Buy Israel... Especially Today...

Dear Friends- 

Normally I would share this on the "Rabbinic Blog" section of our Web site. This is important enough however that I wanted to share it in both locations. Please read, act and share this with others. Thank you!

Rabbi Cohen

Join AJC in the “Buycott” of Israeli Goods 
TOMORROW, Tuesday, November 30^th!

AJC is proud to join other pro-Israel groups across the country on 
Tuesday, November 30^th to support “Buy Israeli Goods” Day
and to counter those calling for boycotts of Israeli products.

Help us send the message to retailers such as Hiller's, Costco, Whole Foods,
Trader Joe’s and ULTA by buying up all of their Israeli-made products!

 HOW CAN YOU HELP?

VISIT www.buyisraelgoods.org to search for Israel products in our area! 
Whether its hummus or olives or Ahava skin cream, every purchase helps!

SPREAD THE WORD! Please share this email with at least 5 friends.

THANK THE STORE for carrying Israeli products! 
Be sure to alert and thank the store manager for carrying Israeli products.
Let them know that you will be a repeat customer for that reason!

TAKE A PICTURE!
Send a picture of you and your family and friends buying Israeli goods to: newjersey@ajc.org

Thank you for helping AJC show support for Israel!

Make A Difference This Thanksgiving...

For more images from our 

Annual Turkey Drive click

With Thanksgiving approaching, TSTI members were involved in multiple efforts this week to help fight hunger in our community. On Wednesday, we took our monthly turn at the InterFaith Food Pantry of the Oranges. Every month when we go, there seem to be more people needing help. We distributed groceries to 62 families this week - a significant increase from just a few months ago. While we are so happy that we can help, we are concerned about having a constant source of food items to give out.

On Sunday, we staffed a table at Whole Foods in West Orange, which is running a November food drive to benefit the Pantry. The Pantry receives no government funding, so we rely on food drives and donations to meet the need. That’s why our “Bring One” program is so important. If we (only!) served 60 people a month, we would need 960 cans/boxes of food just for our week’s distribution! 

And in between, we were the local site on Saturday for the annual Thanksgiving Turkey and Food Drive for the Community Food Bank on NJ, the central organization that provides food to organizations in 18 of NJ’s 21 counties (the InterFaith Food Pantry is a member organization).  We collected 85 turkeys (down a bit from last year, but enough for 1275 turkey dinners) and two large bins of groceries. We also for the first time handed out information about food stamp opportunities and local pantries to the more than 15 cars that stopped and asked if we were handing out (rather than collecting) turkeys. 

If you help at the pantry or the Turkey Drive you see evidence of hunger right in our midst. There’s also been news to read about hunger in America recently, and it's unfortunately not good news. According to a study released November 15 by the US Dep't of Agriculture, almost 15 percent of US households lacked enough money to feed themselves at some point last year . What is termed "food insecurity" means that financial constraints caused 17.4 million people (!!!) in this country to skip meals, run low or out of food, or were unable to purchase balanced meals. 

6.8 million of these households — with as many as 1 million children — had ongoing financial problems that forced them to miss meals regularly. Read more here.

The Star Ledger ran a front page story this week highlighting how 810,000 NJ residents who live below the poverty line make choices like eating at soup kitchens so their children can eat what’s in the cupboard. "In their own stark words, Jerseyans depict the harsh reality of poverty".

Let’s all be thankful this week that we can share in the bounty of family, friend, and a festive meal. And turn that thanks into action: when you shop for Thanksgiving (or just any day), pick up some extra cans of non-perishable food and drop them in out bins! 

Looking Ahead...

LOOKING AHEAD...

Visit our website at www.tsti.org for information about our upcoming events Annual TSTI Blood Drive:  The Irv Soloway TSTI Blood Drive will be held at 9am - 12:30pm during Chanukah Mania on Sun., Dec. 5.  Please email Marla Ostroff  orJamie Ostroff to sign up. Shabbat Scholar and Supper:  Please join us for our next installment on Fri., Dec. 10 at 6pm, followed by dinner, and hear Mark Dubowitz speak about "A War on Terrorist Media".  Registration and fee for Shabbat dinner required by Dec. 5.  Please contact thorwitz@tstinj.org.

