Greenwich Reform Synagogue Newsletter

September 18, 2013 Tishrei 7 , 5774

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Online Payments

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.

GRS Office Location

GRS' OFFICES ARE NOW LOCATED AT

1037 E. PUTNAM AVE., RIVERSIDE, CT

PLEASE CHECK OUR CALENDAR FOR DETAILS

SUNDAY RELIGIOUS SCHOOL AND ADULT ED CLASSES

WILL REMAIN AT

THE STANWICH ROAD LOCATION

HEBREW WILL BE TAUGHT AT OUR OFFICE LOCATION TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOONS

In This Issue

Facebook

Online Payments

Office Location

Calendar

Torah Portion of the Week

Happy Birthday

Tree of Life

Caring Community

GRS Staff

Join Our List

Sukkot at GRS

Message from the Rabbi

Simchat Torah

Generation J Religious School Registration

Holiday Happenings

Adult Ed

Knit & Knosh

Our Temple Family

Tzedakah

Around the Community

Calendar

Thursday, September 18

7:30 pm - Executive

Board Mtg.

Friday, September 20
6:30 pm - Succot Service & Dinner @ Rabbi's house
July/August/September birthdays

Sunday, September 22
9:00 am - Breakfast
9:30 am - 1st day of Religious School

Tuesday, September 24
3:30 pm - Hebrew School @GRS office

Wednesday, September 25
3:30 pm - Hebrew School @GRS office
7:30 pm - Board Meeting

Thursday, September 26
3:30 pm - Hebrew School @GRS office

Friday, September 27
6:30 pm - Simchat Torah Service
July/August/September anniversaries @ First Congregational Church, Old Greenwich

Sunday, September 29
9:00 am - Breakfast
9:30 am - Religious School

Monday, September 30
7:00 pm - Knit & Knosh - home of Marcia Winpisinger

Torah Portion
September 21, 2013

Sukkot

On the Shabbat during Sukkot, we will be following the tradition of studying the book of Ecclesiastes. Known for its phrase, "To everything, there is a purpose, a time for every season," the book is part of a collection called the Wisdom Literature.

Happy Birthday to...

Andrew Kahn
Jennifer Berkley
Lori Nevins
Ethan Davis
Olivia Rayner

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.

Caring Community News

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 Laura Seltzer at laura@grs.org.

GRS Staff

Rabbi Andrew R. Sklarz, MA, MSW, RJE

rabbisklarz@grs.org

Cantor Sabrina Lipton

sabrinalipton@grs.org

Stephanie Glaser

Executive Director

stephanieglaser@grs.org

Eliana Hall

Director of Education

eliana@grs.org

Clarita Agulay

Bookkeeper

clarita@grs.org

Laura Seltzer

Administrative Assistant

laura@grs.org

Peter Babivskiy

Caretaker

peter@grs.org

Join Our List

Sukkot Shabbat Service & Celebration
Friday, September 20, 6:30 pm
At the home of Rabbi Andy & Susan Sklarz

On Friday, September 20, at 6:30pm, a Sukkot extravaganza for folks of all ages will take place at the home and Sukkah of Rabbi Andy and Susan Sklarz!

Together we will experience the joy of the fall festival, with a sumptuous dinner, and an upbeat family Sukkot service, which will include July - September birthdays (gifts will be presented to all children 13 and younger).

Of course, no celebration of Sukkot would be complete without time in the Sukkah. Come meet our Interim Educational Director Eliana Hall, who will be leading craft activities as our children decorate the Sukkah!

Please CLICK HERE to RSVP or contact Laura at GRS for more information.

In the spirit of Sukkot and the season of the harvest, please feel free to bring along any non-perishable food items that we will donate to the local food bank.

Message from the Rabbi

Rabbi USE THIS ONE!

Be Our Ushpizin* this Shabbat

as We Celebrate Sukkot

Dear Friends,

The Aramaic word, *ushpizin, means guests, and the the Zohar, the preeminent book of Jewish mysticism, relates that on Sukkot, the souls of seven great leaders of the Jewish people, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joseph and King David spiritually enter the sukkah.

While of course it would be an honor to have such esteemed visitors, my family and I are most excited about having our GRS family as our ushpizin, our guests, in the Sukkah at our home.

It was wonderful to see so many old friends, new members and prospective members during the High Holidays, and this Shabbat, September 20, at 6:30pm, Susan, Alex and I look forward to welcoming you to our home for our Family Friendly Sukkot service and festive dinner.

As with every family service, Cantor Sabrina and I will bless all those celebrating birthdays and offer gifts to those thirteen and under. Educational Director, Eliana Hall, will be on hand with crafts for all children to decorate the sukkah.

Kindly click here to let us know that you will be with us.

Looking forward to sharing a Chag Sameach - a joyous holiday together,

Rabbi Andy

Rabbi Andrew R. Sklarz, MSW

Simchat Torah/Consecration Shabbat Service Friday, September 27, 6:30 pm First Congregational Church, Old Greenwich (downstairs in the Daniels Center)
Help us unroll the Torah, share in the Religious School Consecration Ceremony, plus stay for delicious desserts! Please CLICK HERE to RSVP or contact Laura at GRS for more information.

Generation J - Exploring Judaism Together
First Day of Religious School & Open House Sunday, September 22, 2013
Stanwich School Campus, 257 Stanwich Rd.

An open house and information session will be held on September 22, the first day of classes for the 2013-14 Generation J school year, beginning with a buffet breakfast at 9 am.

