News You Can Use

Breaking News: Strategic Plan Update 

A Letter From the USCJ: "The Next Step"  

This is a moment of great change within our community.

The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism has taken the next step in the aggressive implementation of our new strategic plan, an exciting and dynamic initiative intended to create the framework for a new United Synagogue and to build a more vibrant Conservative movement.

Conservative Judaism in North America is at a crossroads. As we move forward into uncharted territory, the vital religious center must become stronger and more vibrant. As Conservative Jews, we represent that center. We accept the challenge. We are committed to helping our kehillot - sacred communities - transform themselves into places of ever-increasing spirituality and meaning... [read more] 

United Synagogue Youth 

Latest News 

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Join us for Encampment 2011!

Encampment is METNY's most well known 8 day program.  At the end of each summer, we join together as a Region for 8 days of activities, services, sports, meals, Jewish learning and friends.

We do in 8 days what most camps do in 8 weeks.

The program takes place at Camp Ramah in the Berkshires, located in Wingdale, New York.  METNY Camp is divided into two sides, Kadima (6-8th grade) and USY (9-12th grade).  Each side of camp has their own programming, and they join together each morning for Breakfast and on Shabbat. The application deadline is July 1. There are only about 50 spots left until we hit capacity!

Note: If you have an unused Keter Torah voucher from 2010, it is still valid for this year (of course, 2011 vouchers are accepted as well).

[download the brochure] [apply]

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Reunion Picnic for USY Alumni

This fantastic reunion 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! Come see old friends and make new ones too!  Looking ahead, save the date - Sunday, Nov. 20 - for METNY's USY 60th gala event. More details coming soon! [more info]     

Synagogue Leadership Transitions

What is Conservative Judaism?

The Ongoing Conversation

We are delighted to share two pieces about Conservative Judaism. There is a dynamic discussion taking place about our core values, direction and vision. Let us know what you think.

Chancellor Arnold Eisen of JTS has been posting actively on his new blog, entitled "Conservative Judaism: A Community Conversation." Read the latest blog post, about Learning Theory, here.

Ed Rudofsky, Chair of the USCJ Committee on Congregational Standards, writes about the history and present of the Movement in "Conservative Judaism 101: A Primer For New Members (And Practically Everyone Else!)." This piece originally appeared in 2008 and 2009 as a series of articles in Ha-Hodesh, the monthly Bulletin of South Huntington Jewish Center, where Ed served as President a few years ago.

METNY on the Road

On Tuesday, May 31, Dr. Elissa Kaplan, lead educator of PaRDeS Yaakov, the professional development program for teachers in METNY religious schools, facilitated the workshop Smart Art: Using Art in the Classroom as part of the final faculty meeting for The Pelham Jewish Center Learning Center. The workshop took place at one of the faculty's homes, following a presentation by local artist, David Tobey, at the White Plains, NY, Library Gallery. See photo, below.

Pictured are Ana Turkienicz, Education Director (center bottom row), Rabbi David Schuck (far left on back row), David Tobey, local artist (center back row), Dr. Elissa Kaplan (far right back row) and the faculty of the Pelham Jewish Center.

On Thursday, June 2, Rabbi Moshe Edelman and Norman Korowitz, District Chair, served as MC's for the Long Island Principals Dinner at Shelter Rock Jewish Center. See photo below of Norman Korowitz and Joel Podell, IPP of Midway JC.

On Sunday, June 5, METNY USY marched in the Celebrate Israel Parade. See photo, below, of METNY USY president Elan Weinberger leading the charge. 

On Monday, June 6, our staff and lay leaders attended the METNY Annual Dinner. See photo, below, of the honorees - Rabbi Moshe Edelman, Sharon Steinberg and Steve Katz - with Deanna Miller, Dinner Chair, Norman Korowitz, and Rabbi Savenor. This event raised over $35,000 for youth scholarships. You can find additional photos on Facebook. 

On Sunday, June 12, Joel Cutler, Beth Berman, Norman Korowitz, Rabbi Savenor, and Rabbi Edelman led a conference on Mergers at Plainview Jewish Center. Over 50 people representing 26% of METNY synagogues participated  We thank our gracious hosts - Shea Lerner and Rabbi Conn, as well as Beth Berman and Joel Cutler, conference chairs! See photo, below, of Harvey M. Brenner, M.S. Ed, FTA, Keith Archer and Rabbi Savenor.

