PJ Library Program is Expanding!  

GREAT NEWS FOR OUR COMMUNITY! Children in Hoboken, Jersey City & Bayonne can now receive FREE Jewish-themed books up to age 8!!

The PJ Library ("PJ" as in "pyjamas") is a program developed by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and made possible through partnerships with philanthropists and local Jewish organizations. The PJ Library provides Jewish-themed children's books and music to participating families on a monthly basis.

Our community mails free, high-quality Jewish children's literature and music to families throughout Hoboken, Jersey City and Bayonne. Children ages six months through eight years (age range just expanded to 8 years old) are welcome to participate. Enrollment is ongoing for our area with spots available, so sign up for the first time or re-enroll if your child previously aged out, at www.PJLibrary.org to enter your information online, or contact USHPreschool@gmail.com. Further information is available by calling 201-653-8666. Additionally, if you have a child who is older than the ages covered by PJ Library, but who would nonetheless benefit from books for the reading levels covered, please do not hesitate to contact Rachelle Grossman at ushpreschool@gmail.com . Don't wait - Sign up Now!

This program is being sponsored, underwritten, and administered in our community by United Synagogue of Hoboken, Temple Beth-El of J. City, UJA of Hoboken, and HudsonJewish, and USH has received a special grant to help fund the expansion of this fabulous program. 

DAY SCHOOLS VS. SYNAGOGUE HEBREW SCHOOLS - THE DEBATE CONTINUES 

Below is an excerpt from a very interesting article about Jewish education for entire families (kids, adults, etc.) that was recently run in the Jewish Forward. It certainly gives a different perspective on how some unaffiliated Jews may think about Traditional Synagogue Hebrew Schools, and is a great jumping off point for a discussion at your next synagogue event, chavurah dinner, or just any social get-together in our community. While we may not agree with the Author, we encourage you to consider what your thoughts are on this important topic, and to contact any of our local synagogue Rabbis or Educational Directors to discuss the various options that our area has to offer for your children's Jewish education. 

Let's Expand a Successful Institution To Include Everyone

By Ken Gordon

My name is Ken Gordon, and I don't belong to a synagogue. When the Pew Research Center reported that two-thirds of American Jews are in the same situation, I didn't break out into a cold Jewish sweat, as did so many of my colleagues. I thought instead: I'm not alone!

My wife and I send our kids to a Jewish day school. It's an intense, joyous, valuable experience, and that's really all we need or want. It's our Jewish institution of choice. Period.

Recently, a rabbi tried to change my point of view. She basically tried to guilt me into joining her synagogue. I had inquired about doing an independent bat mitzvah for my daughter.

"We often find that day school families are looking for a community and clergy connection that complements the deep sense of community experienced at day school," she wrote in an email. "We also know that (most unfortunately!) day school years do not last forever, and it is important to establish communal Jewish connection post b'nai mitzvah and post day school."

At first, this infuriated me. It implied that I was cutting my kid off from Jewish life, that the only road to communal participation was through membership at a synagogue ­ and that day school was, at best, a short-term investment. In other words: I was walking my little girl down the royal road to assimilation.

What would it take to expand our day schools' area of operation? It would take some smart, vigorous programming. It would take people who understand local social networks. And it would take visionary educators who see why daring to place learning at the heart of Jewish life is exactly what's needed right now.

Read more: http://forward.com/articles/191415/turning-to-day-schools-when-synagogues-just-wont-d/?p=all#ixzz2rFB397rI

"TIKKUN OLAM" IN NEWARK 

The final funds needed to turn a barren asphalt schoolyard in Newark's Central Ward into a state-of-the-art green playground have been secured, The Trust for Public Land and Congregation Ahavas Sholom announced today. In advance of Super Bowl XLVIII, the NY/NJ Snowflake Youth Foundation contributed the remaining $75,000 needed for the new community playground at Sussex Avenue Elementary School.

The mission of the NY/NJ Snowflake Youth Foundation is to transform after-school facilities for youth in New Jersey and the New York metro area, with a focus on assisting these locations that provide school-age boys and girls with safe and supervised recreational, educational, and character-building activities.

"'Tikkun olam' is a Hebrew phrase meaning 'repair the world.' This unique partnership between The Trust for Public Land and Congregation Ahavas Sholom, Newark's oldest operating synagogue, is helping to do exactly that by turning a barren asphalt schoolyard into a green playground," said Anthony Cucchi, New Jersey Director of The Trust for Public Land. "Children at the school and others in the community will soon be able to play on their new playground." Each of the two organizations has a successful history of improving public schoolyards in Newark, but this is the first time the two are working together to create a better place for Newark children to play and learn.

