TEMPLE BETH-EL CHILDREN'S BOOK DONATION & SALE

Temple Beth-El of J. City is hosting a fun fundraiser to support the PJ Library, a program that provides free Jewish children's books for children ages 0-5 years. They are collecting your donations of gently worn used children's books (no workbooks or textbooks please) throughout January at the Temple. They they will be "on sale" for $1 each during the month of February. So clean out those shelves, and give another child the enjoyment of a great book! Children are especially invitee to write a signed personal recommendation for one or more of the books that we can attach to the book. Questions? Contact the Lifelong Learning Committee through Learning@betheljc.org .

JBN - BUSINESS NETWORKING

WITH "THE TRIBE"

Come out and attend Hudson County's new Jewish Business Networking event for Jewish professionals at the Russian Art Museum in Downtown Jersey City. Make meaningful contacts with high-impact networking and referrals to help grow your business.

Monthly meetings are held at 80 Grand Street Jersey City, two blocks from Exchange Place Light Rail, PATH and parking lots. $10/person in advance or at the door includes kosher breakfast.

For more information and for the next meeting, contact Joshua Bernstein at Info@HudsonJewish.org 

Bayonne Jewish Community Center's Lauren Wendroff Early Enrichment Center - Enrollment is still ongoing for the BJCC's nursery/preschool program for 2012/2013. Full and Half day programs available, as well as a Pre-K wraparound afternoon enrichment program. Certified teachers, fully licensed. Enrichment program includes Spanish, French, computers, math, science, swimming, sports, sign language, and cooking. Early drop-off and late pick-up available. For further information contact Sandra at (201) 436-6900

Camp Galil Habonim Dror: "The Spirit of Kibbutz...Close to Home" - Since 1946, Camp Galil has been providing campers with a unique, fun, kibbutz-style overnight summer camp experience with an emphasis on community and Jewish values. Galil creates an environment that grows leaders, while fostering friendships, personal growth, and a strong connection to Israel that lasts a lifetime. The camp includes sports, swimming, arts and crafts, songs, campfires, and special days just like any other camp, but there is an indefinable element of FUN in everything that happens during the summer. Camp Galil is a kibbutz atmosphere focusing on cooperative living, and is a community of young people from all streams of Jewish life. A large majority of the counselors and staff were former campers, clearly demonstrating how campers return year after year, ultimately becoming staff-members. The camp is set in the beautiful fields and forest of Bucks County, Pennsylvania (a short distance from New Jersey, New York, and Philadelphia) and serves campers from ages 8 to 16. They have 2, 3, 4, and 7 week options, plus a four day program for current 2^nd grades called "Taste of Galil". Registration is currently beginning for Summer 2013, and it's not too early to start thinking about it now. Camp Galil participates in the One Happy Camper scholarship program, an organization that promotes Jewish summer overnight camp for first time attendees by providing a significant scholarship to those that qualify. For further information and to inquire about next summer, please contact the Registrar, Ilana Goldfus at Registrar@campgalil.org , (609) 558-1395, see their website at www.campgalil.org, or visit their booth at the upcoming Hoboken Arts Festival on September 30.

 Chabad Hebrew School Program - Children's program for ages 4-9 years old, held on Sundays. Program includes the Aleph Champ program for older children to teach them to read fluently at the end of their Hebrew School experience and for younger children the EZ Alef program, a multi-sensory program to give them a foundation in Hebrew letters. Contact Hebrew School Director, Shaindel Schapiro at (201) 386-5222 for costs and registration.

Lubavitch on the Palisades School (LPS) - LPS, a preschool through 3^rd grade Jewish elementary school is now offering door-to-door transportation in Hudson County (Hoboken and J. City). LPS is a place where young Jewish children receive an exciting, creative, and nurturing experience that will provide them with the foundation to grow educationally, socially, and spiritually. Classes have excellent student/teacher ratios, a professional staff of early childhood specialists, and a modern facility equipped with the most educationally sound equipment and manipulatives. Your child will receive a well rounded, enriching education, filled with Jewish traditions and customs intertwined with a wide array of academic subjects, personal development, values, socialization, and learning skills. They welcome every Jewish child, regardless of background or affiliation. Some spots still available for September 2012. Location: 11 Harold Street, Tenafly, NJ (transportation available). Contact Sonya Solomon, Asst. Director, 201-871-1152, Ext. 505 or Sonya@chabadlubavitch.org .

