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Shabbat times for New York, NY
Shabbat Chanukah Candle Lighting Times for
New York
Candle Lighting
4:12pm
1-Click Shabbat Copyright © 2010 Michael J. Radwin. All rights reserved.
Shabbat Shalom!
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| Click here for the Fall Issue of USCJ Leadership News. |
| Publicize your event on the METNY Community Calendar. Please email
metny@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
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METNY Contact Information
| | 820 Second Avenue, 10th Fl.
212-533-0800 (p)
212-533-0400 (f)
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 Check out the new leadership bibliography on the METNY site for great gift ideas!
Just added:
Open Leadership
by Charlene Li
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Check out all the METNY Biennial Convention pictures, workshop information and synagogue awards on our website. ed |
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Today's Israel is out for Fall 2010. Click here to share it with fellow congregants family and friends. You'll find subjects of interest, from two articles about Lone Soldiers, to NATIV , to Nefesh B'Nefesh, to information about USCJ's exciting May 2011 Mission to Israel, to articles about Israel and more.
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As a member of a METNY USCJ
synagogue you receive discounts on Kosher.com for all your Kosher needs. Click here for more! |
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A D'var Torah on Shmot by Rabbi Charles Savenor, METNY District Director | |
Looking for the right leader? When companies and synagogues have a high-level position to fill, they frequently employ head-hunters to locate the right person for the job. If we were given the task of finding the right person to serve as the leader of the Children of Israel during the Exodus, what type of qualities would we look for?
The job description for this executive position might read as follows: "This person must be confident, charismatic, wise, vibrant, patient, creative and intelligent. It is preferred that s/he has experience in public relations and wilderness economics. Public speaking is a must."
While these characteristics are what we might expect of a leader, in this week's Torah portion God makes a surprising choice. God's selects Moses, a man who is temperamental, easily discouraged, and somewhat impatient... [Read More]
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Remembering Bruce Greenfield, z"l
by Norman Korowitz, METNY District Chair
Last week I lost a very close friend as did the Jewish community in the NY area. Bruce Greenfield was an important influence for me, many youth and congregations.
I had the opportunity to know Bruce for over 30 years. Our relationship was one of a professional nature through Metny and USCJ, as well as a close personal friendship. Our families shared many holidays, simchas (happy occasions/celebrations) and social gatherings.
We knew Bruce during his years as Metny Regional Youth Director and Executive Director. Over the nearly 40 years with USCJ Bruce brought about significance and quality to our region...
[Read More]
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METNY DISTRICT
Scholar In Residence 2011
- Could your synagogue benefit from a "free" adult education program?
- Would your Sisterhood and Mens Club co-host a lecture by a renowned scholar that would not affect your budget?
- Is there a Shabbat weekend in early March 2011 when a series of presentations would attract both members and your extended community?
- Would the local Hebrew High, Solomon Schechter Day School (Jr or Sr High) students and USY chapter enjoy a change of pace for a stimulating study session with a former USYer who made aliyah?
- Is there a HAZAK/Seniors program in the community ready for an hour of learning...and refreshments?
Then METNY United Synagogue has the answer.
 Presenting Dr Josh Kulp, co-founder of the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem and METNY's first ever District Scholar in Residence.
A service of the METNY District for its congregations in good standing, our wider communities, our schools, leaders, and clergy.
Here's a chance for several synagogues to co-sponsor an event. Are you in: Westchester, Rockland, Orange, South Nassau, North Nassau, Suffolk County, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, or Manhattan? Are you an RA/CA region? Are you a Council of Jewish educators or executive directors?
Would you like Dr. Kulp to speak in the Morning? Afternoon? Evening?
How about Shabbat of March 4-5 or March 11-12?
He's also available on weekdays: March 3, 6,7,8,9,10, 13.
More information to follow. "Tzay U'lmad" - Go and Learn; METNY can help.
