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Calendar
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Friday, August 24
6:30 pm - Shabbat Service
Tuesday, August 28
7:00 pm - Choir rehearsal
Thursday, August 30
7:00 pm - Choir rehearsal
Friday, August 31
6:30 pm - Shabbat Service
Saturday, September 1
5:30 pm - Inspirica/St. Luke's
Monday, September 3
GRS OFFICES CLOSED IN COMMEMORATION OF LABOR DAY
Friday, September 7
6:00 pm - Shabbat Service/ Welcome Back BBQ
Saturday, September 8
9:00 pm - Selichot Dessert
9:30 pm - Selichot Service
Friday, September 14
6:30 pm - Shabbat Service
Sunday, September 16
8:00 pm - Erev Rosh Hashanah Service
Monday, September 17
10:00 am - Rosh Hashanah Service
2:00 pm - Young Family Service
Tuesday, September 18
10:00 am - Rosh Hashanah Day 2 Service
Friday, September 21
6:30 pm - Shabbat Service
Tuesday, September 25
8:00 pm - Kol Nidre Service
Wednesday, September 26
10:00 am - Yom Kippur Morning Service
1:00 pm - Yom Kippur Symposium
2:00 pm - Young Family Service
3:00 pm - Yizkor/Memorial/ Neilah Service, immediately followed by break fast.
Friday, September 28
6:30 pm - Shabbat Service
Sunday, September 30
9:30 am - 1st day of Religious School
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Torah Portion
August 25, 2012
| Shoftim
Deuterononomy 16:18-21:9 Shoftim discusses one of the most important ethics of the Israelite people - pursuing justice. The text teaches us not only to appoint judges and leaders over the people, but that these individuals need to observe justice above everything else: "tzedek tzedek tirdof - Justice, Justice, shall you pursue." |
Happy Birthday to...
| Noah Freeman
Rachel Reid
Karen Morgenbesser
Benjamin Rosen
Linda Seaman
Nancy Peters
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Tree of Life
(Etz Chaim)
| Celebrate the birth of a child, the bar or bat mitzvah of a loved one, the wedding or anniversary of a cherished friend or family member, a graduation or a retirement through a permanent dedication on the GRS Tree of Life! Click here for more information and to place an order.
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Caring Community News
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Committee members provide assistance to temple members in times of need and to celebrate with them in times of joy. If you know of an ill or hospitalized member, please contact the office at (203) 629-0018.
You can help us to help each other. We encourage the participation of volunteers to keep in touch with our members through telephone calls, visits, by sending cards, etc...If you would like to be a part of this committee, please contact Denise Cooper at denise@grs.org.
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GRS Staff
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Rabbi Andrew R. Sklarz, MA, MSW, RJE
rabbisklarz@grs.org
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Cantor Sabrina Lipton
sabrinalipton@grs.org
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Stephanie Glaser
Executive Director
stephanieglaser@grs.org
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Lisa Gittelman Udi
Director of Education
lisargudi@grs.org
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Clarita Agulay
Bookkeeper
clarita@grs.org
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Denise Cooper
Administrative Assistant
denise@grs.org
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Corinne Morrell
Relocation Assistant
assistant@grs.org
Jenn Handel
Youth Advisor
jlhandel@hotmail.com
Peter Babivskiy
Caretaker
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Shabbat Service
Friday, August 24, 2012, 6:30 pm
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Please join us for a Summer Shabbat Service followed by an Oneg Shabbat.
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A Message from Rabbi Sklarz
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A Reform Jewish Gem in the Middle of the Caribbean
Dear Friends,
During our recent vacation in the Caribbean, as always, our family sought to discover the Jewish sites. Tucked away behind the beaches, shopping centers and tourist attractions on the small island of St. Thomas stands "The Congregation of Peace and Loving Deeds." Aboard our ship via e-mail, cell phone and text, I was able to contact my colleague, Rabbi Shimon Moch, a native of Connecticut, to arrange for a visit.
The small Jewish community of St. Thomas is believed to date back to the refugees of the Spanish Inquisition who made their way to the Virgin Islands from Brazil. Though hit by various hurricanes and other natural disasters, since first founded in 1796, the existing structure, built in 1833 is the oldest synagogue in continuous use under the American flag. Atop a winding hill, which rivals any road in Greenwich, the floor of the small, Sephardic style sanctuary is nothing more than sand! Indeed one feels the influence of the Virgin Islands, yet it is also reminded of the sands of the Sinai desert. As Rabbi Moch invited me to stand upon his bimah, I could not help but be struck by the sense of parting of the Red Sea, created within the room.
During World War II, the island also became a safe haven for Jews once again. Those escaping Hitler, unable to gain entrance to the United Staes, found safety upon St. Thomas, as those who escaped the Inquisition, centuries before, made a home upon the island.
While originally, the synagogue was Orthodox in nature, today it is a proud member of our Union for Reform Judaism. Within a very tropical island culture in which natives pronounce Hebrew with a lilting West Indian accent, it was indeed quite special to experience a taste of home.
B'Shalom,
Rabbi Andy
Rabbi Andrew R. Sklarz, MA, MSW, RJE
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A Message from Robert Birnbaum,
President of GRS Board of Trustees
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My first column in the GRS weekly updates set out the Board's governance priorities as I saw them:
- Secure a new home for GRS.
- Protect the assets which have been earned through the sale to Stanwich
- Strengthen the bonds which hold us together as a congregation as we "bridge" to our new destination.
