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Spring Break Reminder
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Just a reminder there will be no Religious School on the following days during spring break:
Thursday, April 5
Sunday, April 8
Thursday, April 12
Sunday, April 15
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Board of Trustees Nominations
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It is once again time for the Nomination Committee of the Board to meet to select members of our congregation to service on the Board.
If you have any interest in
1) participating in the nominating committee process or
2) would like to be considered or know of someone who has an interest in a Board position
please contact Jeff Berg at president@orchadash-nj.org.
The Nominations Committee represents the interests of all of us and welcomes your participation in leading our congregation. The Board meets one evening a month. This is a great opportunity to meet with a group of caring individuals all interested in making Or Chadash a special place for us all. Come join us!
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Shabbat and Holiday
Service Schedule
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March 2: Shabbat Across America 6:00 PM Spaghetti Dinner 7:30 PM Shabbat Evening Service March 9: 7:00 PM Shabbat Family Service with 4th Grade Participation March 16: 7:30 PM Lay Led Shabbat Service March 23: 7:00 PM Machzor Pilot Shabbat Yom Kippur Service And Discussion March 30: Shabbat Services at Muhlenberg. No Service at Or Chadash. April 6: No Service at Or Chadash. First Night Seder. April 13: 7:30 PM Shabbat Evening Service
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Donations | |
General Contribution
Evelyn Hersch, in honor of the birthdays of Myron Hirsch and Pearl Weiskopf
Sanctuary Chair Fund
Gilbert and Sonia Sloan, in honor of Mei-lin Sloan becoming a Bat Mitzvah
Yahrzeit
Evelyn Hersch, in memory of Faye Alpert
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Upcoming Yahrzeits
| | May the memories of the following individuals be for a blessing:
March 2 Rabbi Judah Fish
uncle of Rabbi Forman Peppy Kluft aunt of Betsy Zalaznick Fay Sacks grandmother of Jodi Brodsky
March 9
Abraham Samuel Lasher grandfather of Gary Peckman Dale Moutner sister-in-law of Dave Moutner Rochelle Ringel mother of Robin Lewy Seymour Zwerling father of Eric Zwerling March 16Murray Bacal father of Jane Stein Anna Gelb mother of Shirl Levy Lee J. Kenyon grandfather of Susan Albert March 23
Irving Falkstepfather of Ross Weinick Stanley Gold father of Harvey Gold Pearl Holzberg mother of Roni Holzberg Dora Meltzer aunt of Evelyn Hersch Elsie Strauss mother of Joe Strauss Louis Eli Werstein grandfather of Leslie Hann March 30 Bernard Woir father of Caryn Speizer
April 6Maude Albert grandmother of Steve Albert Joseph Ettinger father of Shelly Weller Marc Leon uncle of Betsy Zalaznick Robert John Schwade father of Bob Schwade Albert Sperber father of Eileen Berkelhammer April 13 Katherine Crawford mother in law of Ruth Crawford
Norman Halper father of Ruby Halper-Erkkila
Richard Landman father of Michele Korfin
Bernice Sherman mother of Louis Speizer
Stanford Bernard Speizer father of Louis Speizer
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Interfaith Hospitality Network
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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 12th and Wednesday, March 14th. 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 12th - this is the dinner time and as hosts provide dinner, drinks and dessert for the families and share it with them.
8 PM - 7 AM Monday, March 12th - there are 2 single Aero beds available for our use.
6 PM - 8 PM Wednesday, March 14th - same as dinner on the 19th.
8 PM - 7 AM Wednesday, March 14th - 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 2people 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!
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Save The Date: Aging Parents Workshop
| | A program from the Or Chadash Chesed Committee
The Sandwich Generation: Wedged Between the Needs of Your Children and Aging Parents Led by Jeanne Lankin, LCSW, ACSW of Jewish Family Service
Sunday April 22 10:15 a.m. to 12 pm at Or Chadash |
Save The Date: Mitzvah Day - May 20, 2012
| | Or Chadash's Mitzvah Day is an annual event in May where volunteers participate in a day of community service. Members of all ages worki together to foster a relationship with social service agencies that work to improve the lives of people in need. In keeping with Judaism's teachings of tikkun olam, to repair the world, Mitzvah Day strives to inspire its participants to pursue social justice through social activism.
