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Shabbat Candle Lighting Times for New York
Candle Lighting: 4:20pm
Torah Portion: Parashat Vaera
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. |
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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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Wanted:
Old issues of United Synagogue Review (1950's-1990's) for exhibition on Jews and food. Will pay postage.
Rabbi Michael Strassfeld mstrassfeld@aol.com 212-724-7000
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 Dear METNY Synagogue Leadership,
In order to effectively serve your congregation's needs, we must have current and accurate lists of synagogue officers, clergy, board members and chair people, including their correct addresses, zip codes, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses.
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· All congregational presidents
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· All congregational rabbis
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· Educational chair people
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· Youth chair people
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· Education directors and principals
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· Youth directors
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We would therefore appreciate your filling out the three-page Synagogue Leadership Form and returning it to us as quickly as possible, so that we can update our lists to better serve your congregation. By returning this form, you will ensure that your leaders are on our mailing list to receive our METNY Leadership Newsletter, CJ Magazine and other important information.
Please include individual e-mail addresses. This way your leaders will receive "News You Can Use," which is replete with useful information for your synagogue, leaders and members.
Send in your Synagogue Leadership Form by Friday January 10th, 2011, and your synagogue will automatically be entered into a raffle to win a Kindle!
We want to remind you to send back your Membership Reporting Form (MRF) at your earliest convenience. The form must be completed, signed and returned as soon as possible. This completed form enables the Dues Department to bill your congregation based on the most recent and accurate information we have available.
Please contact us with any questions. We can be reached at 212-533-0800 or via email at nckoro@aol.comor savenor@uscj.org.
We thank you in advance for completing these forms quickly and accurately, and again, we want to remind you that without this information it is difficult to service your congregation properly. We look forward to your response.
B'shalom,
Norman Korowitz Rabbi Charles E. Savenor
Chair Executive Director
PS - Please remember to add METNY USCJ to your bulletin list so we can know all of the information and events happening at your synagogue.
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Thank you to these synagogues
who have already sent in their Leadership Forms:
(they will be entered into the raffle automatically)
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Bellmore Jewish Center
Congregation Sulam Yaakov
Congregation Tifereth Israel (Glen Cove)
Dix Hills Jewish Center
East 55th Street Conservative Synagogue
East Meadow Jewish Center
East Northport Jewish Center
Huntington Jewish Center
Jewish Center of Kew Garden Hills
Little Neck Jewish Center
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Merrick Jewish Center
Midway Jewish Center
Nanuet Hebrew Center
Pelham Jewish Center
South Huntington Jewish Center
Temple Beth El (Bellmore)
Temple Beth Shalom (Mahopac)
Temple Hillel
Temple Israel South Merrick
Town and Village Synagogue
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Enter the Kindle Giveaway Contest by sending in your Synagogue Leadership Form:
(and don't forget to send in your MRF as well!)
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They made Java "cool" again by using it to develop a device for reading the Kindle, and once again a major tech invention emanates from Israel.
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A D'var Torah on Parashat Vaera by Rabbi Charles Savenor, METNY District Director
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At the beginning of this week's Torah portion, Moses confronts pharaoh and demands, "Shelach et Ami", Let me people go!
With each one of pharaoh's ten refusals comes a plague from God. What ensues is a ten round fight between God in one corner and pharaoh in the other.
The first plague is blood. Moses is told to go down to the Nile River with his staff, and then Aaron will transform the water into blood.
Aaron? Isn't Moses the messenger, the one who leads the Children of Israel out of slavery?
Yes, God wants Aaron to do it.
This nuance in the text, not reflected in the film The Prince of Egypt, begs the question: why not Moses?
Rashi explains that since the Nile protected Moses when he was a baby, God does not want Moses to harm the rive that saved his life.
Moshe's holding back represents an expression of gratitude. Leaders make a powerful statement when they recognize the people and, in this case, the forces of nature, who help us become who are today.
In 2005 the day before his team, the New England Patriots, played in the Super Bowl Deion Branch called every coach he ever played for to say thank you. "Win, lose or draw, you helped me get here, and I will never forget it." He said. The Patriots won that game, and Branch was the MVP.
God's directive to Moses gives him the opportunity to express appreciation to the Nile for saving his life and enabling him to reach this moment.
Gratitude is not an empty platitude. Gratitude is an attitude that can empower and inspire those around us to reach their potential.
Gratitude not only connects us to our past, but it also represents a proven approach for paving the way for a stronger future together.
This week God teaches Moses a timeless lesson in leadership. Synagogue and business leaders can make a huge difference by just taking the time to say "thank you".
