Shofar - February 2010
32
Shofar Shevat/Adar 5770 Jewish Family Congregation February 2010 www.jewishfamilycongregation.org From the Rabbi’s Desk page 1 The Religious School page 2 Early Childhood Center page 2 Service Schedule page 3 Oneg Schedule page 3 Shopping Card Form page 4 The President’s Message page 5 JFC Adults page 6 Ask the Rabbi page 8 Kids ask the Rabbi page 8 Anniversaries/Birthdays page 9 Social Action Committee page 10 Donations page 11 ECC Committee page 12 Promise Haggadah Form page 14 Miss Chocolate Form page 15 ECC Pictures page 16 RS Pictures page 17 JiFTY page 18 JiFTY Shul-In Form page 19 Donations Form page 20 Wise Parenting Workshops page 22 Summer Camp Reg Form page 23 Calendar page 31 From the Rabbi’s Desk As you probably saw in the news recently, a woman was arrested at the Western Wall of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem for the astounding crime of wear- ing a tallit to pray there. She is part of the group, Women of the Wall, who as- semble there at the beginning of every new Jewish month to pray; there are between 6 and 10 such Is- raeli women and whatever number of visiting support- ers they can muster. When I was in Israel in March, about 100 women rabbis, myself included, joined the group, and because we sang some of the prayers, brought down the wrath of the Orthodox men on the other side of the divider, and with that, the confusion and anger of the people hired to maintain calm at the Wall. These incidents raise again the question of what is authentic Jewish religious practice. The Orthodox clearly believe that they have the market cornered on that subject. In fact, in Israel, the world is divided into ―religious‖ and ―secular‖…but only those who practise Orthodoxy meet the definition of ―religious‖. Religious pluralism is alive and struggling in Israel, and with it, your right and mine to define ourselves as religious Jews. The gift of Reform Judaism is that it challenges each of us to define how we will be religious. The Orthodox believe that Reform Jews just cut to the chase and eliminate most rituals and customs in our practice of Judaism. But in fact, Reform asks us to study reli- gious practices (observing Shabbat; the dietary laws; wearing a kippah or tallit), learn their meaning and value, and then decide whether and to what extent these practices are of use to us, individually. It is true that, for lots of Reform Jews, the result is a reduction in religious practice, but it need not be so. A Christian colleague of mine has said a number of times that she regrets that she has no Sabbath day, no day on which she can rest and ―recharge her bat- teries‖, no day which is set apart from others, from work and chores and errands. The Lord‘s Day, Sun- day, is not characterized by the prohibitions against work which define Shabbat, and so the day is not sac- rosanct; lots of church committees meet on Sunday because of course, people are available that day, as they are not on weekdays. By contrast, synagogue committees do not meet on Shabbat. But that does not mean that we Reform Jews abide by Orthodox restrictions on Shabbat. Though halak- hah (Orthodox law) does not permit driving on Shab- bat, or handling money, or playing a musical instru- ment, or turning on/off electrical appliances, lights, etc, these are things many of us Reform Jews do. But we can choose to do these things in the spirit of Shabbat, which is for the purpose of refreshment and reinvigorating ourselves. We can drive to attend ser- vices; we can drive to visit friends; we can handle money to eat in a restaurant; we can handle money to attend a movie, a concert, a play. We can use electri- cal appliances to make meals we enjoy at a relaxed pace; to play music we don‘t otherwise get to listen to; to be in touch with friends we cannot reach during the hectic work week. All of these activities make Shabbat a special day, a day of pleasure and renewal. They do not conform to Orthodox standards…but they are meaningful in the context of a Reform observance of Shabbat. (Continued on page 9) The gift of Reform Judaism is that it challenges each of us to define how we will be religious. URJ Please Support Our Advertisers (pages 28-30)
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Jewish Family Congregation - Shofar - Chevat 5770 - February 2010
Transcript of Shofar - February 2010
Shofar Shevat/Adar 5770 Jewish Family Congregation February 2010
www.jewishfamilycongregation.org
From the Rabbi’s Desk page 1 The Religious School page 2 Early Childhood Center page 2 Service Schedule page 3 Oneg Schedule page 3 Shopping Card Form page 4 The President’s Message page 5 JFCAdults page 6 Ask the Rabbi page 8 Kids ask the Rabbi page 8
Anniversaries/Birthdays page 9 Social Action Committee page 10 Donations page 11 ECC Committee page 12 Promise Haggadah Form page 14 Miss Chocolate Form page 15 ECC Pictures page 16 RS Pictures page 17 JiFTY page 18 JiFTY Shul-In Form page 19
Donations Form page 20 Wise Parenting Workshops page 22 Summer Camp Reg Form page 23 Calendar page 31
From the Rabbi’s Desk
As you probably saw in the news recently, a woman was arrested at the Western Wall of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem for the astounding crime of wear-ing a tallit to pray there.
She is part of the group, Women of the Wall, who as-semble there at the beginning of every new Jewish month to pray; there are between 6 and 10 such Is-raeli women and whatever number of visiting support-ers they can muster. When I was in Israel in March, about 100 women rabbis, myself included, joined the group, and because we sang some of the prayers, brought down the wrath of the Orthodox men on the other side of the divider, and with that, the confusion and anger of the people hired to maintain calm at the Wall.
These incidents raise again the question of what is authentic Jewish religious practice. The Orthodox clearly believe that they have the market cornered on that subject. In fact, in Israel, the world is divided into ―religious‖ and ―secular‖…but only those who practise Orthodoxy meet the definition of ―religious‖.
Religious pluralism is alive and struggling in Israel, and with it, your right and mine to define ourselves as religious Jews.
The gift of Reform Judaism is that it challenges each of us to define how we will be religious. The Orthodox believe that Reform Jews just cut to the chase and eliminate most rituals and customs in our practice of Judaism. But in fact, Reform asks us to study reli-gious practices (observing Shabbat; the dietary laws; wearing a kippah or tallit), learn their meaning and value, and then decide whether and to what extent these practices are of use to us, individually. It is true that, for lots of Reform Jews, the result is a reduction in religious practice, but it need not be so.
A Christian colleague of mine has said a number of times that she regrets that she has no Sabbath day, no day on which she can rest and ―recharge her bat-teries‖, no day which is set apart from others, from work and chores and errands. The Lord‘s Day, Sun-day, is not characterized by the prohibitions against work which define Shabbat, and so the day is not sac-rosanct; lots of church committees meet on Sunday because of course, people are available that day, as they are not on weekdays. By contrast, synagogue committees do not meet on Shabbat.
But that does not mean that we Reform Jews abide by Orthodox restrictions on Shabbat. Though halak-hah (Orthodox law) does not permit driving on Shab-bat, or handling money, or playing a musical instru-ment, or turning on/off electrical appliances, lights, etc, these are things many of us Reform Jews do.
But we can choose to do these things in the spirit of Shabbat, which is for the purpose of refreshment and reinvigorating ourselves. We can drive to attend ser-vices; we can drive to visit friends; we can handle money to eat in a restaurant; we can handle money to attend a movie, a concert, a play. We can use electri-cal appliances to make meals we enjoy at a relaxed pace; to play music we don‘t otherwise get to listen to; to be in touch with friends we cannot reach during the hectic work week.