Please Save the Date May 20, 2012 9:00 AM Or Chadash |
Thank You for Help with Mitzvah Project
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Dear Or Chadash Community,
Thanks to everyone who donated to the animal shelter collection drive on Sunday, February 12. Because of your generosity, the Hunterdon Humane Animal Shelter received many items including: over 35lbs of dog food, many cans of cat food, cat and dog toys, garbage bags, dog biscuits, and cat litter. Thank you also monetary donations. We raised almost $30.
Sincerely,
Jordan Sinoway
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NFTY in Israel
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Teen summer programs in Israel are recognized not only as spectacular opportunities for fun and friendship but as defining and transforming Jewish growth experiences as well. All those who care deeply about ensuring a vibrant Jewish future appreciate the impact of a substantive Israel program on young people.
What can you expect your children to accomplish during their summer in Israel? What are the benefits of this wonderful opportunity?
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Rabbi's Message
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Dear members of Or Chadash:
Our rabbinic sages have taught that the world stands on three things: Torah, prayer and acts of loving kindness. For Reform Jews especially, we are deeply committed to all three pillars. Rabbi Eric Yoffie, outgoing president of the Union for Reform Judaism stated: "Reform Jews are committed to social justice. Even as Reform Jews embrace ritual, prayer, and ceremony more than ever, we continue to see social justice as the jewel in the Reform Jewish crown. Like the prophets, we never forget that God is concerned about the everyday and that the blights of society take precedence over the mysteries of heaven..."
One realm in which we can each play a significant role in shaping our world for the better is the environment. This past month Or Chadash has installed two new thermostats to reduce our energy consumption dramatically. We are proud owners of The Nest, the Learning Thermostat. Additionally, we are exploring solar energy for our electric use and the possibility of reducing significantly our reliance on propane. Tremendous thanks go to Ross Weinick, our facilities committee chairperson, and particularly Harvey Gold who has been doing remarkable work in this area.
I encourage you to consider joining our Reform Community on a special day of advocacy to further the goal of improving the world in which we live.
Rabbi Joseph M. Forman
GreenFaith/RJVNJ Environmental Advocacy Day Join Reform Jewish leaders and advocates of other faiths from across New Jersey for an exciting and inspiring Advocacy Day on Thursday, March 15. This day of learning and action will focus on environmental issues and is co-sponsored by GreenFaith, a leading interfaith environmental organization that is currently working with several New Jersey synagogues as part of the Greening Reform Judaism Pilot Program, and Reform Jewish Voice of New Jersey (RJVNJ). With environmental issues ranging from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to hydro-fracking facing the New Jersey state legislature, faith-based advocacy for the environment is more important than ever. Learn from activists and legislators, and make your voice heard. What: New Jersey Environmental Advocacy Day When: Thursday, March 15, 10AM - 3PM Where: New Jersey Statehouse Annex, Trenton, NJ; Room 9, Trenton, NJ
Space is limited, so register here today. The cost is $15, and a Kosher style lunch will be provided.
For more information, contact Liz Cohen or Rabbi Joel Abraham of Reform Jewish Voice of New Jersey, rjvoiceofnj@gmail.com .
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Student Cantor's Message
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Dear members of Or Chadash,
I sincerely hope everyone has had a chance to get outside and enjoy this unseasonably warm weather we have been having as of late. It's almost as if our celebration of TuB'shevat somehow ushered in an early spring. While I'm aware that winter can still raise her blustery head, my dogs and I have been enjoying some extended walks in the parks which surround my home in Allentown.