This Week

TSTI Weekly

Adult Education Film Series:  Sun., Nov. 21 at 7pm - Enjoy snacks and movie followed by a lively discussion moderated by Dr. Eric A. Goldman.   We will screen "Focus" based on Arthur Miller's novel, with incredible performances by William H. Macy and Laura Dern.  Please RSVP to Tracy Horwitz at thorwitz@tstinj.org. Innovative Options for the 2nd Half of Life:  Join other 50+ years young at the JVS' Creative Maturity Expo on Sun., Nov. 21 at 10am - 4pm at the JCC Whippany.  For more information, click here.   Family Fun at the Circus:  Special discount for TSTI family and friends at the Big Apple Circus on Nov. 21.  Get ringside seats for $59 at the 4:30pm show at Lincoln Center.  To order your tickets, click on Order Online or call 888-541-3750.  Enter promotion code SHAREY.  For more information click here.  Visit the Temple Judaica Shop for your Hanukah candles and many more items.  Open Tuesdays and Sundays during religious school and Friday evenings' Oneg. Now your online holiday shopping can earn $funding$ for Temple!  All you need is the We-Care Reminder, a secure browser extension for Internet Explorer and Firefox.  Just click on http://tsti.We-Care.com/Start to download.  For more information, click here. Scholarships for a Reform Jewish summer experiencefrom the TSTI Women's Connection:  For more information, click here. $1,000 grants for new campers at 150+ Jewish sleep-away camps now available for Summer 2011! Visit www.onehappycamper.org for more details and to apply.  Contact Tracy Levine for more information at973.929.2970 or email tlevine@thepartnershipnj.org.      For more about these and other items, log on to TSTI.org.

This Week's Meetings

MEETINGS AND PROGRAMS

Fri., Nov. 19 STISY Retreat 3pm Sun., Nov. 21 Adult Ed. Film Series 7pm Mon., Nov. 22 Finance Committee Meeting 7:30pm Wed., Nov. 24     Jewish Meditation Group 11am   Religious School Board Meeting 7:30pm

Temple Family News

TEMPLE FAMILY NEWS

Condolences to... Jonathan Gertner on the death of his father Sheldon 'Bud' Gertner Ruth Ross on the death of her son David Lenusky Mazel Tov to...    The Kohn, Shea and Maron families on the B'nai Mitzvah of their children   Share your family's news with our Clergy and with members of Caring Community. Please let us know of your family's life cycle events or if you or someone you know is ill or in need of assistance from Temple.  WE ARE HERE FOR YOU, BUT PLEASE DO NOT ASSUME THAT THE CLERGY HAS HEARD THE NEWS!  Contact Sunny Seglin at 973-763-4116 or click on: Sunny Seglin, JudyEpstein or  Ellen Blake    Do you have a new address, phone number, email? Let us know so we can stay in touch.   SEND A TSTI TRIBUTE TO ACKNOWLEDGE LIFE CYCLE EVENTS Call 973-763-4116 or email tributes@tstinj.org for information on the Funds available and for Acknowledgment Cards to be sent. It's an easy way to show you care!

Chanukah Tikkun Olam

            

Chanukah Tikkun Olam

Eight nights of Chanukah too often equates with eight nights of presents. Why not set aside at least one night of Chanukah for your family to jointly do an act of kindness towards others? Check out the TSTI Tikkun Olam page for a dozen family-friendly suggestions to get you started. 

Women’s Connection Makes Scholarships for Reform Jewish Summer Experience Available

Once again the Women’s Connection is happy to offer scholarships for a Reform Jewish summer experience.  Its purpose is to support and reinforce the commitment of our Temple youth, grade school through high school, to Reform Judaism by providing scholarships for summer experiences sponsored by the Reform Movement.  This fund has been made possible by tributes to the Women’s Connection Fund for Reform Jewish Summers.   Scholarships of $500 are available on a one-time basis, subject to certain parameters set forth below.  First, the recipient must be attending a Reform Movement summer program for the first time and commit to share his or her experience in a formal manner with the Temple community in order to encourage other youth to participate in the Reform Movement summer experience.  Second, the applicant must be a current member of the Temple’s Religious School .  Third, all applications are due by March 1, 2011.  A decision will be given shortly thereafter by the Scholarship committee.   

For the calendar year 2011, three scholarships are available to encourage your child to attend a Reform Movement camp or program.  Your child must submit an application in letter form to the Women’s Connection Scholarship Committee at Temple, attention Wendy Ferber.  Each letter must include:

1. The reason he or she would like to participate in a Reform Jewish summer experience.
2. The specific name of the Reform Movement camp or program.
3. The dates of planned attendance.
4. The parents’ name, address and telephone number.  
5. A detailed explanation of how he or she will share his or her experience with the Temple community (for example, a Temple Bulletin article, speaking with religious school classes about the experience, etc.).  

Please encourage your children to participate in the Reform Movement’s summer youth activities.  Show your support for our efforts on behalf of Reform Judaism and your children by joining the Women’s Connection, participating in our fundraising efforts and contributing to the Fund through tributes.

The Annual TSTI Thanksgiving Turkey and Food Drive for the Community FoodBank of NJ

Thanksgiving Turkey and Food Drive for the Community FoodBank of NJ:

TSTI is again the local collection site for the annual Drive for frozen, never thawed, turkeys and non-perishable food. Drop off in our front circular driveway on Saturday, November 20 from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm (sharp)!  For your convenience, TSTI members can also place frozen turkeys in TSTI's main freezer the week of the Drive. 