*We are grateful to the "Temple Zion Israelite Center of Miami Florida Scholar Program", a gift of the Conservative Yeshiva of the United Synagogue, for making these learning experiences possible. |
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 How to Reduce Your United Synagogue Dues
United Synagogue has joined with Premier Merchant Processing to present your congregation with an opportunity to save money on your synagogue's credit card processing and reduce your synagogue's United Synagogue dues at the same time. Here's how it works:
« If your synagogue partners with Premier, 20 percentof the profit from your synagogue's processing fees automatically will be applied toward next year's United Synagogue annual dues. This 20 percent will continue to go toward your United Synagogue dues for as long as your synagogue continues its partnership with Premier.
« When performing a savings analysis, Premier shows a savings between 15 and 30 percent for 98 percent of our potential clients. Premier guarantees that your synagogue will not pay any more than it is paying now for this service. In fact, it is likely you will pay significantly less.
« Premier offers a virtual terminal that allows your synagogue to process a wide variety of credit card transactions easily. You can process credit cards via the internet! Schedule one-time or recurring payments from congregants automatically with terms you set. Whether it is a monthly, bimonthly, quarterly, biannual, or annual payment plan, you can set the payment terms and let the automated system work its magic. To find out more about our LUCY™ virtual terminal, go to our website. You even can test the program to ensure that it is right for your organization!
« Premier offers your synagogue the ability to accept checks with guaranteed deposit. Funds are deposited automatically. You no longer have to bring checks to the bank.
To receive your FREE cost savings proposal and tips on how to
improve your credit card processing procedures, please call or email:
Greg Goldfeder
National Sales Manager
Premier Merchant Processing
Office: 866-725-8500 x104
Fax: (516) 706-4011
E-mail: gregg@processpremier.com
Ruth V. Deane
Program Developer
Premier Dues Reduction Program
Cell: (516) 319-5531
Fax: (516) 706-3187
E-Mail: rrgnjd@hotmail.com
Please feel free to email United Synagogue directly about this program at creditcardprocessing@uscj.org
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GRANT for ISRAEL Programming
The United Synagogue Israel Commission is excited to announce an exciting 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.
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/Regional 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/Region has set up a committee to review all applications. There is potential
for additional monies for programs that aim at the young adult population.
The deadline for receipt of applications online is February 25, 2011.
Click here to apply today!
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Gilad Shalit Letter Writing Campaign
 Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was kidnapped by Hamas four years ago, has been denied all access to humanitarian aid despite several visit requests from the International Committee of the Red Cross. This denial is an intolerable trampling of Gilad Shalit's basic human rights, and an outright breach of the International Declaration of Human Rights and the Geneva Conventions.
On International Human Rights Day, which commemorates the signing of the International Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, the Jewish community worldwide will speak out for the rights of Gilad Shalit. The morning of December 10, 2010, Jewish community members, USCJ staff and human rights activists held a rally outside the International Red Cross building in New York City, urging them to pursue all opportunities to gain access to Shalit and work towards his release.
We encourage you to show your support for Shalit by participating in a letter writing campaign. A suggested letter from Hadassah follows below. The letter can be used to contact the International Committee of the Red Cross, or as talking points for bulletins, Facebook, Twitter or other social media.
YOU CAN HELP BY SENDING IN YOUR LETTERS!
International Committee of the Red Cross
801 2nd Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Dear International Committee of the Red Cross,
Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was kidnapped by Hamas four years ago, and has been denied all access to humanitarian aid despite your many visit requests. This denial is an intolerable trampling of his basic human rights, and an outright breach of the International Declaration of Human Rights and the Geneva Conventions. In honor of International Human Rights Day, I urge you to pursue all opportunities to gain access to Shalit and work towards his release.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME
Date
***Please watch this video about Gilad Shalit - only 4 minutes long - and share it with your friends, family, and kehillah/community. This video ran in Times Square. Be prepared to be moved. Click here.
