national organization or any foreign group. AIPAC is not a political action committee. It does not rate, endorse or contribute to candidates. Because it is a lobby, contributions to AIPAC are not tax deductible. For more than 50 years, AIPAC has worked to make a difference.
AIPAC is hosting an event, which is free and open to the community and co- sponsored by numerous area synagogues include United Synagogue of Hoboken, with renowned speaker and author Daniel Gordis on November 15th, 2010 at Temple B'nai Abraham in Livingston. For more information about AIPAC and attending the upcoming event please contact Nora Berger (nberger@aipac.org). Please join the effort to secure Israel 's future at www.aipac.org. |
"Kirtan Rabbi" to Lead Hebrew Chanting in Hoboken, November 20, 8:00 PM
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| "Kirtan Rabbi" leads special Saturday evening service in Hoboken!
United Synagogue of Hoboken will be hosting Rabbi Andrew Hahn (the "Kirtan Rabbi') for "Yah is my Strength and Song: Sacred Chant with the Kirtan Rabbi" at 8PM on November 20, 2010. Rabbi Andrew Hahn bridges the worlds of Judaism and Eastern spirituality, bringing the practice of Kirtan to the Jewish community using the worlds of the Hebrew Bible and prayer book.
The practice of Kirtan originated in India. Its intention was to bring sacred chanting out of the temple precincts and into the streets for regular people to experience. It is most often characterized by a call-and-response format: the person leading the Kirtan sings a line, then everyone else sings it back. This goes on in a continual fashion to the point where deep states of meditative consciousness can be reached. As one famous Western Kirtan artist puts it: "When you come to a Kirtan you might leave having attained enlightenment; worst case? You will leave in a great mood!" Kirtan is considered to be the highest form of yogic practice, higher even than holding postures or the stretching exercises most commonly associated with that word. Kirtan is also considered to be particularly suited to these times, when so many people are struggling and need an uplifting experience. Kirtan was featured in a recent NY Times article.
Rabbi Andrew Hahn has been offering his unique form of chant around the country for the last five years. He characterizes Hebrew Kirtan as, "fully participatory chanting where short, sacred phrases from the Jewish tradition are treated as powerful, universal meditations. It is at once contemplative, ecstatic, and ...simply fun." While many Rabbis have been seeking Rabbi Hahn out to come to their synagogues (and even to consult with them on how to enliven traditional Jewish services), he points out that there is no need to know Hebrew or be Jewish to gain from this experience. He also has no desire to change Judaism or alter its regular service practice.
Rabbi Hahn was ordained at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and holds a Ph.D. in Jewish Philosophy from the Jewish Theological Seminary. He has also been teaching martial arts for more than 30 years. (At one point he led a 100 member karate school in an NYC Parks and Recreation Center.) Owing to this varied background, Rabbi Hahn laces his simple, alluring chants with meditation techniques and deep, traditional learning. He has two musical CDs: the widely-praised Kirtan Rabbi: Live!, which was recorded at Congregation B'nai Jeshurun on Manhattan's Upper West Side; and the recently released, studio production, Achat Sha'alti (one thing I seek). He travels all around the country visiting synagogues, JCCs, campus groups and yoga studios.
For information about the event see www.hobokensynagogue.org. For more information on Kirtan Rabbi and Hebrew Kirtan (including a video), go to www.KirtanRabbi.com |
Local Cantor Wins Award
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| Cantor Marsha Dubrow, Ph.D., spiritual leader of Jersey City's egalitarian Congregation B'nai Jacob, has been named a winning composer in the 2010 Shalshelet competition for New Jewish Liturgical Music.
 | | Cantor Marsha Dubrow, Ph.D., Spritual Leader of Congregation B'nai Jacob of Jersey City |
Her composition, "Va'Tikach Miryam Ha'Niveah," based on the biblical song of Miryam at the Red Sea, will be presented in a Jewish composers' workshop on Sunday, December 5, at Congregation Ansche Chesed in New York City as part of the 4th International Shalshelet Festival. Cantor Dubrow has been an awardee two previous times, for her compositions "Hashkiveinu" and "Mah Tovu."
