|
|
Dear Friends,
HudsonJewish is pleased to present the January 2012 Newsletter. In it you will find information about Jewish goings-on in the Hudson County area, including events and milestones in the life of our growing community. Elections for Trustees and Honorary Trustees of HudsonJewish, which were to be held in December, have been postponed to the January Board of Trustees meeting. If you are interested to serve, kindly email me at Adam@HudsonJewish.org, for information. A copy of the HudsonJewish By-laws is available on the "About" page of the HudsonJewish.org website. Because so many new people are arriving in our community, please make sure to forward this email if you are aware of anyone who might want to get integrated into local Jewish life. Kindly use the "forward this issue to a friend" feature near the bottom of this message. If you would like to become more involved in local Jewish life, meet 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 "HudsonJewish: Connecting Our Community"
|
Hanukkah Celebrations Around the Region
|
| Over a dozen Jewish organizations held Hanukkah celebrations this year; I had the pleasure to attend several of them.
On Friday evening, December 16, Temple Beth-El of Jersey City held its annual pre-Hanukkah Shabbat, led by its new spiritual leader, Rabbi Deborah Hachen. The festivities included stories for children, ceremonial kindling of Hanukkah lights, a musical Shabbat service, and a latke feast featuring potato pancakes made from scratch by Phil Rivo and other volunteers. HudsonJewish Trustees Raylie Dunkel and Burt Gitlin joined me and around 70 other people. Jersey City Council Member Steven Fulop also stopped by to meet members of the congregation.
 | Temple Beth-El of Jersey City pre-Hanukkah Shabbat,
December 16, 2011 |
On Tuesday, December 20, Temple Beth El of North Bergen held its annual Hanukkah party, featuring a latke dinner, silent auction and guitar concert by members of the innovatively musical Jerusalem congregation, Nava Tehila. Rabbi Ilan Glazer, who was recently honored in the Jersey Journal (see below), accompanied on percussion. Approximately 70 people enjoyed the event, including many children and individuals who are new to the community.
If you are interested to visit a local synagogue, either on Shabbat or another occasion, please contact me at Adam@HudsonJewish.org.
-Adam S. Weiss
|
|
Rabbi Ilan Glazer of Temple Beth El of North Bergen Honored by Jersey Journal as One of Five "Who Have Made A Blessed Difference in the Hudson County Community" in 2011
|
| In an article published December 29, 2011 in the Jersey Journal, Father Alex Santora, author of the "Father Matters" column in that paper, honored Rabbi Ilan Glazer of Temple Beth El of Jersey City as one of "Five Who Have Made A Blessed Difference in the Hudson County Community." (See, http://www.nj.com/jjournal-news/index.ssf/2011/12/five_who_have_made_a_blessed_d.html).
Noted for his innovate outreach programming, Rabbi Glazer, 32, was cited for having "brought new life to North Bergen's Temple Beth El by sharing his creative energy and especially his story-telling talents to offer new programs." Programs include Torah for adults, story-telling for children, Tot Shabbat, a Jewish book club and a revived Temple Beth El Sisterhood. (For more info on this contact Info@HudsonJewish.org).
Congratulations to Rabbi Glazer for the award and for his recent wedding. Anyone in the North Hudson area who may be interested to find out more about Temple Beth El of North Bergen is encouraged to contact Rabbi Glazer at www.templebethelofnorthbergen.org. Let him know you heard about the shul from HudsonJewish!
If you or your community have good news to share, forward it to us at Newsletter@HudsonJewish.org!
|
|
Outreach Committee Forming
|
| A primary purpose of HudsonJewish is to reach out to new people in our community. We are currently planning a series of social and other events to take place in the spring of 2012 along the lines of 2011 programing, which included films, lectures, a walking tour of downtown Jersey City, and a visit to the Spanish-Portuguese Synagogue in Manhattan. If you or someone you know may be interested to participate, please contact Info@HudsonJewish.org.
|
|
"TribeFest" Information Session/Social Gathering in Hoboken, Monday, January 23, 7PM
|
| TribeFest is an entertaining and educational celebration that will draw over 1,500 Jewish young adults (ages 22-45) from across North America in March 25-27, 2012. TribeFest will reflect the vibrant setting of its host city, Las Vegas, offering meaningful, fun, and top-quality content. The event will be held at the world-renowned Venetian hotel. Through presentations by dynamic leaders in politics, entertainment, music, art, food, religion and other aspects of Jewish life, TribeFest will offer attendees many ways to connect to their own Judaism and how they see themselves as part of the community.
