SCN Notification: Organizations Advised to be on the Lookout for Suspicious Package Deliveries (Immediate Attention)

Situation Report

Following multiple reports of suspicious and potentially dangerous packages being shipped to the United States, SCN organizations are advised to immediately be on the lookout for the delivery of any larges packages, in particular, if opened, that may contain printers, printer cartridges, cell phones or timers. Current information suggests the Chicago area may be the focus of these incidents, however, all SCN member organizations across the country are advised to take proper precautions at this time. Reports indicate that the packages may have originated in Yemen.

Organizations that believe they have received a suspicious package should not open it, evacuate the area and call 911 immediately.

Security Recommendations

SCN is providing our member organizations with the following DHS security recommendations. All mail room personnel and staff with mail and package-handling responsibilities should be apprised of the following.

Recommended steps for handling suspicious packages and envelopes include the following:

• Do not open. Do not shake or empty the contents.
• Do not carry, show to others, or allow unqualified or unauthorized individuals to examine the item.
• Put the item on a stable surface; do not sniff, touch, taste, or look closely at it or at any contents that might have spilled.
• Alert others in the area, close any doors, and take actions to prevent others from entering the area. If possible, shut off the ventilation system.
• Wash hands with soap and water to prevent spread of potentially infectious material to face or skin. Seek additional instructions for exposed or potentially exposed areas.
• At work, notify a supervisor, security officer, or law enforcement official; if at home, contact the local law enforcement agency.
• If possible, create a list of persons who were in the room or area when the suspicious letter or package was recognized and a list of persons who may have handled it. Give the lists to local public health authorities and law enforcement officials.

This incident is currently under investigation by the Federal Bureau Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). SCN will continue to monitor this developing situation and issue updates as required.

"If you see something, say something"

Report suspicious activity.

YOUR URGENT HELP IS NEEDED TO ASSIST

A 4 YEAR OLD FROM LARCHMONT TEMPLE

If you are interested in volunteering to help with the donor drive, please contact Michele Metsch at Michele@MetschNet.com

**ORDER your own kit at bethematch.org - they will send you a kit and instructions and you can do it on your own.

(There is no charge, though the organization does ask you to consider making a donation.)

**Sunday December 5, there is a previously planned Bone Marrow Drive through the Gift of Life Foundation from 9:00am-1:30pm at Larchmont Temple.

Many chances to give. Please help.

For more info on what happens if you ARE a match  - http://www.marrow.org/DONOR/When_You_re_Contacted_as_a_Pos/index.html

Global Jewish Learning Day and Rakevet USY- Sunday, November 7

In honor of Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz's upcoming completion of his Talmud translation and commentary there will be a Global Day of Jewish Learning on Sunday, November 7.  Rakevet USY has decided to do their own study event, open to all, but specifically intended for Rakevet and METNY USYers who are members of USY's Abraham Joshuah Heschel Honor Society.  

The event will be hosted by an as yet undetermined synagogue in Rakevet on Sunday, November 7 from 2 (promptly) - 4PM.  The event will begin with a live, streaming view of Rabbi Steinsaltz's siyum in Jerusalem.  That would be followed by a lecture from Rabbi Rafi Rank of Midway Jewish Center.  After he teaches, Dahlia Bernstein, a JTS rabbinical student and former Rakevet USYer, will be doing a text study or workshop. If you have any questions please contact Loen Amer, Woodbury Jewish Center Youth Director at woodburyusy@gmail.com.

UNITED SYNAGOGUE'S ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PLANS USY 60^th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION FOR 2011 AND ANNOUNCES NEW ENDOWMENTS AND HONOREES

NEW YORK - In 1951, United Synagogue's leaders, building upon the vibrant programming for teenagers that had taken solid root in Conservative synagogues throughout North America, created the international organization called United Synagogue Youth.

USY is an organization where Jewish teenagers come together to celebrate and learn about Judaism, develop a sense of Jewish identity, acquire leadership skills, and build lifelong friendships. It has become one of the largest and most active Jewish youth groups in the world.

Fifty-nine years after its founding, USY and Kadima, its program for middle school students, continue to play a significant role in shaping the lives of young Conservative Jews and future Jewish leaders. Tens of thousands of young people have been USY members during these nearly sixty years, and USY alumni have taken on significant leadership roles, serving in the United States Congress, as CEOs of major corporations, and presidents of influential Jewish organizations, and prominent universities. 

