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News You Can Use
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"Shabbat is for Friends and Family"
by Norman Korowitz, METNY District Chair
Since the beginning of my term as District Chair I write each Friday to our Council members and to friends to wish a Shabbat Shalom. I saw this lovely practice during Ed Rudofsky's presidency at South Huntington JC to the president's listserve, and I was taken with the warmth of his message each week. In light of how Ed's message made me and others feel, I decided to emulate this meaningful practice in METNY... [read more]
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Passover: Additional Resources
Enjoy & Chag Sameach!
(Click here to read our special Passover resources email, which was sent out last Friday)
Amy Brown, a member of the social action committee at Congregation Ansche Chesed, is organizing a pre-Pesach letter-writing campaign to Governor Cuomo asking him to help end the practice of requiring food stamp applicants to undergo stigmatizing fingerprinting. [download the letter] [download talking points about the campaign] Passover Videos:
 | Trey Kaley, Passover Parody
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 | | The Fountainheads Passover |
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 | Best Seder in the USA
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 | | Just Had Chametz - Kol Ish |
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[Read a recent Jewish Week article about Passover parody videos]
Passover General Resources:
Passover Parenting Resources: |
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"Profiles in Chutzpah" Case Study #4:
Erica Leventhal: Empowering Youth Leadership
One of the innovative aspects of the 2011 Synagogue Leadership Conference was the Chutzpah Awards presentation. We have reformatted the award entries as case studies in leadership and innovation. This week we feature Erica Leventhal, Executive Director, Beth El Synagogue Center, New Rochelle.
Situation/Challenges: Over the 9 years that Erica Leventhal served as the youth director at Beth El Synagogue Center in New Rochelle, she noticed that her USY board members were not as active as they could be. Many youth ran for chapter positions, got an office to put on their college applications, and were then infrequent contributors to their youth program.
Erica had a formative experience in USY at Congregation Sons of Israel in Upper Nyack, NY. Since she knows firsthand about the powerful potential impact of USY, she wanted to make sure that those youth under her supervision would benefit in the same way...[read more]
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Chutzpah: Redefined
"Chutzpah is 'entrepreneurial innovation executed with persistence and urgency for the sake of the future.' " - Rabbi Charles E. Savenor
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New Opportunity for $7,000 NYSERDA Grants
A Message from Dru Greenwood, Director, SYNERGY:
The New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) will be granting a total of $8.5 million statewide toward FlexTech benchmarking and on-site systems and operational assessments. The assessments will focus on low or no cost improvements to buildings for improved operation. NYSERDA funding covers the first $7,000 or 400,000 square feet in costs per organization, and cost shares the balance up to 50 percent with participants... [read more]
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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 Powerpoint from one of two presentations by Fran Pearlman, Lead Educator, PaRDeS Yaakov & Professional Development Consultant, MATAN, entitled, "Religious School for All" -- Inclusion: A Moral Mandate, But is it Reality?.
Download a PDF of the Powerpoint presentation:
Read more about the session
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Solomon Schechter Awards
Deadline Approaching Soon - May 2nd!!
 The Solomon Schechter Awards, to be awarded at this year's USCJ Kallah in San Diego*, reward extraordinary characteristics and certain unusual and outstanding aspects or achievements that go beyond the expected norms. Award winners deserve recognition for the originality and quality of their programs, for their presentations and achievements. We congratulate them, as well as the many other synagogues that continually strive for excellence. The selection process is not an easy one, and we applaud the efforts of all who submitted entries to the program. Applications are due on Monday, May 2, 2011. [more info]
*The Kallah is this year's USCJ Biennial. |
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Celebrate Israel Parade
Salute to Israel Parade Changes Name and Logo
The parade formerly known as the Salute to Israel Parade is now known as the Celebrate Israel Parade:
The deadline has already passed to sign up to march, but you can still celebrate as a spectator! Sign up before April 30 by clicking here.
New name, new energy, same committment to Israel. Join us! |
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Hear What They're Saying
About United Synagogue
About the recent USCJ Leadership Conference in Denver, CO
"In true collaborative spirit, the five Conservative kehillot and USCJ, conducted a joint leadership training workshop this past Sunday. Some 50 participants benefited from presentations by our keynote speaker, Rabbi Charlie Savenor, and by local professionals. It was a great day, and my hope is that we all continue to enjoy the benefits of such productive collaborations."