Congregation Ahavas Sholom's dedicated volunteers, led by Eric Freedman, have spent the last several years advancing the goal to transform Sussex Avenue Elementary School's unimproved schoolyard into a safe and vibrant green space for local children to learn and grow. Ahavas Sholom volunteers joined forces with The Trust for Public Land's Parks for People-Newark program to oversee a student-inspired design for the new schoolyard. "This unique and uncommon partnership for change is an outgrowth of the synagogue's passionate commitment to the pursuit of Tikkun Olam (repair of the world) and Tzedakah (social justice) and a desire to have a positive impact on the environment and activities of the Newark community, and The Trust for Public Land's belief that every child should have a safe place to play," said Freedman.

The budget for the new playground at Sussex Avenue Elementary School is approximately $1 million and will incorporate green elements such as trees, and gardens, which will both grow vegetables and capture rain. The latter will help the city's efforts to improve water quality and the environment. The new playground will also include an outdoor learning area, recreation spaces for students from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade, and chess tables to reinforce strategic thinking, important to the school's focus on math and science, and other features that meet the needs of the school community it will serve.

Founded in 1972, The Trust for Public Land is the leading nonprofit working to conserve land for people. Operating from more than 30 offices nationwide, The Trust for Public Land has protected more than three million acres from the inner city to the wilderness and helped generate more than $34 billion in public funds for conservation. Nearly ten million people live within a ten-minute walk of a Trust for Public Land park, garden, or natural area, and millions more visit these sites every year. Learn more at www.tpl.org . The Trust for Public Land achieved its private fundraising goal by securing support from multiple funders, including: NY/NJ Snowflake Youth Foundation, Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey, The Prudential Foundation, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Victoria Foundation, Helen & William Mazer Foundation, Gibson Family Foundation, CTW Foundation, John & Margaret Post Foundation, PSEG, Wallerstein Foundation for Geriatric Life Improvement, Hyde & Watson Foundation, Landsberger Foundation, and other private and public funding.

THIS SUMMER IN ISRAEL, FOR FREE! 

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, February 13, 2014 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 .

Join us on Facebook!  

Bayonne Jewish Community Center's Lauren Wendroff Early Children's Academy - Registration is stil ongoing for the 2013-2014 school year, with some spots still open. We offer classes for children ages 2.5-5 years, which follow the NJ Core Curriculum Standards including social and emotional development, approaches to learning, Language and Communication Development, Cognitive Development, and physical and motor development. Full days 8:30am-4:30pm, Half Days available 8:30am0inoon, Early drop-off 6:30am-8:30am, Late pick-up 4:30pm-6:30pm. Enrichment program will include as part of the curriculum; Spanish, Mandarin, Math, Science, and "Preschool of Rock" Physical Education. Each classroom has certified teachers, with a very low student to teacher ratio. Limited spaces are available, so please contact us soon. For further information contact Director, Erin Van Horn at erin@jccbayonne.org or (201) 436-6900.

 Bayonne Jewish Community Center's Lauren Wendroff Early Children's Academy Toddler Town Program. Enrollment is ongoing for our Toddler Town Program at the Bayonne Jewish Community Center's Lauren Wendroff Children's Academy. This half-day program is desgined for chilren, 2 years old, and emphasizes their social, emotional, and cognitive growth. Program includes Greeting & Discovery Time, Circle Time (Reading, Vocabulary), Snack, Special Activity (theme related), and Goodbye/Dismissal. We offer either 3 days per week (Mon, Wed, Fri) or 5 days per week, and you may select either mornings (9:30am-12pm) or afternoons (2pm-4:30pm). CHILD MUST TURN TWO BY NOVEMBER 1, 2013. For information on registration, contact Erin at (201) 436.6900 or Erin@jccbayonne.org .

Bayonne Jewish Community Center's Lauren Wendroff Children's Academy After-School Program. After school program for Pre-K through 8th Grades. Children are picked up from Bayonne and select Jersey City Schools. Program runs from 3:30-6:30pm, and includes homework assistance by certified teachers, swimming, sports, Game Zone. For information on registration, contact Scott at (201) 436.6900 or Scott@jccbayonne.org .

