| USCJ Dues 2010-11 |
|
Please note that the rate upon which dues are calculated for 2010-2011 will remain the same. Your synagogue's dues may change based upon the size of your congregation. 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! |
Click here to become a fan of
METNY USCJ on Facebook!
Twitter
@CharlieSavenor
@MetnyUSY |
FREE BOOKS!
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)
|
| Yasher Koach Corner |
|
Dr. Arthur Wolintz was president of
Flatbush & Shaare Torah Jewish Center for 11 years. Again we congratulate him on this achievement! | |
|
|
"ARTIST AS A SCHOLAR" SERIES: CLAUDE RIEDEL
Rabbi Paulette Posner, METNY Director of Education
This year on February 28th, we read in Parsha T'tzavveh, "You shall further instruct the Israelites to bring you clear oil of beaten olives for lighting, for kindling lamps regularly." (Exodus 27:20) This is the source for the Eternal Light (Ner Tamid) that hangs above the Ark in the synagogue, one of many symbols identifying the synagogue as a miniature sanctuary.
 Claude Riedel has been designing and creating stained glass windows and sculptures for the past 30 years. Claude explained that his initial inspiration was stained glass and fifteen years ago, he was asked to design a Ner Tamid for his synagogue; Beth Shalom in Minnetonka, MN. He transferred that Ner Tamid to a new building when the synagogue relocated. Thus began Claude's journey; he dedicated his art to making Nerot Tamid. This was a turning point in his artistic life.
The image of Kristellnacht is powerful and evocative for Claude. Based on his personal family history, his artwork is an opportunity to bring back shards of glass together and bring light into something whole. His Nerot Tamid are made up of multiple layers; putting fractured pieces of glass back together.
 His designs keep the focus on "the light of God"" and its refracting, shimmering, infinite layers of energy. Everything in his work is meant to celebrate and enhance the light of the eternal. Claude is inspired by the Kabbalistic description of the source of light (G-d) as radiating from a "primary mystic center" in ever expanding layers of radiant translucence. He feels comforted by the permanence of the "source" and inspired by the ever-expanding facets of that light as it shines on and fills us all. In the telling of the 16th century Kabbalist, Isaac Luria, God created the world: "By forming vessels of light to hold the Divine Light. But as God poured the Light into the vessels, they catastrophically shattered, tumbling down toward the realm of matter. Thus, our world consists of countless shards of the original vessels entrapping sparks of the Divine Light."
Claude asked the participants to consider the following questions:
· How are you drawing upon your internal "eternal light" to help others?
· What are some of the "shards" of light/miracles which have inspired your life?
Claude writes: "My Eternal Lights marry timeless, ancient traditions with modern sensibilities. I seek to render the essence of my client's vision with the sensitivity and fine craftsmanship appropriate to the architectural setting. "
As METNY considers future educational teleconferences, we welcome your suggestions and feedback. Please contact us at posner@uscj.org.
You can view Claude's work at http://www.clauderiedelart.com/ |
|
Upcoming Transitions in YOUR Synagogue Leadership
METNY USCJ would like to keep all of your synagogue board members up to date on the METNY programs and information. When your synagogue elects new board members please fill out the Synagogue Leadership form and send back to the METNY office so we can include your leadership on our lists. Please click here for the form.
Please email, fax or mail to metny@uscj.org or fax to 212-533-0400. The form can be mailed to 820 Second Avenue, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10017.
Furthermore, many of our congregations are currently in search for professional and spiritual leadership. METNY is here to help. Please contact any of our staff with questions. We wish our congregations success in this sacred enterprise.
|
SAVE THE DATE!
The Salute to the Israel Parade is on Sunday, May 23, 2010.
Click here to learn more and have your synagogue march!
**METNY is considering a movement marching group.
Is your community interested in participating?
If so, please email Rabbi Charlie Savenor at savenor@uscj.org at your earliest convenience..
|
|
Yasher Koach to our METNY USYers who were appointed to the USY International General Board:
*Meir Berkman, of the New City Jewish Center on becoming the 2010 USY Israel Awareness Chair on the USY International General Board.
*Danielle Stein, of the North Shore Jewish Center on becoming the 2010 USY Achshav and Shalhevet Communications Chair on the USY International General Board.
*Dani Kristal, of the Shelter Rock Jewish Center on becoming the 2010 USY Wheels Promotion Chair for Membership/Kadima International General Board.
METNY's Education Department was awarded a JEA Educational Research & Development Award for "Yesodot: Building a Community of Practice Around New(ish) Teachers". A full day workshop for the new teachers will follow in the coming weeks. We look forward to Yesodot and the support it will provide to new Conservative congregational school teachers. For more information, please contact Rabbi Paulette Posner at posner@uscj.org.
|
|
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. The guide has been extensively revised by Rabbi Barry Starr, Rabbi Paul Plotkin, and Rabbi Ashira Konigsburg.
