Temple Beth El of No. Bergen has now completed their search for a new Rabbi to replace Rabbi Ilan Glazer, who served there for several years. Rabbi Ilan is relocating, and we thank him for his strong support of HudsonJewish during his time here. He was appointed Spiritual Leader shortly after the Temple became an egalitarian institution, an important moment in the Temple's history. Rabbi Ilan's friendly and easy-going nature helped make the transition easy and comfortable for the congregation and newcomers. He showed his respect for tradition and history, while embracing newer but long-standing practices of the mainstream of the Conservative movement. Rabbi Ilan leaves Temple Beth El a much more vibrant and dynamic community, having brought many new programs and events to the Temple, which is now better poised for growth. We wish him every success in his next endeavors.

We would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Rabbi Sruli Dresdner, the new Rabbi of the Temple. Rabbi Sruli, as he is affectionately called, arrives in North Bergen along with his wife Lisa, and their three year old twins, Johnny and Charlie in the next two weeks. The Rabbi and his family will join the Temple for their first official Shabbat on Friday, July 13. Please join the Temple in welcoming the Rabbi and his family to their new position, and take the opportunity to see all that Temple Beth El has to offer. HudsonJewish congratulates Rabbi Sruli on his new position, and looks forward to a strong partnership with him, in continuation of the one we enjoyed with Rabbi Ilan.

Hudson County Kosher Update

The number of kosher restaurants in the Hoboken/Jersey City area is increasing. The following establishments are kosher under rabbinic supervision:

-       Maoz Vegetarian - 315 Wasington Street, Hoboken - Falafel/Middle Eastern; under supervision of Rabbi Israel Mayer Steinberg. www.maozusa.com

-       Sapthagiri - 804 Newark Avenue, Jersey City - South and North Indian restaurant; under supervision of Rabbi Shlomo Marks of Cong. Mt. Sinai. www.sapthagiri.biz

-       Crumbs Bake Shop - 409 Washington Street, Hoboken; under supervision of Orthodox Kashrut Services (OKS). www.crumbs.com

-       Edible Arrangements - 84 Washington Street, Hoboken; under supervision of Rabbi Isaiah Hertzberg. www.ediblearrangements.com 

Outreach Committee Forming 

Free-Is-Good Email Group

United Synagogue of Hoboken/Kaplan Preschool invite you to join them in a new project "Free-Is-Good". If you are looking for a way to help your community, save some money, and help the environment, join their email group. This group is similar to "Freecycle" for our community. When people have something they are looking for or looking to give away, they post it to the email list and someone else may respond and offer or claim it. Everything is free. To sign up for this group go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Free-is-good/ and click on the "join this group" tab.

Bayonne Jewish Community Center's Camp Kadimah & Kiddie Kadimah - Enrollment continues for the BJCC's summer camp program for children in Pre-K through teens. Some spots are still available for the second half of the summer. 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 for September 2012. 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

Camp Galil Habonim Dror: "The Spirit of Kibbutz...Close to Home" - Since 1946, Camp Galil has been providing campers with a unique, fun, kibbutz-style overnight summer camp experience with an emphasis on community and Jewish values. Galil creates an environment that grows leaders, while fostering friendships, personal growth, and a strong connection to Israel that lasts a lifetime. The camp includes sports, swimming, arts and crafts, songs, campfires, and special days just like any other camp, but there is an indefinable element of FUN in everything that happens during the summer. Camp Galil is a kibbutz atmosphere focusing on cooperative living, and is a community of young people from all streams of Jewish life. A large majority of the counselors and staff are former campers, clearly demonstrating how campers return year after year, ultimately becoming staff-members. The camp is set in the beautiful fields and forest of Bucks County, Pennsylvania (a short distance from New Jersey, New York, and Philadelphia) and serves campers from ages 8 to 16. They have 2, 3, 4, and 7 week options, plus a four day program for current 2^nd grades called "Taste of Galil". Some spots are still available for the second half of this summer, which begins on July 24. For a camp tour and to meet Galil's professional staff and current families, join us at camp on Sunday July 29 at 11am. For further information, please contact the Registrar, Ilana Goldfus at Info@campgalil.org , (215) 968-2013, or see their website at www.campgalil.org.

 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.

Hagalil Encampment - August 19 - 26 - If your child is entering 6^th through 12^th grades, join USH's Hoboken delegation at this week-long Jewish overnight camp experience, through New Jersey's Kadimah and United Synagogue Youth. Held in Starlight, PA. Find out more information at www.hagalilusy.com/events/encampments. Some scolarships are available.

