New Jersey/New York

Reconstructionist Judaism: An Ever-Growing Branch

Melanie Schneider — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 10:29:04 -0500

RA'ASHAN - A RECONSTRUCTIONIST NOISEMAKER: Happy Hanukah!

Welcome to JRF NY/NJ online! Our electronic Ra'ashan provides up-to-date information about upcoming events, recent news, and exciting programming happening within our congregations, our region, and nationally in the Reconstructionist movement. We hope that this webpage faciliatates networking, provides engaging program ideas and encourages involvement within the 14 congregations of our regions and the wider Reconstructionist community. To add any events or announcements to this page, please email office18@aol.com.

"Judaism continues to evolve."
--Mordecai Kaplan, founder of Reconstructionist Judaism

Who is a Reconstructionist? This question certainly does not have a definitive answer. However, Kaplan's powerful words concisely describe the central philosophy of Reconstructionist Judaism: to maintain an ever-changing, pluralistic, and globally aware community. JRF strives to uphold Reconstructionist values by encouraging widespread participation from the movement's eclectic and diverse membership. From our unique prayerbooks and haggadot, to youth and camping activities, to professional development for Hebrew school teachers and synagogue leaders, to on-line resources and customized consultations, to conferences and Shabbatonim, JRF's primary mission is to promote a vibrant approach to Jewish life.

Questions, concerns, or input? Do not hesitate to contact our NY/NJ regional Director Melanie Schneider at (mschneider@jrf.org).For information regarding JRF offices and regional resources contact (212)870-2483 or visit www.jrf.org.

Save the Date: Feb 1-3, 2008, Shabbat of Inclusion

Jill Janofsky — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 11:50:02 -0400

Mark your calenders! JRF joins the UJ Federation of NY in designating the Shabbat of Inclusion, a weekend designed to encourage the participation of our members with disabilities, for February 1-3. We encourage the various leaders of the affiliated Reconstructionist congregations in the NY/NJ region to begin planning for this event at their respective synagogues.

This particular Shabbat coincides with Parshat Mishpatim, which discusses the giving of the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai. The language of the text certainly resounds in our mission to create an accessible Shabbat service: "For you were strangers in the land of Egypt." Often, people with physical and developmental disabilities are aliented like "strangers" from our congregations. Our Shabbat of Inclusion aims to eliminate this notion of exclusion for all of our disabled congregants and their families.

Most of all, Reconstructionists have been on the forefront of creating inclusive communities. Even so, we can benefit from reminders to keep our doors wide open and to find new ways to be welcoming.

For leaders, please share with us what you do for this important Shabbat....for members, please come to pray, to learn, and to show your support.

Come Share Shabbat in Prospect Park, Brooklyn!

Lisa Tuttle — Tue, 13 May 2008 11:28:10 -0400

Grecian Shelter in Prospect ParkWhen: Friday, May 30, 2008, 6:30 p.m.
Where: The Grecian Shelter in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY

Please join the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation as we welcome Shabbat in Prospect Park with song, stories, and a catered community dinner. Children of all ages are welcome. The evening will be led by Rabbi Shoshana Leis (RRC '05) and Avi Fox-Rosen.

Place your e-reservation today!

In case of questionable or inclement weather, call JRF NY/NJ at (212) 870-2483 for alternate plans.

For more information, contact:
Melanie Schneider - jrfny@aol.com
Jayne Roberman - jrforensic@optonline.net
Dan Cedarbaum - dan@cedarbaum.net

Bet Am Shalom's Cantor Benjie Schiller to Give Recital

Lisa Tuttle — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:05:11 -0400

When: Sunday, May 18
Where: Bet Am Shalom Synagogue, 295 Soundview Avenue, White Plains, New York

Cantor Benjie SchillerCantor Benjie Ellen Schiller, cantor of Bet Am Shalom synagogue in White Plains, NY, will give a rare recital performance on Sunday, May 18.

The program, “Life Song Cycle - A musical reflection on the journey of our lives,” will include her own compositions and works of other Jewish composers. A dessert reception will follow the concert. Admission is $36 for adults and $18 for students and children under eighteen.

Cantor Schiller serves as cantor alongside her husband, Rabbi Lester Bronstein, at Bet Am Shalom Synagogue, a Reconstructionist congregation. They sing together in Beged Kefet, a philanthropic Jewish music ensemble.