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 "Lone Soldiers: Israel's Defenders from Around the World" is both an inspiring book and a great gift idea retails for $27.95 w/complimentary holiday gift wrapping is now available at Venture, 1156 Madison Avenue between 85th and 86th Streets.
They pick up and leave family, friends, home, cars, first-tier universities, and often top jobs for a land in which, in most cases, they don't have relatives, and are unfamiliar with the language, culture, food, and mentality.
Lone Soldiers: Israel's Defenders from Around the World tells their tale, engagingly written by Jerusalem Postdiplomatic correspondent Herb Keinon. This book tells the personal stories of fourteen of these volunteer lone soldiers - including one, Michael Levin, who fell in the Second Lebanon War - and of an "old school" kibbutznik, Lt.-Col. Res. Tzvika Levy who recently visited OZ, known as the "father of the lone soldiers," whose life mission is to take them under his wing and make their landing in Israel and the IDF as painless as possible.
This 8" x 10" book with over 40 color photos and 160 pages is available for $27.95 at Venture (see above). For more information contact Richard Stadin stadin1@aol.com or 212 879-0448.
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December Update from The Lone Soldier Center
Take a look at this Youtube video about December events that took place at the Lone Soldier Center.
The Lone Soldier Center in Memory of Michael Levin provides lone soldiers with Shabbat meals, housing, furniture and social events.
Michael Levin was a lone soldier who moved to Israel after his high school graduation, and fell defending Israel in the Second Lebanon War in 2006. Michael was home visiting his family in Philadelphia when the war broke out, and immediately flew back to Israel to rejoin his unit.
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METNY Movies With Abe Casino Jack
 Kevin Spacey takes on the role of Jack Abramoff, a well-known lobbyist and religious Jew whose corrupt practices landed him in jail. In order to get into character, Spacey says he met with a few rabbis and learned how to daven. According to Spacey, the film presents an interesting look at this extremely devoted religious man who makes misjudgments and crosses the line. Do Abramoff's extensive charitable donations and his efforts to start a Jewish day school and open a Kosher restaurant in the DC area make up for his immoral actions? For more on Abramoff and his public religious identity, consider this Edah Editorial from Rabbi Eliyahu Stern: "Jack Abramoff: Not Kosher."
Click here to watch a trailer of the film and read my review here. "Casino Jack" is now playing in theatres.
Abe Fried-Tanzer is an NYC-based fieldworker for KOACH, USCJ's College Outreach Project, as well as the editor of Movies With Abe and TV with Abe.
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Wintertime Ideas for Your Kehilla
1) Dec. 24th is a little-known Jewish holiday of Christmas Eve. Seriously. It's called "Nittel Nacht". A fascinating article is here: Nittel Nacht.
2) Dec. 25th - It is a common perception that Jews eat Chinese food on Xmas. Is it so? Check out this audio link. (Temple Beth El of Bellmore are doing this on Dec. 24th)
3) Dec. 26th - An Indoor Picnic? What a great idea! Kudos to Plainview Jewish Center for their Annual Indoor Picnic and Campfire. This program features individual and family races & contests, hot dog dinner with all the fixings, and an indoor campfire and even smores!
4) Dec. 25-Mar. 26 - All winter long the JCC of Manhattan opens its doors for families. They offer free programming on Shabbat afternoons from 2-5pm and snack! Learn more here: R&R at the JCC of Manhattan.
5) "Schmeck the Halls: How Jewish songwriters created Christmas"
Jewish composers and lyricists wrote many of the most successful popular songs of the 20th century. It stands to reason that some of their efforts would have gone into the business of keeping Christmas white, wintry and profitable.
Click HERE to read the article!
Please use these ideas at your synagogue this year, next year and beyond!!