All of these activities make Shabbat a special day, a day of pleasure and renewal. They do not conform to Orthodox standards…but they are meaningful in the context of a Reform observance of Shabbat.
(Continued on page 9)
The gift of Reform Judaism is that it challenges each of us to define how we will be religious.
URJ
Please Support Our Advertisers (pages 28-30)
Page 2 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar February 2010
The Religious School by Leslie Gottlieb
It is said that home is where the heart is, but being home is much more. It means safety, love and security. All of a person‘s senses are awakened by the familiarity of its location and its con-tents. The sights and sounds stimulate a feeling of belonging. The smells and even the taste of what is eaten at this place is a reminder of something won-derful. There is no easy explanation as to why this is. Even so, as soon as I en-ter my own threshold, I do not need to take off my coat to feel my body relax and my spirits rise. The Early Childhood Center is a place just like that for our children and for their families.
You can tell from their happy faces when they arrive at school that the chil-dren are coming to their second home. All of their friends are there to great them, and as their teachers warmly wel-come them, the children hurry into the room where their favorite toys and learning materials are waiting for them. The praise and support given by the teachers encourage each child to try new things, accomplish tasks and im-prove skills. It really does not matter if the child is two, three or four. Each child feels challenged but never over-whelmed. There is always a feeling of safety even when the child is making mistakes because he or she feels at home. With no fear of failure children can persevere, be creative and achieve their potential. On February 24th the whole school will celebrate Purim with costumes, groggers, music and espe-cially hamantashen. What better place to celebrate than our second home, at JFC ECC. At this home children sing Purim songs with their friends, put on Purim plays, create Purim costumes, bake, smell and taste hamantashen. For the children the JFC ECC is a place of caring, safety, friendship and warmth. It is also a Jewish home away from home.
Our children thrive in this warm environ-ment but they are not the only ones who find the school a place of warmth and belonging. Our parents come to the Early Childhood Center with their chil-dren to meet other parents and to make life long friends. Both fathers and moth-ers interact with fellow parents at drop-
(Continued on page 12)
Early Childhood Center By Fern Tannenbaum
Jewish Family Congregation
Box 249 111 Smith Ridge Road
South Salem, NY 10590 Phone: (914) 763-3028 Fax: (914) 763-3069 e-mail: [email protected]
jewishfamilycongregation.org
Rabbi Carla Freedman [email protected]
Cantor Kerry Ben-David
School Director Leslie Gottlieb
[email protected] Early Childhood Center Director Fern Tannenbaum
[email protected] Temple Administrator
Jolie Levy [email protected]
Board Of Trustees David Tillem,
President 914-232-1630
Jeanette Sanders, Vice President;
Bill Pink, Secretary;
Andrew Serby, Treasurer; Carrie Kane Mark Lavin
David Marceau Richard Mishkin
Polly Schnell Nita Weissman
Elisa Zuckerberg and
Johanna Perlman, Past President
Shofar Editor Jolie Levy
Shofar Publisher
David Emmer
It was New Year‘s Eve. The place was Boston. It was cold but not as cold as it had been where the wind finds its way under your coat and up the cuffs of your pants-- and leaves you breathless. The crowds were out and about as it was First Night—a big deal in Bean Town where there are professional ice sculp-ture contests on the sidewalks and in the Common, where suddenly at dusk you find yourself in the middle of an offi-cial parade marching down Bolyston Street, where the streets are filled with people of all ages brandishing noise makers and sparkling hats, and where the smell of fried dough and beer per-meates the frosty night air. Everything was perfect more or less.
Then out of the corner of my eye I saw a small group of people with one of its members holding high in the air a homemade placard that read, “Israel is the Real Terrorist.” I stared at that sign for a long time as it was such a thorn in a night that promised so much for the coming year. To think that these people had this in mind for their New Year‘s Eve gathering was surprising to say the least. Couldn‘t it wait until the light of day? The whole world was cele-brating the beginning of a new year; the globe was unified for one moment, but not really.
The writing on that poster board was jarring. It was direct. There was no ambiguity in it for its author. The senti-ment was stinging for someone like me who feels connected emotionally to Is-rael and its people. But how do you find a way to defend your position in a situa-tion like that one? Where do you go with this? In what forum can this be dealt with fairly? It didn‘t feel good to simply walk away.
And that is where a solid Jewish identity is helpful. If you have an understanding of the history of the Jewish people and you feel strongly that Israel has a right to exist, there is doggedness in that be-lief that convinces you that one day the world will come to understand and ac-cept Israel for what it is. Whether you are a Jew who feels tied to Israel be-cause of its sacred history (a traditional interpretation of history revealing that Torah was given by G-d to the Jewish
(Continued on page 13)
Shevat/Adar 5770 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Page 3
Friday, February 5/Shevat 22 7:30 pm Parshat Yitro
3rd Grade Service & Oneg Shabbat
Friday, February 12/Shevat 29 7:30 pm Parshat Mishpatim
Shabbat Sh’kalim*
Friday, February 19/Adar 6 7:30 pm Parshat T’rumah
Friday, February 26/ Adar 13 7:30 pm Youth Group Service Parshat T’tzaveh
Shabbat Zakhor*
Saturday, February 27 10:00 am Shabbat morning service
Sunday, February 28/Adar 14 6:30 pm Purim Service
*one of the special Sabbaths leading up to Pesakh.
“It Will Be A Loverly PURIM”
&
"Esther Could Have Danced All Night "
"Aaoow", get your cockney accent ready!
"My Fair Maydel"
Hear your favorite songs from the Broadway hit!!
Join in singing with the JFC Players
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28th at 6:30pm No RAIN in SHUSHAN this year
Oneg Hosts
February 5 3rd Grade Class
February 12 Susan Westlake
Hal & Laurie Wolkin
February 19 Alex & Bonnie Wattles David & Ellen Tillem
February 26
Martin & Tracey Weisberg David Warren & Lauren Zeltzer
BOARD HOST
Mark Lavin (914) 232-0756
Please find a substitute if you cannot host your
assigned Oneg.
Please contact the JFC Office with the names of the
new hosts.
Please contact your Board Member if you have
any questions.
SERVICE SCHEDULE
CHOIR REHEARSAL
Monday, February 22 7:30 p.m.
at the home of Martie Gordon
If you are interested in joining the
choir, or for more information, please contact Kathy Storfer at
We welcome all adults 13 or older!
Page 4 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar February 2010
Shopping cards for many popular vendors you already shop at are available for purchase at the JFC
Office. Please review the list below, then indicate all cards you would like to purchase in the spaces
provided. Orders will be placed twice each month and will be available for pickup at the JFC Office in
about 7 days. They also make great gifts!