Cantor Schiller is a nationally known composer. Her works include: "Halleluhu," a multi rhythmic choral piece; "Zeh Dodi," an art song for voice and piano; "Uk'ratem D'ror - Proclaim Liberty," a cantata dedicated to the disaster of 9/11; and various commissioned works for synagogues and choral ensembles. "A World Fulfilled," a solo recording of her compositions, was released in 2002.

When Benjie Ellen Schiller graduated from Boston University with a degree in musical performance, she planned to continue her studies in classical music, perhaps studying opera or composition. After living in Israel for a year with her husband as he began his rabbinical studies, she came to New York, ready to continue her musical path. When completing her first vocal audition in New York City, even though she was well received by the judges, she knew that the world of musical performance was not the world in which she wanted to dedicate her life's work.

As a composer, she felt particularly drawn to Jewish music and she decided to enroll in the cantorial program of Hebrew Union College School of Sacred Music. Today, 24 years later, she serves there as Professor of Cantorial Arts. She is also on the faculty of the cantorial program at the Institute for Jewish Spirituality.

For reservations, contact Bet Am Shalom Synagogue at 914-946-8851 or betamshalom@betamshalom.org.

Salute to Israel Parade: Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the State of Israel

Jennifer Glowacki — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:09:36 -0400

Start: Jun 1 2008 - 1:00pm

End: Jun 1 2008 - 5:00pm

Register Online Now
The Salute To Israel Parade, the single largest gathering in the world in support of Israel, will celebrate the milestone 60th Anniversary of the State of Israel on June 1 on Fifth Avenue in New York City.

From its beginning in 1964, the Salute To Israel Parade has been a public affirmation of love and support of Israel, as well as an expression community among American Jews that transcends religious and political affiliations.

Reconstructionist congregations are invited to march together with affiliates from the JRF New York/New Jersey region. The parade will be held Sunday morning, June 1st and will make its way down Fifth Avenue from 57th Street to 79th Street.

The JRF affiliated congregations and individual Reconstructionist marchers will meet at 1:00 PM at the NE corner of 54th Street and Seventh Avenue. Once we gather there, we will walk together in our formation block to the Line of March (the parade line-up spot) that will be on 54th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenue.

Please contact Melanie Schneider at 212.870.2483 or by email at JRFNY@aol.com.

Mishkan Ha'am Celebrates Tenth Anniversary on March 9th!

Lisa Tuttle — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 14:03:42 -0500

These are the hands of Mishkan Ha'am.

This 4' x 6' banner is made up of over 150 felt tracings from the many children and adults who have joined in Mishkan Ha'am's services and celebrations since the shul's founding.

Ten years ago, Yonkers, New York, residents Joey Parnes and Ellen Tattelman ran a notice in local newspapers inviting area residents who were “looking for a synagogue and haven’t found the right fit” to meet. “We were looking to create a Reconstructionist group that would be egalitarian, participatory, and open to varying viewpoints,” says Parnes. “Joyously, we found others who were looking for the same thing!”

Today, Mishkan Ha’am, with members from Riverdale through Westchester’s Rivertowns, has grown to include regular Shabbat services for all ages, holiday and life cycle celebrations, a Hebrew School, adult education program, social action activities, and innovative programming such as meditation and chanting-centered Shabbat observances and Shabbat morning yoga sessions. In all these contexts, participants engage in connecting Jewish tradition with their contemporary lives.

On Sunday, March 9th, at the Riverview in Hastings, the congregation’s teen klezmer ensemble, Yiddish Groove Machine, will provide music for dancing as the Mishkan Ha’am community—including its past and present rabbinic leaders—joins in celebrating its ten-year anniversary.

For more information, see www.mishkanhaam.org or call 914-478-4996.

PEARL: Providing Education and Resources for Leadership

Isaac Saposnik — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:39:54 -0500

As part of its North American Leadership Series, JRF is proud to present PEARL: Providing Education and Resources for Leadership. Throughout the coming months, we will offer a series of conference calls on a wide variety of topics important to congregational leaders. Topics range from dues structures and running a successful fundraising event to growth and volunteer development to the rabbi-congregation relationship and using Reconstructionism in synagogue processes, and more. These real-time distance learning sessions will be facilitated by a senior member of the JRF staff and will include best practices from selected congregations.

