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.

Calendar

 

Wednesday, January 8
3:30 pm - Hebrew School @ GRS office

Thursday, January 9
3:30 pm - Hebrew School @ GRS office

Friday, January 10
6:30 pm - Tu b'Shevat Shabbat Seder @ St. Catherine of Siena Church, Riverside, CT

Sunday, January 12
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, January 14
3:30 pm - Hebrew School @ GRS office

Wednesday, January 15
3:30 pm - Hebrew School @ GRS office

Thursday, January 16
3:30 pm - Hebrew School @ GRS office
7:30 pm - Executive Bd. Mtg.

Friday, January 17
6:30 pm - Choir Shabbat Service @ St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Sunday, January 19
NO RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
NO HEBREW 102
NO ADULT ED

Monday, January 20
GRS OFFICE CLOSED
Martin Luther King Day

Tuesday, January 21
3:30 pm - Hebrew School @ GRS office

Wednesday, January 22
3:30 pm - Hebrew School @ GRS office

Thursday, January 23
3:30 pm - Hebrew School @ GRS office
7:30 pm - Board Meeting

Friday, January 24
6:30 pm - Shabbat Service @ GRS office

Sunday, January 26
9:00 am - Breakfast
9:30 am - Religious School
9:45 am - Rabbi's Advanced Beginner's Hebrew Class
10:30 am - Rabbi Rothman's Adult Ed Class

Tuesday, January 28
3:30 pm - Hebrew School @ GRS office

Wednesday, January 29
3:30 pm - Hebrew School @ GRS office
4:30 pm - B'nai Mitzvah Workshop @ GRS office

Thursday, January 30
3:30 pm - Hebrew School @ GRS office
7:00 pm - Rabbi's Torah Study Class

Friday, January 31
6:30 pm - Grades 4-5 Shabbat Service @ St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Torah Portion
January 11, 2013

Beshalach

 (Exodus 13:17-17:16)

The exodus from Egypt begins.  Pharoah, in a change of heart, pursues the Israelites to the Sea of Reeds.  Then, God parts the waters, allowing the Israelites to pass to freedom.  The Egyptians drown as the waters return.  In celebration of their freedom, Moses and Miriam lead the people in the poem known as "The Song at the Sea."  As the scene changes, the people rebel against Moses and Aaron.  The portion concludes with the attack by Amalek, who shall ever be known as Israel's antagonist.  

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

"Oh The Weather Outside Is Frightful..."

Dear Friends,

Though last Friday night snow, ice and arctic air conditions visited our town and so many portions of the country, our family was delighted that so many of our GRS family ventured outside to join us at our home for the first official service of 2014.  Within our family service, we experienced the beauty of Shabbat, celebrated our many blessings, and spoke with our children of the Jewish mandate to better the situation for those many individuals, both near and far, who experience on a daily basis what it means to be "left out in the cold." I was so proud of the many caring responses offered by both our children and adults, and of course wish to thank all those who continually support our on-going food and clothing drives.

This Shabbat, our attention will turn to the land of Israel, as we observe the earliest signs of spring, with our congregational Tu B'Shevat (the 15^th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat) seder.  Following the model of the Passover seder, with Haggadah in hand, we will celebrate the bounty of the earth, with a meal replete with fruits and vegetables native to the land of Israel.  In addition, we will enjoy a traditional Israeli style dinner. While the service will take place around the dinner table, Cantor Lipton and I will provide the opportunity for both the recitation of the Mi Shebeirach (prayer for healing) and Mourner's Kaddish.

Feel free to bring your favorite red or white wine or winter comfort food, and enjoy this Kabbalistic ritual with our GRS family. Of course guests are always welcome.

Thanks to our friends at St. Catherine of Siena, we will gather together in their lovely hall. Please contact Laura at the GRS office for details and to let us know that you will be with us.

With much warmth to all of you on this very cold day,

 Rabbi Andy

Dear Friends:

As we start a new secular year, I would like to add to our musical programs. In addition to our K-4th grade choir, B'nai Shir, I would like to start a 5th-9th grade choir if interest permits.

Please contact me if you would like more information.

Our GRS House Band is always looking for new members. If you are a teenager or adult looking to participate musically in our services, I would be happy to speak with you about it.

Looking forward to sharing more wonderful musical experiences with you.

B'Shalom,

Cantor Sabrina

Welcome back, Generation J! After long vacation, our students came together last week to learn about Tu B'Shevat and explored the variety of Jewish practices that come from the New Year of the Trees. Students all had a chance to plant, to learn a little Torah, and to taste a variety of fruit from trees. We also learned about Kibbutz Lotan, a Reform community in the Arava Desert of Israel, which takes the commandment of Shomer Adamah, guarding the earth very seriously. Members of Kibbutz Lotan recycle everything, creating the very buildings in which they live and work out of things most people would throw away! How does your family perform the commandment of Shomer Adamah? How is Tu B'Shevat a relevant holiday for our age?

Holiday Happenings is a monthly drop-off program for 3 and 4 year-olds on Sunday mornings from 9:30-11:30 am.

Children are immersed in a high energy learning environment, rich with the spirit of Judaism and community. Together, they will learn about their Jewish selves through song, dance, art, stories, fun, and friends!

Upcoming Dates:

January 12 - Tu b'Shvat (New Year of the Trees)

March 16- Purim

April 6 - Passover

May 4 - Israel Celebration

Participants need not be members of Greenwich Reform Synagogue to enroll:

Members-Free     Non-members-$125

For more information or to enroll, please contact Eliana Hall at eliana@grs.org.