SHOPPING CARDS from JFC
Category/Vendor Denomination (please circle)
Quantity Total $ Category/Vendor Denomination (please circle)
Quantity Total $
Apparel & Accessories Entertainment A Pea in the Pod $25 Babbage's $25 A.J. Wright $25 Blockbuster Video $10 American Eagle $25 GameStop $25 Banana Republic $25 iTunes $25 Champs $25 Regal Cinemas $25 Express $20 United Artist Theatres $25 Fashion Bug $25 Grocery Finish Line $25 Giant Eagle $25, $100 FootAction USA $25 Giant Foods $25, $100 FootLocker $25 Peapod Online Grocery $25, $100 Gap $25 Safeway $25, $100 Kids Foot Locker $25 ShopRite $25, $100 L.L. Bean $25 Stop & Shop $25, $100 Lady Foot Locker $25 Home Land's End $25 Ace Hardware $25 Lane Bryant $25 Bed Bath & Beyond $25 Motherhood Maternity $25 HomeGoods $25 Old Navy $25 JoAnn Fabrics $20 Payless Shoe Source $20 Lowe's Home Improve- $25, $100 TJ Maxx $25 Pottery Barn $25, $100 Dining Williams-Sonoma $25, $100 Applebee's $25 Specialty Retailers Arby's $10 1-800-Flowers $25 Bob Evans $10 B. Dalton Books $10, $25 Burger King $10 Barnes & Noble $10, $25 California Pizza $10 Bath & Body Works $10, $25 Chili's Restaurant $20 Best Buy $25, $100 Cold Stone Creamery $5 Borders $10, $25 Cracker Barrel $10 Build A Bear Workshop $25 Domino's Pizza $5 Cabela's $25 Little Caesars $20 Claire's $10 LongHorn Steak House $25 CVS $25, $100 Macaroni Grill $20 Dick's Sporting Goods $25 Olive Garden $25 Office Depot $25, $100 On the Border $20 Office Max 25 Outback Steakhouse $25 Software, Etc. $25 Panera Bread $10 Staples $25, $100 Papa John's $10 Waldenbooks $10, $25 Perkin's Restaurant $20 Travel Pizza Hut $10 Choice Hotels $100 Starbucks $10, $25 Clarion Hotels $100 TGI Friday's $25 Comfort Inn $100 Wendy's $10 Courtyard by Marriott $50, $100 Department Stores Disney $25, $100, Bon-Ton $25 Fairfield Inn $50, $100 JCPenny $25, $100 Marriott Hotels $50, $100 Kmart $25, $100 Quality Inn $100 Kohl's $10, $25, $100 Rennaissance Hotels $50, $100 Macy's $25, $100 Residence Inn $50, $100 Marshall's $25 Sleep Inn $100 Sears $25, $100 TownePlace Suites $50, $100
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY:
ORDERED: ______ PYMT. REC'D: ______ CARDS REC'D: ______ PICKED UP BY: ____________________ ON: ________
FULL PAYMENT MUST ACCOMPANY ALL ORDERS. PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO JEWISH FAMILY
CONGREGATION. SORRY, NO CREDIT CARDS.
Name: ________________________Home/Cell Phone:__________ Email:_____________________
TOTAL ATTACHED: __________________
Shevat/Adar 5770 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Page 5
The President’s Message
ANNOUNCEMENTS: DIGITAL SHOFAR IS HERE!
by David Tillem
HELP JFC -- PURCHASE SHOPPING CARDS
Starting with this issue the Shofar is available through an e-mail link to the JFC website. Be green. Save JFC money. Save time. Try the Digital Shofar. To get you to consider accessing the Shofar through your computer, this month, and probably for several more months, the Shofar link will be e-mailed to all congre-gants for whom we have an e-mail address. Remem-ber, while you can receive multiple e-mail links for the Shofar, we will send each congregational family only one paper copy. If you want to receive the Shofar via e-mail link, you must reply to the broadcast e-mail sent out by Jolie Levy in early January 2010, or you can respond to the letter you received in the mail in mid-January. Shopping cards have been available for purchase at JFC for several months now. They are available through the JFC office whenever the office is open. To make it more convenient for you to purchase the Shop-ping Cards, on Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:15 pm and Sundays from 11:30 am to 12:15 pm a congregant will be taking orders. Bring your checkbook! Remember,
these Shopping Cards are for everyday use. They are not merely gift cards. Shopping Cards are available for Stop 'N Shop, CVS, iTunes, Macy's, Home Depot, Marriott Hotels, and numerous other vendors. The list is in the Shofar. Use them for your everyday needs. Each time you purchase a Shopping Card, JFC receives a small portion of the face amount. But, the Shopping Card costs you only the face amount and the face amount is the dollar amount that you can pur-chase. There is NO premium to you, the purchaser. Have you answered the Synagogue questionnaire from the Volunteer Management Committee?Please do so. Become engaged with your community and the synagogue. There are many opportunities. For those who wish to donate aid for the Haitian relief effort, there is a link available through the JFC website. B'Shalom,
David Tillem
Page 6 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar February 2010
JFC Adults By Jeanne Shanin, Adult Program Coordinator
It is always a pleasure to watch a film with Jewish con-tent together with other members of ―the tribe.‖ As a communal experience the movie watching is greatly enriched, not unlike the other communal experience, Jewish worship.
JFCAdults Movie Night features the Coen brothers‘ newest film, A Serious Man (2009), which lends itself to such a viewing experience. It is said to be a modern rendition of the biblical story of Job. However, it is darkly comedic and not serious as its title suggests:
Imaginatively exploring questions of faith, familial responsibility, delinquent behavior, dental phenomena, academia, mortality, and Judaism -- and intersections thereof -- A Serious Man (2009) is a black comedy from Academy Award-winning writer/directors Joel & Ethan Coen.
A Serious Man is the story of an ordinary man's search for clarity in a universe where Jefferson Airplane is on the radio and F-Troop is on TV. It is 1967, and Larry Gop-nik (Tony Award nominee Michael Stuhl-barg), a physics professor at a quiet Mid-western university, has just been informed by his wife Judith (Sari Lennick) that she is leaving him. She has fallen in love with one of his more pompous acquaintances, Sy Ableman (Fred Melamed), who seems to her a more substantial person than the feckless Larry. Larry's unemployable brother Arthur (Richard Kind) is sleeping on the couch, his son Danny (Aaron Wolff) is a discipline problem and a shirker at Hebrew school, and his daughter Sarah (Jessica McManus) is filching money from his wallet in order to save up for a nose job.
While his wife and Sy Ableman blithely make new domestic arrangements, and his brother becomes more and more of a bur-den, an anonymous hostile letter-writer is
trying to sabotage Larry's chances for ten-ure at the university. Also, a graduate stu-dent seems to be trying to bribe him for a passing grade while at the same time threatening to sue him for defamation. Plus, the beautiful woman next door tor-ments him by sunbathing nude.
Struggling for equilibrium, Larry seeks ad-vice from three different rabbis. Can any-one help him cope with his afflictions and become a righteous person -- a mensch -- a serious man?
Join us for the screening and discussion on Saturday, February 20th, 8 p.m., at the home of Alan & Jan Sanders (location to be confirmed).
UPCOMING
JFC Adults EVENTS:
Israeli Wine Tasting Saturday, March 20, 8 p.m.
Gallery Tour and Dinner
NEW DATE:
Saturday, April 17, 5:00 p.m.
WJCS JEWISH SPIRITUAL
HEALING CENTER OFFERINGS FOR WINTER
This winter the WJCS Jewish Spiritual Healing Center is offering a variety of programs including Spiri-tual Support Groups, Spiritual Journeying Groups and Healing Services. For information go to http://tinyurl.com/wjcsJHC or contact Rabbi Pamela Wax, WJCS Spiritual Care Coordinator, at
[email protected] or 914-761-0600 X149.
Shevat/Adar 5770 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Page 7
JFC Adults
Saturday
February 20,
8:00 p.m.