According to figures released by the Census Bureau in September, 810,000 New Jerseyans were living below the poverty line in 2009, an increase of more than 50,000 people in our state in one year! More and more people who have never had to ask for help before are turning to emergency feeding programs, including the 305 charitable organizations in Essex County that receive food from the CFBNJ (the InterFaith Food Pantry of the Oranges is a member agency of the CFBNJ). The turkeys, food and dollars you contribute to this Drive allow the CFBNJ to help these programs provide a traditional Thanksgiving dinner to their clients. The requests this year are higher than ever before. 

The need is overwhelming, and the FoodBank is counting on all of us!

Upcoming at TSTI

Shabbat Scholar:  Please join us this Fri., Nov. 12 when Rabbi Niles Elliot Goldstein speaks on Gonzo Judaism: A Bold Path for Renewing an Ancient Faith.  Worship services begin at 6pm.  This program is part of our congregation's joint Greenfaith / URJ Synagogue Greening Certificate Program.  For more information, email Tracy Horwitz.  

 

Women's Connection Book Discussion and Dessert:  Join us on Mon., Nov. 15 at 7:30pm.  Led by Rabbi Cohen, we will be discussing The Sacrifice of Tamar by Naomi Ragen.  This event is free to members.  RSVP to Sue Brand.

TSTI COLLEGE PROGRAM OPEN TO ALL 12^th GRADERS:

12^th Grade Opening Session (for Students Only) onTues., Nov. 16 at 7pm0in discusses the challenges of balancing family, friends and school work.

For information or to RSVP email Tracy or call 973-763-4116.

 

Shop for the holidays while supporting our preschool! The TSTI Iris Family Center's Scholastic Book Fair will be held Sun., Nov. 14 through Wed., Nov. 17.  Shop and be entered in raffles - win 2 weeks Camp TSTI or $2,000 off Camp Horizons!  For information, click here or contact Erica Barton.

Parent Enrichment - Beyond Macaroni and Cheese:  Please join us on Nov. 17 at 7:30pm as we learn how to "Sneak Healthy Food into Our Busy Lives".  Facilitated by Rabbi Miller and Mitch Bentler, Registered Dietician and Pediatric Nutrition Specialist.  For more information, email Andrea.  

STISY RETREAT on Fri., Nov. 19 - Sun., Nov. 21:  Join STISY teens for a weekend of learning and fun at beautiful Camp Bryn Mawr.  For information and an application email Tracy.  Special thanks to the Kagan family for hosting this special event.

 

Innovative Options for the 2nd Half of Life:  Join other 50+ years young at the JVS' Creative Maturity Expo on Sun., Nov. 21 at 10am - 4pm at the JCC Whippany.  For more information, click here.

 

Family Fun at the Circus:  Special discount for TSTI family and friends at the Big Apple Circus on Nov. 21.  Get ringside seats for $59 at the 4:30pm show at Lincoln Center.  To order your tickets, click on Order Online or call 888-541-3750.  Enter promotion code SHAREY.  For more information click here. 

Adult Education Film Series:  Sun., Nov. 21 at 7pm - Enjoy snacks and movie followed by a lively discussion moderated by Dr. Eric A. Goldman.   We will screen "Focus" based on Arthur Miller's novel, with incredible performances by William H. Macy and Laura Dern.  Please rsvp to Tracy Horwitz at Tracy.

Now your online holiday shopping can earn $funding$ for Temple!  All you need is the We-Care Reminder, a secure browser extension for Internet Explorer and Firefox.  Just click on http://tsti.We-Care.com/Start to download.  For more information, click here.

$1,000 grants for new campers at 150+ Jewish sleep-away camps now available for Summer 2011! Visit www.onehappycamper.org for more details and to apply.  Contact Tracy Levine for more information at973.929.2970 or email Tracy Levine.

  

 

SCHEDULE FOR SHABBAT

Fri., Nov. 12   Shabbat Service and Scholar 6pm   Sat., Nov. 13 Torah Study 8:15am Minyan Service Gross Bet Midrash 9:15am Shabbat Service Celebrating the B'nai Mitzvah of Micah Lindand Benjamin Reich10:15am

MEETINGS AND PROGRAMS

Mon., Nov. 15 STISY Board Meeting 7pm Women's Connection Book Group 7:30pm Wed., Nov. 17     Jewish Meditation Group 11am   Parent Enrichment 7:30pm Religious School Board Meeting 7:30pm Executive Board Meeting 7:30pm

 

Annual TSTI Blood Drive:  The Irv Soloway TSTI Blood Drive will be held at 9am - 12:30pm during Chanukah Mania on Sun., Dec. 5.  Please email Marla Ostroff  orJamie Ostroff to sign up. Shabbat Scholar and Supper:  Please join us for our next installment on Fri., Dec. 10 at 6pm, followed by dinner, and hear Mark Dubowitz speak about "A War on Terrorist Media".  Registration and fee for Shabbat dinner required by Dec. 5.  Please contact Tracy.

