Shabbat Shalom GRJC

Weekly Emails to the Congregation

Parshat Vayeshev 2008

Shabbat Shalom to the GRJC family,

This Shabbat we light candles at 4:12 pm.  Friday evening services will begin at 8 pm, and Saturday morning services will begin at 9 am.  Cantor Michelle Freedman will join us this Shabbat, leading our Friday evening service and supporting our Daled 1 class students on Saturday morning as they come to the bimah for their Shabbaton. (Daled 2 class Shabbaton is scheduled for Jan. 31)

The Chanukah holiday begins this Sunday evening with the first candle that we will light on the Chanukiah/Menorah.  As we prepare for Chanukah 2008/5769, there are several lessons and ideas we can keep in mind:

1.    Safety – Let’s make sure that we put all our chanukiyot/menorahs in safe spaces in our homes.  Choose stable surfaces and make sure there are not flammable objects nearby.  Consider purchasing an electric menorah for children who want to light their own candles.

2.    Environment – Let’s do our best to save and reuse or recycle wrapping paper from gifts.

3.    Music – Let’s try to bring more Chanukah music into our homes.  Consider downloading Chanukah or general Jewish music or putting a CD into the radio during the day or before candle lighting time.

4.    Fun – We can try this year to have a regular dreidel game and to work together so that latke making is a group effort.  We can go together as families during the holiday to do a community service project.

5.    Community – Sunday, 12/21, at 4 pm we will have a fun filled Chanukah community event:  lighting the outdoor Chanukiah in front of the Jewish Center, lighting our own menorahs inside, songs, games, and food!  (See the bulletin for details.)

On behalf of Rachel, Dara, and myself I would like to wish everyone a very happy and healthy Chanukah!

THANK YOU
To Brian Hirschberg for speaking to our Hay class students this week about the dangers of steroids and performance-enhancing drugs.  He also provided the students with healthy ways to become better athletes on the playing field.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
SERVICE PROJECT FOR THE GRJC COMMUNITY--COLLECTION THIS SUNDAY (AT OUR
CHANUKAH PARTY) AND BEYOND:
WE ARE WORKING AS A COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT A FAMILY OF THREE CHILDREN WITH A
FATHER SERVING IN IRAQ IN THE NEW JERSEY NATIONAL GUARD.
PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING NEW CLOTHING FOR THE FAMILY
Boy, Age 5 -- Size 4T
Girl, Age 13 -- 12-14 girls
Boy, Age 8 -- 12-14 husky
Also-please consider gifts for the Mother and make cards that will be sent to the father serving in Iraq.

A GREAT CHANUKAH GIFT!
The GRJC Sisterhood still has a limited number of 2008-2009 Entertainment Books.  The books make great Chanukah gifts – they are filled with two-for-one offers and huge discounts for restaurants, travel, movies, fast food, local sporting events, activities and entertainment, name-brand retail stores and more.  Some of the participating businesses include Kosher Nosh, Shop-Rite, Walgreens, Medieval Times, Annie Sez, Modell’s, Meadowlands Racetrack, Harmon, Mandee, Six Flags Great Adventure and more!
The books, $25 apiece, will be available for purchase at our Chanukah Party this Sunday, or you can purchase a copy by emailing Robin Frizzell at Robindale59@verizon.net.  Robin must return all unsold Entertainment Books to our supplier at the end of this month, so secure your copy and these great Chanukah gifts now!

Melton II Adult Ed
Monday, December 22, 7:30-9:45pm

THE GRJC OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED WED AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24-28.  THERE IS NO NURSERY SCHOOL OR RELIGIOUS SCHOOL UNTIL SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2009.

WOMEN’S ROSH CHODESH GROUP WELCOMES THE MONTH OF TEVET
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 7:00-8:30pm
The eighth night of Chanukah.  Bring your chanukiah and celebrate together!


NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY AT THE GRJC CANCELLED
Due to a limited number of positive responses regarding a New Year's Eve Party at GRJC, we will shelve this project for this year and try it again next year.
Although we won't be celebrating together on New Years, there are plenty of upcoming events where we can enjoy each other's company.  Among them:

CHEESECAKE ALY’S BROADWAY CLASSICS DESSERT THEATER
Saturday evening, January 17, 7:30 pm- an evening of music and desserts featuring our own James Michael and guest vocalists and musicians.  Admission is $36 per person.  Invitations will go out next week.  Please mark your calendars now for this delightful evening, which also serves as a kickoff for our ongoing fundraiser with Cheesecake Aly products.

PRIVATE SCREENING OF “HITLER’S PAWN"
Sunday afternoon, January 25, 2:00 – 5:00 pm
An award winning documentary which tells the story of Margaret Lambert, a German Jewish high jumper who trained for the German Olympic team for the 1936 Munich Olympic Games. Under threat of losing the Olympics, Hitler initially agreed to allow Jewish athletes to compete, but then removed her from the team just prior to the opening ceremonies.
Following the screening we will be joined by the director of the documentary, Glen Rock's own George Roy, and Margaret Lambert herself, who will discuss the events covered by the documentary and answer your questions.
This event is open to all temple members free of charge but BY RESERVATION ONLY so please contact Rob Weiss. Seating space will be
limited.

Sunday February 1- Super Bowl Party, presented by the Men's Club.
Details to come