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eNewsUSCJ eNews: The United Synagogue Electronic BulletinAugust 2008
In This Issue:
Jews in Uganda and Ethiopia - United Synagogue’s executive vice president, Rabbi Jerome M. Epstein, went to Uganda, left, where he was among the guests at the dedication of a beit midrash funded by money collected by USY, and then on to Ethiopia, right, where he was appalled by the conditions of the Jews waiting in Gondar to make aliyah. [ Back to Top ]
Hekhsher Tzedek Guidelines - The Hekhsher Tzedek Commission has released guidelines explaining the Conservative movement’s new kashrut certification, which determines whether food that is ritually kosher is ethically kosher as well. Solomon Schechter Awards - The Solomon Schechter awards are given to congregations for programming that is creative, highly successful, or otherwise exemplary. Apply now, and then come to our convention, December 6-10 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, to applaud the winners (or to pick up your own award).
Two Birthright Israel Trips - Koach is working with Taglit-Birthright Israel to provide two trips, one a national trip and the other, a repeat of the successful 2007 program, for young people with Aspergers. Registration opens September 10 and will close a few days later. Trips are for 18- to 26-year-olds who have never been to Israel at all or who have not been on peer-oriented trip longer than five days; other restrictions apply. Email for information. Jewish Tour of Cuba - United Synagogue’s Southeast region offers a trip to Cuba from February 11 to 18. It’s an unusual opportunity to meet with members of the Jewish community in Havana and Santiago de Cuba. Space is limited. Email Harry Silverman for more information and an application.
The Next Issue of CJ - CJ: Voices of Conservative/Masorti Judaism, the magazine United Synagogue shares with Women’s League for Conservative Judaism and the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs, is due in your mailboxes in late August. This issue, our High Holy Day edition, features a section on comforting mourners that includes personal essays and reflections. Calendar Contest - As we do every year, we’re looking for photographs from our congregations for next year’s engagement calendar. This year, we’re opening the contest to pictures of any kind of art in a United Synagogue-affiliated congregation. Stained glass, a Torah covers, an ark, a yad, a parochet, a wall hanging – we will consider almost anything that’s in your synagogue. Email digital photos; call for address to send hard copy. (Digital is better!) Spirit of Israel – Voices of the Conservative Movement - The United Synagogue and the Cantors Assembly of America have produced the seventh CD in the Spirit series, the Spirit of Israel II, in celebration of Israel’s 60th birthday. $18 suggested contribution. 866-574-2566. [ Back to Top ]
High Holy Day Hazzanim - United Synagogue can help match affiliated congregations that need cantors on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur with hazzanim. You can download an application; for more information, call Leah Rottenberg at 646-519-9332 or email her. Hazak Goes To Israel - Hazak, United Synagogue’s group for people 55 and older, ran its first trip to Israel in February; the trip was so successful that people already have begun to sign up for the next one, set for January 2009. We’ll keep you posted on our plans; if you want more information right away, email Jo-Anne Tucker-Zemlak, Arlene Corsover, or Aaron Kischel. USY Summer Program - This summer, more than 700 USYers and staff are participating in one of USY’s summer programs, having fun, learning, and making what could be lifelong friendships on such programs as USY on Wheels, USY on Wheels Mission: Mitzvah, USY on Wheels East, or Israel Pilgrimage programs. It’s not too early to start thinking about next summer! 2009 International Biennial Convention - United Synagogue’s biennial convention, where leaders from across the continent gather to learn, study, network, share, and grow as Conservative Jews, is set for December 6 through 10 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. We’ll keep you updated as our plans develop. [ Back to Top ]
New Leadership in the Midwest - Karen Kesner of North Suburban Synagogue Beth El in Highland Park, Illinois, recently was elected the president of United Synagogue’s Midwestern region. Here, she stands with Rabbi Vernon Kurtz, who installed her and gave the keynote address. Devotion By The Ocean - On the evening of the Fourth of July, synagogues from United Synagogue’s Mid-Atlantic region celebrated the arrival of the Shabbat Queen on the beach in Ventnor, New Jersey. The host congregation, Congregation Beth Judah of Ventnor, was joined by members of Congregation Beth El in Vorhees and Beth El in Margate. On the beach with those New Jersey participants were members of Pennsylvania synagogues Adath Israel in Merion Station, Adath Jeshurun in Elkins Park, Har Zion Temple in Penn Valley, and Temple Sinai in Dresher. Kabbalat Shabbat included instrumental music; the rest of the service was a cappella. [ Back to Top ]
Study online with the Conservative Yeshiva - The Conservative Yeshiva at the Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center offers two online learning sessions. Rabbi Shlomo Zacharow will teach Contemporary Issues in Halacha and Vered Hollander-Goldfarb will offer Recipe for an Empire: From David’s Jerusalem to Ahab’s Samaria. Each class in 10 weeks long and will begin the week of October 26. Email for more information. Discover Jerusalem - The Conservative Yeshiva at United Synagogue’s Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center and Hadassah College Jerusalem are joining forces for Discover Jerusalem, an accredited semester for North American college students, from January to May 2009. Email for more information. [ Back to Top ]
Guardians of the Earth - Working together with United Synagogue and the other organizations that make up the Conservative movement, understanding the Jewish imperative to protect the earth, the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs offers suggestions to make our synagogues greener.
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It’s still summertime but Rosh Hashanah isn’t far away. Plan your new year with our Luah and Calendar Diary from our Book Service department. The 5769 Luah is an essential guide to the Torah service, aliyot, customs, and blessing for both the synagogue and the home. $15.50. United Synagogue’s 5769 Calendar Diary is a pocket calendar that lists holidays, Torah readings, affiliated organizations, and synagogues throughout the United States, Canada, and the world. [ Back to Top ]
Home for the Holidays - If you are an alumni of any Conservative movement youth group and need a synagogue for the High Holy Days, Project Reconnect can help with its Home for the Holidays program. Go to Israel with SNUSY Alumni - Alumni of the Sierra Nevada United Synagogue Youth, along with their spouses, children, and friends, are invited to join a trip to Israel planned for next summer through Project Reconnect. Sierra Nevada USY is part of the New Frontier region. Email for more information and please put the words “Israel 2009” in the subject line. Scholarships are available. [ Back to Top ]
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