Everyone will have an opportunity to meet Rabbi Sklarz, Cantor Lipton, Eliana Hall (Interim Director of Ed), and members of the Education Committee.

Rabbi Sklarz and Eliana Hall will also be hosting an introductory meeting and information session.

By now, those GRS congregants with school-aged children should have received religious school registration materials in the mail. For your convenience, you may also download these forms right here. If you have any questions/ concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Eliana Hall, Director of Education, at eliana@grs.org.

Holiday Happenings

Adult Ed - Fall 2013

Beginning after the High Holy Days, Rabbi Robert Rothman, our Scholar in Residence, will continue his exposition of the history of anti-Semitism in the 20^th and 21^st century. In addition, throughout the year, we will also discuss current issues impacting on Judaism, the holidays, and other subjects of interest to the group. Rabbi Rothman,

D.H.L., D.D., Ph.D., is the Rabbi Emeritus of Rye Community Synagogue. He is widely published and has been our Scholar in Residence for many years. He is a retired Navy Chaplain with the rank of Commander.

The Sunday Study Group meets during the second hour of Religious School throughout the year (10:30). While we generally have a topic for the year, each class is designed to be a stand-alone session, so come to as many as you wish. During the first few sessions we will also discuss with Rabbi Rothman what we want to take up next. All are welcome.

Rabbi Sklarz' Advanced Beginner's Hebrew class will begin on Sunday, October 6, at 9:45. Those who would like to register for Advanced Beginner's Hebrew, or interested in Beginner's Hebrew with Rabbi Sklarz, please contact Laura at the GRS office.

Knit & Knosh Monday, September 30, 2013, 7-9 pm
Would you like to knit, crochet or sew over good food and drinks, in good company? Then, the GRS Sisterhood invites you to come and join us. We welcome knitters of any age, gender or ability! We would love to see more new faces! Everyone is welcome, even those who just want to nosh! At the home of Marcia Winpisinger, 395 Davis Avenue, Greenwich, CT.

Our Temple Family
GRS would like to welcome its newest members: Erica Hoffman Al and Robbie Kestnbaum Lauren and Mark Rieder and their daughter, Zoe Keith and Marla Sernick and family Emily Slayton

Tzedakah

Thank you for your generosity...

Circle of Giving

Dean and Marcia Harris
Edward Adler
Peter Katona

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 06878 or pay ONLINE. For details on the giving opportunities available, please call the GRS office.

Around the Community

The Support Group Center of Jewish Family Services of Greenwich is offering the following support groups this summer. For more information or to register for any of the following, please visit www.jfsgreenwich.org or call Lisa Smith, LCSW, Executive Director, at 203-622-1881.

All groups take place at JFS, One Holly Hill Lane

Please contact Lisa Smith, LCSW, Executive Director, at llsmith@jfsgreenwich.org or call 203-622-1881 for more information and to register.

NEW!

CHAPTER 2: FOR EMPTY NESTERS

After the last child leaves for college the house will be "empty" for the first time in many, many years. Mothers often find themselves with a unique opportunity to reinvent themselves. But it is not always a smooth or easy road. It can be challenging to find other ways to occupy their newly free time. It's sometimes difficult to reconnect with a spouse, or develop a new kind of relationship with their child. Often the most problematic issue can be the lack of sympathy from people who believe that parents should be celebrating when their children leave home. Get and give ideas on how to transition happily into this new chapter of your life in a confidential supportive environment facilitated by Linda Schlapfer, LMFT, 5 Wednesdays, 12:00pm - 1:15pm, beginning September 25th.

Bereavement Support Group

Adults who have lost a family member, spouse or companion, any time within the last five years can gain support, strength and friendship from this ongoing bereavement support group.

The sessions take place on Tuesdays, 10:30am - 11:30am, and are co-facilitated by Lisa-Loraine Smith, LCSW, Executive Director of JFS, and a member of the Greenwich Jewish clergy.

JFS Rosh Hodesh It's a Girl Thing 7^thGrade Program
Begins in October!Once a month, 7^th grade girls get together to talk, be heard, think, discover, eat, listen, create - and hang out with other Jewish girls their own age. Through creative mediums like art, drama, cooking and small discussions, Rosh Hodesh: It's a Girl Thing provides a forum for girls to come together and learn about themselves, Judaism and discuss topics most relevant to them today. This enormously successful program was created to build self-esteem, Jewish identity, leadership skills and friendships by using core Jewish values to navigate our world and the dangerous messages that affect a young girl's perception of body image, friendship, competition and family.

The groups are held monthly on Mondays from 7:00- 8:30pm at Temple Sholom in Greenwich and are led by Belana Warmflash, MSW. Fee: $180, sliding scale available upon request. Save these Dates: October 7, November 4, December 9, January 6, February 3, March 3, April 7, May 5, and June 2.

To register please email Lisa Goldberg at lmgoldberg@jfsgreenwich.org or call 203 622 1881.

NEW! REVERSAL OF FORTUNE

Financial challenges bring with them stressors that can affect everything in your life - your relationships, your self-esteem, your outlook, and even your marriage. In these tough economic times, you are not alone. Talk with others facing similar situations in a confidential environment. Come and share your thoughts, get some ideas, tips and real life strategies to cope with the practical as well as the emotional issues associated with reversals of fortune. Facilitated by Mary Karlan, LMSW, 6 Tuesdays beginning October 8^th, from 5:30pm - 6:30pm. NO CHARGE! Please call Mary at JFS 203-622-1881 or email her at mkarlan@jfsgreenwich.org