HudsonJewish.org
Community Newsletter

 July 2011 
In This Issue
Biking Group Meets Tuesdays
Religious School Registration
Hebrew Classes
"Camp J" for Young Adults
Jewish Oral History Group
Join HudsonJewish On Facebook!
August 2011 Events

Dear Friends,

 

On Sunday, July 17 , June 22, approximately 15 families attended the first HudsonJewish Play Date at the "Elephant Water Park" in the Newport section of Jersey City.  Children ranged in age from around 9 months to 4 years, and all had a good time splashing in the sprinklers, eating ice cream, and meeting each other.  If you or someone you know might be interested to join the HudsonJewish Play Date group contact Michelle Levine (Michelle@HudsonJewish.org).  Another child-friendly event coming up soon is Temple Beth El of North Bergen's Story Time and Picnic in the Park, on August 17.  See below for more details.

 

On Sunday, July 10, 16 people joined together for a sunset walking tour of downtown Jersey City waterfront, led by former Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy president Joshua Parkhurst.  Highlights included examples of  new construction incorporating historic elements, and sundown in Liberty State Park.  Upcoming community events include:

 

  • 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 September HudsonJewish Newsletter 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 

 

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

Bicycle Riding Group Meets Most Tuesdays, 6:30PM   


 

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.

 

There is a proposal to move the regular ride to Thursday nights; contact Susan for details. 

Religious School Registration at Temple Beth-El of Jersey City 


Temple Beth-El of Jersey City is now taking registration for its growing Religious School for Kindergarten through Seventh Grade.   This year with new Family Education component.  Begins Sunday, September 11th. To find out more, contact Rabbi Debby Hachen rabbihachen@betheljc.org.

Modern Hebrew Classes Starting at Congregation Mount Sinai (Jersey City Heights)   


Starting in early September, Rebbetzin Barbara Marks of Congregation Mount Sinai (Jersey City Heights) will be offering classes in modern Hebrew to all comers.  No previous knowledge is required.  Tentative plan is to meet on Sunday evenings.

 

Rebbetzin Marks is also interested to offer a Jewish family education program for parents with children ages 6 and up; the program would include basic Hebrew, prayers and other elementary texts especially for beginners who have not had much Jewish/Hebrew education to date. 


For more information, and to develop a sense of what levels will be represented in class, contact Mrs. Marks at: 201-656-4225 or by email: BarbaraEMarks@gmail.com.
Camp J -- Summer Camp for Jewish Young Adults

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 Jersey Tribe, 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 thought sessions, sports, a pool, and good cooking.  $250 includes room and board.  For more information, visit www.cbcampj.org.  Bus departure locations TBA.

Local Jewish Oral History Group Forming 


 

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.

Join us on Facebook!  

 

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.

August 2011 Events 

 

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.

 

Thursday, August 4, 8:00pm - 10:00pm: "Spelling Bee". Center Players of Bayonne proudly presents: "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee".  Patron $18 Preferred $15 General $12. Call 201-436-6900 for Sales.  Location: Bayonne JCC-1050 Kennedy Boulevard, Bayonne, NJ.  Contact: Center Office-201-436-6900

 

Friday, August 5, 6:00pm - 8:00pm. Temple Emanu-El's ANNUAL SHABBAT-IN-THE-PARK!  Join congregants of Temple Emanu-El of Bayonne in Stephen Gregg County Park for a Dynamic Outdoor Kabbalat Shabbat Service led by Mark Young, followed by a light supper.  $20 per person (same as last year) / $5 per child (13 & under).  RSVP and PRE-payment by Thursday, July 28th. Casual atmosphere and everyone is welcome.  Location: Stephen Gregg County Park (Kennedy Blvd. & 37th Street) in Bayonne.  Contact: Temple office: 201-436-4499 or email us: templeemanuelnj@aol.com. What if it rains? Then the event will be moved to Temple Emanu-El: 735 Kennedy Blvd., Bayonne, NJ 07002.

 

Friday, August 5, 7:00pm: VEGGIE/DAIRY POTLUCK DINNER. Mac&Cheese? Veggie pie? Spicy Rice? Falafel? Fried Green Tomatoes?  Throw together your favorite dish and join Temple Beth-El in Jersey City for a communal potluck Shabbat supper. Shabbat Service at 8 pm with Oneg Shabbat.  Come casual.  Cost: a dish to share.  RSVP by August 4 to office@betheljc.org with "Potluck" in the subject line, and your name, number attending and what you plan to bring in the message. Location: Temple Beth-El - 2419 Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City.  Contact: office@betheljc.org 

 

Saturday, August 6, 9:00pm - 11:00pm: "Spelling Bee". Center Players of Bayonne proudly present:  "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee". Patron $18 Preferred $15 General $12. Call 201-436-6900 for Sales. Location: Bayonne JCC 1050 Kennedy Boulevard Bayonne, NJ 07002.  Contact: Center Office-201-436-6900

 

Sunday, August 7, 9:30am - 11:00am. Emanu-El/Beth Am Spring Film Festival. Join us for a screening of our last featured film: "LEBANON" Everyone is welcome -- This is a free event. We are asking folks who plan to come to the movie to come a bit earlier (8:30am) to join us for minyan.  Location: Temple Emanu-El - 735 Kennedy Blvd., Bayonne, NJ 07002.