- Larry Cohn, President, Congregation Bonai Shalom, Boulder, CO
About the 2011 METNY Synagogue Leadership Conference theme,
"Profiles in Chutzpah"
"I recently came across an interesting project from United Synagogue that particularly resonated with me. It dealt with Chutzpah -- something that usually has a pejorative connotation...USCJ is suggesting that we identify and recognize individuals demonstrating some Chutzpah -- They call it 'Profiles in Chutzpah' which may in fact prove to be a valuable asset...United Synagogue defines Chutzpah as 'entrepreneurial innovation executed with persistence and urgency for the sake of the future!' Our community certainly shares this characteristic!! ... Yes, we need more Chutzpah! And with it we will rebuild our school, grow our synagogue and ensure the future of CSI!" - Nina Iser, President, Congregation Sons of Israel, Upper Nyack |
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USCJ Teleconference
Through a Jewish Lens:
The Hows and Whys of Choosing a College, Jewishly
With Rabbi Elyse Winick, Associate Director, KOACH/College Outreach
 Kosher food? Jewish studies classes? Israel advocacy? Jewish choices should be an important part of the college selection process. Learn what questions to ask - of yourself and of the schools you are considering, as you build your sense of the most fitting match. It's a challenging process, but fear not, we are here to help! This teleconference is open to high school students (particularly sophomores and juniors), their parents, and synagogue lay/professional leadership who are directly involved in serving their high school/USY populations.
For: High School sophomores and juniors, parents, synagogue/day school educators, youth group advisors/directors. There are a limited number of call-in lines, so please register every individual who will be calling in using their own phone line.
Wednesday, May 18 at 3pm or 8 pm. To register for this teleseminar click here. |
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District Happenings
News & Events From Around the METNY District
Passover Study Session with Rabbi Michael Paley, UJA Fed. NY
Come to this session, entitled "Song of Songs, Meal of Meals, Night of Nights," and find out why Rabbi Akiva believed that the Song of Songs was actually the holiest book in the Bible -- and why we read it on this important holiday. Thursday, April 14, 5:30 - 7:00 pm, at the UJA-Federation of New York: Seventh-Floor Conference Center, 130 East 59th Street.To register, contact Rebecca Russo at russor@ujafedny.org or 212-836-1661.
Holocaust Memorial Service at Huntington Jewish Center
A memorial service sponsored by the Huntington Jewish Center, Kehillath Shalom Synagogue & Temple Beth El of Huntington. Guest Speaker Al Rosen, liberator of the Dachau Concentration Camp. Sunday, May 1, at 7pm, at the Huntington Jewish Center (510 Park Ave., Huntington) [more info]
Sage Tales: Wisdom and Wonder from the Rabbis of the Talmud A Discussion with author Rabbi Burt Visotsky
Great stories have the power to draw the heart. But certain stories have the power to draw the heart to God and awaken the better angels of our nature. In Sage Tales: Wisdom and Wonder from the Rabbis of the Talmud (Jewish Lights Publishing, March 2011), JTS professor Rabbi Burt Visotzky draws on four decades of telling and teaching these legends in order to unlock their wisdom for the contemporary heart. The discussion will take place on Wednesday, May 4, 7:30pm, at Kripke 406, JTS. Reserve your space by contacting Hector Guzman at 212-678-8075.
Temple Beth Sholom of Smithtown Presents A Concert In Memory of Hazzan Shmuel Blasz
"Remember Us Unto Life," זכרנו לחײם, on Thursday, May 5, at 7pm will feature the rediscovered musical compositions of Hazzan Shmuel Blasz who perished in the Holocaust. It will include performances by Cantor Ofer Barnoy, Temple Beth Shalom, Roslyn Heights; Cantor Carol Chesler, Huntington Jewish Center; Cantor Brian Shamash, South Huntington Jewish Center; Cantor Judy Merrick, Temple Beth Sholom, Smithtown; Cantor Moshe Bear, Dix Hills Jewish Center; and Cantor Deborah Zeitlen, Kehillath Shalom, Cold Spring Harbor. The performance is in honor of the 75th birthday of Rabbi Emeritus Elliott Spar, and is produced by Cantor Judy Merrick, Temple Beth Sholom. [more info]
Reunion Picnic for USY Alumni - Sign up Today!