We are pleased to provide this service free-of-charge to all JRF affiliates. It is our belief that by providing congregational leaders with the resources and experiences needed for growth, each of our communities – and the Reconstructionist movement as a whole – will benefit.

Click here for registration and a full list of offerings.

For more information, please contact Isaac Saposnik at isaposnik@jrf.org

New York/New Jersey Evening of Celebration on April 8: Save the Date & Publicize Widely!

Jill Janofsky — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 10:07:43 -0500

Start: Apr 8 2008 - 7:00pm

End: Apr 8 2008 - 11:00pm

This year, the New York-New Jersey Region of JRF is taking its annual Evening of Celebration to the stage.

We are planning a wonderful evening at Lincoln Center's Vivian Beaumont Theatre where we'll be among the first groups to see South Pacific! The Evening of Celebration will honor "Those Who Bring Joy and Creativity to Our Congregations" in the NY/NJ Region.

Mazel Tov to our Honorees:

Richard Woodrow, Bet Am Shalom
Andy Kaplan & Singers, Congregation Beth Hatikvah
Marty Fogel & Dan Epstein, Bnai Keshet
Harriet Chomet, Kehillath Shalom
Ron Falcon, Reconstructionist Congregation Beth Emeth
Roz Altman, Reconstructionist Temple Beth Israel
Lauren Pulver, Reconstructionist Synagogue of North Shore
Rabbi Joy Levitt, Society for the Advancement of Judaism
Julie Sandler-Friedman & David Friedman, West End Synagogue

Mark your calendar for Tuesday, April 8th, for it will be some enchanted evening!

NY/NJ Evening of Celebration: "Honoring Those Who Bring Joy and Creativity to our Congregations" in the NY/NJ Region.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Lincoln Center Theatre
Curtain 7:00 pm
Honoring & Dessert Reception to follow.

The Evening of Celebration supports and sustains the growth of the Reconstructionist movement and its congregations throughout North America.

Tickets are limited, so reserve yours now! For registration and details call the JRF NY/NJ office at 212-870-2483.

Bet Am Shalom Takes Part in Backpack Project for Darfur

Lisa Tuttle — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 14:39:52 -0500

JWW Backpack ProjectCongregation Bet Am Shalom in Whiteplains, NY, joins the Westchester Darfur Coalition and Jewish World Watch (JWW) in providing and education for children fleeing genocide in Darfur. JWW's Backpack Project will enable children in the Oure Cassoni refugee camp in Chad to attend schools run by the International Rescue Committee. Filled with shoes, books, school supplies, soap and toothpaste (all obtained as locally as possible), the backpack allows each child to make the most of school under the most difficult of circumstances.

Backpacks are $36 each. Every dollar donated to the JWW Backpack Project will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $100,000, through the generousity of a local family foundation.

For for more information on Bet Am Shalom's Giving Program, e-mail Fran Heyman at franheyman@msn.com, and visit www.JewishWorldWatch.org

Bet Am Shalom's flyer and donation form are attached below.

Click here for a full listing of JRF's resources and response to the ongoing genocide in Darfur.

Looking for an alternative for the Holiday season gift dilemma? HCS has a solution!

Jill Janofsky — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 15:46:41 -0500

Bridges to Community, Inc. is a non-profit cultural exchange organization that takes volunteers to developing countries to work, learn, and reflect. Through the process of living and working with local communities on construction, health and environmental projects, Bridges promotes cross-cultural learning, a deepening awareness of our global interdependence and a commitment to the common good.

We believe there is much to be gained by participating in a shared work experience with people from other cultures. As foundations are poured and blocks are laid we work together towards a common goal. Through that shared experience we learn about ourselves and learn from one another as well.
In 1992 Bridges to Community began its work with a series of trips to Nicaragua - the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Historically, Nicaragua has been battered by natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes, and exploited by internal and external political and economic influences.

Hebrew Congregation of Somers is offering a symbolic cinder block on behalf of your $25 donation. The total cost of the purchase of a cinder block is tax-deductible. All of the proceeds from the sale will go toward the program cost of the trip in Feb. 2008. These fees pay for the cost of building materials and wages for the Nicaraguan tradesman who work alongside the volunteers - working together to build small, one room homes that are safe and durable. All checks can be made out to Bridges to Community.

For further information please e-mail Tina Steinberg at tinastein525@aol.com or call at 845-621-9644.