| USCJ Dues 2010-11 |
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Please note that dues for FY 2010-2011 year will remain the same. Please contact Rabbi Charles Savenor with any questions at 212-533-0800 or savenor @uscj.org. |
| Publicize your event on the METNY Community Calendar. Please email
Jordana Bickel at
bickel@uscj.org to have your event posted.
Click here to view the calendar. |
| Follow METNY on the Web! |
Twitter
@CharlieSavenor
@MetnyUSY
Click here to become a fan of
METNY USCJ on Facebook!
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| METNY USCJ has an extra set of Encyclopedia Judaica. If you are interested in attaining this set for your synagogue library please contact Rabbi Charles Savenor at savenor@uscj.org. |
| Contact METNY |
| 820 Second Avenue, 10th Fl.
212-533-0800 (p)
212-533-0400 (f)
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The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
is proud to present a teleconference
Making this night DIFFERENT
Bringing meaning and excitement to your Seder
with Maxine Handelman, USCJ's Early Childhood Education consultant
Maxine will share with you insights into bringing the stories of Passover alive at your Seder table, and strategies for engaging guests of all age levels and apathy levels.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
3:00 p.m. Eastern
We hope that you will share this information with your entire congregation everyone who will be hosting a Seder this year is welcome to RSVP. Please email your RSVP to Ariella Brody at the Northeast District's Central Office.
Once you are registered we will email you a confirmation that includes the call-in number.
Please COPY, PASTE, and COMPLETE the following after clicking on the email address below:
RSVP to Ariella Brody at neadmin@uscj.org
(please cc: Aaron Kischel at kischel@uscj.org when you RSVP)
Name(s) of participant(s):
Title(s) of participant(s):
E-mail address(es):
Name of Synagogue:
Synagogue City and State:
Note: There are a limited number of call-in lines available. RSVPs will be taken on a first-come, first-serve basis. The call will be recorded and available online by March 10, 2010 for those who are not able to participate in the call "live."
Maxine Segal Handelman is the Consultant for Early Childhood Education for the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Max holds an M.A. in Jewish Education from the Rhea Hirsch School of Education of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, and an M.A. in Early Childhood Education from Pacific Oaks College. Max is the author of Jewish Every Day: The Complete Handbook for Early Childhood Teachers (A.R.E. Publishing, 2000), The Shabbat Angels (UAHC Press, 2003) and What's Jewish About Butterflies (A.R.E. Publishing, 2004). Max has presented keynotes and workshops at conferences across North America. She is a professional storyteller, and leads Tot Shabbat services for young families at Anshe Emet Synagogue in Chicago, where she lives with her husband Jacob and their two young daughters, Ariana and Yael.
Maxine Handelman sharing her book "Shabbat Angels" with kindergarten students
at the Hebrew Academy of the Capital District in Albany, New York
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Did you miss Rabbi Charles Savenor's Teleconference on Mid Year Evaluations for Synagogue Professionals? No worries, you can access it by clicking below.
Audio and PDF
Please note that all of USCJ's Teleconferences can be accessed online! They are a great resource for your shul! |
GRANTS FOR ISRAEL PROGRAMMING
MA'ALOT - Taking Steps towards raising Israel awareness
A joint project of the USCJ Israel Commission and Nefesh B'Nefesh
Apply now for special grants for your Synagogue The United Synagogue Israel Commission is excited to announce a new program aimed at involving congregations in the process of deepening their connection with Israel. You are invited to submit an online application which will describe your proposal for a Grant of up to $3,000.
In its pilot phase, METNY received three grants. Check out the USCJ website for more info at www.uscj.org.
Programs should include Israel & Zionist education and/or Israel experience, as well as Aliyah as an option. Grants are to be utilized for programmatic expenses, with extant professionals and/or volunteers within the synagogue taking responsibility for development and implementation, working together with your District Office, USCJ Israel Commission and Nefesh B'Nefesh.
Applications should take into consideration movement interests such as the Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center, MERCAZ USA, MERCAZ Canada and Masorti. Creativity and uniqueness will be taken into consideration. Your District has set up a committee to review all applications. There is potential for additional monies for programs that aim at the young adult population.