Bayonne Jewish Community Center Fall Programming. Programs for children include; 2-5 year olds: Travel Tumblers, School of Rock, Just for Kicks; Kindergarten: Travel Tumblers, School of Rock, Sports for K's; Grades 1-4 and Grades 5-8: Chess, Lego Engineering, Robotics, Art Classes, Flag Football, Bowling & more. Grades 3 & up: Perkel Children's Theater Group. There is also an Aquatics program with Baby & Me for infants thru 2 years old and Semi and Private Swim Lessons for 3 year old thru adults. The BJCC also offers Birthday Party Rentals with various themes - available on Saturdays and Sundays. For Adults, join Zumba, Yoga, TaiChi, Student Art Classes, Fitness Center, Creative Thinking, Basketball, and our new line-up of Art & Drawing (evening classes), Mah Jongg, Chair Yoga (First Class will be held on Thursday, January 9 at 10am), Computer Learning, Lehr House of Learning - JCC University (speaker series), Defensive Driving Course, & Traveling Spa. All classes begin in December & January. For information & to register, visit our website at www.jccbayonne.org or contact Program Director Caren Miceli for dates, times, and fees at Caren@jccbayonne.org or (201) 436.6900.

Bayonne Jewish Community Center's Summer Camp - It's not too early to sign up for Early Bird registration for Summer 2014. Sign up now for Summer Camp - Toddler Town (2 year olds), Kiddie Kadimah (2.5-5 year olds), Camp Kadimah (Grades 1-3), Tween Discovery Camp (Grades 4-6), and Teen Travel Camp (Grades 7-9). Don't let your children miss out on the greatest summer experience available, limited spaces are available. Air conditioned facility, indoor pool, trips, hot meals, theme days, and more. Excellent caring staff, with low counselor to camper ratio. Applications are now available online at www.jccbayonne.org . For further information contact (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 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 Early Learning Center (CELC) - Enrollment is ongoing for the Pre-school program at CELC, which combines outstanding Montessori teaching methods with both Jewish and secular education for young children. The school currently is exploring the option of expanding their current program, by adding a 1st Grade class for the upcoming 2014/2015 school year. Please join us for "An Evening of Learning" to be held on Wednesday, January 8th at 7pm, at the CELC building in the lower level library (65 Pawnee Avenue, Rockaway, NJ), at which time we will provide current and prospective families with detailed information explaining what this new proposed program will encompass. We are confident that what you hear will both intrigue you and delight you. Don't miss this opportunity to explore this alternative for a Jewish Montessori education program for your children. For further information, please contact Rabbi Asher Herson or Mrs. Flory Heller (973) 983.8811

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 3rd 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 8th 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. Located at Temple Beth El of No. Bergen, 300 75th Street, No. Bergen. For further information or to reserve your place call Libby Henik, 917.669.3762

Temple Beth El of No. Bergen New Program for Toddlers Ages 15-24 months. Temple Beth El of No. Bergen is adding a morning class for toddlers. Your child will enjoy an hour of movement, Hebrew songs, stories, as well as a variety of art experiences culminating in preparations for the wonderful holidays of Purim and Passover. We are pleased that our program is in partnership with the Solomon Schechter Day School of Bergen County. Fee: $300 for the first child, 50% discount for the second child. SIGN UP NOW!!! Located at Temple Beth El of North Bergen, 300 75th Street, No. Bergen. For further information or to reserve your place, call Libby Henik 917.669.3762.

Temple Emanu-el of Bayonne's Jewish Learning Project. Be sure to attend the Jewish Learning Project Registration and Introduction at Temple Emanu-El of Bayonne, to be held on Sunday January 5, from 10am-12pm (735 Kennedy Boulevard, Bayonne). This program includes a progressive-based Hebrew and Jewish studies program for children, in lieu of the traditional Hebrew School curriculum. This exciting new program is open to the entire Hudson County Community. Come join us & hear all about this innovative initiative. For further information, contact Rabbi Jacob Benzaquen at (201) 436.4499.

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 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 5th 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 . 

Ask Us A Question

Do you  have a question about Jewish life in Hudson County - where do I get Kosher cupcakes? How do I meet my "bashert" in New Jersey? Why should I join one of the many synagogues? Or any other relevant question about our community. If so, write to us at Newsletter@HudsonJewish.org and we will include a selection of questions with their answers in upcoming editions. 

Additionally, if you have an article of interest that you would like to see in a future newsletter, please write to us at the same email address, and we will do our best to include it.

We look forward to hearing from YOU!

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.

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.

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.