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Dear Friends,
Spring is here, and it is evident in the large offering of programs by our local synagogues and organizations. The warm weather and sunny days have brought forth many new and exciting programs for young and old, newcomers and old timers, affiliated and unaffiliated. From Friday night dinners to lectures to comedy night and much more, there are multiple opportunities for all of us to shed our winter coats and come out to the various programs that are being offered throughout Hudson County. The synagogues and local organizations work hard to ensure that they have a wide array of programs that will appeal to varied interests and focuses. As we all know, these programs take lots of hard work, volunteer hours, and resources to put together. Therefore, I invite you to pick one or more events from this month's calendar, grab a friend or family member, and try it out. You will see members of the HudsonJewish Board and our community Liaisons at various events this month, so please be sure to introduce yourself. I know that you will be met with a warm welcome from these organizations, and have the opportunity to meet new friends and greet old ones.
One such opportunity is this Sunday's Hoboken Arts & Music Festival, to be held on May 6, from 11am-6pm along Washington Street. Board members and volunteers from HudsonJewish and our community partners, such as Temple Beth-El of J. City, Moishe House, and United Synagogue of Hoboken, will be available to meet and speak with you. We would love to share our knowledge of the offerings that Hudson County has for the Jewish community, as well as meet you in person, so please be sure to stop by!
Finally, please be sure to take note of our new Children's Programs & Activities section, which highlights those programs and events that cater to the youngest (and some may argue the most important) members of our community. Check out the free PJ Library program, which provides Jewish books and materials to children ages 6 months through 5 years at no cost.
As always, please feel free to reach out to any of our Board Members via email (ex. FirstName@HudsonJewish.org). We would love to hear from you!
Warmly,
Michelle Levine, Chairperson
Hudson Jewish Community Forum, A New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation having 501(c)(3) status
"HudsonJewish: Connecting Our Community" |
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Welcome to Moishe House |
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Moishe House is an international organization, providing meaningful Jewish experiences to young adults in their twenties. Their innovative model trains, supports, and sponsors young Jewish leaders as they create vibrant home-based communities for their peers. This approach has enabled the existing 46 houses worldwide to engage more than 50,000 attendees a year. From Shabbat dinners to book clubs to sporting events, residents find ways to connect their peers with the community wherever they are. Moishe Houses are located throughout the United States from Baltimore to Buenos Aires, Chicago to Capetown, Los Angeles to London, and our very own Moishe House right here in Hoboken, NJ. The current Hoboken Moishe House has three residents; Josh Einstein (Liaison to HudsonJewish), Shira Huberman, and David Rosen. They run monthly events, and welcome all to join them. They will be joining HudsonJewish at the upcoming Hoboken Arts & Music Festival, so feel free to stop by and meet the residents. For further information about Moishe House, and details about upcoming Hoboken events, please go to the www.MoisheHouse.org or contact them via email at SMarshal57@aol.com. |
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Sign Up Now for PJ Library
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| The PJ Library ("PJ" as in "pyjamas") is a program developed by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and made possible through partnerships with philanthropists and local Jewish organizations. The PJ Library provides Jewish-themed children's books and music to participating families on a monthly basis.
Our community mails free, high-quality Jewish children's literature and music to families throughout Hoboken, Jersey City and Bayonne. Children ages six months through five years are welcome to participate. Re-enrollment is now beginning for our area, so sign up at www.PJLibrary.org to enter your information online, or contact USHPreschool@gmail.com. Further information is available by calling 201-653-8666. Be sure to stop by and see a display of some of the PJ Library books at the HudsonJewish table at the May 6 Hoboken Arts & Music Festival.
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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 2012, which is scheduled to include films, a wine tasting, salons, and children's programs. If you or someone you know may be interested in participating, please contact Info@HudsonJewish.org.