Deadline for receipt of applications online is March 22, 2010. Grant Applications can be found at: www.nbn.org.il/maalot
For more information, please contact Rabbi Charles Savenor at 212-533-0800 or savenor@uscj.org. |
Yasher Koach Corner
 Yasher Koach to Dr. Arthur Wolintz, Past President of the Flatbush and Shaare Torah Jewish Center, who was honored on Feb. 14th for his ten years of service to his synagogue.
Mazel Tov to Michael Levine, the new President of Flatbush and Shaare Torah Jewish Center.
Seen in the picture from left to right - Rabbi Benjamin Kreitman - former CEO of USCJ, Dr. Arthur Wolintz and Rabbi Moshe Edelman, METNY Associate Executive Director. Rabbi Edelman presented Dr. Wolintz with a gift and Certificate of Appreciation from METNY.
We also extend a Yasher Koach to Temple Israel of Great Neck for hosting METNY's "Candid Conversation" with Rabbi Steven Wernick, USCJ's Executive Vice President and CEO, on Feb. 17th. This event had 63 attendees, who engaged in serious dialogue about the future of USCJ and Conservative Judaism. Thank you to Temple Israel synagogue staff, Hon. Richard Kestenbaum, their President; Leon Silverberg, Executive Director; Rabbi Howard Stecker and Rabbi Seth Adelson.
Here are some photos from the event:
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Arson Attack on the Masorti (Conservative) Synagogue in the City of Arad
Last week there was an attempt to set fire to the Masorti synagogue in Arad. A year earlier a similar attempt failed. Since then there have been a series of incidents involving vandalism and wanton destruction. Last week vandals attempted to break into the synagogue building - leaving a hole in the exterior wall. They returned using the opening to insert flammable materials. It was miraculous that a serious disaster was avoided. The police reaction: This is a most serious incident and we are investigating all avenues.
Congregation Shira Hadasha in Arad is one of some sixty Masorti congregations in Israel. It is an established congregation with a respected place in the municipality. It is the only Non-Orthodox in Arad.
In recent years the congregation has suffered a serious of incidents of vandalism - most efforts to set fire to the building. Yesterday's attempt was the most serious and disturbing to date.
"We are appalled" said Yizhar Hess, Executive Director of the Masorti Movement in Israel. "Fortunately there have been few such acts elsewhere of late, nonetheless, this is a most disturbing act. We do not know who may be behind this act, nor do we wish to cast blame on any group - however, in light of .internal strife between the Ultra-Orthodox congregations in the city of Arad, it may be that radical elements sought to find a common foe. We will not surrender to such violence."
"When the system of law comes under attack, it is but a short distance to attacks against all that is sanctified," said Rabbi Barry Schlessinger, president of the Rabbinical Assembly in Israel. "Sadly I see a connection between the desecration of the Halls of Justice and this attack against a holy site - because the perpetrators seek to deny its sanctity. These criminals bring about the desecration of God's holy name."
The Masorti Movement is a denomination in Judaism which integrates faithfulness to tradition and Jewish law with an openness to the modern world. The Masorti Movement sees Jewish law a as dynamic source of Jewish values, relevant to the changing society in each generation.
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WOMEN OF THE WALL - UPDATE
Dear Friends,
I share with you, below, a report written by Rabbi Barry Schlesinger of Kehillat Moreshet Avraham in Jerusalem. It is a thoughtful presentation in which he describes his experience at the Kotel area on Monday morning, Rosh Hodesh Adar. I commend it to you precisely because Rabbi Schlesinger is non-incendiary. Nevertheless, it powerfully conveys the challenge we continue to face to bring about an Israeli society where freedom of religious expression is embraced.
You will see from the photo, above, that the Women of the Wall congregated at the very rear of the Women's Section in an effort to avoid deliberate provocation. Monday's gathering included a large representation from Masorti.
Please help us to advance the cause of religious pluralism in Israel. Your donation does make a difference. Checks may be sent in support of the movement to the Masorti Foundation for Conservative Judaism in Israel at the address below. Or, you may donate online at www.masorti.org.