Solomon Schechter Day School of Bergen County - SSDS is a premier Jewish day school that educates children from Pre-K (classes for 3 and 4 year olds) through 8^th grade. They now serve more than 30 communities in the greater Bergen, Hudson, and Rockland County areas, as well as parts of New York City, and now offer transportation from Hudson County. Full nursery and day care facilities are also available on-site. The school is centrally located in New Milford, NJ, just 9 miles from the George Washington Bridge. If you would like more information about the possibility of giving your child a wonderful Jewish and secular education, contact them as some spots are still available for September 2012. Location: 275 McKinley Avenue, New Jersey. Contact 201-262-9898 or online at www.ssdsbergen.org .  

Temple Beth-El's NEW Children's Play Group Havurah. A new weekly program for children ages birth to 3 years, and their mamas, papas, zaydes, bubbys, and caregivers. Weekly on Friday mornings. The next date will be on Friday, Jan. 18 from 10am to 11:30am. This will be an informal, no-cost unstructured play group facilitated by Barbara Metz, a new resident in Jersey City. The Temple is providing a spacious and easily accessible play space in the synagogue building - just inside the wooden ramp/stairs through the green gate. Bring some pennies as we will have a small tzedakah (charity) box for your child to donate to in order to participate in and learn about giving and sharing. RSVP's are requested, but drop-ins are welcome too. Please check the signs when you park - the block directly in front of the temple building is a street sweep zone on Fridays from 10am-noon. Location: Temple Beth-El, 2419 Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City. Contact: Office@betheljc.org for more information.

Temple Beth-El of Jersey City Tot Shabbat Program - Monthly Shabbat program for preschool children, includes Shabbat prayers, songs, a story, and snack. For children age 5 and under with their grown-ups.  Meet and make new friends, great way to meet other young families. The next program will be held on Jan. 19 at 10:30am. All are welcome. Location: Temple Beth-El, 2419 Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City. Contact: office@betheljc.org for next program date.

Temple Beth-El of Jersey City and Temple Beth Am of Bayonne Sunday School and Hebrew School - This joint program between the Reform synagogues of Jersey City and Bayonne provides an enriching Hebrew School experience for children in grades K-7. Classes are led by Rabbinic and teaching staff, with a curriculum that complements the Jewish calendar. The Religious School classes meet on Sunday mornings from 9:30am-12 noon at Temple Beth-El in Jersey City. Teachers include Rabbi Debby Hachen, Kay Magilavy, Mazi Ferreira-da Silva, Hara Benjamin-Garritano, Jeniffer Schaeffer, and Eric Schkrutz. The whole family is part of the learning experience in the Hebrew School, and Family Education programs are also offered throughout the year. The students learn Jewish history, holidays, ethics and Jewish values, Torah, as well as Hebrew reading skills and prayer, and Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation. This program is open to any child whose family belongs to either Temple Beth-El or Temple Beth Am. For information or questions about membership and/or registration for the upcoming 2012-2013 year, please contact either Rabbi Hachen of Temple Beth-El at (201) 333-4229 or Rabbi Gladstone of Temple Beth Am at (201) 858-2020.

Temple Emanu-El of Bayonne "Torah for Tots"- Children's program for ages 3-6 years old, to be held a couple of times each month, and may become weekly in the future. Classes are held on various Sundays from 9:30-11am at Temple Emanu-El in Bayonne.  The nezt class is Jan. 6th. Program includes holiday projects, crafts, songs, stories, etc. Please contact Charlene Platitzky at (201) 437.7926 for schedule and registration. Cost is $5/class.

United Synagogue of Hoboken's Tot Shabbat - Children's program for 2 and 3 year olds (accompanied by a parent) will include Shabbat prayers, songs, dancing, and storytelling. Free, registration not required. Location: USH, 115 Park Avenue, Hoboken. For more information including the next program date/time, email ushpreschool@gmail.com.

