News You Can Use

USCJ Statement on Bombing in Israel

 

The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism deplores the bombing in Jerusalem yesterday morning as we assert our strong and constant support for Israel. We hope that it does not herald a return to the dark hopelessness of the intifadas. We long for the time when we all can live together in peace.

 

We are relieved to be able to report that all our staff in Israel, all our participants on Nativ and all the travelers on the Hazak trip there are safe.

 

Richard Skolnik

International President

Rabbi Steven Wernick

Executive Vice President and CEO

Synagogue Leadership Conference

Workshops From the Conference


The convention's theme, "Profiles in Chutzpah," presented "out of the box thinking" that leaders can utilize to enhance and inspire their kehillot, congregations. This week, we're featuring a video of part of Rabbi Dardashti's presentation, "Services Unplugged" -- How Synagogues Use Music to Enliven Tefillah:

"Services Unplugged" -- How Synagogues Use Music to Enliven Tefillah

Read more about Rabbi Dardashti's session 


For more from the conference, see the profile of Chutzpah Award winner Joel Podell, below.

 "Profiles in Chutzpah" Case Study #1: 

Joel Podell: The Man With the (Strategic) Plan 

 

One of the innovative aspects of this year's Synagogue Leadership Conference was the Chutzpah Awards. We have reformatted the award entries as case studies in leadership and Chutzpah. During the coming weeks, we will feature a case study of a Chutzpah Award winner with guiding questions for you and your kehillah leadership to discuss.  This week we feature Joel Podell, immediate past president, Midway Jewish Center. 

 

Situation/Challenges: In 2008, Midway Jewish Center was in a bind. There were a number of critical issues that needed addressing. Midway JC's financial situation was less than ideal, their membership was aging and their building was in dire need of a renovation... [read more

 

Grant Opportunities

Earn $$$ for Your Synagogue

 

UJA Federation: Commission on Jewish Identity & Renewal (COJIR)  

Microgrant Application

 

COJIR is making available a limited number of microgrants to emerging Jewish organizations thinking boldly about programs and practices. These organizations are encouraged to test new program models, attract wider audiences, and pursue new capacity-building strategies that would otherwise be difficult to fund, particularly in this economic environment. Microgrants will range in size from $5,000 to $10,000. Download the Grant Application 

 


 

A Message From the JCRC:  

Dept. of Homeland Security Nonprofit Security Grant Program

 

There is on-going negotiations for the US FY2011 budget. Once the President signs the bill, there probably will be an abbreviated application period for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. We are, therefore, advising interested communities and institutions to take advantage of the pending 3-week period to complete or update required risk assessments and to draft initial application responses, utilizing last year's (FY2010) program guidance. We want to ensure that people optimize their drafting time and minimize the potential down time that might occur during the Passover Holiday. [more info

 

BIG: Buy Israeli Goods Day 

BUYcott for Israeli Goods on March 30th 

  

StandWithUs is urging schools, campuses, synagogues, community organizations, and individuals to celebrate Israel by designating March 30 as the day to buy up Israeli goods at local stores.  

 

The date was chosen because the anti-Israel boycott campaign has planned a global boycott of Israeli products for the same day (March 30). Protestors will stand outside stores, asking shoppers not to buy Israeli products...

[read more

 

JDeal Expands to Brooklyn  

Offers Seriously Surprising, Hyperlocal Daily Deals  

to the Jewish Consumer

  

New York, NY (March 2011) - jdeal, the premiere online discount site offering daily deals geared towards the Jewish consumer, expands for the first time beyond Manhattan to make its Brooklyn debut this week and aims to provide exciting discounts to one of the New York Metro Area's most vibrant Jewish community and exciting neighborhoods.  Adding incentive to an already-great deal, for those who sign up now, a $5 credit will be applied to their account...[read more]  

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

 


Rabbi Moshe Goldsmith, Mayor of Itamar,  

Discusses the Tragedy of the Fogel Family at HERJC 


Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Centre will host the mayor on Thursday, March 31, at 7:45pm. Funerals for the five members of the Fogel family, who were killed in a recent terror attack in the West Bank settlement of Itamar, have been held. The victims included the parents, Udi (36) and Ruth (35) and their children Yoav, 11, Elad, 4 and Hadas, 3 months. All were stabbed to death in their beds. The family is survived by 3 additional children. Be sure to join them next Thursday evening in the small Chapel to hear the latest news from the mayor of the town. 