Guests at TribeFest 2011 (last year) included: the Hebrew Mamita, Mayim Bialik, Congrewsswoman Debbie Wasserman Shulz, Y-Love, Hip-Hop Violinist Miri Ben-Ari, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, NFL team owners Mark Wilf and Jonathan Kraft, HBO Real Sports' Jon Frankel, Yemen Blues, and so many more!
If you are interested to learn more about TribeFest, please join our region's young adult community on Monday, January 23, 2011 at 7pm for a TribeFest Happy Hour at Mulligan's (159 First Street in Hoboken).
Check out the TribeFest website at www.TribeFest.org, and RSVP to the happy hour at http://jfeds.org/hobokenhh.
For additional info and to RSVP, please contact Jason Leibowitz
212.284.6768 or jason.leibowitz@jewishfederations.org. Be sure to mention you heard about TribeFest through HudsonJewish!
|
|
Weekly Hebrew Class For All Ages, Led by Educator (And Rebbetzin) Barbara Marks, Tuesdays in Jersey City Heights
|
| Hebrew learners of all ages and levels are invited to improve their skills on Tuesday nights at 6:30PM at Congregation Mount Sinai of Jersey City Heights. Led by Rebbetzin Barbara Marks, who has been teaching Hebrew in the UK, Israel and US for 37 years, the class is designed for a broad audience, in line with the practices of many language schools.
For more information contact Barbara Marks at 201-656-4225 or by email at BarbaraEMarks@gmail.com. Let her know you heard about this from HudsonJewish!
|
|
Save the Date for United Synagogue of Hoboken's Annual "Casino Night"
|
| The United Synagogue of Hoboken will be holding their sixth annual Casino Night on Saturday, March 3, 2012. This is one of the synagogueʼs best-attended events; last year over 250 people came for fun, food and fabulous prizes. Proceeds are used to support the synagogueʼs programming throughout the year, including adult education and community service events. In addition, each year a portion of the money is donated to local charities. This yearʼs recipients will be the Hoboken homeless shelter; The Jubilee Center, which provides after-school programs and hot meals to children from public housing; and Hudson County Casa, which provides volunteers to advocate for children in foster care.
Attendees love the opportunity to enjoy traditional casino games such as poker, blackjack, roulette and craps in a fun, relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Rather than cash, winnings are allotted as raffle tickets which are used to win incredible prizes. Last yearʼs prizes included a diamond necklace, an Eli Manning autographed football, several vacation packages and many more.
Once again, the fabulous Swingadelic will keep the party rocking with their eclectic mix of jazz, swing and other favorites. A delicious kosher buffet and open bar are also included.
The party will take place at the Elkʼs Club in Hoboken. Doors open at 7:00pm and gaming begins at 8:00. Tickets can be purchased through the United Synagogue of Hoboken office or website and are $75 each.
Order early to take advantage of these special offers for free chips: by January 8 to receive $100 worth, by January 29 to receive $75 worth or by February 19 to receive $50 worth.
For more information, to become a sponsor or to donate prizes, please contact Cindy Altberger (caltberger@gmail.com) or Marni Kriegel (mrr19@cornell.edu).
|
|
Singles Group Forming, Ages 40s/50s
|
| In response to inquires about singles events for people in the 40s and 50s, HudsonJewish is launching an exploratory effort. Please contact Michelle Levine (Michelle@HudsonJewish.org) if you are interested.
|
|
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.
|
|
Events This Month
|
| |
To post your own organization's events to the HudsonJewish community calendar, email Webmacher@HudsonJewish.org for a username and password. Posting events to the community calendar is the best way to avoid scheduling conflicts and broadcast your events (and existence) to the community. The deadline for posting is the 25th of the prior month. 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, January 4, 7:30pm - 9:00pm: Emanu-El / Beth Am Book Club: Join Joyce Nestle to discuss our next book: "A Tale of Love & Darkness" by Amos Oz. Location: Temple Beth Am: 111 Avenue B, Bayonne, New Jersey. Contact: Joyce Nestle: 201-858-0756.
Friday, January 6, 6:30pm - 9:00pm: Potluck Shabbat-Temple Beth-El, JC. POTLUCK SHABBAT AT TEMPLE BETH-El in JERSEY CITY. Bring a dish to share: chicken, side dish, vegetarian, salad. Homemade or store bought. 8-10 servings. (No pork or shellfish, please.) We'll provide challah and drinks. Open to the community. 6:30pm - Dinner 7:30pm - "All Ages" Shabbat Singing Service and Ice Cream Oneg Shabbat. Location: Temple Beth-El, 2419 Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City, NJ. Contact: office@betheljc.org with "Potluck" in the subject line, and your name, number attending, and your food item.
