Movie Night at Or Chadash

 Sunday, February 20, 2011

4:00 PM

Featuring The Critically Acclaimed Movie:

James' Journey to Jerusalem

Join us as Or Chadash presents movie night! We will be making fresh popcorn with our popcorn machine and watching the movie "James' Journey to Jerusalem." After the movie, we will have a brief discussion about the movie for those who wish to stay and participate. Bring friends! This comedy is not rated (NR), is 87 minutes long and is for audiences ages 10 and up.

Click here to RSVP!

About the movie: In the imaginary village of Entshongweni, far from western civilization, young James is chosen to undertake a mission -- a pilgrimage to holy Jerusalem. But Israel is no longer the Holy Land that James and his people imagined. When he's suspected of trying to infiltrate the country to work illegally, James's journey takes him through the cruel heart of our economic system, as he learns the tricks of the game and plays it toward an inevitable end.

Review of the movie: "There is no violence or sex in this movie and it is still great! Filmed completely in Israel in about seven different languages, this is a must see film of spirituality that comes in a decidedly different package. Very Highly Recommended."

Yarns and Midrash-- Knit, Crochet, Storytelling Circle

Click here to see the full February Newsletter! 

Dear Members of Or Chadash,

At the memorial service for Debbie Friedman a few weeks ago, Rabbi David Ellenson, the president of HUC, got up on the bima of Central Synagogue in New York City. He announced, with much excitement in the audience, that the School of Sacred Music had just been endowed by the Tisch family and re-named the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music.

There were many reactions to the endowment and subsequent renaming of my school. Many weren't sure what it meant for a cantorial school to be named after someone who was not in fact a cantor, nor did she work as a cantorial soloist in synagogues. Many others wondered if the change in the name would alter the goals of the school and change our curriculum.

Two weeks ago we took the morning to acknowledge Debbie's shloshim, the 30-day anniversary of her death. We sang, gave eulogies, prayed, and watched Debbie herself projected onto the walls of our chapel. A faculty member who came up on the bima to give a eulogy stated that Debbie always had a great sense of humor. To Debbie, the idea of 100 Debbie cloans graduating from the School of Sacred Music would be quite ridiculous. She would not have wanted that.

Debbie gave the last years of her life to HUC and the School of Sacred Music. Her spirituality influenced so many people around the world, and I can only hope to carry on a piece of that influence. Being part of a school named after her is a great pleasure for me, and I pray that her devotion to Judaism will continue to inspire students here at HUC and members of Reform congregations around the world.

Rachel Harrison

Student Cantor

Volunteers Needed to Bake Hamantashen!

We need volunteers to bake hamantashen!  If you would like to help by baking 3 dozen hamantashen, please click here and let us know!  We will need these delivered during the second week of March. 

Misloach Manot - Purim Project

We don't want you to miss out on Or Chadash's custom of sending Purim goodies to all of our fellow Or Chadash families.  This custom, called Mishloach Manot, has become a beloved tradition at Or Chadash.  It is also our NUMBER ONE fundraiser. On top of that, Or Chadash has the highest per cent participation of ANY of the 400 other Temples participating in the Mishloach Manot program (according to Purim Project, the company that manages this program for us).  We are very proud of this distinction and want to surpass our previous participation percentage.  

If you have any questions, please contact Sue Parilis.

Purim Carnival - Sunday, March 20, 2011 at 11:00 AM

Mark your calendars and please join in!  The Purim Carnival is scheduled to entertain the congregation and beyond on Sunday, March 20th.  If you and your family and friends enjoy games, crafts, carnival food, and great entertainment, then this is the party for you!  For more information, or if you would like to volunteer, please contact Christine Berg or Caryn Tomljanovich.

Sunday, February 20, 4:00 PM: Movie Night at Or Chadash. Click here to RSVP!

Saturday, February 26, 4:00 PM: 5th Grade Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program Meeting - Click here to register!

Friday, March 11, 6:30 PM: Shabbat Across America - with special presentation on Israel.

Sunday, March 20, 11:00 AM: Purim Carnival featuring a Harry Potter Purim Spiel performed by our Teaching Assistants.

Check out the OC Calendar for all upcoming events. 

Passover is just around the corner. Wouldn't it be nice to sweeten your Passover seder with Bartons candy for dessert? Or Chadash is currently selling Kosher for Passover chocolate and candy from Bartons. 

Click here to view the brochure or place an order online!

For online orders, please use the student id code 701778. 

Alternatively, please bring or mail your orders with payment to the Or Chadash office, 149 Foothill Road, Flemington, NJ 08822. Checks are payable to: Or Chadash. 

Orders will be accepted through Monday, February 28, 2011.

Join us for A Taste of Judaism...Are You Curious?™, a FREE series of classes throughout North America

Enjoy three weekly classes on the modern Jewish take on spirituality, values, and community. Our classes are dynamic and interactive; our teachers are accessible, fun, and can answer any and all of your questions.

Everyone is welcome, these classes are free to all members of the Community. You don't have to be Jewish to be curious!  It is for anyone who wants to learn about the foundations of Jewish tradition and in seeking an entry into Jewish Life. Open to anyone who is interested in learning about Judaism- Jewish or Not!! 

Choice of three locations:

Tuesdays March 1, 8, and 15th at 8:00PM at Temple Beth El - Hillsborough with Rabbi Arnold Gluck

Wednesdays March 2, 9, and 16th at 7:00PM at Or Chadash, Flemington with Rabbi Joe Forman

Mondays March 7, 14 and 21st at 7:15PM at the JCC in Bridgewater with Rabbi Ron Isaacs of Temple Sholom

Register at 908-725-6994 X-213

 A time to help our neighbors...

As you all know, Or Chadash is a sponsor Temple in the Interfaith Hospitality Network. This means that twice a year we host the families who are homeless from our county and staying in Church for shelter. We partner with the Flemington Presbyterian Church and for two nights we stay at that church, visit with the families, provide and share dinner with them and spend the night.

Our next opportunity to help is Monday, March 28th and Wednesday, March 30th.

We have the following time slots that need to be filled by at least 2 members for each shift:

6 PM - 8 PM Monday, March 28th - this is the dinner time and as hosts provide dinner, drinks and dessert for the families and share it with them. Many of the guests are currently following Weight Watchers and we are being asked to try to make healthy dinner choices.

8 PM - 7 AM Monday, March 28th - there are 2 single platform beds
available for our use.

6 PM - 8 PM Wednesday, March 30th - same as dinner on the 28th.

8 PM - 7 AM Wednesday, March 30th - overnight stay.

This is a great chance to help people from our community in need. Children are allowed to participate, although it is preferred that each overnight session has 2 people of driving age in case of emergencies. Also, for any students looking for service hours this is a great way to earn them.

Please contact Carol Coriell at ccoriell@att.com or 908-234-5288 if you would like to help. Thank You!