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HUDSON COUNTY JEWISH LEADERS MEET TO DISCUSS PRESENT, FUTURE OF COMMUNITY 

On November 3, 2013, Nineteen Hudson County Jewish community leaders, including five pulpit rabbis, met at the Bayonne Jewish Community Center to discuss the rapidly changing state of the local Jewish community and its evolving future. Convened by the HudsonJewish Community Forum ("HudsonJewish"), the umbrella organization of Jewish life in Hudson County, the group shared ideas and traded perspectives about how the ongoing influx of Jewish people to the area is changing the face of the local Jewish community. Participants also discussed specific ways that Hudson County's Jewish communal institutions can better reach out to area newcomers as well as people who may be considering moving to the region, either from New York City or from more suburban areas in New Jersey.

In a round-table discussion, participants exchanged views on the emerging trends that they discern in each corner of Hudson County, from North Bergen in the north, to Jersey City and Hoboken in the center, to Bayonne in the south. Attendees included Orthodox, Conservative and Reform rabbis, presidents of synagogues, professional Jewish educators, and other community leaders. "There is no question that something big is taking place in the Hudson County Jewish community," said Kay Magilavy, a 20-plus-year resident of the area and president of Temple Beth-El of Jersey City, a Reform congregation, who noted that during the past two years alone, Temple Beth-El's membership has climbed an astonishing 50%, from 115 to 173 families. Rabbi Debra Hachen, the spiritual leader of Temple Beth-El since 2012, expanded on the data, noting that "Jewish newcomers to the area are no longer settling only by the Hudson River in Hoboken and the Newport section of Jersey City. Increasingly, we find them purchasing or renting housing 'up the hill' in such areas as the Journal Square, Kensington, and Heights neighborhoods of Jersey City." 

United Synagogue of Hoboken, a Conservative congregation, is by all accounts one of the most robust Jewish institutions in the Hudson County region. "When I arrived here, the largest demographic groups in the community were young singles and couples without children. Now, the largest demographic groups are families with young children and school-age children. We also have a growing population of 'empty nesters,'" noted Rabbi Robert Scheinberg, religious leader of United Synagogue of Hoboken for the past 15 years. Grace Gurman-Chan, education director at the synagogue agreed: "When I was hired 10 years ago there were only 25 children in our education program. We have seen a considerable amount of growth."  Relationship-building may be the key to strengthening Jewish life in Hudson County. As Joshua Bernstein, president of the modern Orthodox synagogue, Congregation Mount Sinai of Jersey City Heights stated "Here we have a magnificent synagogue building that is over 100 years old, and a new, but still relatively small, modern Orthodox community that has gravitated to the neighborhood around it. Building up that community to more sustainable numbers is something we all think about, which is why on any given Shabbat we play host to overnight visitors from New York City or elsewhere who may be seeking a residential alternative-and a very affordable one at that." Plus, we recently established an eruv."

"We need to get people outside of our area to understand how close we are to Jewish educational institutions in New York City, and in neighboring Jewish communities in New Jersey," said Rabbi Shlomo Marks, Congregation Mount Sinai's religious leader for the past 7 years. "There are many Jewish schools within a short commute of the area," he continued, citing the Ben Porat Yosef Hebrew day school and The Frisch School, both Orthodox institutions located in Paramus. The Solomon Schechter Day School of Bergen County (SSDS) also offers a Jewish Day School experience for families interested in a Conservative-oriented experience. A half-dozen Hudson County students currently attend SSDS, with transportion provided by the school from Hoboken and Jersey City. 

Despite such optimistic signs, some participants commented on the uneven distribution of Jewish newcomers to Hudson County. As Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin, the recently-installed religious leader of Temple Beth Am of Bayonne, a Reform congregation, observed, "There are really two different Jewish communities in the area-the aging and committed population of long-time residents in Bayonne and elsewhere, and the younger population in Hoboken and Jersey City."  Jane Canter, a 50-plus-year resident of Jersey City and president of Congregation B'nai Jacob, a Conservative synagogue located in Jersey City's West Side neighborhood added "We get good attendance at the innovative programs we present but, by and large, younger people are less interested in religious services. We have to gear ourselves to attracting new, younger people, and what attracts them isn't always services," she said. Varda Wendroff, co-president of Temple Emanu-El of Bayonne concurred, noting that the synagogue is working very hard to attract new members and Rabbi Jacob Benzaquen, who became the religious leader of Temple Emanu-El this year, sounded a note of cautious optimism. "We hope that the demographic trend in Hoboken and Jersey City will extend to Bayonne in coming years, to the eventual benefit of the synagogue," he said.