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Jewish-Christian Trip |
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Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) is partnering with the Northern NJ Catholic community in a Jewish-Catholic trip to Israel in October. This Jewish-Catholic Interfaith Trip to Israel is a discovery of our own love for Judaism. It will provide a unique appreciation of our own faith and traditions that comes from sharing it with others. The trip is a journey of mutual understanding of our love for Israel, as well as an exploration of shared traditions and shared passions, about which few of us are aware. It will take you beyond your daily life, and impart a new respect for each other's faith as vital partners. This trip is an opportunity to advance the quality of our leadership, in our daily lives and in our Jewish community. It is also an opportunity to build new relationships in support of Israel, and to build coalitions locally that advance and improve our lives as citizens.
The trip will be led by Clergy Leaders; Rabbi Neal Borovitz, Temple Avodat Shalom; Most Reverend Arthor J. Serratelli, Bishop of the Diocese of Paterson, NJ, as well as Jewish Federation Professional Staff; Joy Kurland, Director of Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey's JCRC. The guide will be David Hyman, former Jewish Federation Shaliach, Israel Representative, and the Tour Agent is Anne Breslin, Great Experiences, Inc. (former member of the JCRC Interfaith Committee).
For more information and an itinerary, please contact Leslie Billet, JFNNJ Lay Chair at Billet.Le@gmail.com . |
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Children's Programs and Activities |
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Temple Emanu-El of Bayonne - Children's program for ages 3-5 years old, to be held around Jewish holidays, and may become weekly in the future. Classes are held on various Sundays from 9:30-10:30am at Temple Emanu-El in Bayonne. Next classes will be held on May 6 and May 20. Program includes holiday projects, crafts, songs, stories, etc. Please contact Charlene Platitzky at (201) 437.7926 for schedule and registration. Cost is $5/class.
Chabad Hebrew School Program - Children's program for ages 4-9 years old, held on Sundays. Program includes the Aleph Champ program for older children to teach them to read fluently at the end of their Hebrew School experience and for younger children the EZ Alef program, a multi-sensory program to give them a foundation in Hebrew letters. Contact Hebrew School Director, Shaindel Schapiro at (201) 386-5222 for costs and registration.
Bayonne Jewish Community Center's Camp Kadimah & Kiddie Kadimah - Enrollment is currently going on for the BJCC's summer camp program for children in Pre-K through teens. Experienced counselors, caring staff, exciting trips, theme days, Oneg Shabbat, and hot lunches on special days. Bus service available from various areas. For further information contact Erin at (201) 436-6900.
Bayonne Jewish Community Center's Lauren Wendroff Early Enrichment Center - Enrollment is currently going on for the BJCC's nursery/preschool program. Full and Half day programs available. Certified teachers, fully licensed. Enrichment program includes Spanish, French, computers, math, science, swimming, sports, sign language, and cooking. For further information contact Sandra at (201) 436-6900. Temple Beth-El of Jersey City Tot Shabbat Program - Monthly Shabbat program for children, includes Shabbat prayers, songs, a story and marching with Torahs. Followed by snack. For children age 5 and under with their grown-ups. Next program will be April 28, 10:30am - 12pm, Meet and make new friends, great way to meet other young families. All are welcome. Location: Temple Beth-El, 2419 Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City. Contact: office@betheljc.org for dates/times. Perkel Youth Theater will present Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Jr. The Perkel Youth Theater program will present Beauty and the Beast Jr. on August 2-5. Auditions and registration for a seven week workshop will be held on June 17 at 11am at the Bayonne JCC, 1050 Kennedy Blvd., Bayonne, for 4th-8th graders. The seven week program runs from June 18-August 3. Contact Erin Van Horn at Erin@jccbayonne.org or (201) 436-6900 for more information. Bayonne JCC presents Children's classes and sports programs. Hip Hop Tumble class for 2-4 year olds on Thursdays 2-3pm. Creative Movement class for 2-5 year olds on Tuesdays 2-3pm. Youth volleyball, boys and girls grades 5th thru 9th starts April 15. Youth floor hockey boys and girls, classes for grades 1-4 and grades 4-8 begin April 15. For further information contact (201) 436-6900. |
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Join HudsonJewish at the Hoboken Arts Festival |
| HudsonJewish will again have a booth at the upcoming Hoboken Arts Festival, to be held on Sunday, May 6, from 11am-6pm (rain or shine) on Washington Street, from Observer Highway to 7th Street in Hoboken. Please join us for a day of meeting old friends and making new ones, meet our Board and volunteers. Learn about HudsonJewish as well as our community partners, including; Temple Beth-El of J. City, Bayonne Jewish Community Center, and Moishe House. Enjoy the Festival's food, music, and children's activities. Be sure to visit our booth, as well as those hosted by other Hudson County Jewish organizations (United Synagogue of Hoboken (USH), etc.). If you would like to volunteer to work a shift at our table, please contact Michelle@HudsonJewish.org .