 

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


 

On Tuesday, March 22, Rabbi Savenor met with Rabbi Samuel Berger of Temple Abraham, Brooklyn (see photo, above)

Temple Sinai Middletown eduction director Lucy Fox, Dr. Elissa Kaplan (PaRDeS Yaakov), Rabbi Joel Schwab, and the Hebrew School faculty with lots of resources for playing with the parshas. 
Lucy, Rabbi Schwab and the teachers working hard planning for project based learning.



On Sunday, March 13, 2011, Dr. Elissa Kaplan, lead educator for the PaRDeS Yaakov program, facilitated the workshop,  Let's Play with the Parshas! Project Based Learning for Midweek Sessions for the Temple Sinai, Middletown Hebrew School faculty, led by Lucy Fox.

Rabbi Savenor will visit Bellmore Jewish Center this evening, March 24, to lead a discussion on transitioning to egalitarianism.  

 

This Monday-Wednesday, March 28-30, Rabbi Savenor attend the Rabbinical Assembly convention in Las Vegas. He will co-present a session with Bob Leventhal, senior Alban consultant, entitled "Strategic Staffing Conversations."

On Tuesday, March 29, Tamar Schwartz will visit Temple Beth Sholom, Roslyn Heights for USY summer scholarship applicants.

On Thursday, March 31, Tamar will visit Hillcrest Jewish Center for a second summer scholarship meeting for USY summer program applicants. Click here to donate to METNY USY so that you can help send USYers to Israel & on Wheels this summer.

 

Yasher Koach Corner 

  

 

Yasher Koach, also, to the METNY synagogue members who just returned today from USCJ's HAZAK trip to Israel. Get some rest! (see photo, above)

 

Yasher Koach to the Rabbinical Assembly on the launch of their re-designed website! 

Shabbat Times  
Candle lighting:
6:55pm


This week's Torah portion is
Parashat Shmini


This Shabbat is
Shabbat Parah

Israel & the Middle East

 

A Letter to Support the Release of Gilad Shalit

Be a part of the campaign to free Gilad Shalit.

Sign the Letter! 

 


 

Jules Gutin Visits Nativers in Israel

International USY Director Jules Gutin wrote a letter about his visit. 

Read the Letter!

    

 

So It Wasn't Israel 

A New York Post Article by Rich Lowry: "In the great Middle East who dunit, the verdict is in: The  Jews are innocent. They aren't responsible for the violence, extremism, backwardness, discontent or predatory government of their Arab neighbors..." 

Read the Article!

     
    

 

Salute to Israel Parade 

Sunday June 5. The Salute to Israel Parade is the largest event in the world celebrating the Anniversary of Israel's independence!  

[more info]

Programs & Resources 

 

9th North American Chevra Kadisha and Jewish Cemetery Conference

Chicago, IL - North Shore DoubleTree Conference Center. June 12-14, 2011 - Sunday 1pm to Tuesday. [more info]

 


 

Nefesh B'Nefesh Aliyah Fair 

The Crowne Plaza Times Square
Sunday, April 3, 2011, 12:30 to 5:45pm. Special Programming for people planning to make Aliyah in 2011. [more info]

 


 

Nativ Info Session  

at Beth El Synagogue Center, New Rochelle 

Meet with the Director of Nativ, Yossi Garr. Open to all who are interested to hear about the program -- for applicants and Parents. Sunday April 3rd, 7:00pm-8:30pm. For more info, contact [email protected].  

 


 

What is a Movement in American Jewish Life? 

By Rabbi Julie Schonfeld

"Since the beginning of January, I have been on a tour of North America and have seen over 400 Conservative rabbis face to face or conducted extensive phone interviews with them. What am I looking for?" [read more]

   

 

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