David H. Lissy
Executive Director & CEO
Masorti Foundation for Conservative Judaism in Israel
Kotel- Western Wall - Monday, Feb. 15, 2010
By Rabbi Barry Schlesinger
The old expression says that it's easier to light a fire than to extinguish one.
I was in the eye of the storm at the Kotel this morning. From my side of the mechitza (dividing wall between the men and women at the Western Wall), I witnessed firsthand how easy it is to foment anger and create a riot, and how difficult it is to stop one.
 Since it is the first day of the Hebrew month of Adar, the Woman of the Wall and their supporters congregated at the entrance to the Women's Section, far from the actual Wall. The women prayed and sung quietly and modestly.
Police guarded the women.
At around 7:15 am, a man in Ultra-Orthodox garb stood up on a chair and yelled from the Men's Section over the dividing wall- demanding that the woman stop praying and remove their tallitot (prayer shawls), which some of them had donned. This gentleman came and went a number of times and then at around 7:25 am, another man came dressed in tallit and t'fillin and started lecturing the women, yelling at them and telling them:
1. They will not succeed in what they are doing.
2. They will not undermine the tradition of Moses from Sinai and that they should cease and desist all activity at the Wall.
This man went on for about six minutes, and then about 50 more Ultra-Orthodox men gathered at the corner area of the Men's Section that borders the area in the Women's Section where the WOW were praying. The men started yelling:
Gevalt
Amalek
Nazis
Go back to America
You caused the Holocaust
You are worse than Goyim
The main speaker was handed a megaphone to continue his vicious diatribe against all those who came to daven and or show support to the WOW.
The peace at the Kotel was indeed disturbed, but not by the WOW. The peace was disturbed by the rowdy men who gathered at the Kotel to yell, scream and insult anyone and everyone who engage in Jewish prayer in a manner contrary to their own belief and religious expression.
We should hold Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz responsible for letting the men conduct an unlawful demonstration within the Kotel grounds. He should be held to task for not exhibiting the leadership needed to quell the spirit of hate and disdain. This mini-riot at the Kotel happened during his watch (and on Rosh Hodesh), and he is responsible.
It is important to emphasize that it's unfortunate that the police had to be there to maintain order, while they should have been out on the streets fighting crime. The police were patient and did their job well.
What could have been a lovely morning of prayer and celebration of the new Month of Adar, turned into a major desecration of God's name and enmity between Jews.
A number of men at the Kotel are totally responsible for ruining the prayers and atmosphere at the Kotel, and Rabbi Rabinowitz should know that as a civil servant in his capacity of Rabbi of the Holy Places, he failed at making sure that unlawful, rowdy and hateful behavior will not be tolerated in the area of the Wall designated for prayer.
To learn more, please contact:
Masorti Foundation for Conservative Judaism in Israel
475 Riverside Drive, Suite 832
New York, NY 10115-0068
(212) 870-2216; 1-877-287-7414
http://www.masorti.org/; info@masorti.org
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PASSOVER IS COMING! PASSOVER IS COMING!
Pesah Guide 5770
The Pesah Guide for 5770 is now available on the home page of the public section of RA website, www.rabbinicalassembly.org.
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Kol Dichfin - Passover 2010 - All Who Are Hungry, Let Them Come and Eat
Project Reconnect, the alumni association of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism and NAASE are working together to serve college students and unaffiliated young adults. Last year, more than 250 synagogues in North America, Israel, and around the world, participated in Come Home for the (High) Holidays and Kol Dichfin (Passover).
If you have a community Seder and are willing to open it to college students and unaffiliated young adults or if your congregation has families willing to host, please contact Paul Freedman at Project Reconnect, freedman@uscj.org or visit
http://www.projectreconnect.org/outreach/program?program_id=5
Please put those who come to you through the Kol Dichfin program on your mailing list and let them know about services and upcoming events. When people are ready to affiliate, they go where they feel comfortable - we want that to be your synagogue.
