Greenwich Reform Synagogue Newsletter 

October 16, 2013                             Cheshvan 12, 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
Shabbat Service
Message from the Rabbi
Generation J Religious School Registration
Holiday Happenings
Knit & Knosh
Knit & Knosh
Annual GRS Sisterhood Membership Dinner
Celebrate Chanukah at GRS
Adult Ed
Our Temple Family
Tzedakah
Around the Community
Calendar
calendar

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
First Congregational Church

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
7:00 pm - Choir Rehearsal @ 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
GRS Office

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
 
Monday, October 28 
7:00 pm - Knit and Knosh @ home of Ann Greenberg

Tuesday, October 29 
3:30 pm - Hebrew School@GRS office
7:00 pm - Choir Rehearsal @ GRS office
 
Wednesday, October 30 
3:30 pm - Hebrew School@GRS office
 
Thursday, October 31 
3:30 pm - Hebrew School@GRS office


Friday, November 1
6:30 pm - Family Shabbat Service & Dinner - home of Rabbi & Susan Sklarz
November birthdays
B'nai Shir

Sunday, November 3
9:00 am - Breakfast

9:30 am - Religious School
9:45 am - Advanced Beginner Hebrew
10:30 am - Adult Ed with Rabbi Rothman

Tuesday, November 5
3:30 pm - Hebrew School @ GRS office

Wednesday, November 6 
3:30 pm - Hebrew School@GRS office6:30 pm - Sisterhood dinner @ home of Marie Kimmel

Thursday, November 7
3:30 pm - Hebrew school @ GRS office

Friday, November 8
6:30 pm - Grades 6-7 Shabbat Service @ St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Sunday, November 10
NO RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
NO ADULT ED

Monday, November 11
GRS OFFICES CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF VETERAN'S DAY

Tuesday, November 12
3:30 pm - Hebrew School @ GRS office
7:30 pm - Executive Board Meeting

Wednesday, November 13
3:30 pm - Hebrew School @ GRS office

Thursday, November 14
3:30 pm - Hebrew school @ GRS office

Friday, November 15
6:30 pm - Choir/Board Installation Shabbat Service @ St. Paul's Episcopal Church
GRS House Band
November anniversaries

Sunday, November 17 
9:00 am - Breakfast
9:30 am - Religious School
9:45 am - Rabbi's Advanced Beginner's Hebrew Class
10:30 am - Rabbi Rothman Adult Ed Class
Global Day of Learning

Tuesday, November 19
3:30 pm - Hebrew school @ GRS office

Wednesday, November 20
3:30 pm - Hebrew school @ GRS office
7:30 pm - Board Meeting

Thursday, November 21
3:30 pm - Hebrew school @ GRS office

Friday, November 22
6:30 pm - Chanukah Service & Dinner @ St. Catherine of Siena Church

Sunday, November 24
9:00 am - Breakfast
9:30 am - Religious School
9:45 am - Rabbi's Advanced Beginner's Hebrew Class
10:30 am - Rabbi Rothman Adult Ed Class

Tuesday, November 26
3:30 pm - Hebrew school @ GRS office

Wednesday, November 27
3:30 pm - Hebrew school @ GRS office
1st Night of Chanukah

Thursday, November 28
GRS OFFICES CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF THANKSGIVING

Friday, November 29
GRS OFFICES CLOSED
6:30 pm - Shabbat Service in GRS office   

Torah Portion
October 19, 2013

 Vayera

 (Genesis 18:1-22:24)

Abraham's life is transformed through four distinct stories. First, messengers (angels) arrive at Abraham's tent to herald the birth of Isaac. Second, Abraham argues with God over the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Third, Abraham is forced to banish Hagar and his first son, Ishmael. Fourth, Abraham is tested in the binding of Isaac's story (The Akkedah).

  

bday
Happy Birthday to...

Adam Bartholomew

Barbara Lehrman

Erica Hoffman

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

Choir Shabbat Service

Friday, October 18, 2013, 6:30 pm

at First Congregational Church,

108 Sound Beach Avenue in Old Greenwich

 


Please join Cantor Lipton for a musical Choir Shabbat Service, followed by an Oneg Shabbat. 

Message from the Rabbi  

Rabbi USE THIS ONE!

Instilling a Commitment to Social Action in Our Children

 

Dear Friends,

 

Last Shabbat, GRS joined with congregations of different faiths all across the nation in observance of National Children's Sabbath.  Within the context of a family service, attended by a large percentage of children, our story and discussion focused upon the themes of making peace and sharing.  With thoughtful comments made by both children and adults, we concentrated upon Judaism's call to reach out to those who lack our good fortune.  Amongst the items discussed, is GRS' on-going commitment to provide food to the needy.  Students and parents of Generation J, our new religious school program, will all be able to participate as we prepare and serve food at Inspirica in Stamford.

 

As our focus this year within Generation J is on Mitzvot,

commandments, our students will have many opportunities to explore and express their commitment to Tikun Olam, healing our world.  In concert with the learning that takes place in Generation J, at each family service, our children hear a story and are presented values central to Judaism. We encourage you and your children or grandchildren to join us each month for our family service and dinner. Together with our children, we can truly make this a beautiful world.

 

L'Shalom,

 

Rabbi Andy
 
Rabbi Andrew R. Sklarz, MSW

 

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

Generation J, our exciting new Religious School Program got off to a terrific start last month! Everyone was excited to see familiar faces and make new friends as we embarked on our journey through the mitzvot.