Viewing
followed by
Refreshments
Where: The home of Alan & Jan Sanders (to be confirmed) South Salem, NY RSVP & Jeanne Shanin at [email protected] or Directions: (914) 763-3028 ext. 10 or (914) 763-5652
A film by a famed movie-making duo, Academy Award-winning writer/directors Joel & Ethan Coen.
Hollywood‘s brilliant mavericks, the Coen brothers, are no strangers to classical literature. Now
they delve into Biblical (or, if you prefer, Talmudic) literature – specifically the Book of Job – for
their latest, A Serious Man. If you have even a rudimentary knowledge of the Book of Job how-
ever, the whole thing actually makes perfect sense; and more than that, it becomes one of the
most intelligent and profound films of the year.
Page 8 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar February 2010
Kids ask the Rabbi ASK THE RABBI
Question: What is tzedakah and why is it so im-portant?
Answer: The word tzedakah is often translated as “charity,” but that does not really express what it means. A better translation would be the right thing to do…because the word comes from the He-brew root meaning “right” or “correct.”
Jewish tradition teaches us that God could have made the world without any deficiencies, problems, etc…but God chose not to do that, so the world is full of war, poverty, disease, etc. And God has challenged humanity to fix those things…because it is not right that some should have to live where people are fighting each other; that some people have plenty of everything while others don’t even have enough to eat; that some should be healthy while others are very sick.
So, fixing those things is…the right thing to do.
Some of it we can fix by sharing what we have with others, as we do when we give food items to the Community Center in Katonah, so that people who don’t have the money to shop in grocery stores can get food to eat.
Some of it we can fix by praying for peace, and by choosing officials who will work for peace.
And some of it we can fix by sending money to or-ganizations that do research to cure diseases or do other things to help sick people.
Sometimes, we cannot go to the places where our help is needed, like Haiti, after the earthquake. But we can send money to the organizations that are there to help…so that they can do more for the people of Haiti.
And we do all these things because…it is the right thing to do.
By doing these things to make the world a better place, we become partners with God.
This is a very important teaching in Judaism, be-cause it reminds us that we have an obligation to help others, not just ourselves. Being part of the community here and the community of the whole world requires that we actively help it to be a bet-ter place for all.
So please bring in some coins each week for tzedakah, and be a partner with JFC, our Religious School…and with God…in making the world a better place for all.
Question: I have noticed that, after Moses arrives on the scene in Exodus, practically every paragraph in the Torah seems to begin with: ―Adonai spoke to Moses, saying‖. Why is this repeated over and over again?
Answer: The Torah clearly tells us that the entire household of Israel was assembled at the foot of Mt. Sinai when the Ten Commandments were revealed (Ex. 19:17). But the people were terrified of the ex-perience of God‘s presence, and they asked Moses to be their intermediary, to get the message directly from God and then relay it to them (Ex. 20:15-18).
Thereafter, it was apparently necessary to remind the people that the message delivered by Moses was not of his creation, but rather, that it came from God through Moses, as they had requested.
So, each time that phrase recurs, it is there to remind the Israelites of the real source of the instructions they were receiving.
It is a very simple device used to authenticate the commandments transmitted by Moses on behalf of God. And it occurs so often that it goes largely unno-ticed, even by those who read Torah (either in He-brew or in translation) often.
Good for you, for catching it!!
A JEWISH LOOK AT CHRISTIANITY
In this country, with its commitment to separation of church and state, it is possible, even likely, that most Jews who attend public school will have little educa-tion in the religion that most dominates the culture around us, Christianity.
If that describes your knowledge of Christianity, have we got a program for you!
Rabbi Freedman has studied Christianity, both aca-demically and out of interest, and is offering a three-week program on Christianity from a Jewish perspec-tive.
Tuesday, February 26: The origins and spread of
Christianity. Tuesday, March 2: Christian beliefs and practices Tuesday, March 9: The different communities that
make up Christianity
All events will take place at JFC at 7:30 pm, and all
adults are welcome: come and fill in the gaps in your knowledge. Please let the rabbi know of your inten-tion to attend these programs.
Shevat/Adar 5770 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Page 9
Similarly, we can choose to observe some form of die-tary restriction to make ourselves more conscious of the relationship between humans and the planet. Some advocate eating organic food; others promote eating locally produced food; some argue against eat-ing animals; others object to fast food; still others criti-cize the consumption of genetically altered foods. All of these concerns speak to the matter of sustaining the planet and human life as but one element of it; many of the advocates who ―preach‖ these causes do so with ―religious‖ zeal…and can teach us a lot about the spiritual side of eating. Why not invest your dietary practices with some meaning besides slaking hunger? Why not develop practices to make you think about what you eat and how it comes to your plate? Pausing long enough to say a blessing before eating (the famil-iar Jewish practice, of course) can lead you to these questions, and even to some answers.
If there is one thing Reform has done extremely well, it is to focus our attention on the notion that the world has been created with imperfections (war, disease, poverty, homelessness, etc) specifically to challenge humanity to correct those flaws and bring about a time of peace, health, and shared plenty ….tikkun olam. Taking on projects to improve these conditions in the world is a way to reach outside ourselves. It is a way of acknowledging our part in making the world a better place for everyone. We can be very proud of the ex-tent to which Reform Judaism has responded to the challenge of the ancient prophets of Israel, to make our world better. And we can be very proud of the way JFC has responded to the needs of people in our own area, people in Israel, and people all over the globe.
So we can be proud of the values of our Reform heri-tage, and we can define ourselves as religious Reform Jews, if we take seriously the teachings of our tradi-tion. We must resist the efforts of the Orthodox to de-fine us out of Jewish religious practice, and we must support the efforts of the Reform and Conservative movements in Israel to establish Jewish religious plu-ralism there.
Their struggle is for our benefit. So don‘t think that you are far removed from these incidents that happen in Israel every month. Instead, please acknowledge that those who defy the Orthodox monopoly on religious life in Israel are fighting for your religious freedom as well. Wish them strength and courage, and if you can, send them financial encouragement to continue the battle on your behalf. Or send them letters of support. They thrive on the sense that we are with them in this cause. You can reach them by email at [email protected] (IRAC = Israel Religious Action Cen-ter, a part of the Israeli Reform movement), to convey your solidarity with them.
Be a proud and active Reform Jew!
