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Online Payments
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 GRS is pleased to offer our membership the option of making secure payments (via Authorize.net) of their membership dues, fees and school tuition. To begin CLICK HERE.
Check back as we enhance this service in the coming weeks to include donations to more GRS funds.
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GRS Office Location
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GRS' OFFICES ARE NOW LOCATED AT
1037 E. PUTNAM AVE., RIVERSIDE, CT
PLEASE CHECK OUR CALENDAR FOR DETAILS
ALL RELIGIOUS AND HEBREW SCHOOL CLASSES
AND
SUNDAY ADULT ED CLASSES
WILL REMAIN AT
THE STANWICH ROAD LOCATION
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Calendar
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Wednesday, April 10
4:15 pm - Hebrew School
Friday, April 12
6:30 pm - Yom Hashoah Shabbat Service at First Congregational Church
Sunday, April 14
NO ADULT ED
NO RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
Tuesday, April 16
7:00 pm - Choir rehearsal
Wednesday, April 17
NO HEBREW SCHOOL
Friday, April 19
6:30 pm - Choir/Yom Haatzmaut Shabbat Service at First Congregational Church
April anniversary blessings
Sunday, April 21
NO ADULT ED
NO RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
Community Israel Celebration
Tuesday, April 23
7:00 pm - Choir rehearsal
Wednesday, April 24
4:15 pm - Hebrew School
7:30 pm - Board meeting
Friday, April 26
6:30 pm - Shabbat Service at Round Hill Community Church
Saturday, April 27
10:00 am - Alex Sklarz Bar Mitzvah (RHCC)
Sunday, April 28
9:30 am - Hebrew 102
9:30 am - Holiday Happenings
9:30 am - Religious School
10:30 am - Adult Ed with Rabbi Rothman
Monday, April 29
7:00 pm - Knit & Knosh
Tuesday, April 30
7:00 pm - Choir rehearsal
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Torah Portion
April 13, 2013
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Tazria/Metzora
(Leviticus 12:1-15:33)
In this portion, the Torah struggles with the laws concerning the skin affliction called tzara'at. Tazria spends the bulk of the portion defining tzara'at and responsibilities surrounding the disease. In Metzora, The Torah portion addresses purification from defilement, and the priests' role in promoting healing.
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Happy Birthday to...
| Justine Perloe
Rhoda Reid
Victor Romley
Juan Meyer
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Tree of Life
(Etz Chaim)
| Celebrate the birth of a child, the bar or bat mitzvah of a loved one, the wedding or anniversary of a cherished friend or family member, a graduation or a retirement through a permanent dedication on the GRS Tree of Life! Click here for more information and to place an order.
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Caring Community News
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Committee members provide assistance to temple members in times of need and to celebrate with them in times of joy. If you know of an ill or hospitalized member, please contact the office at (203) 629-0018.
You can help us to help each other. We encourage the participation of volunteers to keep in touch with our members through telephone calls, visits, by sending cards, etc...If you would like to be a part of this committee, please contact Denise Cooper at denise@grs.org.
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GRS Staff
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Rabbi Andrew R. Sklarz, MA, MSW, RJE
rabbisklarz@grs.org
Cantor Sabrina Lipton
sabrinalipton@grs.org
Stephanie Glaser
Executive Director
stephanieglaser@grs.org
Lisa Gittelman Udi
Director of Education
lisargudi@grs.org
Clarita Agulay
Bookkeeper
clarita@grs.org
Denise Cooper
Administrative Assistant
denise@grs.org
Laura Seltzer
Administrative Assistant
laura@grs.org
Allie Zur
Youth Advisor
orlie414@aol.com
Corinne Morrell
Relocation Assistant
relocation@grs.org
Peter Babivskiy
Caretaker
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Measuring Success Synagogue Survey
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Last week, you should have received an email entitled:
Please take the Greenwich Reform Synagogue Survey Today!
The email was labeled as coming from Robert Birnbaum, but actually came from synagogues@measuring-success.com. It's possible that your email system blocked that address.
Most of you received the email with no problem-in fact, Measuring Success reports quite a few have already completed the survey-but for some, the email ended up in your "spam" or "junk mail" folders.
If you didn't receive or can't find the email, or are having any trouble accessing the survey, please contact me right away at stephanieglaser@grs.org.
And please, complete the survey as soon as you can-
every response matters!
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Yom Hashoah Shabbat Service
Friday, April 12, 6:30 pm
First Congregational Church, Old Greenwich
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 Please join Rabbi Sklarz and Cantor Lipton for a special Shabbat Service commemorating Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day). Together we shall recall the six million of our people and the countless others martyred during this dark period of our history.