3 New CJLS Teshuvot
In its meeting last week, the CJLS passed three new responsa. Links are below:
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.
|
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. |
|
Please see below some Israel Affairs related materials for our METNY synagogues from the JCRC Synagogue's Based Israel Actions Committee.
HAITI BRIEFING: E.B. Solomont, the NY Correspondent for the Jerusalem Post, is ready and willing to speak at your synagogue on Israel's relief efforts in Haiti (she was there reporting on the ground). She can be reached at Elizabeth@jpost.com.
IDF Soldiers Speak Out: www.soldiersspeakout.com is a grassroots initiative by IDF soldiers who want to share their experiences with the world via YouTube videos. Now StandWithUs is preparing to send some of the soldiers on tour to give people a sense of what it is like to be an Israeli soldier. The soldiers - all of them with combat experience - will share their experiences of fighting Hamas and Hezbollah, of losing friends in battle and of their care for civilians while fighting terrorists who hide in their communities. If you are interested, please contact Avi at swu.avi@gmail.com.
|
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.
|
The Teachers Institute Celebrates 100 Years
"The Teachers Institute (TI) was established in response to the problem of Jewish assimilation in America . . . By providing a model of an inclusive and integrated Jewish community, it suggested solutions to many of the ongoing challenges of American Jewish life."
-David Kaufman, "Jewish Education as a Civilization,"
Tradition Renewed: A History of The Jewish Theological Seminary
On Sunday March 7, The Jewish Theological Seminary invites all alumni and friends to celebrate the legacies of the Teachers Institute in a daylong symposium, "Transforming American Jewish Life: A Celebration of the Teachers Institute's 100th Anniversary." JTS faculty and friends will lead sessions celebrating and honoring such legacies as Camp Ramah, the Hebraist culture, and the American Jewish counterculture. The day will begin with a breakfast for Double Degree alumnae and their families to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the Double Degree Program with Barnard College; will continue by honoring Sylvia Ettenberg (TI '37), the first female senior administrator at JTS and dean of the TI, during lunch; and conclude with a keynote address from Rabbi Harold Kushner (SC '55; RS '60, '72). RSVP for all or part of this day, which is completely free to all alumni and guests.
Exciting Outreach
Please participate in JTS Reflects, a compilation of alumni reflections on their TI experiences. Please share your nostalgia, send pictures, write about your favorite professors, and help generate that TI ruah on Sunday, March 7.
Pictures can be sent to: JTS, Wohl Office of Alumni Affairs, 3080 Broadway, New York, NY 10027.
Written submissions can be emailed to the Wohl Office of Alumni Affairs.
Exciting Open House
List College Open House-Sunday, April 18
High school juniors are invited to our Junior Open House to learn more about List College, Columbia University, and Barnard College. Prospective students and their parents will have the opportunity to attend a class with a distinguished List College professor, tour Columbia and Barnard, have lunch with the admissions directors, and sit in on an administrators' panel. For more information, visit www.jtsa.edu/list or contact Missy Present, director of Admissions, at (212) 678-8832.
Exciting News! Full Tuition to The Davidson School
The William Davidson School Graduate School of Jewish Education seeks master's degree applicants who have begun or are in the middle of their careers as Jewish educators and wish to strengthen and refine themselves as learners, teachers, leaders, inquirers, and religiously knowledgeable Jews.
Exceptional master's degree applicants who have been accepted to The Davidson School for fall 2010 will receive full-tuition fellowships, thanks to the $3.7 million grant given to JTS by The Jim Joseph Foundation in September 2009.
The master of arts curriculum provides students with a strong foundation in Judaica and education, in addition to fostering religious development and personal growth. The Davidson School offers full-time, part-time, and distance learning MA programs in Jewish Education with opportunities for electives in day school education, synagogue school administration, and informal and community education. Through the JTS consortium with Teachers College, Columbia University, there are opportunities to study early childhood education, special education, and arts education.
The application deadline is May 1, 2010, and all applicants will be automatically considered for the fellowships. For more information, please visit our website or contact Abby Eisenberg, director of Admissions, at (212) 678-8022.View the application and its requirements.
Exciting News for Teens-JTS in the Summer for High School Students
 This summer, USY and List College are proud to once again offer USY's wonderful Summer in the City program. For one month, participants can experience the best of all that New York City has to offer, both academically and culturally. Learn from top instructors at The Jewish Theological Seminary, Barnard College, and Columbia University; explore the rich culture and history of New York City during evenings and weekends; and experience Jewish New York in a program supervised by USY. The Summer in the City precollege program promises an exciting, unforgettable summer! Request more information.
|
|
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.
| |
|
|
PURIM SAFETY
Finally, METNY's leadership wishes you and your community a happy and safe Purim in our current winter wonderland. Driving tomorrow night may be icy, so we encourage everyone to drive with caution.
Shabbat Shalom, Hag Purim Sameah and Drive Carefully!
|
|
|