(Continued from page 1)
Elizabeth Amerling Kenneth Aufsesser
Kase Aufsesser Lowell Berg Blake Berg Lisa Block
Joshua Blum Zander Bolgar Peter Breslin
Michael Carson Rosie Ceisler
Jillian Chipman Jeff Dodes
David Eisenberg Ethan Falconer Guss Firestein Leah Friedman
Victoria Friedman Iris Glass
Justin Glassman Alyssa Goldman Jacob Hellinger Iliana Hellinger Donn Henshaw Drew Hoffman Eugene Kahn David Kane Carrie Kane Adam Kirker Ryan Kirker
Hannah Klotz
Benjamin Kurlander Yvonne Lerner Paula Levine
Claire Lichtman Robi Margolis Gary Mathias
Daniel Minnock Morgan Minnock Thomas Minnock Helaine Mizrahi
Johanna Perlman Joseph Pink Jennifer Pink Joel Portnoy
Adam Portnoy Aviva Salpeter Ethan Serby
Zachary Sheptin Alan Sheptin
Ellen Shurak Goldstein Alan Simon
Zachary Sobel Barbara Strongin
Mollie Tessler Pia Vandervelden
Jill Waldman Zayla Waldman Michael Waxman Nita Weissman Laurie Wolkin
YAHRZEITS
From the Rabbi’s Desk (cont’d)
ANNIVERSARIES
BIRTHDAYS
Bessie Belsky
Joseph Drawec Joan Dzaluk
Sarah Feldman
Gertrude Fischberg
Yetta Freedman Walter Goldman
John Grzymala
Gertrude Hodes Miriam Isaacs
Ruth Kahn
Charlene Lavin
Philip Levens Solomon Lichtbach
Irving Reichenthal
June Rosenfeld
Joseph Rosenhouse Jacob Stern
Arthur Stoll
Hyman Tillem Norton Worster
David & Carrie Kane
Page 10 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar February 2010
The JFC Social Action Committee by Debbie Lavin
In the wake of the earthquake disaster in Haiti, our community has come together to try to do what we can to help – tikkun olam. It is so important that we give what we can, financially, to help the relief work. On our JFC website, you will find the links to several organizations whereby you may give donations. Sev-eral of them are: Disaster Relief Union for Reform Judaism American Jewish World Service Haiti Earthquake Re-lief Fund Secure donation page to Doctors without Borders and further info can be had from Rachel Maddow at [email protected]
The new system of donating through a text message was highly successful, yielding $22 million for the Red Cross in the first 5 days after the quake. Sending a text message to 90999, with the message of the word haiti, will donate $10 to the American Red Cross, charged to your cellular phone company bill. Similar arrangements have been made to donate to at least 6 or 7 organizations, including the Clinton Foundation, which uses the text number of 20222 with the message of the word haiti for a dona-tion to their Haiti relief fund of $10.
It is encouraging to see how so many people have given generously so quickly. JFC has designated Haiti Disaster Relief as the Tzedakah of the Month for February.
Our next Midnight Run is scheduled for April, 2010. We need to start building up our supply of gently used men's clothing. When you come to the temple, would you please bring along a donation? We are especially in need of jeans, hoodies, backpacks, blan-kets, new socks and new jockey-style underwear. Specialty toiletries such as toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shaving cream and disposable razors are
always appreciated. You can continue to drop these off at JFC in the marked boxes in the hallway near the restrooms. If you are interested in coming on the April Run, or in making meals to give to the clients, please contact Debbie or Jeanette at the email addresses or phone numbers listed.
We continue to be interested in doing a Habitat for Humanity volunteer day in Westchester County. This organization helps to build or renovate homes for peo-ple in need. If you'd like to participate, please call or email Debbie or Jeanette.
Want to help? Call Debra Lavin (232-0756) or
Jeanette Sanders (763-0311)
Are you a Breast Cancer survivor? Westchester Jewish Com-
munity Services is looking for your help in creating a brand
new program for women in the Jewish community newly diag-
nosed with Breast Cancer and facing it alone. Volunteers will be asked to participate in a series of focus groups about their
journey through Breast Cancer. Your input will be vital! To
volunteer, or for more information, please contact Jessica
Cigale at (914) 761-0600 x140.
The Tzedakah of the Month For
FEBRUARY is
"DISASTER RELIEF FOR HAITI"
Visit our website at
www.jewishfamilycongregation.org
for a list of suggested links
Selected by the
JFC Social Action Committee
Shevat/Adar 5770 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Page 11
Changing Of The Guard By Rabbi Freedman
In an organization that is predominantly run by volun-teers, it is both inevitable and desirable that there will be changes in leadership from time to time.
A year ago, David Emmer stepped in as chair of the Ritual Committee, after Chuck Cohen retired follow-ing many years of service in that role. At the time, David offered his services for a year, and he has va-cated the position as promised; he will continue as a member of the committee.
David has been a member of this committee for a long time, and during his year as chair, guided us toward the production of an operational manual for the logis-tics of every festival observance, so that, if necessary, a person new to the committee could step in and or-ganize the occasion seamlessly; the members of the committee have researched and compiled the sepa-rate sections of the manual, to cover all of the festi-vals. This will be very helpful, especially as we ap-proach the High Holy Days without the involvement of our recently retired administrator, Paul Turnley. Under David‘s direction, different members of the committee have taken responsibility for ―producing‖ different fes-tivals, as well.
This year, Michael Salpeter ―produced‖ the High Holy Days, using the material that Chuck Cohen had cre-ated to schedule and manage the many components of these important events; the Holy Days went smoothly, thanks both to Chuck‘s previous work and Michael‘s diligent following in his footsteps. Michael occasionally chants Torah on a Friday evening, and has, for the last couple of years, been the gabbai (prompter) during the Torah services at the High Holy Days. He has been on the Ritual Committee for many years, and is a worthy heir to Chuck and David and all their predecessors.
Now Michael has agreed to chair the Ritual Committee, and will continue to steer it towards a more philoso-phical than hands-on approach to the religious life of the congregation, now that the logistics are well docu-mented and preserved.
This is a very important committee in the life of the congregation…and it is in need of more members. If you are interested in joining this group of hard-working and thoughtful people, please contact Rabbi Freedman, or Michael Salpeter (845.279.4738).
When next you see David, please thank him for his dedicated service, and when you see Michael, wish him well in his new responsibilities.
General Fund
Stephen & Roberta Margolis In Memory Of Bernard Shuler Clifford & Retta Morris Donation Alayne Vlachos In Honor Of the Kindness of Lila Gordon
Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund
Suzanne Sunday In Memory Of Ruth Rothway Suzanne Sunday In Memory Of Ruth Davis Milton & Pearl Feldman The Yahrzeit of Nathan Bell Clifford & Retta Morris Donation David & Stephanie Eisenberg The Yahrzeit of Betty Shulman
JFC WELCOMES
NEW MEMBERS
DR. MARK FREY & LAUREN CANNO
and their children
Richard, Jaden Sky and Isana
Donations to JFC Last Month
Page 12 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar February 2010
off or pick-up to ask questions, joke with each other and set times for their children‘s play dates. In addi-tion to these casual meetings, the Early Childhood Committee wants to make sure that parents have the opportunity to meet and socialize with each other. To that end parenting workshops have been planned. The first of a three part series titled, ―Wise Parenting for the Preschooler,‖ was given by Alexis Johnson, PhD, on January 11th. It was very well attended and all who participated really learned much information about parenting their preschoolers. The next two ses-sions will take place on February 1st and March 15th at 7:30 P.M. Alexis Johnson is a member of JFC who has very generously given her time and professional expertise to benefit the Early Childhood Center. The parents and I are extremely grateful for her gift and for becoming a part of our ECC family. Additionally, Ellen Weisberg, LMSW, M.Ed., has already given her first morning presentation on, ―Our Thrilling Threes,‖ on January 25th to an appreciative group. Her next discussion and coffee is called, ―The Fantastic Fours and Kindergarten Readiness‖ which will take place on March 1st. All ECC parents and members of JFC are welcome to attend and meet Ellen who comes to us from our Board of Jewish Education Grant titled Pro-ject SEED. In addition, the Early Childhood Commit-tee has organized a special cooking lesson offering Moms an evening out together to learn, chat, and re-lax with each other.