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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.
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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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Events This Month |
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Friday, May 4, 6:30pm - 10pm: EAT, PRAY, SHABBAT! Temple Beth-El, the Reform Temple of Jersey City kicks off its new monthly first Friday EAT, PRAY, SHABBAT program, with a 6:30pm wine & cheese & potluck supper, followed by a 7:30pm participatory communal service. Meet new and old friends. Great event for first-timers, singles, couples, empty-nesters, & families.
Location: Temple Beth-El, 2419 Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City. Contact: RSVP for dinner to office@betheljc.org
Friday, May 4: Friday Night Service & Shabbat Dinner. Cong. Ahavas Sholom of Newark will hold a Friday Night Service and Shabbat Dinner. RSVP to Jeff Haveson at (973) 481-5689. Cost $25.00 per person in advance. Excellent opportunity to visit Newark's oldest operating synagogue.
Location: Cong. Ahavas Sholom, 145 Broadway, Newark. Contact: RSVP for dinner to (973) 481-5689
Friday, May 4, 8pm - 11pm: Friday Night Live Musical Service & Speaker Series. Congregation B'nai Jacob welcomes the entire Jewish community to hear featured speaker, Dr. Max Herman, Professor of Sociology at NJ City University. Prof. Herman will speak on the important topic of "Immigration - Welcome/Unwelcome - The Contradictions of Immigration Policy in the U.S. and Europe". Having recently traveled to Belgium, Italy, and Holland, Assistant Professor Herman will provide an overview of immigration policies in these nations and the U.S. with particular focus on undocumented immigrants and political refugees. Oneg Shabbat reception following the evening's program. Free off-street parking.
Location: Congregation B'nai Jacob, 176 West Side Avenue, Jersey City. Contact: Jane Canter, (201) 435-1172 or info@bnaijacobjc.org.
Sunday, May 6, 11am - 6pm: Hoboken Spring Arts & Music Festival. HudsonJewish will host a table at the semi-annual Hoboken Arts & Music Festival, held on Washington Street, between Observer Highway and 7th Street. Event will run rain or shine, admission is free. Be sure to stop by to learn about HudsonJewish, as well as our community partners including; Temple Beth-El of J. City, Bayonne Jewish Community Center, Moishe House, and many more.
Location: Washington Street, Hoboken. Contact: Info@HudsonJewish.org .
Sunday, May 6, 2:30pm: Meet State Senator & US Senatorial Candidate Joe Kyrillos. Moishe House is pleased to host State Senator & US Senatorial Candidate Joe Kyrillos, who will speak to the community. Join us for a great conversation with a New Jersey leader. Light food & drink will be served. All are welcome, RSVP to SMarshal57@aol.com .
Location: Moishe House, 1313 Grand Street, Hoboken. Contact: SMarshal57@aol.com
Sunday, May 6, 9:30am - 11am: Temple Emanu-El "Torah for Tots". This unique program is open to 3 & 4 year olds. $5.00 per session.
Location: Temple Emanu-El, 735 Kennedy Blvd., Bayonne. Contact: Charlene Platizky (201) 437-7926 or temple office (201) 436-4499
Wednesday, May 9, 7:30pm - 9pm: "The Future of Conservative Judaism". United Synagogue of Hoboken will hold a discussion on this topic with Michael Kushnick.