On Monday, June 13, Rabbi Edelman met with Rabbi Dina Rosenberg, the new rabbi of Bayridge Jewish Center.

On Tuesday, June 14, Rabbi Edelman represented USCJ at an RA executive council meeting at JTS.

On Tuesday evening, June 14 Rabbi Savenor, Norman and Carole Korowitz, Joel and Robyn Cutler, Steve and Elysia Wolnek and Manny Korman attended the Mayor Bloomberg's Jewish Heritage Event at Gracie Mansion.

On Wednesday, June 15, Tamar Schwartz led a Koach youth director meeting at Westchester Jewish Center, in Mamaroneck. See photo, below. 

Also on Wednesday, June 15, Rabbi Savenor attended the USY 60th anniversary baseball game in Washington DC. This event raised $12,000 for youth scholarships. See photos, below.

Matt Glaser, former Seabord USY Regional VP, Rabbi Charlie Savenor, former NERUSY and Int. USY President, and Doug Baskies, event chair, former Hagesher USY Regional VP	Doug Baskies and Marc Lerner, owner of the Nationals, receiving a Tzedakah box gift from USY 60

This evening, June 16, Tamar Schwartz will lead a Chazak youth director meeting in Long Island.

Also this evening, June 16, Rabbi Savenor will meet with the leadership of Congregation Or Zarua to discuss rabbinic transitions.

On Monday, June 20, Rabbi Savenor will lead a workshop on preparing for strategic planning at Little Neck Jewish Center. 

On Tuesday, June 21, Rabbi Savenor will meet with Joe Fox, the new president of Forest Hills Jewish Center, about leadership training.

Annual Dinner Journal

Additional Inserts

Please note the following edits:

• Jeff Horowitz's name was accidentally omitted from an ad in honor of Steve Katz & Sharon Steinberg.
• Glenn Hirsh's name was accidentally omitted from an ad in honor of  Steve Katz & Sharon Steinberg, and another ad in honor of Rabbi Edelman. 

Yasher Koach Corner

Yasher Koach to Temple Beth Sholom of Roslyn on their 60th Anniversary!

Yasher Koach to Rabbi Robyn Fryer Bodzin, Israel Center of Conservative Judaism, on her having been featured in a letter to the editors of the Jewish Week by Marilyn Kaufman, ICCJ President.

Yasher Koach to Joel Cutler and Beth Berman for running an outstanding conference on mergers this past Sunday at Plainview JC. Over 50 people attended representing 26% of METNY shuls. Thanks to Harvey M. Brenner M.S. Ed, FTA, Executive Director of Or Zarua, and Keith Archer of S. Huntington JC for their excellent presentations!

Yasher Koach to Rabbi Gerald Skolnik, Forest Hills Jewish Center, on his Jewish Week article, "The Curious Case of Anthony Weiner: A Cautionary Tale." 

Happy Father's Day!   

Articles:  

• [Family in Orbit Blog] Atkins and Eve by Rabbi Charles Savenor 
• [The Jewish Week] Father's Day -- It's A Mitzvah! by Rabbi Brad Hirschfield

Resources for Jewish Dads: 

• Torah Topics for Today: a resource that empowers parents to have meaningful and relevant Jewish discussions with their children at home. This site was developed by Fred Claar, former METNY board member.
• Kveller: a Jewish twist on parenting

(Orthodo)X-Men

An Article from the Jewish Daily Forward 

Marvel's Mutant Split Parallels the Post-Holocaust Theological Divide Between Kahane and Greenberg

By Ami Eden

In the long-running comic book series "The Uncanny X-Men," a string of genetic mutations gives birth to a sub-species of humans endowed with super powers. The mutants strike fear in political and military leaders, who worry that this new breed will supplant its genetic predecessors. This alternate reality forms the basis for two movies, "X-Men" and its current sequel "X2: X-Men United," both smash hits at the box office. But some comics offer more than just clashes between make-believe heroes and villains; they can present us with a paradigm for real-life conflicts plaguing humanity. [read more] 

Join us for Kallah 2011!