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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!
Join us for a teleconference on
Thursday, January 6, 2011
3:00 p.m. Eastern
During this teleconference, you will learn more about the Ma'alot Grants program from:
Alexandra Cyngiser who currently serves as the USCJ International Vice President for Israel Affairs. A former President of Beth Tzedec Congregation in Calgary, Canada and former President of the Pacific Northwest USCJ Region, she is a long-serving member of the USCJ International Board, a former member of the Council of District Chairs and Regional Presidents and a long- serving member of the USCJ Israel commission. As well, she is a member of the Mercaz Canada board.
Ari Schuchman is the Director of Strategic Partnerships at Nefesh B'Nefesh where he is responsible for creating and maintaining partnerships between NBN and Jewish organizations/communities in the US, Canada & UK. Prior to that Ari served in various positions at JESNA, UJC & CAJE. Ari has a BA in Jewish Studies from Queens College in NYC and an MBA in Non-Profit Management & Jewish Leadership from the Interdisciplinary Center & Bar Ilan University in Israel.
Rabbi Paul Freedman is the Director of the USCJ Israel Commission. Prior to making Aliyah in 1991, from 1967 he served as Director of the USCJ Department of Youth Activities. Rabbi Freedman also serves as International Liaison for the USCJ Project Reconnect Alumni Program
Hedda Morton has been the Senior Jewish Educator, Director of Congregational Learning at Adath Israel Congregation for the past 10 years. Hedda currently serving as the international president of the Jewish Educators Assembly.
Register for the teleconference by clicking here.
If the registration link does not work, copy and paste the following into your web browser's address bar:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dEY1WnJNNDBvQVBqejhoOTdYOHpOdUE6MQ
For more information, please contact:
Rabbi Charles Savenor | 212-533-0800 | savenor@uscj.org
Israel Commission
Rabbi Paul Freedman | freedman@uscj.org
Nefesh B'Nefesh
1-866-4-ALIYAH · http://www.nbn.org.il
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UK Terror Arrests a Reminder: Threat is Real
From David Pollock, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York.
The UK Christmas bombing campaign by nine alleged terrorists primarily targeted iconic sites such as the London Stock Exchange, Big Ben, the Millennium Wheel and the American Embassy in London. The religious sites on their list included Westminster Abbey and two British synagogues and rabbis (The CST is the lead British organization dealing with Jewish security; see their information at http://www.thecst.org.uk/index.cfm?Content=39).
Prosecutors reported that the group had conducted pre-operational surveillance of some of their potential targets and had tested explosives.
This plot echoes many of the "homegrown terror" plots here in the U.S. and is a reminder that:
* Anti-Semitism is a core component of Jihadist ideology.
* Anti-Semitism is a common tool in the radicalization process.
* Jewish-affiliated targets may be preferable for less sophisticated terrorists.
* Jewish institutions may not be priority targets, but may become secondary targets or targets of convenience.
Jewish organizations should continue to operate with heightened vigilance.
An assortment of very timely and valuable resources and bulletins are located at the sites listed below . . . you may wish to read the materials pointed to by the links, and then remain at the sites for a while as you browse other resources that are available there, perhaps bookmarking for future reading, and sharing links with congregational leaders, as well.
1. Review our security resources for suggestions and guidance at: http://www.jcrcny.org/securityresources.
2. Timely articles include tips on detecting hostile surveillance from our partners at John Jay College of Criminal Justice (http://jcrcny.org/security/documents/Suspicious Activity 2010.pdf)
3. JCRC's Sample Building Access Policies and Procedures (http://jcrcny.org/security/sampleaccesspolicy.pdf).
4. Get more information to secure your Jewish institution at http://www.jcrcny.org/security.
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The Nonprofit Security Grant Program
Congress passed a temporary stopgap spending measure that will keep the federal government funded through March 2, 2011 (which accounts for the first five months of the fiscal year that began on October 1st). However, we do not expect that DHS will start the application process and release funds for the FY2011 nonprofit security program until Congress completes the homeland security appropriations for FY2011 and DHS is certain about the funding level they will receive for the program.
At this point, we do expect that an additional round of nonprofit security grants will be made available, and that the funding level should be close to the $19 million secured for the program in FY2010. We will update this site as Congress takes action to complete FY2011 appropriations early next year. |
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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. |
The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism and Jvillage Network
are proud to present a webinar:
Bringing Your Synagogue Website into the 58th Century In this webinar, Jvillage president Mike Kanarick will share insider tips and tricks for transforming your synagogue website from informational to interactive. Learn best practices for how to better engage and grow your membership community by: Ø Presenting a vibrant, warm and welcoming website experience Ø Maintaining an up-to-date website through easy content management Ø Creating an intuitive navigation structure Ø Using an interactive calendar that allows for online RSVPs and event payments Ø Encouraging and accepting online donations and dues payments Ø Connecting and communicating through social media You will take away learning that will allow you to get your community participating, volunteering, fundraising and more!