While we had a brief hiatus from religious school for President's Day, it seems as if we hit the ground running when we returned. Along with preparing for "Shabbat across America" on March 2nd and Purim the following Sunday on March 4th, the 4th grade continued preparation for their participation in Shabbat services on March 9th. We also completed complete an introduction to Torah trope class where the 6th graders and I had an amazing experience learning the basics of chanting Torah. Trope is a primitive form of musical "notation" which is meant to guide the reader in chanting sacred text. Not only does it serve to provide the melody for chanting the passage, it also assists the reader in proper pronunciation of the Hebrew as well as giving clues to "punctuation" in the text such as indicating the end of each verse. As we learned how this system of musical markings interacts with the text, the students came to understand that chanting their Torah portion was much more than merely singing along with a recording. Trope is one of my favorite subjects, and it inspires me to work with a group of students who are so engaged in learning what I so love to do.
Looking ahead to the horizon, it's hard to believe that Passover is not far off. Our community Seder will be held at 5:00 on Saturday, April 7. I hope to see all of you as we celebrate the timeless message of liberation from those things which would seek to bind us.
Bles-sings, Kathy Gohr
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Shabbat Across America Spaghetti Dinner Friday, March 2 at 6:30 PM
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Or Chadash is Celebrating Shabbat Across America
on Friday, March 2 at 6:30 PM with a
Spaghetti Shabbat
~ $6/person! ~
~ All You Can Eat ~
~ Rose Morlando's Famous Delicious Meatballs ~
~ Homemade Challah ~
~Tableside Service from our Teens ~
~ BYOB ~
~ Religious School Kids Eat Free ~
Following dinner we will have a festive Shabbat Service featuring Shir Chadash (OC Choir) with Student Cantor Kathy Gohr and guitar accompaniment
Come have fun with us at this special Shabbat! Shabbat Across America is for everyone: singles, couples, families - all ages! Bring your friends! We will be serving up a dinner of spaghetti and tomato sauce or butter, challah baked by our 8/9/10 Grade Students, salad. Since it's Shabbat, you can also feel free to BYOB! We also ask that each family bring a drink (apple juice or white grape juice) or dessert to share. Cost is $6 per person. Children enrolled in Religious school are FREE! Please register by Wednesday, February 29!
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Purim Carnival Sunday, March 4 at 11:00 AM
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Important Dates to Remember | |
Friday, March 2: 6:30 PM - Shabbat Across America Spaghetti Dinner with Special Shabbat Service at 7:30 PM
Sunday, March 4: 11:00 AM - Purim Carnival
Saturday, March 24: Feed the Need at South Ridge Community Church with Team Or Chadash AM from 9-11 AM or Team Or Chadash PM from 2-4 PM.
Saturday, April 7: 5:00 PM - Second Night Seder at Or Chadash
Sunday, April 22: 10:15 AM - Aging Parents Workshop
Sunday, May 20: 9:00 AM - Mitzvah Day
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Second Night Seder
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"In every generation let each one feel as if he or she came forth out of Egypt" (from the Haggadah of Pesach)
Each year the Jewish People throughout the world gather around the Seder table, united in our collective memory of the passage from slavery to freedom. It is my pleasure to invite you and your family to join me for our Or Chadash Congregational Seder on Saturday April 7, 2012, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. We will join together in story (Haggadah means "the telling") and song as together we create a meaningful holiday worship experience.
The menu includes tossed salad, gefilte fish, chicken soup with matzah balls, brisket, chicken potato kugel, fresh fruit, dessert, and coffee, tea, juice and wine (BYO).
I am looking forward to sharing this experience with you, your friends, family and neighbors.
Click here to RSVP to attend.
Rabbi Joseph M. Forman
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OC Celebrated Tu B'Shevat
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In Our Community
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Refuah Sh'leima (Get well) to...
Condolences to....
Ellen, Jeff, Elizabeth and Amy Rosen on the passing of their uncle, Morris Newberg.
Susan, Kurt, Dana and Christian on the passing of their father and grandfather, Saul Marder.
Todah Rabbah (Thank You to)... Liz Tracey for organizing our first annual staff breakfast, and to the many bakers and cooks. Everything was delicious!  Shelly Weller and Estelle Katcher, excellent Challah bakers, for leading our fifth graders in an amazing baking activity as part of our Fifth Grade Family Workshop. Rachel Beckman, Shay Beckman and their families for ushering at the Friday, March 2 service. Jenna Lifshitz and her family for ushering at the Friday, March 9 service. In order to help us be a more caring community, please share your lifecycle events with Rabbi Forman. Feel free to click on a hyperlink to send a note and let someone know you are thinking about them.