It is evident that the JFC ECC provides a home-like environment for everyone. In fact, our parents are even involved with decorating our home to make it more welcoming for our children. The Early Childhood Committee recently held a fundraiser they called an, ―Auction‖ but it really was a ―Refurnishing‖ event. Our parents and other donors generously contributed money to enable our school to look as beautiful as it is welcoming. They raised $1595 which was used to purchase specific play kitchen pieces, play dishware and cookware, toys and career dress-up costumes. The children are really enjoying their new things which make playing in their classrooms even more exciting. I am so proud of our beautiful new pieces but not nearly as proud as I am of our wonderful family of parents, children and friends of the Early Childhood Center.
Being at home often means being with family and I look forward to joining my extended family every day I come to school. The teachers playfully joke with each other, the children smile and show me something they have brought to school and the parents greet me warmly. The Rabbi, Leslie Gottlieb the Religious School Director, Jolie Levy the Temple Administrator and Ellen Tillem the Office Assistant, are always there to support our school and me. Before I even take off my coat I can feel my body relax and my spirits rise. I‘m home.
(Continued from page 2)
Early Childhood Center (cont’d)
ECC Committee By Diane Richman
The principal purpose of the Early Childhood Center (―ECC‖) Committee is to develop and implement ideas and methods to enhance the nursery school. This year the ECC Committee has been very busy. One focus has been on making improvements to the nurs-ery school classrooms.
To this end, the ECC Committee held a Fundraiser in December to raise monies to purchase and update the learning stations in the classrooms. Through the gen-erous donations of ECC families and relatives, I am happy to report that the Committee‘s fundraising goals were reached and the following items were purchased for the ECC and are presently being enjoyed by our children in the classrooms: 3 Wooden Play Kitchen Sets (3 Stoves, 2 Refrigerators, 2 Sinks), 6 Kitchen Accessory Sets (pots, pans, plates, cups, utensils, etc.), 12 Community Helper Dress-up Costumes (including firefighter, doctor, police officer, chef, nurse, and construction worker dress-up), a Window Block Set, and a Wooden Dollhouse with Wooden Furniture and Doll Family.
The ECC Committee would like to thank the following individuals for their donations to the ECC Fundraiser: Lee Goldstein and Charles Dockter, Linda Leder-man and John Grzymala, Iris and Jonathan Glass, Diane and Andrew Richman, Susan Greenberg-Shapiro and Aaron Shapiro, Marjorie Schiff and Jack Wilson, Meredith and Eric Rudin, Alison Brodoff and Dr. Daniel Jon Brodoff, Martin and Florence Richman, Gene and Phyllis Fernbach, Elise and Andrew Serby, Hallie and Mark Benson, Lydia and Richard Hellinger, Sherry Levin Wallach and Clifford Wallach, Stacey and Jordan Neumann, Sara and Evan Manes, Cheryl Chess and Aaron Lichtman, Dr. Charles Serby and Elvira Serby, Marlene Serby, Richard Davgin, Richard and Victo-ria Herrick, Gillian and Jeffrey Margolin, Rachel Af-rick-Clott and Jonathan Clott, Kristine and Edward Grossman, Ludmila and Howard Samuels, Joanne Moses, Harvey and Helen Margolin, Robert and Joyce Moses, David and Ilene Africk, Rabbi Carla Freedman, and Fern Tannenbaum.
Looking ahead, the ECC Committee has planned sev-eral events for the upcoming months including Parent-ing Seminars, a Healthy Cooking Class and Mom‘s Night Out, a Clothing Drive to benefit the Westchester Community Center, and other programs for ECC fami-lies. There is a lot happening at the ECC. For more information, please contact me at [email protected]. Thank you to the ECC Com-mittee members for all your help this year.
Shevat/Adar 5770 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Page 13
The Religious School (cont’d)
people and the land of Israel to the Jews, as well) or someone driven by its academic history (whereby his-torical records, artifacts, diaries, etc. help to paint a picture of the past not necessarily owing anything to G-d), we all have opinions on Israel‘s place in the world. My opinion is incontrovertible about Israel‘s right to exist-- but I am open to discussions about Is-rael‘s political life. Israel is no terrorist state in my mind, but a country who knows that protecting itself is first and foremost.
With Purim nearly upon us, Jews can reflect on a time when our very existence as a people was in question. The accuracy of the story that tells us how Queen Esther saved her people is not one to sway academic historians, perhaps, but the tale has its place in Jew-ish cultural history, for sure. There is a lesson here worth passing onto our kids because we, as a people, have faced persecution since biblical times and we can use this story as a way to share a sense of pride held by Jews like Esther. Now she was a proud Jew! In a world always driven by fear of the stranger, Jews throughout history have been viewed as the stranger, the interloper, those responsible for things gone wrong. Sorry, Haman… not this time. It is precisely why we must continue to teach our children to be proud Jews. Now how does one teach pride? Pride is something that grows from a seed planted. Having just celebrated Tu B‘ Shevat at Religious School, we understand the need to appreciate seeds in nature.
I think that teaching our children important concepts of Jewish history and Jewish values --- and modeling these values for our kids helps them to create a Jew-ish identity that can lead to a sense of Jewish pride. But, how can you feel proud if you don‘t know what there is to be proud of? The Religious School teaches many things to our children besides prayers, Hebrew and historical facts. We try to impart an emo-
tional component so that our students feel connected Jew-ishly. Being part of a community of learners with some-thing in common helps, too, to create this sense of be-longing. We are the “them” in the car-toon included in this column. Although others may point us out, we can be proud of that, too. We are something terrific together--- and this connected-
ness has kept our culture strong for so long. We are a family across the planet and we need to know who we are because the rest of the world may have ques-tions.
As JFC school registration is beginning this month, I know I can count on parents of our K through 7th grad-ers to do their part in registering their children (remember to take advantage of those early-bird rates!!!). It‘s the students who are post-Bnai Mitzvah (after grade 7) whom I care to attract to our programs more than anyone. In the rabbi‘s Confirmation Class (a two-year program for students in grades 8 & 9), the kids have a chance to discuss issues like the one that affected me in Boston last month. This is a wonderful round-table for teenagers to ask ques-tions and discuss all of the possibilities with a Jewish perspective. Our Student Mentors (grades 9 and up) become role models for our younger students and in the process learn what being Jewish really means to them. In our Youth Group (grades 8-12) our teen-agers make their own way in the world as Jews and bring their own vision back to JFC to share with oth-ers. They have their own Jewish community here that reflects a shared agenda.
So thank you for giving us, as a school, the opportu-nity to help mold your children into knowledgeable Jews who can one day make sense of a world that does not always look kindly upon us as a people and supporter of Israel. We hope that once they go off to college (it happens, trust me), they can go out into the world and feel proud of being Jews. Being Jewish is special and, at the school, you can bet we‘ll do our part to help them feel proud of their shared heritage. We can make signs, too, and we should!!!
(Continued from page 2)
Toddah Rabbah from the Religious School to…
All of the 7th grade parents and students who will make this year‘s Purim Carnival (February 28th from 12-2 PM) our best ever! This year we’ll have a 50’ long climb-through caterpillar de-livered here to help with the festivities! Re-member to dress up! Five free school shek-els to any RS student who dresses up that day!!!
All of the parents who came to “Bring a Parent to Religious School” the end of last month
The Youth Group for planning a JFC Shabbat service scheduled for Friday, February 26th and their “shul-in” that same night.