Sunday, January 8, 10:30am - 12:30pm: United Synagogue of Hoboken Winter Brunch Series. United Synagogue of Hoboken presents the first of our Winter Brunch Series, with author Roz Reisner: "Hungry Hearts: Jewish American History in Fiction and Memoir." From 1654 until today, millions of Jewish immigrants have found safe harbor here and left their mark on American history and culture. Roz Reisner's book helps us to learn about how their stories, in fiction and memoir, reveal the joys and heartbreak of the journey. $18/members, $20/non-members (including brunch and presentation). RSVP by January 3 to office@hobokensynagogue.org or 201-659-4000. Part of the Claire and Phillip Meistrich Winter Culture Series. See http://bit.ly/hungry_hearts_hoboken for the event poster.
Location: United Synagogue of Hoboken, 115 Park Avenue, Hoboken, NJ. Contact: office@hobokensynagogue.org, or call 201-659-4000.
Sunday, January 8, 7:00pm - 8:30pm: Shalom Baby. Announcing a new three-part series for expectant parents, Shalom Baby: Welcoming a Jewish Child on January 8, 22 and 29 at 7 p.m. at the United Synagogue of Hoboken, 115 Park Avenue in Hoboken. Enhance your preparation for welcoming a new child into your family and the Jewish community. Learn about values, customs and community resources available to help as your family grows. Cost for all three sessions: $50/couple Co-led by Lisa Traiger, LCSW from Jewish Family Service and Rabbi Robert Scheinberg of the United Synagogue of Hoboken. Space is limited! RSVP to the synagogue office at 201-659-4000 or office@hobokensynagogue.org by January 4. Location: United Synagogue of Hoboken, 115 Park Avenue in Hoboken, NJ. Contact 201-659-4000.
Wednesday, January 11, 10:45am - 12:45pm: Chai Cafe. Game Day - Happy New Year! Let's have some fun playing games together. Choose from Scrabble, Boggle, checkers, cards or bring your own. All Chai Cafe events take place at the Bayonne JCC, 1050 Kennedy Blvd. To make a reservation at Chai Cafe, call 201-697-3355 by the Monday prior to a program to guarantee a meal. The suggested donation for meals is $2. Chai Cafe is a kosher nutrition site for those 60 years or older and is sponsored by Jewish Family & Counseling Service of Jersey City, Bayonne and Hoboken and is made possible with funding from the Hudson County Area Agency on Aging. Location: Bayonne JCC, 1050 Kennedy Blvd., Bayonne, NJ. Contact: 201-697-3355.
Thursday, January 12, 7:30pm - 9:30pm: "A Taste of Judaism" 7 week course. United Synagogue of Hoboken presents "A Taste of Judaism" class for Jews and non-Jews who seek a deeper understanding of Jewish tradition, values and spirituality. Thurs., Jan. 12 and for seven Thursday nights. Led by Rabbi Robert Scheinberg and Michael Kushnick. Members: $50 individual/$100 couple; Non-members:$100 individual/$150 couple. Parents of current Preschool or Learning Center students Free! RSVP: office@hobokensynagogue.org or 201-659-4000. Location: United Synagogue of Hoboken, 115 Park Ave. Hoboken, NJ.
Friday, January 13, 7:45pm - 10:00pm: MLK Service w/ NJ Attorney General-Temple Beth-El, JC. The 27th Annual Sabbath Service honoring the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will feature guest speaker New Jersey Attorney General Paula Dow. Rabbi Debra R. Hachen and Cantor Rebecca Joy Fletcher will conduct the service, which is open to the public. Refreshments will be served following the service. Location: Temple Beth-El, 2419 Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City, NJ. Contact: office@betheljc.org, 201-333-4229.
Saturday, January 14, 4:00pm - 5:30pm: SING A SONG OF FREEDOM - Temple Beth-El, JC. SING A SONG OF FREEDOM! IN HONOR OF MLK WEEKEND with Cantor Rebecca Joy Fletcher. Did you know that we have an amazing variety of Jewish freedom songs? In honor of MLK Weekend, join Cantor Fletcher for a unique Shabbat afternoon get-together where we'll study, sing, and share around four of them. In the spirit of "seudah shlishit," a Shabbat afternoon tradition where folks gather together to nosh, laugh, and learn Torah even as the Sabbath queen is departing, we will gather at 4:00 pm to learn and laugh together - and nosh a bit in the bargain! Bring an appetizer or dessert to share. We'll close with Havdalah, the ritual for ending Shabbat. We are going to study and sing four very different Jewish freedom songs. As we sing we'll also share our own freedom stories -- and explore what freedom means to each of us. And don't worry: there's no need for a good singing voice in order to join in the fun! RSVP Preferred, but drop-ins very welcome. OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY. Location: Temple Beth-El, 2419 Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City, NJ. Contact: RSVP to office@betheljc.org.