Subsequent columns have discussed in some detail the progress made regarding the first priority-the new home. Obviously, we have yet to settle upon the right piece of ground, but we will. In the meantime, as reported, wonderful "bridge" space has been secured for GRS to operate as it has. And regarding the "Aspirational vs. Affordable" question, everyone who has expressed a view so far has favored the Affordable, which is fine since we happen to be able to afford quite a nice building.
Now, let's focus on an aspect of the second priority listed-the assets. As I had mentioned, the money from the sale has been placed in what we call an Endowment account, and is procedurally safeguarded with a rigorous system of controls which deliberately make a withdrawal or transfer a long and cumbersome process, requiring signed approval from multiple individuals and verbal confirmation direct to the bank from others.
What is our financial strategy? In a nutshell, the balance sheet is very strong, which implies that our long term future is secure. We can afford to build a new home and secure our long term financial stability, with no heroic fundraising efforts. But there is a catch. The net of the income statement hasn't changed much at all. So, in order to maintain the strong balance sheet, build the building and secure the future, we may not spend the sale proceeds on today's needs. We must attend to today's needs just as we have, with spending discipline and congregational support through the Circle of Giving.
You will hear more about the implementation of this strategy as the year progresses. The Investment Committee, charged by the Board with oversight of the Endowment Account, has the twin tasks of making sure that cash is available when needed for a real estate purchase and subsequent construction, and developing an appropriate investment policy. The Board will exercise its oversight function to ensure that the budget (approved by the Congregation in June) is adhered to, thereby maintaining our spending discipline. And the general level of enthusiasm for GRS's future that members have made so evident makes me feel confident that the congregation will provide the support it always has.
As always, feel free to contact me with questions or comments at robertdbirnbaum@gmail.com.
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Tzedakah
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Thank you for your generosity...
Circle of Giving
A contribution to GRS is a wonderful way to celebrate joyous events and commemorate meaningful occasions.
If you would like to make a contribution, please send your check to GRS, 257 Stanwich Rd., Greenwich, CT 06830. For details on the giving opportunities available, please call the GRS office.
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| Holiday Happenings | | 
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| Welcome Back BBQ | |
Beginning at 5:30 pm, Sisterhood will be holding a
"GRS Movin' On Up" Gift Shop sale.
Come by and pick up beautiful and fun Judaica items.
Pay what you wish with a post-Shabbat donation!
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Selichot - Saturday, September 8, 2012
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 | ...Listen to the sound of the shofar, begin the Days of Awe...
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Greenwich Reform Synagogue invites you to welcome the new Jewish year 5773. Please join us as we celebrate this beautiful evening.
- Hosted dinners at the homes of GRS members at 6 pm
- Dessert Oneg Shabbat at GRS at 9 pm
- Selichot Service at 9:30 pm
Let us know if you would like to host/attend a dinner by clicking here.
**For more information contact the GRS office at 203-629-0018.
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High Holy Day Schedule 2012/5773
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High Holy Day packets have been going out in the mail to GRS members in good standing. If you have not received yours, please contact Stephanie Glaser or call 203-629-0018.
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Give A Ride, Need A Ride
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|  Are you in need of a ride to services? Or, would you be willing to give someone a ride to services? If your answer to one of these questions is 'YES', please contact Denise Cooper at 203-629-0018 or denise@grs.org. |
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Around the Community
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Jewish Family Services of Greenwich is offering the following programs, support groups and volunteer opportunities (For more information or to register for any of the following, please visit www.jfsgreenwich.org or call 203-622-1881):
JFS Support Groups: ($20 per session: Sliding Scale fees apply). - Adult Divorce: Wednesdays, 5:30-6:45pm.
- Children (Grades 4-6) of Divorce: Wednesdays, 4:30-5:45pm.
- Children (Grades 7-9) of Divorce: Tuesdays, 4:30-5:45pm.
- Bereavement: Tuesdays, 10:30-11:30am.
- Parents of Children with ADD/ADHD and Other Learning Disabilities:This group is designed to provide support and education for parents whose lives have been impacted by their child living with ADHD/ADD and learning disabilities. Eight Tuesdays, beginning October 23rd, 12:30pm - 1:45pm
- Broken Families Healing Hearts: This group is designed to give participants an opportunity to talk about strained family relationships Eight Thursdays, beginning November 8th, 10:30am - 1130am.
- Infertility Support Group: This group will provide a safe environment to share your thoughts, feelings and get support as you go through the ups and downs of this journey. Eight Mondays, beginning November 5th, 11:15am -12:30pm.
- Walking on Eggshells: Nurturing Jewish Identify in Your Interfaith Grandchildren.Come join this group to discuss the "dos and don'ts" of nurturing Jewish identify in your interfaith grandchildren. Four Tuesdays, beginning November 6th, 1:00pm -2:00pm.
- Parents of Lesbian. Gay, Bisexual Transsexual or Questioning (LGBTQ) Children: This group is for parents who are dealing with any stage of their family member's coming out process. Together we will explore the tumultuous process of accepting, understanding, and celebrating your children and their LGBTQ identities. Eight Wednesdays, beginning November 7th, 12:30pm - 1:45pm.
- Surviving and Succeeding as a Stepparent: This group will help participants with the challenges and opportunities associated with being a stepparent. Five Wednesdays, beginning November 14th, 12:30pm - 1:45pm.
- Caring for the Caregiver: Four Wednesdays, beginning November 14th, 9:30am - 10:30am.
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