Greenwich Reform Synagogue Newsletter  


September 25, 2013                             Tishrei 21, 5774
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Online Payments

authorize.net 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
Simchat Torah
Message from the Rabbi
Generation J Religious School Registration
Holiday Happenings
Adult Ed
Knit & Knosh
October 4 Shabbat Service
October 11 Special Family Service
Our Temple Family
Tzedakah
Around the Community
Calendar
calendar

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 
7:30 pm - Ritual Committee Mtg. 

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
10:30 am - Adult Ed with Rabbi Rothman

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

Tuesday, October 1
3:30 pm - Hebrew School @GRS office

Wednesday, October 2
3:30 pm - Hebrew School
@GRS office

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

Friday, October 4
6:30 pm - Shabbat Service @ Round Hill Community Church

Saturday, October 5
4:00 pm - Kenton Cooper Bar Mitzvah

Sunday, October 6
9:00 am - Breakfast
9:30 am - Religious School
9:45 am - Advanced Beginner Hebrew
10:30 am - Adult Ed with Rabbi Rothman

Tuesday, October 8 
3:30 pm - Hebrew School
@GRS office

Wednesday, October 9
3:30 pm - Hebrew School
@GRS office

Thursday, October 10
3:30 pm - Hebrew School
@GRS office

Friday, October 11
6:30 pm - Family Shabbat Service & Dinner @ home of Rabbi & Susan Sklarz

Sunday, October 13
NO RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
NO ADULT ED

Monday, October 14
GRS OFFICES CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF COLUMBUS DAY

Tuesday, October 15 
3:30 pm - Hebrew School 
@GRS office

Wednesday, October 16
3:30 pm - Hebrew School
@GRS office

Thursday, October 17 
3:30 pm - Hebrew School
@GRS office
7:30 pm - Executive Board Mtg.

Friday, October 18
6:30 pm - Choir Shabbat Service featuring GRS House Band

Sunday, October 20
9:00 am - Breakfast
9:30 am - Religious School
9:45 am - Advanced Beginner Hebrew
10:30 am - Adult Ed with Rabbi Rothman

Tuesday, October 22
3:30 pm - Hebrew School
@GRS office

Wednesday, October 23 3:30 pm - Hebrew School 
@GRS office
7:30 pm - Board Mtg.

Thursday, October 24 3:30 pm - Hebrew School
@GRS office

Friday, October 25
6:30 pm - Shabbat Service

Sunday, October 27 
9:00 am - Breakfast
9:30 am - Religious School
9:45 am - Advanced Beginner Hebrew
10:30 am - Adult Ed with Rabbi Rothman

Tuesday, October 29 
3:30 pm - Hebrew School@GRS office
 
Wednesday, October 30 
3:30 pm - Hebrew School@GRS office
 
Thursday, October 31 
3:30 pm - Hebrew School@GRS office 
  
Torah Portion
September 28, 2013

Bereshit

(Genesis 1:1-6:8)

 

The Torah begins with the familiar but complex story of creation.  God creates the world and its inhabitants in six days and rests on the seventh day.  Adam and Eve inhabit the Garden of Eden until they are tempted by the serpent and banished.  Abel's offering is accepted over his brother Cain's, and Cain slays Abel.    

 

 

bday
Happy Birthday to...
Michael Chait
Jon Nevins
Diana Peters
Ken Greenberg
Louise Salzer
Karen Tizer-Wallenstein
Tree of Life
(Etz Chaim)
Tree of Life
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


Join Our List
Join Our Mailing List

URJ NEW LOGO

Simchat Torah/Consecration
Shabbat Service
Friday, September 27, 6:30 pm
First Congregational Church, Old Greenwich (downstairs in the Daniels Center)


This coming Shabbat, we will experience yet another fun-filled family oriented service, as we celebrate Simchat Torah.  Join us in the many exciting festivities surrounding the end and beginning of the reading cycle of Torah, and consecration of the newest members of our religious school. 

Help us unroll the Torah, share in the Religious School Consecration Ceremony, plus stay for delicious desserts!

Those with July, August and September anniversaries will be given a special blessing!

Please contact Laura at GRS for information, laura@grs.org or call 203-629-0018. CLICK HERE to RSVP.

Message from the Rabbi  

Rabbi USE THIS ONE!

The Magic That Was...

the Magic that is to Be!

Dear Friends,

How wonderful it was for my family and I to have so many of our GRS family sit by the Sukkah in our backyard last Shabbat.  While the crowd was way too large to hold the service within the Sukkah, it was awesome to have all children in attendance inside as I shared my favorite story of the holiday, and when Cantor Sabrina led us in Kiddish and motzi. Of course, under the direction of Educational Director, Eliana Hall, our children beautified the Sukkah with their homemade decorations.

This Shabbat, I look forward to seeing each one of you at our Simchat Torah and Consecration service which will be held in the Daniels Center of First Congregational Church in Old Greenwich.


Join us as we bless the newest children of our religious school under a large Tallit. As is our tradition, we will unroll the full Torah scroll, take a virtual tour of the climatic moments, read the closing verses of the Book of Deuteronomy and move immediately on to the reading of the opening verses of Genesis. Come be a part of this joyous festival, as we celebrate the endless circle of Torah.

I look forward to our experiencing the magic together,  

Rabbi Andy
 
Rabbi Andrew R. Sklarz, MSW

 

Generation J - Exploring Judaism Together
Registration is Still Open
Stanwich School Campus, 257 Stanwich Rd.

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

2013 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 20th and 21st 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.

 

Shabbat Service Honoring Rabbi Rothman
Friday, October 4, 2013, 6:30 pm
Round Hill Community Church
395 Round Hill Road, Greenwich, CT

Please join Rabbi Sklarz and Cantor Lipton for a special service as we honor our dear friend and GRS Scholar-in-Residence, Rabbi Robert Rothman.  Following the service join us for a festive Oneg Shabbat sponsored by Wayne and Lisa Cooper in honor of their son, Kenton, becoming a Bar Mitzvah. 
A VERY SPECIAL FAMILY SERVICE & DINNER
National Observance of Children's Sabbath Celebration
Friday, October 11, 2013, 6:30 pm
at the home of Rabbi & Susan Sklarz

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Join thousands of churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and other faith communities across the country in this celebration as we hold a very special family service.
While the themes of this cross religious initiative are quite serious, Rabbi Sklarz, will offer a
a child friendly service focusing on Creating Peace & Sharing.  

We would like to invite you to this Family Shabbat Service, led by Rabbi Sklarz and Cantor Lipton, along with B'nai Shir, our Junior Choir.

The service will be followed by dinner, the main course will be provided by GRS.

CLICK HERE if you would like to attend and bring an appetizer, side dish, or dessert.

*October birthdays will be given a special birthday blessing.

Our Temple Family

GRS would like to welcome its newest members:
  • Deirdre and Steve Lewis, and their son David 
Tzedakah

Thank you for your generosity...

Circle of Giving
  • Linda Berliner
  • Stuart and Sunny Blick
  • Ann and Kenneth Greenberg  
  • Fran Koenig in Memory of Mary & Melvin Goetz
  • Barbara Lehrman 
  • Calvin and Lenore Kramer
  • Nancy Korobkin and Jerry Rosenband
  • Janice and Victor Romley
  • Jonathan and Rosalind Shapiro in honor of Rabbi Sklarz 
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 7thGrade Program
Begins in October!Once a month, 7th 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 8th, from 5:30pm - 6:30pm. NO CHARGE!   Please call Mary at JFS 203-622-1881 or email her at mkarlan@jfsgreenwich.org