Sunday, January 15, 3:00pm - 6:00pm: Interreligious Program-Turkish Cultural Center. Rabbi Debra Hachen of Temple Beth-El in Jersey City will be one of three panelists - Jewish, Christian, Muslim - at the Peace Islands Institute's program "Venerated Women in Abrahamic Religions." The program includes a fellowship time with homemade food. Rabbi Hachen will be speaking on Ruth from Hebrew Scriptures. The event is free and open to the community. No need to RSVP; event is free. Location: Turkish Cultural Center, 670 Bergen Blvd., Ridgefield, NJ. Contact: Temple Beth-El, office@betheljc.org.
Thursday, January 19, 8:00pm - 10:30pm: Spring Awakening at Bayonne JCC. The Center Players in residence at the Bayonne Jewish Community Center, 1050 Kennedy Boulevard, Bayonne, present Spring Awakening, a Tony Award winner for best musical in 2007. Ticket prices are $18 (patron), $15 (preferred) and $12 (general). Set in Germany in late 19th century, the show concerns teenage exploration of sexuality and deals with many issues taboo at the time and still controversial today. Call 201-436-6900 for ticket reservations. Location: Bayonne JCC, 1050 Kennedy Boulevard, Bayonne, NJ. Contact: Call 201-436-6900 for ticket reservations.
Saturday, January 21, 10:30am - 11:30am: Tot Shabbat: "Bears & Prayers". Calling all 2-5 year olds and their grown-ups! Join Rabbi Debby Hachen for Shabbat songs, marching with Torah, story, art, and snack! Bring your Jewish friends - and a stuffed animal! Drop-ins ALWAYS welcome! Location: Temple Beth-El, 2419 Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City, NJ. Contact: office@betheljc.org.
Saturday, January 21, 8:00pm - 10:30pm: Spring Awakening at Bayonne JCC. See above.
Sunday, January 22, 3:00pm - 5:30pm: Spring Awakening at Bayonne JCC. See above.
Sunday, January 22, 2012, 7:00pm - 8:30pm: Shalom Baby. Announcing a new three-part series for expectant parents, Shalom Baby: Welcoming a Jewish Child on January 8, 22 and 29 at 7 p.m. at the United Synagogue of Hoboken, 115 Park Avenue in Hoboken. See above.
Wednesday, January 25, 10:45am - 12:45pm: Chai Cafe. DOROT: University Without Walls Join Fran Rod to learn about DOROT, a teleconference program that allows you to learn and socialize from home. DOROT offers a variety of classes, support groups and discussions all by phone. All Chai Cafe events take place at the Bayonne JCC, 1050 Kennedy Blvd. To make a reservation at Chai Cafe, call 201-697-3355 by the Monday prior to a program to guarantee a meal. The suggested donation for meals is $2. Chai Cafe is a kosher nutrition site for those 60 years or older and is sponsored by Jewish Family & Counseling Service of Jersey City, Bayonne and Hoboken and is made possible with funding from the Hudson County Area Agency on Aging. Location: Bayonne JCC, 1050 Kennedy Blvd., Bayonne, NJ. Contact: 201-697-3355.
Friday, January 27, 7:00pm - 9:00pm: Shabbat Daven-and-Dine at Congregation Mount Sinai. Congregation Mount Sinai, Jersey City's traditional (but decidedly quirky) synagogue in the Heights neighborhood, invites all comers to its monthly Daven-and-Dine Shabbat evening service followed by dinner, camaraderie and Jewish fellowship. A decidedly international congregation, the Mount Sinai community includes members from all parts of the US, Israel, the former USSR, Latin America and the Caribbean. We are also a learning congregation -- all levels of Jewish knowledge and observance are very welcome to discover this unique and growing community a short walk from the Congress Street Light Rail stop. A $10 donation to cover dinner is requested in advance. Location: Cong. Mount Sinai, 128 Sherman Avenue in Jersey City Heights, NJ. Contact: Info@MtSinai.net. Please contact the synagogue in advance to be added to the dinner list; note that time is subject to change.
Sunday, January 29, 7:00pm - 8:30pm: Shalom Baby. Announcing a new three-part series for expectant parents, Shalom Baby: Welcoming a Jewish Child on January 8, 22 and 29 at 7 p.m. at the United Synagogue of Hoboken, 115 Park Avenue in Hoboken. See above.
|
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.
|
| Share This Newsletter | | | HudsonJewish relies on word of mouth. Please share this newsletter by clicking on the link below:
|
|
"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 |
|
|