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A Message from Rabbi Sklarz
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Imagine A World Without Hate
Dear Friends,
As Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Memorial Day, was nearing its end, I sat amongst fellow members at the April meeting of the Connecticut Regional Board of the ADL (Anti-Defamation League). Soon to celebrate its 100th year of combating anti-Semitism and hate of all forms, we were presented with the sobering facts of how social media is being used to generate extreme forms of hate and anti-Semitism throughout the globe. As if the details shared were not enough, nor a recent study in Israel which points to a 30% increase in anti-Semitic attacks throughout the world during the last year, the reality was fully driven home, as upon returning from the meeting in Bridgeport, and tuning into the news on television, I immediately heard of the New York apartment building in which scores of mezzuzot on the doorpost of Jewish families had been charred.
 While so much of our time in the GRS Religious School is devoted to sharing the joys of Judaism with our children, there are certain realities, both historical and present, which must be confronted. Those in our upper grades study the Holocaust and are asked to think about the fact that so much hatred and bigotry sadly prevail in our world.
Last Wednesday, students in our 6th and 7th grade met with Holocaust survivor, Sylvie Ledneiser, who gently shared with our children, her gut wrenching story of how the innocence of her childhood came to an end,
when the Nazis entered Budapest. So meaningful was this event, that I am told that two parents who attended, have contacted Sylvie to speak at their children's
schools.
On Sunday morning, prior to the town wide commemoration of Yom HaShoah, we conducted a most meaningful service for our students. In addition to our readings, we discussed how each one of us must do our parts to hold our Judaism as sacred, and work to combat hatred of all sorts.
Together, as expressed so beautifully by the campaign led by ADL, let us "Imagine A World Without Hate."
L'Shalom
Rabbi Andy
Rabbi Andrew R. Sklarz, MA, MSW, RJE
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GRS Young Families Initiative
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 GRS is pleased to announce a new initiative beginning on July 1, aimed at young families, offering special pricing and more affordable membership and school tuition for families with young children.
Any new (non member) family with at least one adult under age 40 (excluding adult children), or at least one child in the third grade or under, are eligible to participate in this program.
If you know of anyone who has been thinking about starting their children in religious school, this is a great time for them to get in touch.
For more information or to register, CLICK HERE.
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GRS Sisterhood Ladies who Lunch
Friday, April 12, 12:00 pm
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 Please join the GRS... Ladies who Lunch at Dolce Cubano Rum Bar & Restaurant
78 Southfield Avenue
Stamford, CT
(formerly Paradise Grill, next to The Crab Shell Restaurant)
Have fun with "the girls" while enjoying excellent food. What a wonderful way to welcome Spring... finally! This new restaurant has beautiful waterfront views with Cuban decor to give you that tropical feel.
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4th Annual Jonah Maccabee Concert
Saturday, April 13, 8:00 pm
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Yom Ha'atzmaut/Choir Shabbat Service
Friday, April 19, 2013, 6:30 pm
First Congregational Church, Old Greenwich
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 Please join Rabbi Sklarz, Cantor Lipton and the GRS Choir for a musical tribute to Israel's 65th birthday!
The service will be followed by an Oneg Shabbat.
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Community-Wide Yom Ha'atzmaut Celebration, Israel at 65!
Sunday, April 21, 2013, 11 am - 2 pm
Greenwich Civic Center, 90 Harding Rd. Old Greenwich
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 Join GRS and show your pride at this joyful Israel Independence Day bash with the lead singer of the award winning Mama Doni Band. Festivities include an Israel bazaar, Gadna boot camp, Israeli hip hop class, storytelling and more. Food will be available for purchase from Kosh Bistro. For more information CLICK HERE.
WE NEED YOUR SPIRIT!
Volunteers requested to assist Rabbi Sklarz and Cantor Lipton for the GRS booth at this town-wide celebration
No experience necessary, but guaranteed to be lots of fun and a wonderful way to share GRS with the community.
Please let Rabbi Sklarz know that you will be able to participate at RabbiSklarz@grs.org or call the temple office (203-629-0018).
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Friday, April 26, 2013, 6:30 pm
Round Hill Community Church
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Following Shabbat services on Friday April 26, the GRS Sisterhood and Brotherhood are sponsoring a hearty celebratory Oneg Shabbat, in honor of Alex Sklarz becoming a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, April 27. Please let the office know if you plan on coming so that we can plan accordingly. CLICK HERE TO RSVP.