All of our students are currently immersed in the mitzvah of Talmud Torah, the study of Torah, but we're already excited about the mitzvot to come, from guarding the earth to tzedakah!

Enrollment is still open, so join us! For your convenience, you may download the registration forms right here.  If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Eliana Hall, Director of Education, at eliana@grs.org .
Holiday Happenings

2013 Holiday Happenings

  

2013-2014 Shabbat Service Locations

We want to thank you for your patience during this time of transition.  To make things more convenient, CLICK HERE for the location of our upcoming services for the year.

However, as our calendar is always subject to last minute changes, it's always best to check the website or the newsletter.
Knit & Knosh
Monday, October 28, 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 Ann Greenberg, 15 Sachem Road.

PLEASE NOTE NEW DATE
Annual GRS Sisterhood Membership Dinner
Wednesday, November 6, 2013, 6:30pm at the home of Marie Kimmel 


sisterhood dinner
All members of the GRS Sisterhood* are invited to attend a fun, free, delightful dinner at the home of Marie Kimmel, at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, November 6th. You'll enjoy good food and wine, plus great conversations with new friends and old.
  

This GRS Sisterhood-sponsored event is free, but please bring a donation of non-perishable food that we'll share with the less fortunate through our local food pantry, Neighbor to Neighbor.

 

Please click here to RSVP or email Laura so we'll know how much food and wine we'll need.

 

*Not sure if you're already a GRS Sisterhood member or not?   You can check with the temple office to be sure. You probably are, but if not, the annual dues are only $36.

 

CHANUKAH SERVICE & DINNER
Friday, November 22, 2013, 6:30pm  

St. Catherine of Siena Church, Riverside, CT



 
Join us for Latkes, Dreidels, Menorah Lighting
& lots of fun!

Celebrate Chanukah with  
Greenwich Reform Synagogue 
Friday, November 22, 6:30 pm 
$18 for adults; $5 for kids

Includes catered dinner, music and Israeli dancing!

Please bring an unwrapped holiday gift 
for a child in need.

All are welcome!

CLICK HERE 
to RSVP
Adult Ed - Fall 2013

Rabbi Sklarz' Advanced Beginner's Hebrew class will begin on Sunday, October 27, 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.
  
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.
Our Temple Family

GRS extends its condolences to staff member, Peter Babivskiy, on the passing of his father on Tuesday, October 15.

  

Tzedakah

Thank you for your generosity...
  

Annual Circle of Giving

  • Lisa and Marc Abrams 

Ritual Fund

  • Bonnie & Eliot Riskin in loving memory of Milton & Sylvia Riskin 
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

ADL to Honor Nancy and Bill Zisson and Judith Altmann at 2013 Daniel R. Ginsberg Humanitarian Award Reception. The Anti-Defamation League will present its prestigious Daniel R. Ginsberg Humanitarian Award to Nancy and Bill Zisson and Judith Altman at ADL's 2013 Daniel R. Ginsberg Humanitarian Award Reception and Centennial Gala on Sunday, October 20, in Greenwich. 

  
For more information, please contact Janet Magid, Associate Development Director at (203) 288-6500 ext. 313 or jmagid@adl.org. You can also CLICK HERE to view and print an evite. 
  
The Support Group Center of Jewish Family Service 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.

  

Bullying, Name-Calling and Cyberbullying: What Parents Need to Know
Did you know that ADL in Connecticut has been providing anti-bullying training for over the past 20 years and is considered an invaluable resource regarding this issue?
Wednesday, October 23 Program Opportunity, facilitated by Marji Lipshez-Shapiro, ADL Director of Education with members of the Greenwich High School "Names Can Really Hurt Us" team. Want to learn more about what is cyberbullying and how to address it with your child? See what ADL's Michelle Pincince, A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE Project Director for Connecticut, has to say in these two short YouTube videos.

Marji Lipshez-Shapiro, ADL Director of Education was recently quoted in:

For more information, please contact Lisa Ratcliff, Director of Development at 203-288-6500 x-304 or Janet Magid, Associate Director of Developement 203-288-6500 x-313.

 

 

Shining a Light on Human Trafficking in Connecticut 

LWVCT Education Fund Fall Conference 2013

Saturday, October 26, 2013 from 9:00am-12:30pm at the Connecticut Center for Arts and Technology (4 Science Park, New Haven, CT 06511).

 

Connecticut is not exempt from the modern scourge of human trafficking, which generates an estimated $32 billion per year worldwide.

How do people fall victim to trafficking?  How is our government working to identify and respond to trafficking?  Are our laws adequate to combat this modern form of slavery?  What can we do in our communities-meet a wonderful group of high school students who have taken direct action!  

 

The League of Women Voters of Connecticut's Education Fund 's annual Fall Conference will explore this important crime that is largely hidden from society.  

 

Click here for more information, to register or RSVP.

 

  •  CHAPTER 2: FOR EMPTY NESTERS 
  • BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP
  • JFS Rosh Hodesh It's a Girl Thing 7thGrade rogram 
  • REVERSAL OF FORTUNE
  • MAMMA MIA!
  • FOR SPECIAL BUBBIES AND ZAYDIES

 

Call  Lisa Smith, Executive Director, JFS at 203-622-1181 or email llsmith@jfsgreenwich.org for details and to register!