"Bridging the gap between younger newcomers and older long-time residents was one of the reasons why HudsonJewish was founded," said Adam Weiss, a 12-year resident of Hudson County, and the Founder of HudsonJewish in 2007. "By and large, if you are Jewish and live in Hudson County, you are likely to be either under 40, or over 80. The relative paucity here of Jewish people in their 50s and 60s-the 'Baby Boom' generation-means that younger people have an opportunity to take on leadership roles, and to shape the future of local Jewish life, in ways that they might not have in other communities." Perhaps the best example of community-wide cooperation was provided by the November 3rd meeting itself. "Six years ago, when HudsonJewish started, many community leaders from different parts of the Hudson County region had never even met each other," noted Adam Weiss. "Now we literally have everyone sitting at the same table-Orthodox, Conservative and Reform, and from Hoboken, Jersey City, Bayonne, all discussing what we can do as one unified Jewish community."  Michelle Levine expressed similar satisfaction with the meeting. "When we first began the HudsonJewish project, people were using words like 'dying' and 'moribund' to describe the state of Jewish life here. Now, despite some continuing concerns, we hear 'revitalized' and 'vibrant.' It's up to us to get the word out that Jewish life in Hudson County is on the upswing."

HudsonJewish is a grass-roots organization founded in 2007 by representatives of a dozen local synagogues, Jewish organizations and individuals. Its mission is to nurture and support Jewish religious, cultural and institutional life in Hudson County, New Jersey. For the past six years, HudsonJewish volunteers have been performing active outreach to new Jewish residents of the Hudson County area (Hoboken, Jersey City, Bayonne, Weehawken, North Bergen and vicinity) by publishing a monthly newsletter, maintaining an informative website, and welcoming new and long-time residents at the HudsonJewish booth at the twice-annual Hoboken Arts & Music Festival. Interested parties are invited to contact HudsonJewish via its website at www.HudsonJewish.org.

MY LIFE IN HUDSON COUNTY

By Jeffrey Bernstein, Esq. 

It was a mild spring day in May 1965 when my family moved to our new home in North Bergen. I had lived in Jersey City for the first eight years of my life. Our home, which was built by my maternal grandfather Isaac Dorison, a local contractor, and inherited by my mother Eva, of blessed memory, was my mother's home since her birth. My grandfather was involved in the establishment of the Yeshiva of Hudson County in Jersey City, now The Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey located in Bergen County.

Growing up, my mother enjoyed the heyday of Jersey City as a Jewish community. By the time I was born, that golden era had passed and the Jewish Community of Jersey City had largely migrated to other towns north, including North Bergen. This migration was driven in some measure by a time of inner-city strife plaguing our nation. Forty-eight years later I still live on the same block in North Bergen. For a time, Jewish communal life in North Bergen was bustling with three flourishing synagogues. In my teens, however, migration further north by the children of the Hudson County generation of the mid twentieth century accelerated to the suburbs of Bergen County and resulted in the decline of Jewish life in North Bergen. Eventually, escalating housing and living costs in Manhattan created the incentive to consider redevelopment of nearby communities across the River, among them Jersey City and Hoboken. The result was the beginning of a revival of Jewish life in Hudson County. 

Some of that revival is reflected in the emerging vibrancy of the Jewish community in Hoboken. Similarly, Jersey City is in the midst of an awakening as well. Since many of the Jewish institutions, though weakened physically and financially by age and declining support, remain in Hudson County, the challenge of this generation is to harness those jewels rich with our cultural heritage and build upon them once again. I, for one, am hopeful that we will see the rejuvenation and rebirth of a strong and vibrant Jewish community in the County I know and love, so that future generations of Jewish families will be able to have similar experiences to the ones I have enjoyed as a long-time resident of North Bergen. 