The Shalshelet Festival kicks off on Saturday, December 4 at 8PM with a concert, "No Rock Like You: Songs for the Jewish Soul," featuring 22 compositions performed by some of New York's top musicians with guest artists from across the United States, Israel, the UK, Australia and Canada. The Festival continues Sunday, December 5 from 10AM - 4PM with "Meet the Composer" workshops during which 35 new compositions will be performed. Location: Ansche Chesed, 251 West 100th Street, NYC. For ticket information contact 212-865-0600 ext. 242 or visit the festival website at www.Shalshelet.org.
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Informal, Down-to-Earth, English-language Weekly Torah Study in North Bergen, Thursdays at 8PM
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| Thursdays at 8PM join members of the Jewish community in North Bergen for a weekly Torah shiur (study session) with the insightful discussion leader, rabbinical student Simcha Schwartz. Each session is devoted to the week's Torah portion. The format is a discussion, not a lecture, and is designed to connect the Torah narrative with learnings in ethics, philosophy and contemporary issues. All sessions are in English.
The shiur is held at Temple Beth Abraham, 8410 Fourth Avenue, North Bergen. For further information contact Steven Braitman at: stevenbraitman@gmail.com or at 201-868-1813.
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Saint Peter's College Presents Muslim and Jewish Speakers, Nov. 10 and Dec. 1, 6PM
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| On Wednesday, November 10 at 6PM, and on Wednesday, December 1 at 6PM, Saint Peter's College will present a program entitled "Two Nights of Discovery." The November 10 program will feature Mohammed el Filali of the Islamic Center of Passaic County, speaking on the questions, "Who Is A Muslim? Who Are the Islamic People? Why Is Palestine Important to the Muslim?" The December 1 program will feature Allyson Gall of the American Jewish Committee, speaking on the questions, "Who Is A Jew? Who Are the Jewish People? Why is Israel Important to the Jewish People?" Both events will take place at the McIntyre Lounge, Saint Peter's College, 2641 Kennedy Boulevard in Jersey City. For further information contact Fr. Phil Latronico at: 201-935-6492.
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Congregation Shaare Zedek Prepares for its Centennial; Seeks Photographer, Historian/Researcher
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| The venerable West New York synagogue, Shaare Zedek will celebrate its centennial next year and seeks talented assistance in preparing a history of the congregation. Noted for its domed, marble-clad sanctuary, the synagogue seeks a photographer and a researcher/writer/historian to prepare a history of the organization and community. For further information about the synagogue and this volunteer opportunity contact Shaare Zedek community leader Randall Goya, rgoya@yahoo.com or 201-679-9913.
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November 2010 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 at www.HudsonJewish.org.
Friday, Nov. 5th, 6:30 PM: Havurah Friday Night Dinner on Pacific Avenue in Downtown Jersey City. Dairy pot-luck. For more information contact HudsonJewish Trustee Raylie Dunkel: Raylie@HudsonJewish.org. RSVP by Thursday, Nov. 4th.
Sunday, Nov. 7th, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM: "Hebrew Across America" comes to Temple Emanu-el, with instruction by member Varda Wendroff. Learn Hebrew in eight Sundays. Call Temple office to reserve a spot in the program and to receive your free learning packet. FREE event, but donations to offset costs are welcome. Contact temple office: 201-436-4499 or email templeemanuelnj@aol.com.
Sunday, Nov. 7th, 3:00-5:00 PM: "Talking through Walls: How the Struggle to Build A Mosque United A Community". Co-sponsored by HudsonJewish and United Synagogue of Hoboken; produced by local community member Stephanie Daniels. A panel/question-and-answer session will follow featuring Jewish, Christian and Muslim representatives. Location: United Synagogue of Hoboken, 115 Park Avenue. Contact: Raylie@HudsonJewish.org. Suggested donation $5.
Tuesday, Nov. 9th, 7:00 PM: Temple Israel Community Center of Cliffside Park Kristallnacht Observance. The congregation will be joined by members of Trinity Episcopal Church.