Location: United Synagogue of Hoboken (USH), 115 Park Avenue, Hoboken. Contact: Office@hobokensynagogue.org
Saturday, May 12, 8pm - 11pm: "All Points Borscht III: The Last Schmaltz" Comedy Night. Temple Beth-El of Jersey City will be hosting an evening of comedy, "All Points Borscht III: The Last Schmaltz." This year's headliners include DC Improv's Comedy Contest finalist Hilary Schwartz, comedienne/writer/chef Vicki Ferentinos, and former Women in Comedy headliner Kendra Cunningham. Newcomer Mike Blumenfeld, winner of the 2011 International Insurance Comedy Festival in Zurich, will also be taking the stage. It will once again be hosted by founder and member Phil Rivo. Snacks and adult beverages will be available. Door prizes and raffles will be held. Tickets are $20 in advance and $22 at the door. Location: Temple Beth-El, 2419 Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City. Contact: www.betheljc.org or call (201) 333-4229.
Tuesday, May 15, 7pm - 9pm: Death and Mourning in Jewish Tradition: A Workshop in Practical Decision-Making. United Synagogue of Hoboken will hold a discussion on this topic with USH member Larry Gutterman of Gutteman Bros. Funeral Home and Rabbi Robert Scheinberg. Whether these are timely issues in your family, or whether you would like to be well-prepared for the future, this workshop and discussion will help you to understand Jewish traditions about death and mourning. Admission is free.
Location: United Synagogue of Hoboken (USH), 115 Park Avenue, Hoboken. Contact: RSVP Office@hobokensynagogue.org
Sunday, May 20, 9:30am - 11am: "Robert Robinson Springtime Movie Series" Join Temple Emanu-El for this month's featured film: "Hiding & Seeking." Movie will follow 8:30am minyan. This is a free event, but donations are welcome.
Location: Temple Emanu-El, 735 Kennedy Blvd., Bayonne. Contact: Temple Office: (201) 436-4499 or email: templeemanuelnj@aol.com
Sunday, May 20, 9:30am - 11am: Temple Emanu-El "Torah for Tots!". This unique program is open to 3 & 4 year olds. $5.00 per session.
Location: Temple Emanu-El, 735 Kennedy Blvd., Bayonne. Contact: Charlene Platizky (201) 437-7926 or temple office (201) 436-4499
Sunday, May 20, 11am: Cong. Ahavas Sholom Film Club Meeting and Brunch. Cong. Ahavas Sholom, Newark's oldest operating synagogue will hold their Film Club Meeting along with a brunch.
Location: Cong. Ahavas Sholom, 145 Broadway, Newark. Contact: www.ahavassholom.org
Sunday, May 20, 1pm - 3:30pm: Actors Shakespeare Company in "All the World's A Stage". Congregation B'nai Jacob welcomes the entire Jewish community to a special, free performance in our beautiful sanctuary of "All the World's A stage" by Actors Shakespeare Company, Equity theater company in residence at NJ City University. Enjoy excerpts from Shakespeare's greatest works followed by a wine & cheese reception with cast and director. 1pm Bard Banter, followed by 1:30pm performance, and 2:30pm reception. Free off-street parking.
Location: Congregation B'nai Jacob, 176 West Side Avenue, Jersey City. Contact: Jane Canter, (201) 435-1172 or info@bnaijacobjc.org
Wednesday, May 23, 7:30pm - 9pm: Emanu-El/Beth Am Book Club. Join moderator Joyce Nestle at this last Book Club meeting of the year, to discuss the book "A Pigeon and a Boy" by Meir Shalev. It is sure to be an enjoyable evening and a lively discussion.
Location: Temple Beth Am - 111 Avenue B, Bayonne. Contact: Joyce Nestle (201)
858-0756 or email: joyce.l.nestle@gmail.com
Saturday, May 26, 10:30am - 11:30am: Tot Shabbat at Temple Beth-El, JC. Tot Shabbat followed by Bring Your Own Picnic. Calling all Preschoolers and their Grown-ups. Join Rabbi Debby Hachen for a special morning of Shabbat songs, prayers, and story. Bring a picnic blanket and lunch to enjoy on the temple lawn or at nearby Lincoln Park following our Shabbat time. RSVP's preferred, but drop-ins ALWAYS welcome.
Location: Temple Beth-El, 2419 Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City. Contact: office@betheljc.org
Saturday, May 26, 7pm - 10pm: Shavuot Service & Movie. Temple Beth-El of Jersey City will hold a brief Shavuot Service followed by the screening of the powerful award-wining film "Live and Become." The traditional Shavuot dessert, cheesecake, as well as popcorn for movie watching will be served. Movie is appropriate for adults and children 12 years and up.