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OC In The News
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 | From the Hunterdon Democrat on Thursday, February 16 Edition |
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OCTY HOPS Event Recap
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The most recent OCTY event took place on Saturday, February 4th, where the OCTY group volunteered at the Hunterdon Outreach Program.
The event started by helping physically and mentally challenged kids play basketball. All of the members of the group had a great time, and it was a truly memorable experience to see the smiles on the athletes' faces! Later, the group went to the temple and enjoyed pizza, a movie, and a short Havdallah service. The group looks forward to future events combining acts of tikun olam with social outings.
Anyone in 8th through 12th grade interested in joining OCTY should visit and request to join the OCTY Facebook page or contact Mitch Blutfield (mblutfield1@yahoo.com) or Erika Lewy (elewy@comcast.net).
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Lifelong Learning | | Jewish Life

Jewish LIFE kicks off March with Myla Goldberg, author of The False Friend at the Shimon and Sara Birnbaum JCC, 775 Talamini Road in Bridgewater. This novel by the author of the best seller, Bee Season, is a complex psychological drama of two eleven-year-olds who go into the woods, but only one comes out. The one friend, Djuna disappeared, and for twenty years the other friend, Celia blocked out how it happened. People assumed Djuna had been abducted, however, no clues were found. Celia returns to her home town to confess the details of the incident and to clear her conscience, however, no one believes her. The fee for the program, which includes lunch, is $18/person in advance or $22 at the door. This program is co-sponsored by Temple Beth El, Somerset Sisterhood and the Brandeis National Committee, Somerset Chapter.
Cokie and Steve Roberts will present Our Haggadah: Uniting Traditions For Interfaith Families. The Roberts willsharetheir Passover traditions in an engaging version of the Haggadah Sunday, March 18 at 10:30 a.m. at the Birnbaum JCC. They believe friend and family coming together and celebrating our freedom is the very heart of the Passover holiday. Integrating chronicles of their own marriage and family life, and partially a contemporary guide to celebrating Passover and other religious holidays, Our Haddagah is a thoughtful, moving take on the core values of togetherness, compromise and love. The fee for the program which includes breakfast is $18/person in advance or $22/person at the door. This program is co-sponsored by the Brandeis National Committee, Somerset Chapter.
Steven Kussin will be discussing his new book Doctor, Your Patient Will See You Now: Gaining the Upper Hand in Your Medical Care, Thursday, March 22 at 7:00 p.m. hosted at the Wilf Campus, 350 Demott Lane in Somerset. Steven Kussin will explain ways to encourage people to become empowered consumers in the medical world. Incorporating a physician-insider's perspective of the medical world, Doctor Your Patient Will See You Now, promotes the reader's independence, health literacy, consumerism, self advocacy and provides a sense of confidence to back it all up. The fee for the program is $10/person in advance or $15/person at the door.
The final Jewish LIFE program of the season will be the Community Wide Yom Hashoah Program featuring Felice Cohen, author of What Papa Told Me, Thursday, April 19 at 7:00 p.m. hosted by Temple Beth El in Somerset.
Click on the Jewish LIFE page or call the JCC 908-725-6994
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Jewish Family Services | |

JFS is a non-profit, non-sectarian social service agency whose mission is to preserve and strengthen the quality of individual, family and community life based on Jewish values.
Betty and Arthur Roswell
Mental Health Counseling Center
Holocaust Survivors Assistance Refugee Assistance
Special Needs Programs Family Mentoring
Senior Support Services Family Life Education
Information and Referral Emergency Assistance
AmeriCorps Ohr Tikvah Career Services
For more information contact:
Jewish Family Service of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties
150-A West High Street, Somerville, NJ 08876
908-725-7799 Admin@JewishFamilySvc.Org www.JewishFamilySvc.Org
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