 

Sunday, August 7, 3:00pm - 5:00pm: "Spelling Bee". Center Players of Bayonne proudly present: "The 25th Annual Putnam County "Spelling Bee". Patron $18 Preferred $15 General $12. Call 201-436-6900 for Sales. Location: Bayonne JCC 1050 Kennedy Boulevard Bayonne, NJ 07002.  Contact: Center Office-201-436-6900

 

Monday, August 8: MEET THE NEW RABBI: Prospective members are invited to join Temple Beth-El of Jersey City's members at August "Meet the Rabbi/Meet the Members" events at homes in Hoboken and Jersey City, August 2 in Hoboken; August 8 Hamilton Park area;  August 11  West Side; August 23, Van Vorst Park area.

Location: Hamilton Park area of Jersey City.  Contact: Email office@betheljc.org for details.

 

Tuesday, August 9:  Tisha B'Av

 

Wednesday, August 10, 4:14 PM: Bus Trip to Yankee Stadium. Advanced purchase required. Yankee/Angels Game.  Charter bus, snacks and seats at the game are $50 per person, while they last.  Location: Bus leaves at 4:14PM from Temple Beth-El, 2419 Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City for Yankee Stadium. Contact: Phil Rivo at phil@jerseycityliving.com.

 

Thursday, August 11: MEET THE NEW RABBI. Prospective members are invited to join Temple Beth-El of Jersey City's members at August "Meet the Rabbi/Meet the Members" events at homes in Hoboken and Jersey City, August 2 in Hoboken; August 8 Hamilton Park area;  August 11 West Side; August 23 Van Vorst Park area.

Location: Jersey City West Side.  Contact: Email office@betheljc.org for details. 

 

Monday, August 15, 8:00pm - 9:00pm: Temple Emanu-El's Board of Trustees Meeting. Temple Emanu-El's Board of Trustees will meet. Please note meeting date change due to Tisha B'Av. Location: 735 Kennedy Blvd., Bayonne, NJ 07002

 

Tuesday, August 16, 7:30pm - 9:00pm: HudsonJewish Forum. Following up on the great attendance we had at the Forum meetings on May 22 and June 22, the HudsonJewish Forum will convene again to socialize and discuss issues of common concern to the local Jewish community in Hudson County. The event is designed to introduce people to each other, form lasting social connections, and develop events and programs that are likely to attract more people to active participation in local Jewish life. Newcomers to the community are especially welcome.  Light refreshments will be served.  Future meetings are anticipated to rotate to various locations.  Location: Temple Beth-El of Jersey City, 2419 Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City

Contact: Info@HudsonJewish.org 

 

Wednesday, August 17, 6PM:  Temple Beth El of North Bergen Children and Families Program - Story Time and Picnic in the Park.  Especially for people in the northern part of Hudson County.  Temple Beth El of North Bergen is partnering with the PJ Library of Northern New Jersey.  Vegetarian picnic dinner at Braddock Park, with stories, singing and fun for young families.  Bring vegetarian food and utensils to share, and chairs/blankets to spread out on the grass.  Rabbi Ilan Glazer will bring the stories and fruit for dessert.  Meet at the lake by the environmental center (near restrooms).  For more information contact Rabbi Glazer:  Rabbi@TempleBethElofNorthBergen.org or (201) 869-9149.

 

Friday, August 19, 7:00pm - 8:00pm: WINE AND CHEESE at Temple Beth-El of JC.  Pre-Shabbat "Wine and Cheese" hour at Temple Beth-El of Jersey City (www.betheljc.org).  Come make new connections and friends in a casual setting in our temple's social hall.  All ages welcome! Followed by a Shabbat service led by Rabbi Debra Hachen. Finish up with an Oneg Shabbat of delicious goodies. Bring your friends. Open to the whole Jewish community. Location: Temple Beth-El of Jersey City, 2419 Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City.  Contact: RSVP's welcome, not required. office@betheljc.org.

 

Tuesday, August 23: MEET THE NEW RABBI: Prospective members are invited to join Temple Beth-El of Jersey City's members at August "Meet the Rabbi/Meet the Members" events at homes in Hoboken and Jersey City, August 2 in Hoboken; August 8 Hamilton Park area;  August 11  West Side; August 23 Van Vorst Park area. Location: Van Vorst Park area of Jersey City

Contact: Email office@betheljc.org for details. 

 

Wednesday, August 24, 2011, 7:30pm - 9:00pm: Emanu-El/Beth Am Book Club! Joyce Nestle will lead us in the discussion for our next book: "F.D.R. and Me: A Small Girl in the Great Depression" authored by our very own Bayonne resident, Doris Newman. She will attend this month's meeting to discuss her book! Everyone is welcome.  Location: Temple Beth Am (Zeik Auditorium) 111 Avenue B., Bayonne, NJ 07002.

 

Friday, August 26, 2011, 6:30pm: FAMILY SHABBAT at Temple Beth-El of Jersey City.  Free and Open to the community

6:30 pm Pizza Supper for all ages.

7:00 pm Interactive Children's Story with Rabbi Debby Hachen

7:30 pm  Mini-Shabbat Service: Sing! Sing! Sing!

8:00 pm  Ice Cream Oneg Shabbat

Location: Temple Beth-El of Jersey City, 2419 Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City. (Parking at the Bank of America lot across from temple on Kennedy Avenue.).

Contact: RSVP's needed for the Pizza dinner. Email office@betheljc.org with "August Family Shabbat" in the subject, and your name and number of people attending in the message.

 

Volunteers Sought; Donations Appreciated

 

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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