Location: Temple Beth-El, 2419 Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City. Contact: office@betheljc.org or call (201) 333-4229
Sunday, May 27, 10:30am - 12pm: Shavuot Service with Yiskor. Shavuot Morning Service with Yiskor at Temple Beth-El of J. City.
Location: Temple Beth-El, 2419 Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City. Contact: office@betheljc.org
Sunday, May 27, 7pm - 9pm: "Torah & Blintzes". Join Temple Emanu-El on the second night of Shavuot for our traditional "Torah & Blintzes". We will unroll and take a very personal walk through the Torah. Locate your personal connections: Let's find your name in the Torah (if it is there), the Parashah on which you were born, and pictures of the places mentioned in the Torah which you may have heard of or visited. Please email Debby Miller at dgiveret@gmail.com (by May 10th) with your birthday (date & year), and all will be revealed on Shavuot. This event is free. RSVP to the Temple office (201) 436-4499 by Wednesday, May 23rd.
Location: Temple Emanu-El - 735 Kennedy Blvd. Bayonne. Contact: Temple office: (201) 436-4499 or Debby Miller at dgiveret@gmail.com |
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Save the Date!
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Friday, June 1, 6:30pm - 9pm: FIRST FRIDAYS: EAT, PRAY, SHABBAT! It's a Family, Singles, and Couples Shabbat all rolled up into one! Meet up with our growing community on the first Friday of every month at Temple Beth-El, the Reform Congregation of Jersey City. You'll enjoy great conversation, a potluck dinner, and beverages for adults and kids, followed by a relaxing Shabbat service at 7:30 pm. RSVP at facebook.com/TempleBethElJC or email at office@betheljc.org to let us know you're coming. First-timers especially welcome to share Shabbat with our diverse community. Feel free to drop in at the last minute without reservations.
Location: Temple Beth-El, 2419 Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City. Contact: RSVP at facebook.com/TempleBethElJC or email at office@betheljc.org
Sunday, June 3 2012, 11am - 4pm: Celebrate Israel Parade. Join Temple Emanu-El at the Celebrate Israel Parade. Reserve now and receive VIP seating at the parade in Manhattan. Depending on interest, transportation may be available. Space is limited so reserve early.
Contact: Temple Office: (201) 436-4499 or email: templeemanuelnj@aol.com
Sunday, June 10, 10am - 12pm: Lox 'N Learning featuring renowned Jewish-Indian Artist, Siona Benjamin. Congregation B'nai Jacob welcomes the entire Jewish community to a Lox 'N Learning program featuring renowned Jewish-Indian artist, Siona Benjamin. Following a special one-woman show last year at the JCC in Manhattan, Ms. Benjamin, a member of the Bene Israel community of India, will give a lecture and slide show of her extraordinary paintings featuring Jewish, Indian, and female iconography. Lox and bagels breakfast at 10am, followed by program at 10:30am. $5.00 suggested donation, free off-street parking.
Location: Congregation B'nai Jacob, 176 West Side Avenue, Jersey City. Contact: Jane Canter, (201) 435-1172 or info@bnaijacobjc.org
Friday, June 15, Time TBA: Shabbat Service of Installation/Honors. Join Temple Beth-El of J. City for a Shabbat Service of Installation where we will honor member and outgoing Temple President Irwin Rosen on his 18 years as President of Temple Beth-El. We will also install our new president and officers. Time: TBA.
Location: Temple Beth-El, 2419 Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City. Contact: office@betheljc.org
Friday, June 15, 6pm - 9pm: Shabbat Dinner at Temple Emanu-El. Join us for a festive Springtime Shabbat Dinner. $20/person, $5/child age 13 & under. Everyone is welcome. Pre-payment & RSVP are required by Friday, June 8th. No payments at the door.
Location: Temple Emanu-El - 735 Kennedy Blvd., Bayonne. Contact: Temple Office: (201) 436-4499 or email: templeemanuelnj@aol.com |
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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