Wednesday, Nov. 10th, 12:45 - 1:45 PM: Monthly Kosher Lunch-and-Learn at the CASE Museum. Discussion topic: "Shalom". Kosher Chinese ($5) or sushi ($8). Location: 80 Grand Street in Jersey City. RSVP with preferred lunch order to 973-943-2306 or avitzal@gmail.com.
Thursday, Nov. 11th, 6:30-10:30 PM: New Jersey Young Professionals Multi-Group Mixer with JYAH (Jewish Young Adults of Hoboken). Join JYAH and 400-500 young professionals (age 21-39) from 20 different regional Young Professionals organizations at 4Sixty6 (466 Prospect Avenue in West Orange). Free to JYAH members with advance RSVP by noon on November 10th! (Or $20 at the door). For RSVP and more information contact: HobokenJYAH@yahoo.com.
Friday, Nov. 12th, 6:00 PM-8:30 PM: Temple Emanu-el "Thankful as Americans... Thankful as Jews" traditional Shabbat dinner. Please bring cans & jars of ready-to-eat non-perishables BEFORE November 12th to be donated to the Community Food Pantry. Dinner followed by Evening Services at 7:30 PM. Reservations & Pre-payment required by Nov. 8th so that there will be enough food for all. Adults: $20; $7 per child (13 & under). All are welcome. Location: 735 Kennedy Blvd., Bayonne, NJ 07002. Contact: Temple office: 201-436-4499 or email: templeemanuelnj@aol.com.
Saturday, Nov. 13th, "Shabbat Break for Breakfast" at Temple Israel Community Center of Cliffside Park. Between Shacharit and the Torah reading, join Rabbi Shammai Engelmayer in a Shabbat-appropriate light breakfast and a discussion of the week's Torah portion. After breakfast, the service continues with the reading and Musaf. Kiddush and luncheon follow. For those interested in the questions to be discussed, surf to www.ticc.org/html/body_study_questions.html.
Sunday, Nov. 14th, 1:30 PM: Challah Baking at Temple Beth El of North Bergen with Temple chef Shoshi Glazer. $10 for members, $12 for friends and guests, children free.
Friday, Nov. 19th, 6 PM: Community Shabbat Dinner at Temple Beth El of North Bergen. Inspiring family service followed by delicious Shabbat dinner, singing, and storytelling with the congregation's enthusiastic new rabbi, Ilan Glazer. Services at 6, dinner to follow. $20 for members, $25 for friends and guests, children free. RSVP required by Nov. 12.
Friday, Nov. 19th, 8:00 PM: Kristallnacht Commemoration at Congregation B'nai Jacob of Jersey City. Following an abbreviated "Friday Night Live!" musical Kabbalat Shabbat service, guest speaker Barbara Wind, Director of the Holocaust Council of MetroWest, NJ and consultant to the New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education, will speak on the recent conference at Yale University's Initiative for the Interdisciplinary Study of Global Anti-Seminitism. Her topic, "Global Anti-Seminitism: A Crisis of Modernity," reflects the theme of the Yale conference. Oneg Shabbat and Q&A follow.
Sunday, Nov. 14th, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM: "Hebrew Across America" at Temple Emanu-el. (See above, Nov. 7).
Saturday night, Nov. 20th, 8:00 PM: "Yah is my Strength and Song." Rabbi Andrew Hahn, the "Kirtan Rabbi," with percussionist Shoshana Jedwab, leads a rockin' evening of sacred singing and learning in a special performance at United Synagogue of Hoboken. Come immerse yourself in a powerful new way to pray - KIRTAN, an ancient form made modern and meaningful! Hebrew chants from our liturgy are accompanied on drums and harmonium. Participants, from kids to seniors, add their own energy, chanting, clapping and dancing. Joining a Kirtan, you move into a contemplative state, pulsing with joyful noise one moment, resting and listening in silence the next. For more information see www.KirtanRabbi.com or find the YouTube video of the Kirtan Rabbi in performance. Tickets $10 via PayPal on the USH website (www.HobokenSynagogue.org) or call the synagogue office. (201-659-4000).
Sunday, Nov. 21st, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM: "Hebrew Across America" at Temple Emanu-el. (See above, Nov. 7).