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Staff Evaluations: Four ApproachesDeveloped by METNY Director Rabbi Charles Savenor and USCJ Chief Program Development Officer Rabbi Paul Drazen.Among the most important responsibilities of a synagogue board is the obligation to evaluate its professionals regularly. Because leading the congregation is a shared task, the governing body of the congregation not only should review the staff, it should engage in regular self-review as well. [ read more] |
Please click here to learn more about the upcoming Sulam 38 and Sulam 39. |
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METNY on the Road (and the slopes)...
 Tamar Schwartz, new Director of Youth Activities of METNY, left this week for USY International Convention with over 70 METNY USYers. Our number of partipicating METNY USYers is up by 90%. Yasher koach to our our staff who did a great job marketing the event to our youth!
Shabbat of December 17-18, Rabbi Edelman visited South Baldwin Jewish Center in honor of Hazak Shabbat. He was the guest speaker for the weekend. For more information about Hazak, click here.
Rabbi Edelman and Rabbi Savenor attended a semi-annual Congregational Meeting at Beth El Synagogue Center in New Rochelle on December 20th to present METNY awards from Biennial and to honor their Executive Director, Irwin Davison, who is retiring on 12/31.(See below)
Our road can lead to your kehillah, too! We can train your synagogue board, work with your clergy and staff, do an adult education program...we'd love to have you on our road map! |
Yasher Koach Corner
Yasher Koach to Irwin Davison, the executive director or Beth El Synagogue Center in New Rochelle. Hatzlahah Rabba to Erica Leventhal, who will begin in this position on Jan. 1st.
 Mazel Tov to Rabbi Moshe Edelman on the birth of a granddaughter, Ella Rae Kustanowitz.
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Rave Reviews for the METNY Mission to the UN Missions 2010
 "I found each speaker very enlightening and inviting, each in their own way...I would not miss a moment of this experience."
-Angela Brown, Temple Hillel, Valley Stream
"I didn't come with expectations and I was so impressed. I felt so taken care of by the METNY staff."
-Claude Frank, North Shore Jewish Center
Click here to read the Special Report on the METNY website.
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Todah Rabba to Marc, Jaedyn and Sydni Savenor for establishing a METNY USY scholarshop fund for International Convention. This generous donation will assist our youth participate in this transformative experience.
Marc Savenor is a USY alumnus, and USY played a big role in his life. He hopes that his daughters, Jaedyn and Syndi, one day will be active USYers.
As we head into our next decade, we have big plans, and you can help us by donating. Please contact Rabbi Charlie Savenor at savenor@uscj.org or 212-533-0800 to discuss how your donation can give the gift of USY.
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Effective Membership Committees TeleSeminar
with Jo-Anne Tucker Zemlak
Assistant Director, Southeast Seaboard District, HAZAK, International Director
Membership committees in congregations aren't all the same; some plan the annual open house only, some plan programs for the entire congregation, and some hand out welcome bags. Learn how to develop an effective membership committee that supports the potential or new member that walks in the door, and addresses the issue of membership retention on an ongoing basis. Join us to learn ... and also to share what works for your congregation.
This program happened on December 7th, you can listen to and download the audio of the teleseminar here.
You can download the notes/outline of the teleseminar in PDF format here.
Make sure your synagogue's Membership Committee Chair/Membership VP signs up for USCJ's Membership Discussion Listserv:
1) Click here
2) Enter your full name
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A robotic exoskeleton designed in Israel
becomes the unexpected star of Glee
The exoskeleton has a moving story of its own. It was the brainchild of an Israeli electrical engineer, Dr. Amit Goffer who was left quadriplegic after an accident. He decided to develop a system that allows wheelchair users to walk, climb stairs and meet the world on the same level.
After intensive rehabilitation, Goffer began developing the ReWalk prototype in his home, funding it privately and with a Tnufa - Startup Promotion Program grant. He later entered the Technion Incubator, TechnionSeed for a two-year stint and got financing from VC funds, Vitalife, ProSeed, TechnionSeed, the Technion R&D Foundation, and the Office of the Chief Scientist.