United Synagogue of Hoboken's Shalom Chaverim: Jewish stories, songs, crafts and more - This program is for preschoolers ages 3-5 years old who do not attend Kaplan Preschool. Class meets Mondays from 4pm - 5pm from September 24, 2012 through June 3, 2013. Contact the preschool office for more information and fees at (201) 653.8666 or via email at ushpreschool@gmail.com.

United Synagogue of Hoboken, Kaplan Cooperative Preschool - Kaplan Preschool is accepting applications for 2013. Spaces are available for 2.5, 3 and 4 year olds. Part time and full time flexible scheduling; morning and afternoon classes. The next open house will be held on January 6, from 10am-12pm. This nurturing and enriched program combines the joy of Judaism and the love of learning. Contact Rachelle Grossman, Director at 201-653-8666 or ushpreschool@gmail.com for more information and to schedule a tour.

United Synagogue USY Program - USH hosts a monthly USY program for middle school and high school students. Monthly events include games, ice breakers, food, music, and other activities and are open to boys and girls in grades 5^th grade and on. For further information, contact the USH office at 201-659-4000.

Family Foundations and Donations Sought for PJ Library Program

HudsonJewish in partnership with United Synagogue of Hoboken, and Temple Beth-El of Jersey City is seeking information/introductions to Family Foundations and/or individuals who have a special interest in supporting Jewish education, literacy, and children's programs in Hudson County, to help fund the PJ Library program. Currently this program provides free books to over 210 children in our area, with a waiting list pending. We are now getting ready to launch a PJ Library monthly e-newsletter for participating and interested families. While we have made significant progress in growing this program in our area, the program does not charge the participating families and relies on outside donations and funding to pay the nominal cost per child for the books to be distributed. For further information on this worthwhile program, please visit their website at www.PJLibrary.org . If you or anyone you know is interested in making a contribution and sponsoring this wonderful and important project, please contact Raylie@HudsonJewish.org .

Singles Group Forming, Ages 40s/50s 

In response to inquires about singles events for people in the 40s and 50s, HudsonJewish is launching an exploratory effort.  If you are interested in attending such events OR if you are willing to co-chair this Group, please contact Michelle@HudsonJewish.org if you are interested.

Hudson County Kosher Update

The number of kosher restaurants and food resources in Hudson County is increasing. The following establishments are kosher under rabbinic supervision:

-       Maoz Vegetarian - 315 Wasington Street, Hoboken - Falafel/Middle Eastern; under supervision of Rabbi Israel Mayer Steinberg. www.maozusa.com

-       Sapthagiri - 804 Newark Avenue, Jersey City - South and North Indian restaurant; under supervision of Rabbi Shlomo Marks of Cong. Mt. Sinai. www.sapthagiri.biz

-       Crumbs Bake Shop - 409 Washington Street, Hoboken; under supervision of Orthodox Kashrut Services (OKS). www.crumbs.com

-       Edible Arrangements - 84 Washington Street, Hoboken; under supervision of Rabbi Isaiah Hertzberg. www.ediblearrangements.com 

-  Grow & Behold - This site sells yummy kosher pastured meat/chicken, etc., which is better for you than the factory farmed stuff. They will deliver to Jersey City on Tuesdays for a flat fee of $5/$15 depending on how much you order. Select the delivery option of Essec County (they are aware that Jersey City is in Hudson County). www.growandbehold.com   

Do you or someone you know have Yiddish books, sheet music, newspapers or other non-religious printed materials but don't know what to do with them? In conjunction with the Yiddish Book Center, there will be a collection point in Jersey City for these materials to be donated to the Yiddish Book Center, a renowned museum of Yiddish literature, books, and documents. Your books will be shipped to the Yiddish Book Center, where they will be catalogued and evaluated for the permanent collection. Information about the center and the wonderful work that they are doing to preserve our very rich tradition of literature and music may be found at www.yiddishbookcenter.org . To arrange for someone to pick up your Yiddish materials for donation to the center, please contact Raylie Dunkel at Raylie@HudsonJewish.org . What a Mehaye!

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