Thursday, January 27, 2011 The webinar will be presented twice, and you can register for either session: 3:00 p.m. Eastern or 8:00 p.m. Eastern
To register for the webinar, click here. If clicking on the above link does not work, copy and paste this address into your web browser: https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dHBpa0dPYzFmbTlZdV93X3NnQTN3LUE6MQ You will receive information on how to logon to the webinar 24-72 hours prior to the presentation, so be sure to check your email the week of January 24, 2011. |
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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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METNY Movies With Abe
Precious Life
 Israeli TV reporter Shlomi Eldar's documentary screened as the closing night selection for the Other Israel Film Festival at the JCC in Manhattan and was recently announced as one of fifteen finalists for the Best Documentary Academy Award. The film is a harrowing, moving story about Israelis and Palestinians putting aside their differences to save the life of a four-month-old Palestinian baby. One scene in particular, where the child's mother reveals that she would be proud if her son grows up to become a shahid (martyr), is incredible, forcing Eldar to question why he is bothering to help save her son's life at all. Sitting through the film can be tough, but it spotlights an extremely complicated dilemma in the midst of an already complicated conflict. Watch the trailer here.
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
Three Faiths Exhibition at the New York Public Library (at Bryant Park)
Over the millennia, Jews, Christians, and Muslims have each created a rich body of founding texts and interpretive underpinnings for their respective faiths, each of which derives from the teachings of Abraham. This exhibition treats these three great Abrahamic religions, setting forth in splendid and historic detail the complementarities and differences among them, explaining their development, and exploring their lived experience through public and private prayer.
Please use these ideas at your synagogue this year, next year and beyond!!
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METNY at USY International Convention:
Norman Korowitz, METNY District Chair, and Carole Korowitz, USCJ Vice President - Service to Congregations, joined over 70 METNY USYers at International Convention, which will come to a close today.
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!
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Touching One'sSoul
How can we know if we have touched the soul of another human being?
I was privileged to witness such a moment in Kfar Vradim recently.
 Amir Shemesh, age 13, was a premature baby, who weighed only 800 grams at birth. Amir is blind and neurologically impaired. Just two weeks ago, months after beginning to prepare for his bar mitzvah, he finally agreed to wear a kippah, wrapped himself in a tallit (which he enjoyed wearing), and sang the "Sh'ma" in a loud and confident voice. His prayer sent shivers up and down the spine of all who were present. Although the staff of our program has experienced this in the past at other ceremonies, for Amir's parents and family, this was the realization of a dream.
Dr. Ronit Levinger, Amir's aunt wrote:
"We were all moved, and we still find it hard to believe that we saw Amir sing and pray. It reminded me of the Y.L. Peretz story about the boy who whistled in the synagogue during Yom Kippur, and the Rabbi who defended him and maintained that because of this boy the gates of heaven were opened to the prayers of the other worshipers in the synagogue. You gave Amir and all who love him the gift of a lifetime."
Our program, which is the only one of its kind, began 15 years ago and now reaches special  education schools throughout the country. It was established to allow youngsters with cerebral palsy, mental retardation, autism, and Down syndrome to participate in a Judaic enrichment program and experience an aliyah to the Torah just like every other child their age.
The program is sponsored by the Masorti Movement, but reaches youngsters from all streams of Judaism. One can find families from national religious and secular backgrounds sitting together at a weekday Shacharit service. Even an ultra-orthodox family from Bnai Brak came to Hod V'Hadar, the Masorti synagogue in Kfar Saba to celebrate their daughter's bat mitzvah! Almost unbelievable!
Your support enables us to reach additional youngsters and their families and allow them to experience what is perhaps the only life-cycle event which they will celebrate and hear the words "Mazal tov"!
For more information: bbmsc@masorti.org +972-8-6108366.
Link to 5 mi. film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKcZ28cbCEo
Zivah Nativ
Program Director
Bar/Bat Mitzvah for Children with Special Needs
The Masorti Movement
zivah@masorti.org
www.masorti.org
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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]
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Please click here to learn more about the upcoming Sulam 38 and Sulam 39. |
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LAST CHANCE TO DONATE TO METNY USY IN 2010
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.
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. |
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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, 2011
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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 