In The TSTI Family November 12, 2010

TEMPLE FAMILY NEWS

Condolences to... Robert Cohen on the death of his father Melvin Cohen   Mazel Tov to...    The Lind and Reich families on the B'nai Mitzvah of their children   Share your family's news with our Clergy and with members of Caring Community. Please let us know of your family's life cycle events or if you or someone you know is ill or in need of assistance from Temple.  WE ARE HERE FOR YOU, BUT PLEASE DO NOT ASSUME THAT THE CLERGY HAS HEARD THE NEWS!  Contact Sunny Seglin at 973-763-4116 or click on: Sunny Seglin, JudyEpstein or  Ellen Blake    Do you have a new address, phone number, email? Let us know so we can stay in touch.   SEND A TSTI TRIBUTE TO ACKNOWLEDGE LIFE CYCLE EVENTS Call 973-763-4116 or email tributes@tstinj.org for information on the Funds available and for Acknowledgment Cards to be sent. It's an easy way to show you care!

Torah and Tikkun November 12, 2010

WEEKLY PARASHA

Parasha Vayeitzei Genesis 28:10 - 32:3 After deceiving Isaac and claiming Esau's birthright, Jacob leaves Beersheba and travels to Haran to the home of his uncle, Laban. On the way, he dreams of a ladder stretching from the ground to the heavens with angels going up and down.  In the dream, God promises the land to Jacob and his descendents. When Jacob arrives in Haran, he falls in love with Laban's younger daughter, Rachel. Jacob works for seven years with the promise of marrying Rachel, but Laban tricks him into marrying his older daughter, Leah. With a promise of another seven years of labor, Jacob is able to marry Rachel also. Jacob fathers eleven sons and one daughter while living in his father-in-law's household.  Now a successful man, he decides to take his wives and children and return to the land of his father.

TIKUN OLAM... REPAIRING THE WORLD

To find a list of Mitzvah Opportunities on our website, click on: MITZVAH OPPORTUNITIES Bring One:  Hunger exists in our community every day.  Due to the great need,we will be collecting non-perishable food at TSTI  on an ongoing basis all throughout the year.  Please drop a can in our collection bins EVERY TIME you come to Temple.    Help needed at the Food Pantry:   TSTI will staff the Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges next Wed., Nov. 17, 9:15am to 11am. Due to the holidays, we will staff the Food Pantry on the 3rd (NOT the 4th) Wed. of Nov. and Dec.  Extra volunteers needed.  Please let Janet Schwamm know ASAP if you can make it. Thanksgiving Turkey and Food Drive for the Community FoodBank of NJ:  TSTI is again the local collection site for the annual Drive for frozen, never thawed, turkeys and non-perishable food. Drop off in the front circular driveway on Sat., Nov. 20 from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm (sharp)!  For your convenience, TSTI members can also place frozen turkeys in TSTI's main freezer the week of the Drive. The need is overwhelming, and the FoodBank is counting on us!   Donations Needed for STISY's Annual Midnight Run:   Rid your house of unwanted Halloween candy and donate it for the bagged meals distributed to the homeless.  Also needed are large or extra large clothing, hats and gloves, NEW underwear and socks, and NEW toiletries. Collection bins are in the Religious School Lobby now through Dec. 3. Transportation is available for congregants who need a ride to services and temple events.  Contact Alice Forman at (973)736-3467 if you need a ride or if you can offer a ride to others.

Save The Date- URJ East District Shabbaton

The first URJ East District Shabbaton will be...

Saturday January 29, 2011

8:45 AM - 5:00 PM

Temple Emanu-El

Westfield, NJ

Mark your calendars now!

Agenda sneak peak:
8:45-9:15	Registration and Coffee
9:30-10:20	Torah Study Sessions
10:30	Shabbat Worship with Guest Darshan Rabbi Joel Soffin
12:45-2:15	Kiddush, Lunch and Z 'mirot
2:30-3:25	Workshop Aleph
3:35-4:30	Workshop Bet
4:40-5:00	S'udah Sh'lishit
5:00	Havdalah

Questions? Call us at 212.870.2900 or email us at eastdistrict@urj.org.

IMPORTANT RELIGIOUS SCHOOL REMINDER

IMPORTANT RELIGIOUS SCHOOL REMINDER THERE IS NO RELIGIOUS SCHOOL THIS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2010 DUE TO TEACHERS' CONVENTION.  ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND & BE SURE TO SET YOUR CLOCK BACK TO GET AN EXTRA HOUR OF SLEEP!