Page 14 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar February 2010
JFC RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
Proudly Presents
PROMISE HAGGADAH Reinforce what your children learn at school and celebrate Passover traditions with this BEAUTIFUL Haggadah that has your name printed right on in! We encourage you to purchase these personalized family Haggadahs for everyone at your Seder table and introduce them to your extended family and friends as well.
The Promise Haggadah is a forever keepsake. It offers a complete, beautiful and concise Passover Seder for everyone! Your children will understand the Passover concepts, and adults will enjoy the interpretations and illustrations!
Haggadah orders are due no later than Sunday, February 11, 2010 Please complete the order form with a check made payable to JFC Religious School 25% of all Haggadah sales are donated directly back to JFC Religious School No minimum order! Don’t forget anyone at your Seder table Haggadahs may be personalized with a first name: “Rachel’s Haggadah” Each student that sells 10 or more Haggadahs will receive a special gift that will be sent with
his/her Haggadah order
To see a color sample, visit their website at www.PersonalizedHaggadahs.com
For additional information, contact Leslie Gottlieb at 914-763-3028
Shevat/Adar 5770 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Page 15
Page 16 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar February 2010
. . . The Yellow Room . . .
. . . The Blue Room . . .
. . . The Green Room . . .
. . . Creation Station . . .
Shevat/Adar 5770 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Page 17
. . . The Religious School . . .
Tu B’Shevat
Save S’derot
Page 18 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar February 2010
JiFTY
Please join us on Friday, February 26, 7:30 p.m.
as the youth group (JiFTY) leads the JFC Congregation
service
Shevat/Adar 5770 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Page 19
JFC Religious School Youth Group (JiFTY)
Shul-In Friday, February 26th, 2010
JiFTY will be hosting the Friday night Shabbat service for JFC which will be followed by a Shul-In
(a sleep-over for JiFTY/NFTY members in grades 8-12 only)
7th grade JFC Religious School students are cordially invited to join us for the service. Please arrive by 7:30 PM.
7th graders should be picked up on Friday evening by 10:30 PM.
All 8-12th graders should arrive at 5:30 for dinner and a social mixer.
Those staying over until Saturday morning must be picked up by 8:45 AM.
THINGS YOU MIGHT WANT TO BRING *Sleeping bag *Toiletries *Pillow
***Please return the permission slip below with the fee enclosed. Checks should be payable to JFC Religious School***
I give my permission for my son/daughter (named below) to attend the overnight Shul-In at Jewish Family Congregation from Friday, February 26th thru Saturday, February 27th.
Name: _____________________________________ Home Number: ____________________________ Parent Name: _______________________________ Cell Number: _____________________________ Parent Signature: ____________________________ Date: ___________________________________
In case of emergency, whom should we contact? Name: _____________________________________ Phone Number: ____________________________ *Please alert us of any allergic needs.
Deadline for registration for all: Monday, Feb. 22
$20 for JiFTY members, and for non-members who register before February 12th
$25 for non-members who register after February 12th
(the cost includes dinner and bagel breakfast) PROGRAM IS FREE FOR SEVENTH GRADERS
and no permission slip is required (just a phone call to the RS office: 763-3028) !!!!!!!
*Part of the proceeds of the event will go to: Jaffa Institute/Israel
Page 20 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar February 2010
Donation Form for Simchas, Memorials, and Tzedakah
A wonderful way to honor those we love is to make a contribution to Jewish Family
Congregation to commemorate anniversaries, birthdays, births, b'nai mitzvah, confirmations, engagements, graduations, retirements, weddings, yahrzeits or other occasions.
Funds to which Contributions of Any Amount are Welcome
______ Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund ______ General Fund ______ Religious School Fund ______ Grounds Beautification Fund
______ Religious School Student Scholarship Fund ______ Music & Choir Fund
______ Early Childhood Center Fund ______ Caring Committee Fund ______ Building & Adult Programming Endowment ______ High Holiday Appeal
Contributions of Designated Amounts
______ Prayer Book ($50) ______ Sanctuary Chair Plaque ($150)
______ Tree of Life Simcha Leaf ($180)
______ Memorial Board Plaque ($450) ______ Annual Sustaining Member ($750)
Donor Name:_______________________________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________________________
City/State: ____________________________________________ Zip: _______________
In Honor/Memory (circle one): ________________________________________________
On the Occasion of: _________________________________________________________
In addition to the donor, please send an acknowledgement card to:
Name: ___________________________________________________________________
Address:__________________________________________________________________
City/State: __________________________________________ Zip: _________________
Make check payable to “Jewish Family Congregation” and mail with this form to:
P.O. Box 249, South Salem, NY 10590
Questions? Call: (914) 763-3028, fax: (914) 763-3069 or e-mail: [email protected]
Thank you for generous support of the Jewish Family Congregation
Shevat/Adar 5770 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Page 21
All are welcome to attend
this year’s…
JFC PURIM CARNIVAL
Next Month!!
Come play inside the
Giant Inflatable
Caterpillar! Hosted by JFC
parents and students of JFC’s Bnai Mitzvah
Class of 2010
Date: Sunday, February 28th
Time: 12:00- 2:00 P.M.
(Reminder: RS 4th - 6th graders will attend from 11 a.m. - noon. Bring spending $!).
Page 22 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar February 2010
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I will attend the three workshops of Wise Parenting for the Preschooler and have enclosed my $20 cash or
check made out to JFC Early Childhood Center.
Name_____________________________________________________________________________
Address____________________________________________________________________________
Phone number__________________________________email_______________________________
Please bring or mail with your payment to:
Jewish Family Congregation Early Childhood Center
111 Smith Ridge Road, Box 249, South Salem NY 10543 For more information call 914.763.3028 or email [email protected]
Presents a series of three workshops:
Wise Parenting for the Pre-Schooler
Please join us to learn from Alexis Johnson,
Ph.D. about effective and appropriate parenting approaches to use with young children. As a
clinical psychologist, Alexis Johnson is an ex-pert in her field, teaches child development to psychologists and travels all over the world to
share her knowledge. She will be running three separate workshops on parenting :
Give Your Child Self-Confidence Learn many varieties of praise and their positive consequences and the nega-tive consequences of ‗Praise Spoiling‘. Discover what young children need to develop into happy social beings.
Monday, January 11, 2010 - 7:30 PM ____________
Build Your Child’s Self Control Learning to wait is one of the best predictors of later problem solving skills and prepares your child for goal oriented school activities. You will learn specific techniques to help your child practice waiting and how to teach your child to calm him or herself.
Monday, February 1, 2010 - 7:30 PM ____________
Saying No and Meaning It Even though we need to say lots of ‗yes‘ to convey our love and respect, we need to say ‗no‘ clearly and without anger. Learn how to make your rules clear and age-appropriate and how to guide your child‘s behavior.
