News You Can Use

Reminder: Vetting USCJ's New Strategy

On Feb. 10, the METNY staff joined over 70 METNY synagogue leaders at TBS, Roslyn, for the USCJ Strategic Plan presentation by Rabbi Steven Wernick, CEO, USCJ

United Synagogue and the Hayom Coalition have been working for over a year on a new strategic plan for USCJ. We invite you and your leadership to learn about this plan and the dynamic future of United Synagogue.To RSVP, please contact Sloane Rosenberg via email at rosenberg@uscj.org or phone at 212-533-0800. 

The next in-person is

Tuesday, February 22 at 7:00pm  

at Temple Israel Center in White Plains, NY.

USCJ Strategic Plan Draft Released - Download the Draft  

D'var Torah Videocast on Youtube:

"The Human Element of Data"

Leadership Lessons From Exodus #9 

Click here to watch the video! 

METNY USY

Mid-Winter Kallah & The World Wide Wrap

On February 4-6, Tamar Schwartz; Mindy Liebman, Youth Commission Chair; and Rabbi Charlie Savenor joined over 400 USYers and Kadimaniks at at the USY Mid-Winter Kallah at the Huntington Hilton.

One of the highlights was that the USYers participated in the annual FJMC (Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs) World Wide Wrap.

METNY Synagogue Leadership Conference

Tuesday, March 15, 2011 

More info coming soon...

District Happenings

News & Events From Around the METNY District

The Josh Nelson Project at the Paramount in Peekskill 

The Josh Nelson Project will be performing on Saturday night, March 12 at 8pm at the Paramount. This concert is presented by the First Hebrew Congregation of Peekskill. Tickets are $35 and $45. [more info]

Concert at Merrick Jewish Centre

The "Prince of Jewish Gospel" at North Shore Jewish Center 

 
Cantor Joshua Nelson, the "Prince of Jewish Gospel," and friend of Josh Nelson of the Josh Nelson Project (see block, above), will be performing at North Shore Jewish Center on Sunday night, March 20, at 7pm. Tickets are still available. Call 631-928-3737 for more info, or check out the Facebook event.

JDeal: Groupon for Jews

From delicious cuisine to fancy shmancy hotels to the best seats in the house, jdeal offers great deals every day. [Today's deal: $10 to see the Maccabeats at B.B. Kings.] 

Check out today's deal!  

METNY on the Road

On Thursday, February 10, the METNY staff joined over 70 METNY synagogue leaders at Temple Beth Sholom, Roslyn, for the USCJ Strategic Plan
presentation by Rabbi Steven Wernick, CEO, USCJ, Richard Skolnik, USCJ President; and Ned Gladstein, member of Strategic Planning Committee. [more info].

On Tuesday, February 15th, Rabbi Edelman and Senior District Vice Chair Alan Reid (far left) met with our newest congregation, Chavurat Emet, to present their affiliation certificate to Chair Milton Cohen, Spiritual Advisor Neal Spevack, and their board. Click here to read an article about Chavurat Emet by Marc Katz, METNY District Vice Chair. 

On Wednesday, February 16th, Rabbi Savenor met with the board of Midway Jewish Center, including Rabbi Perry Rank, President Mark Gelfand, and Executive Director, Joel Podell (see photos, above). 

Yasher Koach Corner 

Yasher Koach to Temple Sholom, Greenwich, and Temple Beth Sholom, Roslyn, who are having snowbird "reunions" in Florida.

Mazel tov to Becca Kane, METNY Regional Kadima Programming Coordinator, on being appointed treasurer of JYDA, and Yasher Koach to Mike Hirsch, Rakevet Divisional Director, who is the outgoing JYDA Vice President.

Yasher Koach to the following METNY kehilot which are participating in Context, the flagship adult education program of The Institute for Jewish Learning at JTS. [more info] 

Looking Ahead...

Programs and Events from USCJ and its Movement Affiliates 

The Louis Finkelstein Institute for Religious and Social Studies at JTS presents, "GenNext: Religious Leadership 40 and Under," A panel discussion on religious leadership in the next generation. The event takes place on Monday, February 28, 7:30 p.m. Admission is free, but reser­va­tions are required. RSVP online at www.jtsa.edu/gennext or call (212) 280-6093.

The Rabbinical Assembly (RA), in cooperation with The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS), is again offering a course for physicians this May, entitled "Brit Kodesh, A Sacred Covenant: A Conference on Brit Milah." Qualified physicians and health care practitioners who are clinically trained and highly experienced in medical circumcision, and who are practicing Conservative Jews, can apply with the recommendation of their rabbis and the approval of their local RA regions. [more info]   

"It is of infinite moment, that you should properly estimate the immense value of your national Union to your collective and individual happiness."

- George Washington

"Determine that the thing can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way."

- Abraham Lincoln

"Confidence... thrives on honesty, on honor, on the sacredness of obligations, on faithful protection and on unselfish performance.

Without them it cannot live."

- Franklin Delano Roosevelt

This President's Day weekend, mark your calendar to celebrate, learn and dream with us at Ka11ah, December 1-4 in La Jolla, California. Registration opens March 15.

Ka11ah: an unconventional convention; an unforgettable Shabbat.

For more information, call 646-519-9275 or email convention@uscj.org.

Happy President's Day Weekend! 

This Monday take a look at the landmark letter on religious liberty sent to the Touro congregation in 1790 by President George Washington.  

[more info][read the letter]

Also, why is it that President Abraham Lincoln "holds a special place in the hearts of many Jews"? You can find the answer in "Why Jews Revere Abraham Lincoln" - a recent article from the NJ Jewish Standard.  

[read the article]