Sunday, Nov. 21st, 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM: "Soiree and Auction" benefit for Temple Beth-El of Jersey City, at the historic brownstone of Nathan and Nancy Sambul, 97 Mercer Street, Jersey City. Music, wine, hors d'oeuvres, desserts and fun. Silent auction ends at 5PM; chance auction ends at 5:30PM. Live auction following. Prizes include viewing tickets to Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, a week at the Hotel Acapulco Malibu, restaurant dining certificates, and much more. Tickets $25 in advance, $30 day of event, includes food, wine and 5 chance tickets. Purchase tickets at www.betheljc.org or call 201-333-4229.
Tuesday, Nov. 23rd, 7:00 PM: Interfaith Pre-Thanksgiving Service, sponsored by Temple Israel Community Center of Cliffside Park, Trinity Episcopal Church, and the Turkish Cultural Center of New Jersey. Service to be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, 555 Palisade Avenue in Cliffside Park, opposite high school.
Tuesday, Nov. 30, 8:00 PM: "Rhythm and Jews Drum Circle" at Temple Beth El of North Bergen. Bring your percussion instruments for a special night of rhythmic fun for all, with the congregation's new rabbi, Ilan Glazer. For more information contact the Temple office at 201-869-9149 or visit the website at www.TempleBethElofNorthBergen.org.
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Save the Dates!
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| Thursday, December 2nd, 6-8:30 PM: "Hanukkah on the Hudson!" at the Bayonne JCC, co-sponsored by HudsonJewish. (Note date change). Food, music, dancing, and kindling of the traditional Hanukkah lights.
Friday-Saturday, December 3-4: Congregation B'nai Jacob will host, from Haifa, Israel, composer and cantor Orit Perlman (www.OritPerlman.com) for a special Hanukkah Shabbat. The celebration will feature the award-winning Jewish sacred music of Cantor Marsha Dubrow and Cantor Orit Perlman. (Cantor Dubrow is the spiritual leader of Cong. B'nai Jacob). Both women are 2010 winners of the Shalshelet Foundation for New Jewish Sacred Music's biennial worldwide competition. "Friday Night Live!" musical Shabbat service and Hanukkah dinner ($30 per person). Shabbat morning services followed by traditional kiddush luncheon (no fee). For more information contact Jane Canter at 201-435-1172.
Friday, December 3, 6:30PM: Temple Beth Am of Bayonne Hanukkah/Shabbat Light Dinner for the third night of Hanukkah. Adults $18, children under 13 $8, under 3 free. RSVP by December 1 to: 201-858-2020.
Saturday night, December 4: Jewish Young Adults of Hoboken annual Hanukkah Bar Crawl. Event begins at sundown with menorah lighting and Hanukkah treats, followed by moving celebration along Washington Street. For more information contact bhaze726@gmail.com.
Sunday, December 5, 4:00 - 6:00 PM: Rededication of the Star of Israel Building of the United Synagogue of Hoboken. This event is the culmination of a multi-year, multi-million-dollar capital campaign to restore the historic jewel of Jewish life in Hoboken.
Sunday, January 16, 2:00 PM: "Awakening the Dreamers: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jews, Community and the Meaning of Freedom in the Twenty-First Century," an address by Rabbi Capers Funnye (cousin of First Lady Michelle Obama). Location: Congregation Ahavas Sholom, 145 Broadway, Newark, NJ 07104. RSVP to: 973-485-2609. Seating is limited.
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Volunteers Sought; Donations Appreciated
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HudsonJewish is a 100% volunteer effort and relies on the community for support. While donations are always appreciated (see, Our Donors), the most important thing we need is people to help with specific tasks. In particular, if you have skills in publicity or website development, contact us at info@HudsonJewish.org. You will be joining a dedicated and capable group of volunteers to serve a growing community that depends on HudsonJewish for information and connection to other Jews in the vicinity.
If you agree that HudsonJewish is doing good work for the community, you are also invited to make a donation either by PayPal on our website, or by check to: HudsonJewish, PO Box 225, Jersey City, NJ 07303.
HudsonJewish is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.
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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.
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