Monday, March 15, 2010 - 7:30 PM
$20 for all three sessions
Shevat/Adar 5770 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Page 23
Summer Fun At Jewish Family Congregation REGISTRATION FORM
Summer 2010
Child’s Name:________________________Gender M/F_________Nickname:_______________________
Birth date:_______________________
Street Address:____________________________________________________________________
Mailing Address:___________________________________________________________________
Home Phone:________________________________ E-mail:_______________________________
Fall 2010 my child will be attending:
(check one) 3 year old class:________ 4 year old class: _______ Kindergarten: _______
School :______________________
Parent name:____________________ Daytime Phone:__________________ Cell:_____________
Parent name:____________________ Daytime Phone:__________________ Cell:_____________
Siblings Name:_________________________birthdate:________________________________ Name:_________________________birthdate:________________________________ Name:_________________________birthdate:________________________________
Local emergency contacts:
Name:__________________________ Phone#_____________________ Cell:_________________
Name:__________________________ Phone#_____________________ Cell:_________________
Child‘s Doctor_______________________________________Phone#_______________________
Allergies:_________________________________________________________________________
Special Needs/Services (past or present):
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
My child will attend JFC Summer Fun: Week of 6/28: _____________ 3 day/5 day (circle one) Week of 7/5: _____________ 3 day/5 day (circle one) Week of 7/12: _____________ 3 day/5 day (circle one) Week of 7/19: _____________ 3 day/5 day (circle one) Week of 7/26: _____________ 3 day/5 day (circle one) Week of 8/2: _____________ 3 day/5 day (circle one) If we run camp week of 8/9 would you be interested?_____________ The fee for JFC Summer Fun is $210 per week/ 5 day, $180/3 day. A $50 per week non-refundable deposit
is required with this form. The balance must be paid no later than April 15, 2009. If you have any questions, or would like more information please call:
Jane Emmer (camp director) 914-325-9065
Page 24 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar February 2010
Now Registering for Fall 2010
Limited Spaces Available for 2’s, 3’s and 4’s
Don’t let your child miss out
All registration forms are available on our website:
www.jewishfamilycongregation.org
Click on Education, then ECC
Shevat/Adar 5770 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Page 25
2010-2011 Religious School
Registration
All forms available now at: www.jewishfamilycongregation.org
Registration periods:
(rates increase each period)
Early: Feb. 10-Mar. 17 Regular: Mar. 18-May 11 Summer: May 12-Aug. 31
Page 26 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar February 2010
First-Year Dues For Young Families
Lowered by 50%
Thinking of joining JFC?
If your oldest child is in Kindergarten in 2009/10 or younger,
first-year JFC dues are now only half
the annual dues amount!
For more information or to join JFC, call (914) 763-3028
Or visit us on-line at: www.jewishfamilycongregation.org
You’ll feel at home when you’re part of our family…
Jewish Family
Congregation
And, if your children are (or will be) enrolled in the Jewish Family Congre-gation Early Childhood Center, your JFC membership entitles you to a
JFC Congregant Discount on tuition!
Shevat/Adar 5770 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Page 27
Summer of Impact (formerly PanimWorks) is an opportunity for Jewish teens to see the world and serve the world. While living as a community with their peers in different locations around the world and participating in exciting cultural and en-richment activities teens are able to give back in a meaningful and fun way. Your summer of adventure is just around the corner, make it a summer to remember! IMPACT: DC JAM June 28 – July 11 and July 13 – July 26, Washington, DC Spend the summer in downtown Washing-ton, DC in leadership training with other teens passionate about politics, community service, and activism. You will meet experts, participate in hands-on service projects and develop skills to pioneer change and impact the issues you care about. IMPACT: Southwest July 18 – July 29 and August 1 - August 12, Arizona and New Mexico Experience life in the Southwest on a Native American reservation, working with the local com-munity and fellow Jewish teens to complete critical service projects and build cultural bridges. Explore the outdoors and return home seeing the world through new eyes. IMPACT: Boston June 23 – July 4, Boston, Massachusetts Impact: Boston is your opportunity to ―give back‖ in a mean-ingful way, while living as a community with your peers on a college campus and participating in exciting cultural and en-richment activities. IMPACT: Israel July 5 – July 25, Israel Impact: Israel is far more than just a trip. It is also about debating the meaning of contemporary Zionism, exploring Jewish identity, delving into the intricacies of Middle Eastern politics, and connecting to our Jewish soul through a series of meaningful community service. Scholarships are available – find us online at www.bbyo.org/summerofimpact!
Page 28 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar February 2010
is pleased to announce
the establishment of an office for the practice of law at
26 Village Green, Suite 11
P.O. Box 543 Bedford, NY 10506-0543
(914) 205-3327
Commercial and Construction Litigation
Criminal & Traffic Defense
Personal Injury
Probate & Estate Administration
Samuel D. Friedlander Attorney and Counselor at Law
Shevat/Adar 5770 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Page 29
Please Support our Advertisers
CLARK ASSOCIATES FUNERAL HOME
www.clarkassociatesfuneralhome.com
4 Woods Bridge Road Katonah, NY 10536
914-232-3033 [email protected] fax 914-232-7896
Page 30 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar February 2010
Tutoring High School and Middle School
SAT and ACT Prep.
Michael Horwitz, Ph.D., M.A., M.S., LMHC
Professor of Academic Strategies Instruction
(914) 533-1141 [email protected]
at
Jewish Family Congregation
SHOPPING
CARDS
SHOPPING CARDS MAY BE
PURCHASED:
THURSDAYS 5:30 - 6:15
SUNDAYS 11:30 - 12:15
(or stop in at the JFC Office
M-Th 9-4, F 9-1)
Orders will be placed twice each month
and will be available for pickup in the
JFC Office in about 10 days.
SEVERAL VENDORS YOU ALREADY PATRONIZE!
WHY NOT HELP SUPPORT JFC WHILE SHOPPING?
THEY ALSO MAKE GREAT GIFTS!
Please Support our Advertisers
February 2010 - Shevat/Adar 5770
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 ECC 5/6 Study Grp Gr. 7
2 ECC ECC Comm Mtg 7:30
3 ECC
4 K-3 SMP CC YG Board Mt
5 ECC Creation Sta-tion Gr 3 Service/Oneg Service 7:30 Tot Shabbat
6 Gr.7 9-10:45 am
7 Gr. 4-6
8 ECC 5/6 Study Grp Gr. 7 Purim Pizza Planning Party: 4:20- 6:15 pm
9 ECC Ritual 7:45pm
10 ECC Early Religious School Regis-tration Begins
11 K-3 SMP CC
12 ECC Creation Sta-tion Service 7:30 Tot Shabbat
13 No Gr.7
14
15 Presidents Day
Office Closed
16 17
18 19 Service 7:30 Tot Shabbat
20
21
No Religious
School
22 ECC 5/6 Study Grp Gr. 7 Purim Pizza Planning Party: 4:20- 6:15 pm [Snow Date]
23 ECC 10 Pack 6-7:30 pm
24 ECC Purim Celebration
25 K-3 Shalach Manot Bags SMP CC YG RS Staff Mtg
26 ECC Creation Sta-tion Service 7:30 Tot Shabbat
27 Gr.7 9-10:45 am
28 Grs. 4-6 Purim Carnival 12-2 pm
Purim 6:30 Service
PRESIDENTS’ WEEK RECESS—NO ECC/RS
Jewish Family Congregation P.O. Box 249
111 Smith Ridge Rd/Rte. 123
South Salem, NY 10590 (914) 763-3028 tel (914) 763-3069 fax
[email protected] e-mail www.jewishfamilycongregation.org
Non Profit Organization
Postage PAID
White Plains, NY Permit No. 9022
