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!

URJ Weekly Briefing November 5, 2010

Reform Movement in the News

Reform Judaism magazine Winter '10 issue

The brand-new issue of Reform Judaism offers cutting-edge political and philosophical insights:

Strategic BedfellowsForeign policy analyst Martin Sherman explores how India and Israel have developed a vibrant relationship that could well change the geopolitical landscape in one of the world's most volatile regions.Read more »

Focus: Einstein's God
Calling the notion of time a "falsely persistent illusion," Albert Einstein rejected the idea of a past, present, and future. The early rabbis would probably have been very sympathetic to Einstein's notion of the relativity of time. Also: a journey through Einstein's religious awakening. Read more »

New Grant Supports HUC-JIR Cincinnati

The Society for Classical Reform Judaism (SCRJ), with the support of the Edward and Wilhelmina Ackerman Foundation, has announced a five-year grant in the amount of $500,000 to HUC-JIR. Read more »

Temple Beth Shalom Blog:
Wilderness Awakenings, and Judaism?

"I've often wondered whether or not my personal wilderness search – the desire to find and reside near 'foreverland', and/or just disappear there daily, and then share it – had a connection to my Judaism." Read more »

The Catholic Review: Intermarriage found more common for Reform Jews, less so for Catholics

Religiously mixed marriages are becoming more common among those who practice Reform Judaism but have shown a significant decline among American Catholics in the past 20 years, speakers said at a recent meeting of a Catholic-Jewish dialogue group. Read more »

Jewish World News

Vandalized Romanian Jewish cemetery restored

A Romanian Jewish cemetery vandalized more than two years ago has been restored. Read more »

Steinsaltz completes Talmud translation with Global Day of Jewish Learning

A global day of Jewish learning marks the completion of Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz's 45-year project of translating the Talmud into Hebrew.Read more »

GOP sweep makes one Jew a star, unseats and disempowers others

A historic Republican sweep of the U.S. House of Representatives has propelled Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.), the minority whip, to the verge of becoming the highest-ranking Jewish lawmaker in U.S. political history while driving out at least five Jewish Democrats in the House plus a sixth losing his bid for the Senate. Read more »

From RJ.org Blog

Too Conservative?

Larry Kaufman contemplates the answer to a congregant's multi-faceted complaint. "Every Reform synagogue leader hears it, especially from congregants who grew up Union Prayer Book Reform: 'We're becoming Conservative.'" Read more »

26.2 miles of memory

Hope Chernak will be thinking of her father as she laces up to join the Running Rabbis on Sunday at the NYC Marathon, raising money for Achilles International; while Donald C. Cutler will be running to raise money for the Union Settlement Association. Read more »

Union News

Post-Election Conference Call on Nov. 8 for Social Action Leaders

Join the RAC's David Saperstein for post-election analysis on how changes in Congress will impact the Reform Movement's public policy agenda. Get ideas for programs to enhance your congregation's social justice engagement. Read more »

Dream big. Be creative and bold. URJ Incubator Grants to fund up to 20 innovative projects

Congregations must experiment with new ways to further engage current members and attract new members. Offering up to $5,000 to innovative projects that reach such people, these grants will support new efforts at building our communities. Read more »

Have a Voice in
the Future of
Reform Judaism

The URJ, CCAR and HUC-JIR are convening a Think Tank to address important issues facing the future of Reform Judaism and they need your input! Register now to participate in an online public forum on Nov. 21 at 4 pm PT / 7 pm ET. Read more »

Register Now for Three Days of Learning and Networking at the North American Forums

Discuss adult learning, early engagement, Hebrew education and small remote congregations in Atlanta,Nov. 19-21. Read more »

Enter the URJ Techies

The URJ Techies contest recognizes member congregations that are successfully using social networks and technology to engage members online. Entries due Nov. 15. Read more »

Shabbat Tzedek: 50 Years in Pursuit of Justice with the RAC

On Jan. 14-17, 2011 join congregations across North America in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the founding of the RAC and the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Transform your congregation's MLK weekend into a special Shabbat Tzedek with our extensive programmatic and liturgical materials.Read more »

Get Ready for Chanukah

This year we light the first candle on Dec. 1. Visit our Chanukah website for social action programs, family activities, recipes and more. Read more »

Chanukah Gift
Idea #5

Chanukah is Dec. 1, so start thinking about your gifts now! URJ Books & Music has eight great gift ideas, one for each night.

Celebrate Chanukah CD is a classic Chanukah favorites mix with new contemporary compositions to create the perfect soundtrack for all your Chanukah celebrations. Read more »

Register Now for WUPJ's Connections Convention

Save the date! The World Union for Progressive Judaism will hold its Connections 2011 conference in San Francisco Feb. 8-13. Read more »

Celebrating Thanksgiving

The Holiday Happenings guide for Thanksgiving will help you approach the holiday from a Jewish perspective. Read more »

Got Shabbat: Vayeitzei

Download this informative guide today to glean lessons from this parashah that you can use at home and in your classroom. Read more »

TSTI Weekly News

TSTI'S CARING COMMUNITY NEEDS YOUR HELP!

Please join us for a training and orientation session open to all TSTI members this Mon., Nov. 8 at 7pm.  If you are interested or want more information, click here and contact Ellen Blake  or Judy Epstein.

 

An Evening with Irshad Manji:   Free and open to the public, she will be speaking on Tues., Nov. 9 at 7:30pm.  For more information, click here.

 

Shabbat, Scholar and Supper:  Please join us 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, followed by dinner.  Pre-registration with fee required for dinner by Nov. 5.  This program is part of our congregation's joint Greenfaith / URJ Synagogue Greening Certificate Program.  To register or for more information, email Tracy Horwitz. 

 

TSTI COLLEGE PROGRAM OPEN TO ALL 11^th and 12^thGRADERS (Opening Sessions for Students Only): 

11^th Grade Opening Session on Tues., Nov. 9 at 7pm-9pm features looking at colleges: advice from a high school guidance counselor.

12^th Grade Opening Session on Tues., Nov. 16 at 7pm-9pm discusses the challenges of balancing family, friends and school work.

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

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.

 

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.

Now your online holiday shopping can earn $funding$ for Temple too!  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.

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 Dean.

$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 at 973.929.2970.

Tikkun Olam

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 each time you come to Temple.    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.

Schedule

SCHEDULE FOR SHABBAT

Fri., Nov. 5   Shabbat Service  7:30pm   Sat., Nov. 6 Torah Study 8:15am Minyan Service Gross Bet Midrash 9:15am Shabbat Service Celebrating the B'nai Mitzvah of Adam Gray and Austin Pereira 10:15am Shabbat Service Celebrating the Bat Mitzvah of Sophie Klieger 10:30am

MEETINGS AND PROGRAMS

Mon., Nov. 8 Caring Committee Meeting 7pm STISY Board Meeting 7pm Tues., Nov. 9   Organization Meeting 7:30pm   Wed., Nov. 10     Jewish Meditation Group 11am Prayer Garden Committee Meeting 6pm

Temple Family News

TEMPLE FAMILY NEWS

Condolences to... Amy Rosen Connelly on the death of her father Ernest Rosen Ben Graber on the death of his brother Steven Graber Jules Nissim on the death of his mother Lee Nissim Mazel Tov to...    The Gray, Pereira and Klieger 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!