In honor of USY's upcoming 60^th anniversary, the alumni association is planning a yearlong celebration, which will begin in December 2010. USY is looking forward to reconnecting with its alumni around the world as the festivities continue.

"Each generation has had its unique challenges, and for 60 years USY has helped Jewish teenagers define their Jewish identity and shape their Jewish future," Richard Moline, director of United Synagogue's Youth and Young Adult Services department, said. "USY is committed to continuing its efforts to help young people make informed Jewish choices that we hope will lead to productive, fulfilling, and active Jewish lives in this ever-changing world."

To raise awareness of its work and to respond to the diverse needs and interest of teenagers today, this year USY will honor four of its notable alumni and founding synagogues through new initiatives and scholarship programs.

WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE FOLLOWING INTERNATIONAL HONOREES AND NEW ENDOWMENT FUNDS

The Founders USY Scholarship Fund. This fund honors four Conservative synagogues in Minnesota's Twin Cities - USY's founding congregations, Adath Jeshurun Congregation, Beth El Synagogue, B'nai Emet Synagogue, and Temple of Aaron - and their rabbis. Rabbi Kassel Abelson, rabbi emeritus of Beth El and past international president of the Rabbinical Assembly, will represent his colleagues in launching this initiative. By honoring our past and celebrating our future, this fund will give teens the opportunity to participate in USY's transformative programs, including regional conventions, summer programs such as USY on Wheels and Israel Pilgrimage, and Nativ, a yearlong program in Israel for recent high school graduates.

The Danny Siegel Mitzvah Heroes Fellowship Program.  Danny was USY's international president in 1962. He became one of the world's foremost experts in microphilanthropy and through his tireless teaching he has modeled Jewish philanthropy for generations of teenagers. From 1981, when he created it, to 2009, when he closed it, he was the heart and soul of the Ziv Tzedakah fund. He is also a poet as well as the author of many works of prose. The Social Action/Tikkun Olam program named for him will train Jewish teens in both the practical and the ethical dimensions of social action work.

The Jules Gutin Leaders Fellowship. Jules Gutin has been USY and Kadima's international director for more than 20 years, his leadership, creativity, and ability to connect with our teenagers is well-known. USY and Kadima have flourished under Jules's leadership Alumni throughout the world claim him as their mentor, citing his influence in the choices they have made and the success they have achieved in their adult lives. To continue the spirit of the teaching and mentoring provided to the thousands of USYers who have been guided by Jules, the Jules Gutin Leaders Fellowship fund will provide ongoing leadership training to Jewish teens and USY advisors and youth directors throughout North America and Israel.

The Jackie Saltz Alumni Fund. More than 12 years ago, Jackie Saltz organized Project Reconnect. Together with a small volunteer committee, she worked to reengage alumni from all the Conservative movement's youth and young adult programs. Through Project Reconnect, Jackie has brought together alumni from across the movement, focusing particularly on USY, which is at the heart and soul of her vision. Jackie's tireless work has been invaluable as we approach the celebration of USY's 60^th anniversary and the formation of United Synagogue's alumni association.  Jackie's ties to USY go way back; she was a synagogue chapter youth director and worked on United Synagogue's staff as a regional youth director. Later she became chair of the regional youth commission and president of United Synagogue's Pacific Southwest region, and for many years she has been on United Synagogue's board of directors. This fund will provide much-needed support for the alumni association and Project Reconnect and scholarships both for USY on Wheels and Pilgrimage summer programs and for future programs for USYers and USY alumni.

There will be a series of events across the continent throughout the year as we remember USY's glorious past and look forward with great excitement to its bright future. We will let you know as soon as we have more details. Please sign up to get more information. We'd love to see you there celebrating with us.

Please go to projectreconnect.org to sign up and learn more about the upcoming celebrations, and look for us on Facebook (USY 60th Anniversary) and on Twitter (USY 60).

A program of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, United Synagogue Youth provides a social, religious and educational forum where  high-school-aged Jews can  explore and celebrate their Judaism, live Jewish lives in accordance with Jewish ethics and values, and become better members of the Jewish and greater communities in which they live, all in the context of the Conservative movement. For more information, go to www.usy.organd projectreconnect.org or USCJ.org.

TO REGISTER FOR THE KADIMA SHABBATON CLICK HERE.

CNN will be broadcasting an interfaith panel discussion on Religion and Environment that Rabbi Lawrence Troster, Director of the Fellowship Program at GreenFaith was part of and that was filmed at the Temple of Understandings conference last week. It will take place this Sunday at 8:30 am. After that it will be available on their website at www.cnn.com. Please visit www.greenfaith.org for more information.