Lubavitch on the Palisades School (LPS) - LPS, a preschool through 3^rd grade Jewish elementary school is now offering door-to-door transportation in Hudson County (Hoboken and J. City). LPS is a place where young Jewish children receive an exciting, creative, and nurturing experience that will provide them with the foundation to grow educationally, socially, and spiritually. Classes have excellent student/teacher ratios, a professional staff of early childhood specialists, and a modern facility equipped with the most educationally sound equipment and manipulatives. Your child will receive a well rounded, enriching education, filled with Jewish traditions and customs intertwined with a wide array of academic subjects, personal development, values, socialization, and learning skills. They welcome every Jewish child, regardless of background or affiliation. Some spots still available for September 2012. Location: 11 Harold Street, Tenafly, NJ (transportation available). Contact Sonya Solomon, Asst. Director, 201-871-1152, Ext. 505 or Sonya@chabadlubavitch.org .

Temple Beth-El of Jersey City Tot Shabbat Program - Monthly Shabbat program for preschool children, includes Shabbat prayers, songs, a story, and snack. For children age 5 and under with their grown-ups. 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 upcoming dates and further information.

Temple Emanu-El of Bayonne "Torah for Tots"- Children's program for ages 3-6 years old, to be held a couple of times each month, and may become weekly in the future. Classes are held on various Sundays from 9:30-11am at Temple Emanu-El in Bayonne. Program includes holiday projects, crafts, songs, stories, etc. Please contact Charlene Platitzky at (201) 437.7926 for schedule and registration. Cost is $5/class.

United Synagogue of Hoboken's Tot Shabbat - Children's program for 2 and 3 year olds (accompanied by a parent) will include Shabbat prayers, songs, dancing, and storytelling. Free, registration not required. Location: USH, 115 Park Avenue, Hoboken. For more information and scheduled dates, email ushpreschool@gmail.com.

United Synagogue of Hoboken, Kaplan Cooperative Preschool - Now accepting applications for September 2012 and their 6 week summer camp; June 25 - August 3. These programs are open to children ages 2.5 to 5 years old. Full or part time flexible scheduling; morning and afternoon classes. This nurturing and enriched program combines the joy of Judaism and the love of learning. Contact Rachelle Grossman, Director at 201-653-8666 or ushpreschool@gmail.com for more information and to schedule a tour.

United Synagogue USY Program - USH hosts a monthly USY program for middle school and high school students. Monthly events include games, ice breakers, food, music, and other activities and are open to boys and girls in grades 5^th grade and on. For further information, contact the USH office at 201-659-4000. 

One Book, One Community

Temple Beth-El of Jersey City will be participating in JFNNJ's One Book, One Community project this year. This program, in its second year, provides an exciting collaborative programming opportunity for synagogues, agencies, and other Jewish communal organizations to join together in reading a specific book, and holding events and having shared conversations around the book and its themes. The book this year is The Zookeeper's Wife, an amazing true story by Diana Ackerman about the Warsaw Zoo and rescuing Jews during the Holocaust. The book brings to light a story of real-life heroism from the darkest days of World War II. In the ravaged Warsaw of the early 1940's, a zoologist's family managed to carve out a refuge of light, safety, and humor for those fleeing Nazi persecution. "A lovely story about the Holocaust might seem like a grotesque oxymoron. But in The Zookeeper's Wife, Diane Ackerman proves otherwise. Here is a true story - of human empathy and its opposite - that is simultaneously grave and exuberant, wise and playful. Ackerman has a wonderful tale to tell and she tells it wonderfully" - Susie Linfield, Review in The Washington Post.

Those interested can "sign-up" to get the book in paperback for $8 by emailing Rabbi Debby Hachen of Temple Beth-El at RabbiHachen@betheljc.org by July 10. If you are a Hudson County synagogue or other agency who would like to run your own program around this book, please contact Nancy Perlman of JFNNJ's Synagogue Leadership Initiative (SLI) at 201-820-3904 or via email at NancyP@JFNNJ.org . JFNNJ would be delighted if our HudsonJewish friends wanted to participate in this enjoyable program, and it is a great way for a synagogue, group or organization to engage the people they already know and attract people who aren't currently involved. Each group will use the book in its own way - as a springboard for conversation, study, and celebration, not only of the book but of the issues, the culture, and the ideas that it raises. There will be community activities relating to the book at lots of NNJ area congregations throughout the September - March time frame, one of which will be held at Temple Beth-El of J. City.

Last year's program was wonderfully successful: 19 different events and programs were created around the featured book, and more than 430 people attended the culminating event in March. Be sure to join this program, and let's celebrate that we're all on the same page!

Singles Group Forming, Ages 40s/50s 

Join us on Facebook!  