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Sabrina & Friends Sing Broadway & Opera
Saturday, May 11, 2013
8:00 pm
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C 
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A contribution to GRS is a wonderful way to celebrate joyous events and commemorate meaningful occasions. If you would like to make a contribution, please send your check to GRS, 1037 E. Putnam Ave., Riverside, CT 096878 or pay online. For details on the giving opportunities available, please call the GRS office.
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Harvest Now Food Growing Project
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Harvest Now is a statewide food growing project, in need of volunteers to grow vegetable gardens in private gardens. The food is donated to the food pantry of your choice. This year Harvest Now fed 8200 people.
Four Hundred thousand people in Connecticut use food banks over the course of a year. This number increases 6% every year. If you are already growing food, perhaps you can donate a portion to your local food bank/soup kitchen
We need congregants who grow food to donate to the local food bank of their choice. For more information about this mission look at www.harvest-now.net You can contact Brooks Sumberg at bsumberg@earthlink.net, or call 203 293-4130.
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Tour de Shuls
Sunday, June 23, 2013
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The fourth annual Tour de Shuls CT will be held on Sunday, June23rd. More than simply a bike ride, Tour de Shuls is a community event to support the Camp Ramah Tikvah program and Camp Eisner and Crane Lake Chazak program. The Tikvah (Hope) and Chazak (Strength) programs serve Jewish children with developmental disabilities and other physical challenges. Participating in the Tour enables Tikvah and Chazak campers to experience the joys and
camaraderie of Jewish summer camp -- swimming, soccer, arts&crafts,
singing around the campfire, celebrating Shabbat--by providing schlarships to defray the costs of attending camp.
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Give A Ride, Need A Ride
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 Are you in need of a ride to services? Or, would you be willing to give someone a ride to services?
If your answer to one of these questions is 'YES', please contact Laura Seltzer at 203-629-0018 or laura@grs.org. |
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Around the Community
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Jewish Family Services of Greenwich is offering the following programs, support groups and volunteer opportunities (For more information or to register for any of the following, please visit www.jfsgreenwich.org or call 203-622-1881): JFS Support Groups: ($20 per session: Sliding Scale fees apply).
PARENTS OF LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSSEXUAL OR QUESTIONING (LGBTQ) CHILDREN: This group is for parents who are dealing with any stage of their family member's coming out process. Together, in a safe and confidential environment, we will explore the tumultuous process of accepting, understanding, and celebrating your children and their LGBTQ identities.
Eight Wednesdays, beginning March 5th, 12:30pm - 1:45pm
JFS, One Holly Hill Lane, Greenwich, Facilitated by Lisa-Loraine Smith, LCSW, Executive Director of JFS
$160 for the Group (Sliding scale fees will apply if necessary
Children of Divorce Group ( 11 - 14 year olds)
This 8-week support group is for young people in grades 6 - 8 whose lives have been impacted by divorce. These groups use age appropriate discussion, role-plays, games, and art to help teens cope with feelings of loss, anger, and sadness. Here at JFS, we encourage group members to discuss their feelings, normalize divorce as a common occurrence, and help children better understand the process of divorce. Regardless of whether the child has reacted strongly or mildly from the changes in the family, they can benefit from this experience.
Facilitated by Jan Mittleman, LCSW. Wednesdays, 5:30pm - 6:45pm
ROSH HODESH: IT'S A GIRL THING! For 7th grade girls Mondays 7:00pm - 8:30pm Nisan: April 29th Iyar: May 20th Sivan: June 17th New and Ongoing Support Groups and Counseling: - Divorce Support Group
- Bereavement Support Group
- Parents of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual or Questioning (LGBTQ) Children
- Restarting Your Life
- Empty Nesters
- Counseling
 Westchester Jewish Film Festival April 3-25
We're thrilled to introduce the 2013 edition of the Westchester Jewish Film Festival, with 35 programs that celebrate the diversity of the Jewish experience.
As we immersed ourselves in selecting this crop of first-rate documentaries and dramas, a theme arose: the Jewish influence on art, music, and the performing arts. So along with 14 lively discussions, this year we present six live performances- including singers, dancers, and the comedian David Steinberg, with his new stand-up show.
Many of these events sell out quickly, so get your tickets soon and don't get sold out!
Special Event Just Added! Author Eric Goldman joins us for a special evening of film clips and discussion of his book The American Jewish Story Through Cinema, Mon. April 22 at 7:30 pm.
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