Jeff Bernstein is a life-long resident of Hudson County, the Presidium of Temple Beth Abraham of No. Bergen, and an active Board Member of HudsonJewish.

Temple Emanu-El is looking for a dynamic Ivy league grad who will create synergy and excitement in Hudson county for a new, cutting edge educational program that involves cross disciplinary and inter-organizational cooperation with schools, congregations, parents and kids. Opportunities for growth, creativity and implementing your vision will be supported by a dedicated team desiring your success. This is ideal for someone needing flex-time or who is in school looking for a 1 or 2 day per week commitment to start and build from. Bring your creativity and exciting ideas.
 

The right candidate will have; Minimum 1 year supervisory experience with staff, contractors, and/or long-term volunteers; Program experience a plus; Teaching or group facilitation experience; Demonstrated ability to get results and results oriented; Familiarity with creative outreach a plus. Enthusiasm and respect for working with diverse populations and kids; Strong commitment to our inclusive, celebratory - outreach mission.

Compensation is commensurate with experience. We will offer an excellent package including time flexibility to the right candidate. Email submissions immediately, to VWendroff@aol.com. Please apply with resume. People of Nationality, women, and local residents are encouraged to apply. Location: Bayonne, NJ - easy 20 minutes from Jersey City Path by car or Light Rail. We are on JFK Boulevard. This is a non-profit organization. Principals preferred.

JBN - BUSINESS NETWORKING

WITH "THE TRIBE" MONTHLY MEETINGS

Come out and attend  Hudson County's Jewish Business Networking event for Jewish professionals, at locations alternating between Hoboken and Jersey City. Meet the business leaders of Hudson County, make meaningful contacts with high-impact networking and referrals to help grow your business. Business card exchange and discussion of haves/needs in your business. Includes coffee/light refreshments.

The next monthly meeting will be held on Thursday, December 12, 2013 at 8:30am at the C.A.S.E. Museum at 80 Grand Street in Jersey City. For more details including location of the next meeting, please contact Joshua Bernstein at JBN@OfficeFurnitureNYC.com .

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 2nd grades called "Taste of Galil". It's not too early to start thinking about registration for Summer 2014. 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 summer 2014, please contact the Registrar, Ilana Goldfus at Registrar@campgalil.org , (609) 558-1395 or see their website at www.campgalil.org 

Camp Riverbend "Where the Fun Never Ends" - Aclassic day camp for boys and girls ages 3-14 in Warren Township NJ-about 30 minutes west of Hudson County. Daily bus service from stops in Hoboken & downtown Jersey City available. Swimming, sports, crafts, performing arts, nature, adventure, and more. Run by the Breene family for over 50 years. Mention HudsonJewish for for special money saving offers for new campers. Contact us at www.campriverbend.com or call 908-580-CAMP.

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. 

J-Sitter.com - Jewish Babysitting Service. A new FREE Jewish babysitting service that is just getting off the ground nationwide. www.J-Sitter.com advertises as a place for Jewish families to find Jewish sitters in their area. Whether a person needs a babysitter, pet sitter or house sitter, they will be able to find it on J-Sitter. This service also furnishes a place for people to find sitting jobs. HudsonJewish does not endorse J-Sitter; we simply furnish this information so that you can follow up if interested. For more information contact www.J-Sitter.com .

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 2013/2014 year. 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 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, and offers transportation from Hoboken & Jersey City. 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 the 2013/2014 year, or to discuss the 2014/2015 year. Location: 275 McKinley Avenue, New Jersey. Contact 201-262-9898 or online at www.ssdsbergen.org .   

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. All are welcome. Contact the Temple for dates/times of the next program. 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 - 

The joint Temple Beth-El/Temple Beth Am Religious School meets at Temple Beth-El in Jersey City on Sunday mornings from 9:300inoon.  The school program, for grades K-7, runs from September through May with small classes and special family programs throughout the year.  Learn more about our personalized Hebrew program and our engaging small classes where fifty children from diverse backgrounds learn to see the world through Jewish eyes at http://www.betheljc.org/study/school/ or contact Rabbi Hachen at rabbihachen@betheljc.org.  New students welcome year round.