Events This Month 

Monday, July 2: Drisha program begins. The next session of evening classes for women, men, co-ed, will begin on Monday July 2 at their Manhattan location. There are a number of different topics, so you will be sure to find something that interests you. For more information, go to their website at www.Drisha.org/CoedEveningClasses.php or www.Drisha.org

Location: New York City

Contact: www.Drisha.org

Friday, July 6, 6:30pm - 9pm: FIRST FRIDAYS: "EAT, PRAY, SHABBAT" at Temple Beth-El. 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, to enjoy great conversation, a potluck dinner, beverages for adults and kids. Dinner followed by a relaxing Shabbat service at 7:30 pm. First-timers especially welcome to share Shabbat with our diverse community. Last minute - Just drop in!

Location: Temple Beth-El, 2419 Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City, NJ

Contact: RSVP at facebook.com/TempleBethElJC or email at office@betheljc.org

Friday, July 6, 6:00pm - 9:00pm: BBQ and Friday Night Shabbat Service.

Location: 207 Edgewater Road, Cliffside Park

Contact: Goldy, 201-945-7310 Mon and Thu, otherwise leave a message.

Friday, July 13, 6pm: Shabbat in the Park with United Synagogue of Hoboken. USH will hold its next Shabbat in the Park (weather permitting) at Church Square Park. Bring a picnic dinner for your family (kosher or vegetarian, please) and the synagogue will supply the challah and grape juice. Join Rabbi Scheinberg for song, prayer, and stories to welcome Shabbat. Especially for families with infants and toddlers, though children and adults of all ages are invited. Free, but RSVP requested.

Location: Church Square Park, Park Avenue, between 4^th & 5^th Street, Hoboken.

Contact: RSVP at ushpreschool@gmail.com or (201) 653-8666

Sunday, July 14, 8:30am: Robert Robinson Summertime Movie Series. Temple Emanu-El of Bayonne presents the movie "Inside Hana's Suitcase", a fascinating documentary tracing the quest of a group of Japanese schoolchildren and their teacher, Fumiko Ishioka, as they try to uncover the history of a suitcase donated to the Tokyo Holocaust Museum and inscribed with the name of Hana Brady. Discovering that 13-year old Hana was a Czecheslovakian Jew interred in a concentration camp, the group finds her brother, George, in Toronto, who shares his memories of Hana. Please join us for morning Minyan at 8:30am, followed by the movie at 9:30am.

Location: Temple Emanu-El, 735 Kennedy Boulevard, Bayonne

Contact: (201) 436-4499

Thursday, July 19, 12:15pm - 1:45pm: Jewish Museum Jazz Concert. The Jewish Museum is one of the organizations hosting this concert of the Jazz in the Garden series at the Newark Museum. The featured performer is vocalist, Gregory Generet. The concert will be held rain or shine, and offers an opportunity to enjoy wonderful music in the Newark Museum's award winning Alice Ransom Dreyfuss Memorial Garden. In the event of rain, the performance will be held in the Museum's Billy Johnson Auditorium. Directions to the museum may be found at www.NewarkMuseum.org

Location: Newark Museum, 145 Broadway, Newark

Contact: www.jewishmuseumnj.org or www.newarkmuseum.org

Thursday, July19, 21, 22: The Wedding Singer at the Bayonne JCC. Center Players of the Bayonne JCC will be presenting a performance of "The Wedding Singer". This wonderful show will feature local talent of all ages, and is a delightful way to see live theater inexpensively. Tickets can be purchased at www.seatyourself.biz/jccbayonne or by phone at (201) 436-6900.

Location: BJCC, 1050 Kennedy Boulevard, Bayonne

Contact: (201) 436-6900

Friday, July 20, 6:30pm: Shabbat in The Park. Join Temple Beth-El for Shabbat services in Hamilton Park, Jersey City, followed by a BYOPicnic in the park. Open to all.

Location: Hamilton Park, Jersey City, NJ

Contact: Email office@betheljc.org

Saturday, July 28, 6:30pm: Erev Tisha B'Av Pre-Fast Meal. Temple Emanu-El of Bayonne invites all to a complimentary light pre-fast meal, followed by Minhah, Maariv, Havdalah and Eikhah (lamentations). David Feder will lead a SKYPE discussion on the topic "Jerusalem of Gold and the Goldeneh Medinah". RSVP is required by July 19. Services for Tisha B'Av continue on Sunday, July 29, 8:30am.

Location: Temple Emanu-El, 735 Kennedy Boulevard, Bayonne

Contact: (201) 436-4499

Saturday/Sunday, July 28 & July 29: Tisha B'Av program at United Synagogue of Hoboken. Saturday evening discussion at 8:15pm, followed by services at 9:00pm. Sunday morning service at 9:00am, followed by a film related to the themes of the day. Location: United Synagogue of Hoboken, 115 Park Avenue, Hoboken

Contact: (201) 855-6696

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.