Hazak keeps 55-plus set active in their shuls
By Ann Green Special to the Advocate

"I think of the lady in a red hat at the back of the shul," said Jo-Anne Tucker-Zemlak of United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism. "She wants to meet people her age. She may have retired or no longer has family in the area. She might have drifted away from the congregation."

Hazak might be just the answer for that lady in the red hat.

Established by USCJ, it is a portal for people who are 55 and older to enter - or re-enter - congregations through social, religious and educational programs. The name is an acronym for hokhmah (wisdom), ziknah (maturity) and kadima (looking ahead).

With limited resources, synagogues often focus their outreach and programming efforts on young families.

"Hazak events are professionally assisted and lay run, with minimal help from the congregations," said Tucker-Zemlak, who is international Hazak coordinator. "We go by the three Es: entertainment, education, and eating."

There are 130 Hazak groups in the nation, four based at Boston area congregations: Temple Israel in Sharon, Temple Emunah in Lexington (under the name 55+), Temple Beth Am in Randolph and Congregation Mishkan Tefila in Chestnut Hill. Some are open to people who belong to other synagogues or are unaffiliated.

"It's USY for adults," said Gloria Rose, president of the Hazak chapter at Temple Israel of Sharon, referring to United Synagogue Youth. Like other Hazak chapters, Temple Israel's offers programs designed to appeal to wide-ranging interests, including lectures, movies, social gettogethers and group trips.

Boston area groups have traveled to Tanglewood, the Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, and New York City, where their tour included the Jewish Theological Seminary, the Jewish Museum and Ellis Island.

USCJ sponsors Hazak trips to Israel. "In the last three years we've taken 150 people," said Tucker-Zemlak. "Our trips are geared to mature adults. They are affordable; and we don't get up at 6, we get up at 9."

The chapter at Temple Israel, which began with a barbecue attended by 35 people, now has 200 members. It has hosted an a cappella group from Brandeis, an educational evening on elder abuse and identity theft, and a Shabbat morning service with the temple sisterhood. The chapter "adopted" children from Jewish Family & Children's Service, making sure that they received Chanukah gifts.

Hazak chapters get together at regional events, such as an annual June retreat in the Poconos. "With Jewish geography," Rose said, "chances are you will meet someone you used to know at some events and can renew an old friendship."

Temple Emunah's 55+ has thrived since its inception 10 years ago. "We are a social club," said Lester Macklin, who chairs the group. On Sundays, 55+ sponsors a lox and bagels breakfast with entertainment. It attends plays, takes in Tanglewood and goes on overnight trips, such as a three-day tour of Montreal.

"Jewish Montreal," Macklin stressed. "When we visit a city, we get a guide to show us the Jewish locations for the area."

In the works are trips to the Peabody Essex Museum in December, Washington, D.C. ("Jewish Washington," that is) and Mystic Seaport in Connecticut.

**METNY has 14 participants on the upcoming HAZAK Israel Mission. For more information about HAZAK in METNY, please contact Rabbi Moshe Edelman at edelman@uscj.org.

100 Voices: A Journey Home is a musical documentary that tells the history of Jewish culture in Poland. It highlights the current resurgence of Jewish culture in Poland through a group of cantors who made a historical mission to the birthplace of Cantorial music.

Please join the Bet Torah community on Saturday evening November 13^th for a Live Cantorial Concert, Movie, Wine, and Dessert reception at the Chappaqua Crossing Auditorium - 480 Bedford Road, Chappaqua. There will be a Q and A with Los Angeles producer and co- writer Mike Lam after the movie.

The evening will begin at 7:00PM.

The cost is $36 per person. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

For additional information go to www.bettorah.org or call Margie Orell 666-7137 or Bet Torah at 666-7595.

For more information please click here.

Register online for DOROT's
Thanksgiving and Chanukah Delivery

Due to the proximity of the two holidays, DOROT is combining its Thanksgiving and Chanukah Deliveries.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Congregation Rodeph Sholom
7 West 83^rd Street
between Central Park West and Columbus Ave.

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Brighten the day of a senior!
Deliver a traditional Thanksgiving meal along with a Chanukah gift package and visit with an older person for about an hour.

PLEASE NOTE:

·  ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

·  ALL Volunteers must bring photo ID to participate

·  This program is not recommended for families with young children
To visit the same senior, request a PRE-MATCH.

Register Online Today!

Adult Registration Form

Online Registration will close on Friday, November 12^th