Shabbat Shalom GRJC

Weekly Emails to the Congregation

Parshat Vayetze 2008

Shabbat Shalom to the GRJC family,

We light our candles this Friday at 4:10 pm.  Friday night services will begin at 8 pm, and Saturday morning services will begin at 9am.  Max Kushnir will become a Bar Mitzvah this Shabbat.  The Kushnir family invites the entire congregation to participate in services this Shabbat.

December Birthdays and Anniversaries - We'll offer a special blessing and songs tonight at services.

Next week, Elan Daisdudov will become a Bar Mitzvah.

As we celebrate Shabbat this week, we remember all the 172 victims of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India.  The death of Rabbi Gavriel and Rivkah Holtzberg is a tragedy for that community which they worked so hard to help.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of all the victims and all those who are recovering from their wounds.

I have given thought to the question of whether the world in which we live today is different from the world in previous generations, or whether the issues we face are similar but manifest in different ways.  While I was at home over Thanksgiving, I asked my grandmother if she thought the world was a more dangerous place today than it was when she was growing up in Brooklyn.  She felt that the world was a less dangerous place when she was younger.

The reality is that the way we feel about the world is a matter of perception.  Someone who grew up in a war-torn country or lived in a place full of prejudice and hatred would certainly feel that the world was a violent place.  The same is true today.  There are statistics about the amount of crime committed, and in New York City, for example, the rates of major crimes are down significantly since 1990 according to the NYPD’s report.  From a historical point of view, the national homicide rate in 1950 was 4.6 per 100,000 and in 2007 it was 5.6 per 100,000 (according to the FBI).  According to this statistic, taken on its own, there does appear to be more violence in our country today than 50 years ago—but statistics do not tell the whole story nor offer us a path toward solving the problem.

When we think about what we can do to make the world a better, more tolerant and safer place, we can begin by gathering our courage and making the choice to have a positive impact on our society.  One way we can do this is by coming closer together as a religious community so that through our connections we can find the friendship, support, and encouragement that we all need to thrive.

We have many opportunities to connect, learn, grow and find emotional support here in our synagogue and through the services offered by the Jewish community beyond our synagogue walls.  Lines of communication to me are always open for discussion, study, and counseling.

As we face the early darkness that comes at this time of year, it is important to remind ourselves that within us there is the fire of generations of Jewish communities past and present.  There is knowledge and inspiration that comes from all those who participate in the life of our community, from all backgrounds, whatever the color of our skin, place of birth, whatever languages we speak.

May God grant us the strength and wisdom to see each new day as an opportunity to create the world that we pray for and work for in all that we do.

With blessings,
Rabbi Tow

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Saturday, December 6
6:00 pm Daled Class joins other Kehilah Group participants in an overnight retreat at the YJCC in Washington Township.

Live Auction of Sports, Music & Pop Culture Memorabilia and Fine Art.
8:00 –9:00pm Preview and Raffles
9:00pm Live Auction
Wine and cheese and desserts from Cheesecake Aly.  Open to the public…you can still buy admission tickets at the door $10 per person; $18 per couple; non-members $15 per person.
Sponsored by GRJC Men’s Club

Sunday, December 7
10-11 am Haftarah Chanting Class
11am – 11:45 Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah Class (**Please note 11 am starting time!**)

11:45 Kitah Shtaeem Hebrew Naming Ceremony

Super Sunday
December 7 at UJA NNJ, 50 Eisenhower Drive, Paramus, NJ
Join the community at the Super Sunday annual telethon on December 7 to be held in the new Federation offices in Paramus from 9am-9pm.  The current economic crisis makes this Super Sunday more important than ever. People in our Community are in need.  Here’s how you can help:
1.    Join us on Super Sunday to make calls. Don’t worry if you haven’t made phone calls before, training will be provided and non-phone jobs are available.
2.    Answer the call on Super Sunday and make a generous contribution to the Annual campaign.

Especially now, our agencies and services are being called upon to help those in need in our community.  Please visit the UJA Federation website; www.ujannj.org for more information.

Monday, December 8
6:30 pm Bogrim Swim at the YJCC (post bnei mitzvah youth)—Meet at GRJC at 6 to travel together to the Y.
7:30-9:45 pm Melton II Class in the Youth Lounge

Tuesday, December 9
11:30am --12:15pm Senior Aerobics – Social Hall
7:30pm – 9:00pm Single Parents Support Group -- Library
7:30pm – 9:00 pm Jewelry Making Party – Youth Lounge
An informal and fun evening.  No charge.  Come create a piece of jewelry for yourself and one for the Sisterhood to sell.  (Think Chanukah gifts!)

Thursday, December 11
9:45-10:30am Senior Aerobics – Social Hall
11:45am – 1:30pm Movin’ On (Widow/Widower’s Support Group)
3:30 - 4:30pm Hay Class visits Ridgewood Food Pantry
7:00 – 8:00pm Madrichim (for 10-12th grade High School Students)
First session:  GRJC member Audrey Goodman talks on leadership skills

Friday, December 12
6:30pm Tot Shabbat/ Shabbat Sheli

LOOKING AHEAD:

Sunday, December 14, 11:15am
Our Aleph Class (3rd graders) will be visiting the Jewish Federation Home in Paterson, bringing Chanukah songs, smiles and small gifts to its residents.  Please help them by dropping off the following items in the Center office next week:
Cotton Socks (men & women’s)
Lipsticks
Scarves
Stationery
Nail Polish
Baby Powder
Stuffed Animals
Simple Cross Stitch & Needlepoint Kits
Yarn – Assorted Colors (worsted weight)
Combs & Brushes
Toothbrushes & Toothpaste
Decorated Tissue Boxes
Change Purses
Shower Caps
Hand Lotion


Tuesday, December 16, 8pm
Torah Walk with Rabbi Tow – Social Hall
More than a dozen volunteers will hold up a fully unrolled Torah scroll, as the Rabbi points out stylistic elements and special content, and describes some of the history, customs and rules pertaining to a Sefer Torah.  For adults and teens

Friday, December 19, 9:30-11:30am
Nursery School Family Chanukah Party

Saturday, December 20, 9:00am
Daled Class Shabbaton with Cantor Michelle Freedman

Sunday, December 21, 4:00 – 6:00pm
GRJC Family Chanukah Party – BYOC *
*Bring your own Chanukiah to light the first candle!
Light Dinner served.  Crafts for the kids; Games for the adults
$7 per person; $18 family cap

Sunday, December 31, 9:30pm --12:30am
GRJC New Year’s Eve Party
Details to come…..


 

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