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Dear Friends,
On Wednesday, June 22, approximately 25 community members, many of them new to the area, met for the second HudsonJewish Forum of 2011. The Forum was held at Temple Beth-El of Jersey City. The meeting was a follow-up to the May 22 Forum held at the Stevens Cooperative School in the Newport neighborhood. At the gathering, four committees reported back on plans for programs and events to take place during the remainder of 2011. Here is a summary of their reports:
Young Singles Committee, Chairs Shira Huberman and Michelle Levine: There will be a Jewish speed-dating event (ages 25-35) in Hoboken some time around the High Holidays this year. JYAH (Jewish Young Adults of Hoboken) and Moishe House Hoboken participants are specifically invited to get involved. There was some discussion of a similar program for older adults at a later time. For more information contact Dating@HudsonJewish.org. Event details will be announced on the HudsonJewish website and in this Newsletter.
Families With Kids Committee, Sandy Gutterman, Chair: The committee will coordinate "Jewish Play Dates" during the next few months, for families with infants and young children. The events will likely take place at local parks, where parents can socialize with each other while supervising their children together. Anyone interested to participate is invited to contact Sandy at: Sandy@HudsonJewish.org.
Events Committee, Chairs Harvey Rosman and Zhanna Potash: Several events already planned:
- Wednesday, July 6, 8PM: Movie night in Van Vorst Park, downtown Jersey City: "To Kill A Mockingbird". Movie starts at sundown (around 8:30/8:45). Prior to the film, HudsonJewish participants are invited to gather in the park. (Bring your own picnic dinner or snacks if you wish). Contact Zhanna@HudsonJewish.org.
- Sunday, July 10, 7:30PM: Sunset walking tour of downtown Jersey City waterfront, led by Temple Beth-El member and former Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy president Joshua Parkhurst. (Rain date: Sunday, July 17, 7:30PM). Contact Zhanna@HudsonJewish.org.
- Sunday, Sept. 18, 6:00PM: Community dinner at Sapthagiri Indian/Kosher/Vegetarian restaurant in the "Little India" section of Jersey City by Journal Square. More details TBA in the August and September HudsonJewish Newsletters and on the website.
- Sunday, November 6: Tour of Spanish/Portuguese Synagogue Shearith Israel in NYC (corner of Central Park West and 70th Street). Docent tour followed by dinner at nearby kosher restaurant. Contact: Harvey@HudsonJewish.org
Programs Committee, Chairs Orly Klugman and Marcia Orange. Several programs are under discussion including the creation of a Jewish community electronic bulletin board that will be accessible from the HudsonJewish website. The bulletin board will be the perfect place to post ideas, questions and events of interest to the local Jewish community. The bulletin board will likely go live during July. For more information contact Marcia@HudsonJewish.org.
The next meeting of the HudsonJewish Forum will take place on Tuesday, August 16, 7:30PM at Temple Beth-El of Jersey City. Subsequent Forums will be announced on the HudsonJewish website and in this newsletter, and will likely rotate to different locations in the county.
As you can see from the events and programs that were developed through the HudsonJewish Forum, our community is home to a wealth of interesting people and ideas. If you would like to get involved, meet other people, or just find out more, please contact us at: Info@HudsonJewish.org.
L'hitraot,
Adam
Adam S. Weiss, Chairman
Hudson Jewish Community Forum, A New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation having 501(c)(3) status
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Bicycle Riding Group Meets Most Tuesdays, 6:30PM
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Now that summer has arrived, the weekly (usually Tuesday evenings @ 6:30) bike ride is back! Weather permitting, meet at the Korean War memorial at the end of Washington Street -- by the Portside building, 155 Washington Street, Jersey City. Please arrive 5 minutes early so we'll be ready to leave on schedule.
Because the schedule varies some weeks, contact Susan Farenci (Susan@HudsonJewish.org) to be added to the biking email distribution list.
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Camp J -- Summer Camp for Jewish Young Adults
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| Local Jews in their 20s and 30s are invited to participate in "Camp J" a relaxing weekend in upstate New York during Labor Day Weekend this year (Friday, September 2 - Monday, September 5).
A collaboration of Moishe House Hoboken, Jewish Young Adults of Hoboken and Metropolitan Jewish Meetup, Camp J is an opportunity to learn from young Jewish innovators in an informal setting with no outside organizational agenda -- just fun, sun, good people, good sessions, sports, a pool, and good cooking. $250 includes room and board. For more information, visit www.cbcampj.org. Bus departure locations TBA.
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Local Jewish Oral History Group Forming
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Residents interested in recording oral histories of Jewish life in Hudson County are invited to contact HudsonJewish Trustee Burt Gitlin regarding this project. As our region is home to a substantial population of older Jewish residents who have lived their whole lives in the Hudson County area, this could be an excellent way to connect across generational lines and preserve the rich Jewish traditions of our region. Burt's contact information is: Burt@HudsonJewish.org.
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Synagogue Spotlight: Temple Beth El of North Bergen and its New Rabbi
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Temple Beth El of North Bergen is an egalitarian Conservative synagogue serving Bergen and Northern Hudson Counties, including North Bergen, Guttenberg, Edgewater, Cliffside Park, West New York, Union City, Fairview, and Weehawken. For almost 90 years, the synagogue has been providing meaningful Jewish activities for all who wish to join its Temple family. Services are every Friday night and Shabbat morning and on all Jewish holidays, but Temple Beth El is much more than a place to pray. It is a warm community. Members come from all around the world, speak many different languages, and come from all walks of life. Interfaith families are welcome, as are same-sex couples, those who've been a part of synagogue life for many years, and those coming for the first time. All are welcome at Temple Beth El of North Bergen.
 | | Rabbi Ilan Glazer, Drummer and Community Activist |
Since the arrival of Rabbi Ilan Glazer in August 2010, Temple Beth El has been filled with a spirit of rejuvenation and growth. Recent cultural events include a "Pizza in the Hut" pizza party on Sukkot, a Challah Baking class, concerts with the Columbia University Klezmer Band and the internationally acclaimed Yiddish musician Daniel Kempin, a Hanukkah party, the Temple's first ever Purim Jewish Comedy Festival, a community Passover Seder, monthly Shabbat dinners, and more.
