News You Can Use

METNY Synagogue Leadership Conference

Watch Rabbi Savenor's Keynote Address  

"Got Chutzpah? Leaders Do"

Read the Text of the Keynote 

Strategic Plan Passed by USCJ Board!

In its March 13, meeting, United Synagogue's board of trustees voted overwhelmingly to accept the new strategic plan. Rabbi Wernick released the following statement:

This is a historic moment both for United Synagogue and for Conservative Judaism. This vote recognizes that the future requires a different focus and declares boldly that we're prepared to meet the challenges.

Devastation in Japan

How You Can Help 

The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism is horrified by the devastation caused by the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan and the ongoing nuclear threat that continue to plague the country. We encourage everyone who wants to donate money to help the victims to do so through the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, or through the Jewish Federations of North America. We pray that the survivors and those affected by the ongoing nightmare will find some measure of comfort.

Purim is Coming!

הָרַחֲמָן הוּא יַעֲשֶׂה לָנוּ נִסִּים וְנִפְלָאוֹת כְּמוֹ שֶׁעָשָׂה לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה, וְיִפְדֶּה אֶת הַחַיָּל הֶחָטוּף וְהַשָּׁבוּי גִּלְעָד בֶּן אֲבִיבָה וְנֹעַם שַׁלִּיט, וְיַצִּילוֹ מִשִּׁבְיוֹ, וְיוֹצִיאוֹ מִשִּׁעְבּוּד לִגְאֻלָּה וּמֵאֲפֵלָה לְאוֹרָה, בִּזְכוּת מָרְדְּכַי וְאֶסְתֵּר.

The Compassionate One, May He perform for us wonders and miracles as He performed for our forefathers in those days, at this time, and redeem the soldier who has been taken into captivity, Gilad, son of Aviva and Noam Shalit, save and release him, and deliver him from distress to relief, and from darkness to light, in the merit of Mordechai and Esther.

Look out for our special "News You Can Lose" email, tomorrow!

District Happenings

News & Events From Around the METNY District

"There Ain't Nothing Like a Dame" at Bellmore Jewish Center

By Popular Demand, The Bellmore Players of Bellmore Jewish Center present a new Musical Revue, featuring such hits as Luck be a Lady, Copacabana, and Dancing Queen. Show dates: March 26th & April 2nd at 8pm; March 27th & April 3rd at 2pm. Ticket Prices: Adults $18, Students $15. [more info] 

A. O. Scott, NY Times Film Critic, Lectures at Park Slope JC

The Park Slope Jewish Center is proud to present The Holocaust in Film, a four-session lecture series taught by A. O. Scott, New York Times film critic, with illustrative clips. This course will explore some of the ways that a uniquely horrific and painful historical experience has been commemorated, reconstructed and even turned into entertainment. The weekly course is on Sundays, 7-9 pm from March 20 through April 10. [more info]  

Comedy Night at Lake Success Jewish Center

Join us on Saturday night, April 2 at 9pm (doors open at 8pm) for the Jewish Comedy Tour with comedians Bernie Fursh, Dan Hirshon, Max Cohen, Gilad Foss and Doug Adler. You'll laugh your head off and split your sides. If you don't join us, you won't forgive yourself! [more info]  

Swingtime Big Band at Bellmore Jewish Center

On Sunday, April 10, at 3pm, Bellmore Jewish Center will host a night of big band swing music. The Swingtime Big Band vividly brings to life the music of the Swing Era, featuring classics tunes from Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey and other legends who made the 30's and 40's swing. [more info]

METNY on the Road

METNY Synagogue Leadership Conference on Tuesday, 3/15. (From left to right:) Sloane Rosenberg, METNY Executive Assistant; Tamar Schwartz, METNY Director of Youth Activities; Yossi Hoffman, METNY Administrative Assistant; Wendy Glick, USCJ Director of Alumni Affairs; and Rabbi Savenor, METNY District Director

On Wednesday, March 16, Rabbi Savenor visited Shelter Rock Jewish Center to meet with their executive board, board of trustees and new executive director, Saul Skolnick. (See photo above, with Jeff Shlefstein and President Ellis Rudman)

On Wednesday, Rabbi Savenor met with Beryl Chernov, executive director, of Park Avenue Synagogue. 

Also on Wednesday, March 16, Rabbi Edelman met with the leadership of Jericho Jewish Center.

On Thursday, March 17, Rabbis Savenor and Edelman attended the memorial service in memory of the members of the Fogel family murdered this past week in Itamar, Israel. We recommend this article by Dennis Prager on this tragedy. 

Also on Thursday, March 17, Rabbi Savenor met with Paula Braun, the President of Forest Hills West Middle Village.

On Thursday, March 24, Rabbi Savenor will visit Bellmore Jewish Center. 

Yasher Koach Corner 

Yasher koach to Joel Podell, the chair of METNY's Synagogue Leadership Conference, and Marilyn Kaufman, President of ICCJ, our gracious host synagogue. (Stay tuned for a special report on the conference in the coming days.)

Yasher Koach to Saul Skolnick, the new Executive Director at Shelter Rock Jewish Center. 

Yasher Koach to Amy Scopp Cooper & Rabbi Bill Plevan who created a
forum for fun, learning & community at the Ramah Nyack family event at Congregation Shaare Zedek. Over 75 people and families attended the event!

St. Patrick's Day and Judaism

Why I Wear Green on St. Patrick's Day  

(From Jewishideas.org): 

"Why would an observant Jew whose ancestors hail from Aleppo, Syria be looking forward to again wearing green on St. Patrick's Day?" [read more]

St. Patrick's Day With the Irish and the Jews (From the Forward):

"A Musical Mix of Pats and Isadores on Broadway and Beyond" [read more]

The Irish-Jewish Parallels (From the Huffington Post):

"At first glance, the Irish and Jewish peoples seem radically different. But scratch the surface and they begin to look like twins separated at birth. The stories of these two wandering tribes share many extraordinary parallels."

[read more]