This fantastic event will take place on Sunday, July 10, 10am to 5pm, at Eisenhower Park, in East Meadow, Long Island. Come reconnect with all your past USY friends! [more info]
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Yasher Koach Corner
Yasher Koach to the new president of Hillcrest Jewish Center, Gerry Lewis. Mazel tov to outgoing president, Michael Brofman.
Yasher Koach, also, to the new president of Yorktown Jewish Center, Richard Elkind. Mazel tov to outgoing co-presidents, Marvin Medow and Robert Mitgang.
Yashar Koach to Chutzpah Award winner Rabbi Jeremy Ruberg, New City Jewish Center and a cappella group Trey Kaley for putting together a wonderfully fun Bedikat Chametz Parody Video:
| | Trey Kaley, Passover Parody |
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METNY on the Road
This past Sunday-Monday, April 10-11, Rabbi Savenor travelled to Denver, CO, to give the keynote address and lead a leadership workshop at the Central USCJ District Leadership Conference (see photos, below)
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Rabbi Savenor, Larry Cohn, Ron Rubin, and Michael Freeman
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Rabbis, presidents, executive directors, and USCJ staff at the conference
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This past weekend, Rabbi Edelman participated with the Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel of Riverdale as they honored Rabbi Barry Dov and Shoshi Katz in their journal and celebration.
On Wednesday, April 13, Rabbi Savenor and District Chair Norman Korowitz met with the board of Congregation Eitz Chaim / Monroe Woodbury Jewish Community Center (see photo, below) to discuss long-range planning and engagement.
Rabbi Ari Perten and District Chair Norman Korowitz
This evening, April 14, Tamar Schwartz, Mindy Liebman, Regional Youth Commission Chair; and Rabbi Savenor will meet with the METNY Youth Commission. On Sunday, April 17, Tamar Schwartz and Koach Divisional Director Bruce Varon will meet about METNY Encampment at the Israel Center of Conservative Judaism in Flushing. Yasher Koach to ICCJ for paying for all of their B'nai Mitzvah to go to Encampment. On Thursday, April 28, Tamar Schwartz and Mindy Liebman will meet with the parents of the candidates for METNY USY Regional Board. Good luck to all of the candidates! |
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Save the date!
METNY Annual Dinner
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Honoring
Rabbi Moshe Edelman, Steve Katz, and Sharon Steinberg!
Monday night, June 6, 2011, 6pm
Park Avenue Synagogue
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Note: This week's News was a double issue, and we will not be sending out a newsletter next week due to the Holiday of Passover.
Please note that METNY USCJ will be closed on
April 18, 19, 20, 25 & 26 in celebration of Passover.
Thanks and Chag Sameach!
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Israel & the Middle East
"Goldstone Needs to Do Teshuvah"
An op-ed by Alan Dershowitz: "Judge Richard Goldstone's recent acknowledgement that 'civilians were not intentionally targeted as a matter of policy' by Israel during Operation Cast Lead could be a game changer - if Goldstone continues to do the right thing...."
Read the Forward article
Note: Alan Dershowitz will be speaking on May 5th at 6:30pm for StandWithUs. RSVP to avip@standwithus.com
Diplomatic Breakdown Amid Bieber Fever in Israel
By Isabel Kershner "JERUSALEM - The teenage pop idol Justin Bieber became embroiled in a diplomatic imbroglio on Tuesday when it emerged that plans for a meeting between the singer and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel had been called off, with the sides differing over why..."
Read the NY Times article
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Programs & Resources
SMART Board Usability Series For Religious & Day School Teachers. The series runs from Sunday, May 1 through Wednesday, June 15. [more info]
Development Workshops from UJA Federation Take part in one of the many workshops offered by the Weiner Educational Center in the month of May. [more info]
JTS Rabbinical School Second Career Fair It's never too late to make a change. It will take place on May 11 at 6:30pm. For more information or to rsvp contact Rabbi David Levy at dalevy@jtsa.edu or 212-678-8817.
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