Temple Beth El is planning a major outreach initiative, which will include Mommy and Me activities, Jewish Storytelling with the PJ Library, concerts, movies, yoga and meditation, hiking, and biking, introduction to Judaism and Hebrew classes, and much more. All are invited to take part in the synagogue's transformation. Call 201-869-9149 or email office@templebethelofnorthbergen.org to be a part.
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Solomon Schechter Day School of Bergen County Welcomes Students from Hudson County; School to Provide Subsidized Private Transportation and After-School Programming
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| Hudson County Jewish parents interested in educational alternatives for their children now have a new option: the Solomon Schechter Day School of Bergen County (SSDS). Beginning in the fall of 2011, SSDS will be subsidizing private, direct transportation (35 minutes) and offering special after-school programming for students from Hudson County. Parents with children entering pre-K through 8th grade are encouraged to inquire about the school's comprehensive General and Judaic Studies program, sports, arts and After-School Academy.
"Hudson County parents can finally offer their children Schechter's rich dual curriculum and innovative programming, and avail themselves of an incredibly convenient transportation option that makes the decision a no-brainer," said Erika Henik, Hoboken mother of two who will be sending her oldest child to kindergarten at Schechter. Erika is happy to speak with any parent interested in Schechter; email her at "ehenik@gmail.com."
Applications are now being accepted for most grades. Personal tours are offered daily at 275 McKinley Avenue, New Milford, NJ.
For further information contact Sarah Sokolic, Director of Admissions, at 201-262-9898 x 203, or "admissions@ssdsbergen.org."
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Join us on Facebook!
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| | HudsonJewish now has a Facebook page! Just log in to your Facebook account and search "HudsonJewish" to join. Group members can share information about upcoming events, ask questions, and generally connect with each other. This is a great way to let other people in the community know about HudsonJewish and about our region's vibrant Jewish life. |
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Local Klezmer Group Forming
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| | Local residents interested to make beautiful music together are asked to contact Rabbi Ilan Glazer, of Temple Beth El of North Bergen. Rabbi Glazer is an accomplished percussionist and founder of the Columbia University Klezmer Band. He is reachable at: rabbi@templebethelofnorthbergen.org. |
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July 2011 Events
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To post your own organization's events to the HudsonJewish community calendar, email Webmacher@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.
Wednesday, July 6, 8:00pm: "To Kill A Mockingbird" in Van Vorst Park. Every summer, "Films In Van Vorst" presents a series of movies in Jersey City's historic Van Vorst Park. "To Kill A Mockingbird," the 1962 classic, stars Gregory Peck. The movie starts at sundown (around 8:30-8:45), but join HudsonJewish for a pre-film meetup at 8PM. Bring your own blanket and pack a snack. Location: Van Vorst Park, downtown Jersey City. Contact: Zhanna Potash: Zhanna@HudsonJewish.org
Sunday, July 10, 9:30am-11:00am: Emanu-El/Beth Am Spring Film Festival. July's featured film: "Everything is Illuminated" (8:30am minyan). Everyone is welcome. Location: Temple Emanu-El, 735 Kennedy Blvd., Bayonne, NJ 07002. Contact: Temple office 201-436-4499 or Andy Platizky 201-437-7926
Sunday, July 10, 7:30pm - 9:00pm: HudsonJewish Walking Tour of Jersey City Waterfront Area. Join a group from HudsonJewish for an evening walking tour of the waterfront area of downtown Jersey City. We will start at the Exchange Place PATH station, go inland a little bit through the Paulus Hook neighborhood, and come back along the waterfront walkway and end at the Morris Canal Section of Liberty State Park. Tour will be led by Joshua Parkurst, past president of the Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy and co-founder of HudsonJewish. RSVP to Zhanna Potash (Zhanna@HudsonJewish.org) so we can get a rough headcount. Rain Date: July 17, 7:30PM. Location: Meet at Exchange Place PATH Station in Jersey City.
Tuesday, July 12, 6:30pm - 8:30pm: Temple Emanu-El's Annual BBQ. Great food, friends & fun plus door prizes and raffles. (Everyone is invited to 6pm minyan). $20 per person (same as last year). RSVP & pre-payment required by Thursday, July 7th. Ask about children's rates. Location: Temple Emanu-El, 735 Kennedy Blvd., Bayonne, NJ 07002. Contact: Contact Renee Bousso 201-858-8480 or Temple office 201-436-4499
Friday, July 29, 6:15pm - 7:00pm: Tot Shabbat with PJ Library and Shalom Baby at Temple Beth El of North Bergen. Celebrate Shabbat at Temple Beth El of North Bergen. Interactive Tot Shabbat service for children and families of all ages lead by Rabbi Ilan. Tot Shabbat includes singing, storytelling, children's blessing, dancing, and fun. Tot Shabbat is cosponsored by PJ Library and Shalom Baby. Connect with other young families and find out how to receive free Jewish stories for children. The service will be followed by a Shabbat snack. For more information, contact Rabbi Ilan at the Temple at (201) 869-9149 or by email at office@templebethelofnorthbergen.org
Location: Temple Beth El of North Bergen 300 75th Street, North Bergen.
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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, the most important thing we need is people to help with specific tasks. In particular, if you have skills in publicity, website development, or events organizing, 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.
HudsonJewish: Connecting Our Community |
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