With your ongoing support, if we all pay attention to the words of the Haggadah when it says "Kol Dichfin.... All who are hungry, let them come and eat" we will continue to bring pride to our movement and to ourselves as Jews.
Project Reconnect has more than 20,000 people have registered, and the list grows constantly. Your participation in this necessary and important initiative will help to reinforce us as the movement with neshamah.
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Why have thousands of young Jews started more than sixty prayer communities across the United States? What crucial lessons can these grassroots communities offer to anyone invested in building vibrant Jewish life?
EMPOWERED JUDAISM:
What Independent Minyanim Can Teach Us about
Building Vibrant Jewish Communities
by Rabbi Elie Kaunfer
Foreword by Prof. Jonathan Sarna
A new work which examines the independent minyan movement and its relevance to prayer, community organizing, volunteer leadership, and the Jewish values that must be invested in to push American Judaism forward. Kaunfer has become one of the leading experts in the independent minyan phenomenon, and his work captures a new vision for Jewish life which grew out of his work with independent Jewish communities throughout the country and with Mechon Hadar.
Leading experts had the following things to say about Empowered Judaism:
"This is a book that every Jewish leader will want to read and every serious Jew will want to contemplate." - Prof. Jonathan Sarna
"Read this book to understand the spiritual impulses of a generation of seekers who are not ready to give up tradition and not ready to give up on their own empowerment within Judaism either." - Dr. Erica Brown
Empowered Judaism is available for purchase on our Empowered Judaism page www.empoweredjudaism.com. You can also purchase a copy directly through Amazon.com or Jewish Lights Publishing or at visiting West Side Judaica or Barnes and Noble.
Copies will also be for sale at upcoming Yeshivat Hadar evening classes. Stop by then to pick up a copy and stay for some Torah.
***METNY will run a conference later this year to explore and discuss how we can make our services more engaging and meaningful. Stay tuned for more details. |
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We are all very much aware of the threat that a nuclear Iran poses to the world and the importance of publicizing our opposition to Iran's nuclear aspirations. Those attending USCJ's biennial heard both Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren and Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice president of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, speak of the dangers of a nuclear Iran. We were asked to mobilize as a community and do whatever we can to help prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, in partnership with the Israeli Consulate, is offering its member congregations a special opportunity to purchase large vinyl "NO NUKES FOR IRAN" banners that are 3 feet by 6 feet in size and suitable for displaying outdoors or indoors. To order and view the banner go to: http://www.nonukesforiran.org/products/. The first 100 USCJ congregations that order the banners using our promotional code "uscj-banner" will pay a subsidized price of only $36 per banner. The regular price is $80 per banner.
To order the banner, click the blue "Add to Cart" icon under banners and posters A "View Cart" box will appear in the upper right hand corner of your screen (make sure you enter the number of banners you wish to order). Click the blue checkout icon to continue and enter the credit card information. When done, click "agree and continue", and on the next page on the left side under additional options, where it says "Use a coupon", enter uscj-banner (make sure you enter a dash between uscj and banner) and then click onto the apply box.
Please make note of this special opportunity provided by United Synagogue to our member congregations and order your banner early to avail your congregation of the discount.
We encourage you to display the "No Nukes for Iran Banner" in a highly visible location to send a powerful message across your community and beyond.
"No Nukes for Iran " magnets may also be ordered on this site.
Please contact Faye Gingold gingold@uscj.org if you have any questions.
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Sign Up for the
HAZAK Spring Retreat
June 30 - July 7, 2010
Regions from across the country will gather for an incredible week featuring outstanding lecturers and a beautiful scenic setting at the Block and Hexter Vacation Center in Poyntelle, PA.
For more information please contact
Jo-Anne Tucker-Zemlak, Assistant Director of the Seaboard/Southeast District at (301) 230-0801 or zemlak@uscj.org.
Click here to check out the HAZAK Spring Retreat site.
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METNY USCJ has Moved!
Our new address is 820 Second Avenue, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10017
METNY's contact information is will remain the same -
Phone - 212-533-0800
Fax - 212-533-0400
We look forward to hearing from you! | |
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