"What we want to do is have the person wake up in the morning, put on clothes, put on the ReWalk, go to work and go throughout the day, wearing it," Goffer, the founder and director of Argo, told ISRAEL21c in 2008.
To read the entire article click HERE. |
DONATE TO METNY USY
Dear Friends of METNY USY, We believe that USY and our youth are the future of the Conservative Movement. We invite you to be our partner in making incredible experiences available to our METNY USY and Kadima members. 2010 has been an amazingly successful programmatic year for METNY USY and METNY United Synagogue in terms of quality and quantity. - Our participation at Encampment increased by 25% over the past two years, 471 in total!
- HERJC won International Chapter of the Year!
- Our recent Kadima Shabbaton had over 40 more teens than last year.
- This year's delegation to International Convention is up by nearly 100% over last year.
While we are overjoyed to share our growth in participation and interest, there is so much more we can do. There are many USYers who are yearning to be a part of our programming who simply cannot afford it. While METNY has already distributed over $60,000 in scholarships, there are even more USYers applying for assistance this year. Some hope to spend the summer in Israel on our highly acclaimed Pilgrimage program and others on USY on Wheels. We are turning to you for your support. As the year comes to a close, please consider making your year-end gift to METNY USY. Every donation makes a difference and could spark our youth's Jewish identity! Donate Online Now
Or mail your contribution to: METNY USY 820 Second Ave., 10th Fl. New York, NY 10017 Attn: Scholarship Fund Thanks in advance for your support and partnership! Finally, the 60th Anniversary of USY 60 is coming soon. Please be in touch with any questions or suggestions. We can be reached at metny@uscj.org and 212-533-0800. We look forward to hearing from you soon. B'Shalom, Rabbi Charles Savenor Norman Korowitz
METNY Executive Director METNY District Chair PS - If your company or organization has a charitable company matching program, please send us a form. |
'Israeli War Crimes' signs to go on Metro buses
 "Israeli War Crimes," the enormous advertisement reads. "Your tax dollars at work."
To the right of the image is a group of children -- one little boy stares out at the viewer, the others gawk at a demolished building, all rebar and crumbled concrete.
It's an ad you'll be seeing soon on a handful of Metro buses in downtown Seattle... [More]
WHAT StandWithUs Northwest IS DOING NOW
StandWithUs fervently hopes that Metro will not run the anti-Israel ad. But if they do, we are prepared to run our own ad. It's a tough ad, but we feel that we have to respond to what will be four weeks of repeated "Israeli War Crimes" ads running through our downtown corridor. In today's world of sound bite news, it is that phrase that people will remember long after the ad campaign is over.
We also know that many other organizations from outside of the state are planning to run ads. One of the reasons we hope that Metro will decide not to run the anti-Israel ad is because it will bring the Middle East conflict to the buses of Seattle. It will result in organizations using Seattle as their advertising battlefield. It will be divisive and hurt our larger community. And because issues like the Mideast conflict are far more complex than sound bites.
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| Nativ 30
What's happening at Nativ 30?
Click here to download articles and pictures from our Nativ 30 in Israel.
We invite you to read, enjoy and get a glimpse of what Nativ students do while on the Program.
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Early Bird Registration for the USY Mid-Winter Kallah Up until January 3rd there will be an Early Bird Registration Price of $225.
After this date, the full cost of Mid-Winter Kallah/8th Grade Leadership will be in effect.
Sign up for the USY Mid-Winter Kallah!
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Save the date for the METNY Spring Leadership Conference on March 15th, 2010
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Attention all congregations:
Applications for 2010-2011 Dues Variance Requests are DUE December 31st
If you have any questions please email
Savenor@uscj.org or call 212-533-0800 |
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Do we know who's who in your congregation?
METNY USCJ would like to keep all of your synagogue board members up to date on 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 for 2010-11.Please email, fax or mail to metny@uscj.orgor 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.
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One of the founders of 
