Greenwich Reform Synagogue Newsletter

February 12, 2014 Adar 12 , 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

Shabbat Service

Exploring the Torah

Family Shabbat Service

Actors Wanted!

Sounds of the Shabbat blessings

Save the Date

Message from the Cantor

Tzedakah

Holiday Happenings

Shabbat Service Locations

Warm Clothing Drive

Adult Ed

Around the Community

Calendar

Thursday, February 13

NO TORAH STUDY CLASS

Friday, February 14

6:30 pm - Shabbat Service @ GRS office

Sunday, February 16

NO RELIGIOUS SCHOOL

NO ADULT ED WITH RABBI SKLARZ

10 am - Adult Ed with Rabbi Rothman @ the GRS Office

Monday, February 17

GRS OFFICE CLOSED

Tuesday, February 18

3:30 pm - Hebrew School @ GRS office

7:30 pm - Executive Board Meeting

Wednesday, February 19

3:30 pm - Hebrew School @ GRS office

Thursday, February 20

3:30 pm - Hebrew School @ GRS office

7:00 pm - Rabbi's Torah Study Class

Friday, February 21

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

Sunday, February 23

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, February 25

3:30 pm - Hebrew School @ GRS office

Wednesday, February 26

3:30 pm - Hebrew School @ GRS office

7:30 pm - Board Meeting

Thursday, February 27

3:30 pm - Hebrew School @ GRS office

7:00 Rabbi's Torah Study Class

Friday, February 28

6:30 pm - Grades 2-3 Shabbat Service @ St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Torah Portion
February 15, 2014

Ki TisaTetzaveh

(Exodus 30:11-34:35)

God delivers instructions on the making of the priestly vestments. The text goes on to describe the ordination ceremony of the first sacrificial service. A great census is taken, and a half-shekel is collected for the purpose of building the Mishkan (Tabernacle). God repeats the Laws of Shabbat and gives Moses the stone tablets inscribed by "the finger of God". the scene of the Golden Calf follows. Upon seeing the apostasy of the Golden Calf, Moses breaks the tablets, and the guilty are punished. After the entire ordeal, the covenant is renewed between God and the Israelite people.

Happy Birthday to...

Rebecca Nirschel
Daniel Kramer
Scott Gretz
Helen Stark
Marvin Berenblum
Gordon Coburn
Roni Rubins
William Berkley
Edward Fenwick
Ronnie Gurney

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

Shabbat Service Friday, February 14, 2014, 6:30 pm GRS Office, 1037 E. Putnam Ave., Riverside
Come join us for a Shabbat Service, led by Cantor Lipton, followed by an Oneg Shabbat.

Adult Ed with Rabbi Rothman Sunday, February 16, 2014, 10 am The GRS Office 1037 E. Putnam Avenue, Riverside, CT
Join Rabbi Rothman this Sunday morning for a stimulating Adult Ed discussion. This week's topic will be the development of Christianity based upon Jewish sources. All are welcome.

Exploring the Torah
Thursday evenings at 7:00 PM
at the GRS Office

Whether you are brand new to Jewish text or have studied it from childhood, the Torah always has something powerful, compelling, and new to say to each one of us at every juncture of our lives.

Regardless of your background, journey with us into the "classic of classics," as we explore the teachings and traditions which have been passed down from Sinai to the present day.

As a rabbi and clinical social worker, Rabbi Andrew R. Sklarz, spiritual leader of GRS, brings a unique and engaging approach to text study.

No previous Jewish study experience required for this free program.

Please contact Laura to register.

Family Shabbat Service & Dinner Friday, March 7, 2014, 6:30 PM The home of Rabbi & Susan Sklarz
Join us for a 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. *March birthdays will be given a special birthday blessing.

Actors Wanted for the Purim Schpiel! Friday, March 14, 2014 at 6:30 PM First Congregational Church 108 Sound Beach Avenue, Old Greenwich
We have scripts, we have music, we will even have great costumes, but in order for the show to go on, WE NEED ACTORS! To allay concerns, there will be no need for memorization of lines, and plenty of parts for those who wish to be seen but not heard. All interested, please contact Laura.

*Enjoy the Sounds of the Shabbat* blessings and melodies on www.grs.org**
Have you ever wanted to learn the Shabbat blessings and melodies, so that you can join us in the celebration of Shabbat? It's as easy as clicking here to listen to Cantor Sabrina, accompanied by GRS pianist and choir director David Johnson, as recorded by congregant and videographer, Michael Chait.

Choir Shabbat Service & Celebration in honor of David Johnson

March 21, 2014, 6:30 pm
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Riverside, CT

Greenwich Reform Synagogue and the GRS Choir invite you...

To join the congregation for a Shabbat celebration to honor David Johnson, our wonderful choir director and pianist, who has served GRS for 30 years!

Friday, March 21, 2014 at 6:30 PM

St. Paul's Episcopal Church

200 Riverside Avenue, Riverside, CT

Services will be followed by a celebratory

Oneg Shabbat, with generous hors d'oeuvres and desserts.

Please consider a contribution to GRS in honor of David Johnson as we will be presenting a gift to him.

Please click here to RSVP to ensure

that we have refreshments for all.

Message from the Cantor

Sabrina in Color

Dear Friends:

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

Tzedakah
Thank you for your generosity... Rabbi's Discretionary Fund Ann & Ken Greenberg 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.

Holiday Happenings

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:

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.

2014 Shabbat Service Locations All services begin at 6:30 pm unless otherwise noted
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. However, as our calendar is always subject to last minute changes, it's always best to check the website or the newsletter.

Warm clothing drive
During the cold winter months, GRS is undertaking a warm coat drive for those in need. Please bring coats, sweaters and other warm clothing, as well as sheets, towels and blankets, in good condition to the GRS office which we will donate to Neighbor to Neighbor.

Adult Ed - Winter 2014

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

Rabbi Robert Rothman, our Scholar in Residence, be leading a seminar on the Study of Jewish Contributions to Daughter Religions: Christianity and Islam. 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 are able. All are welcome.

Around the Community

Exciting News: Jewish Family Services of Greenwich is bringing its support group counseling program straight into your home via the Online Support Group Project (OSGP). Whether in person or online, support groups help participants gain sustenance and strength, feel less lonely and isolated, reduce distress, and improve coping skills.

Four different online support groups are being offered: bereavement, caregivers, new mothers, and for those who are chronically ill. JFS will provide confidential and secure video-conferencing services through its exclusive partnership with Vidyo, Inc.. As always, JFS support groups are facilitated by licensed, experienced social workers and confidentiality is strictly maintained. After an initial private assessment, participants will be given explicit instructions on how to enter the online support group. All one needs is access to the internet.

For more information, please visit the Support Group page on the new JFS website www.jfsgreenwich.org, or call 203-622-1881.

The JCC of Greenwich

has many exciting upcoming events for the months of January and February. To RSVP for any of these events, visit www.jccgreenwich.org or call 203-552-1818.

Babies and Bagels

Mah Jongg

Mommy and Me Pilates Class

With Owner and Certified Instructor Erica Christ

Iluminate: Artist of Light

JCC Cinema The A Word (Pilpelim Tzehubim)

Exclusive Tour Yale University Art Gallery With Assistant Curator Cathleen Chaffee

PJ Library StoryTime With Local Author Sarra Roth

All Joy and No Fun With Author Jennifer Senior

PJ Library C is for Challah!

Day out with Dad: Private Tour: Comic Book & Superhero Collection With Author/Artist Arlen Schumer