Temple Beth El of No. Bergen Children's Hebrew Culture Corner. Temple Beth El of No. Bergen will hold a Hebrew Culture Corner for children ages 2-4 years old, on Friday mornings. We will introduce the letters of the Aleph-Bet, learn about and celebrate Shabbat and the Jewish holidays, learn about Israel, and celebrate all things Jewish with music, stories, and arts & crafts. Sign up now for our Fall program. Locatied at Temple Beth El of No. Bergen, 300 75^th Street, No. Bergen. For further information or to reserve your place call Libby Henik, 917.669.3762

United Synagogue of Hoboken's Shalom Chaverim Program - Children's program for 3 & 4 years old who do not attend Kaplan Cooperative Preschool. This fun program includes Jewish stories, crafts, and more, and is a drop-off class. In addition to Jewish holidays and Shabbat celebrations, we will explore PJ Library books. Program is Mondays from 4:00-5:00pm from September 23, 2013-May 12, 2014, and registration is for the school year. Cost for the school year is $700 for synagogue members and $750 for non-members. For more information and to sign up, contact Rachelle Grossman at 201.653.8666 or ushpreschool@gmail.com .

United Synagogue of Hoboken's Kaplan Toddler Time 

Shabbat Program - Children's program for 6 months - 2 years old with a caregiver. Sing-a-long with Rabbi Scheinberg, story time, art, movement and play - meet new friends. Toddler I - Ages 6-15 months 10:45 - 11:45am, Toddler II - Ages 16-24 months 9:30 - 11am. Classes are held on Friday mornings weekly, from September 9, 2013 through December 20, 2014. Sign up for the sessions or drop in. Location 115 Park Avenue, Hoboken. Contact ushpreschool@gmail.com for more information.

United Synagogue of Hoboken's Kaplan Twos Program - Children's program for 2 year olds. Caregiveer & me program includes circle time, music, art, story time, movement activities, outside play, and snack. Early learning literacy, math and science. Thursday includes a Shabbat sing-a-long. Held Tuesday and/or Thursday mornings, 9:30 - 11am, from September 9, 2013 through December 20, 2014. A great introduction to preschool. Sign up for the sessions or drop in. Location 115 Park Avenue, Hoboken. Contact ushpreschool@gmail.com for more information.

United Synagogue of Hoboken's Kaplan Cooperative Preschool Summer Day Camp- It's not too early to sign up for Summer 2014, to ensure your child gets a spot. Summers at Kaplan are joyful, energetic and creative. Themes, sprinklers, outside play. For children 2 1/2 - 5 years old. Some openings still remain. Contact Rachelle Grossman at 201 653-8666 or ushpreschool@gmail.com for more information. 

United Synagogue of Hoboken, Kaplan Cooperative Preschool - Kaplan Preschool is still accepting applications for September 2013 enrollment. Some spaces are available for 2.5 to 5 year olds. Part time and full time flexible scheduling; morning and afternoon classes. This nurturing and enriched program combines the joy of Judaism and the love of learning. Don't miss the next Open House on Sunday, November 10, 10am-12pm to meet the director and faculty, tour the school, and hear about our dual curriculum. Contact Rachelle Grossman, Director at 201-653-8666 or ushpreschool@gmail.com for more information or 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 now distribute 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. Partial funding is also sponsoredc by the UJA of Hoboken, but more funds are needed. 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 Michelle@HudsonJewish.org . 

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:

          -       Basic Food, 204 Washington Street, Hoboken.

  Carries many products with a Kosher symbol.

HudsonJewish is a 100% volunteer effort and relies on the community for support.  While donations are always appreciated, the most important thing we need is people to help with specific tasks.  In particular, if you have skills in publicity, website development, or events organizing, contact us at Info@HudsonJewish.org.   You will be joining a dedicated and capable group of volunteers to serve a growing community that depends on HudsonJewish for information and connection to other Jews in the vicinity.

If you agree that HudsonJewish is doing good work for the community, you are also invited to make a donation either by PayPal on our website, or by check to:  HudsonJewish, PO Box 225, Jersey City, NJ 07303.

HudsonJewish is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.