USCJ eNews: The United Synagogue Electronic Bulletin
In This Issue:
Come Home for the Holidays - As it did last year, Project Reconnect, United Synagogue’s alumni association for everyone who has been a member of any Conservative movement youth group, is matching people up with synagogues for the High Holidays. If you will be away from home this holiday season, or if you have just moved to a new town and have not yet joined a synagogue, click on Project Reconnect’s website or go directly to Home For The Holiday. There is likely to be a synagogue near you that would love to welcome you home.
USCJ Creates Israel Commission - Because Israel is so deeply important to United Synagogue, we have created the Israel Commission and ask our synagogues to appoint chairs and send us their names. Learn more.
Send Us Your Art! - This year, as every year, we are asking our affiliated synagogues to send us entries for our calendar photo contest. But this year we’re trying something a bit different. We would like the 5768 (2007 - 2008) United Synagogue Calendar to feature photographs of architectural or structural elements from Conservative synagogues. So if your building is particularly old, unusual, or striking in some way, either inside or out, please send us a photograph. We’re looking for photos of facades, walls, windows, stonework, brickwork, roofs, or any other architectural feature; interior woodwork, paneled walls, coffered ceilings, carved bimahs, or anything else that is unusual and beautiful. It also should photograph well -- the higher quality the photo, the more likely it will be to win the contest. Find out more information.
Rally for Darfur - The crisis in Darfur continues. United Synagogue encourages everyone who lives close to New York City to join us at a rally there on Sunday, September 17. We will keep you posted as we get more information.
Project Isaiah - Heeding Isaiah’s call to feed the hungry, every year United Synagogue’s Project Isaiah collects packaged food before Kol Nidrei services, which will be October 1 this year. For information on the project and how your synagogue can participate, call the education department at 212 533-7800, ext. 2500.
Shabbat Hazak - On January 6 – that’s 16 Tevet – synagogues across the movement will celebrate the achievements of members of Hazak, the group for people 55 and older. To learn more about the program and about Shabbat Hazak, call Dr. Morton Siegel at 212 533-7800, ext. 2234, or email him at siegel@uscj.org.
Sulam - Sulam, the training program that helps new synagogue leaders climb the ladder of Jewish knowledge and practice, will be held twice in 2007. Mark your calendars and plan to join us – March 8-11 in Newark, New Jersey, and March 15-18 in Toronto, Ontario.
Torah Sparks - A new year is about to start, and we will begin to read the Torah from the beginning. For new insights into that very old and always new book, consider our Torah Sparks.
Change in Daylight Saving Time - Legislation passed by the United States Congress in 2005 mandated a change to when daylight saving time begins and ends. We will spring our clocks forward to daylight saving time on March 11, 2007, almost a month earlier than we used to; daylight saving time will end on November 4, 2007, instead of in late October. Shabbat and haggim will begin and end later in the day than they used to. Congregational planners should keep this in mind as they schedule smachot and other programs.
Building Communities, Nurturing Communal Life - United Synagogue’s Alim program nurtures new communities. To learn more about the program, read an interview with its director, Rabbi Paul Drazen.
Wheels in New Orleans - This summer, USY on Wheels returned to New Orleans, a traditional stop on the tour that of course had to be omitted last year. The students did some sightseeing, and they also did volunteer work; they had a wonderful time and they made a difference.
Summer at Fuchsberg Center - USY groups used United Synagogue’s Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center as home base this summer. Here, they daven shacharit in the newly completed outdoor Temple Zion Israelite Center Amphitheatre.
Growing Community in Camp - In August, synagogue leaders gathered at Camp Ramah in the Berkshires. Under the direction of Rabbi Paul Drazen, they spent a week by the lake there, polishing their skills and learning how to aid in the development of a community.
Tzohar Biloxi - There are many years' worth of cleanup work to be done in Biloxi; to help repair Biloxi is to help repair the world. Learn how United Synagogue can help you with its new program, Tzohar Biloxi, a window of help and hope.
Lists for Koach - Koach, United Synagogue’s program for college-age students, sends students the monthly Koach eNews, which links them to the group’s award-winning website, gives them access to Koach’s ezine, and provides them with a wealth of information and resources. All Koach needs is a list with the email addresses of college students from your synagogue. Email koach@uscj.org for more information or to send your list.
Learning At and About Our Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center - The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism is immensely proud of its Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center, Conservative Jews’ home in the homeland. See a poster about the center.
The Conservative Yeshiva at the Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center offers three online learning opportunities. Rabbi Mordecai Silverstein, senior teacher of Midrash and Talmud writes a Haftarah commentary every week. Yeshiva cofounder and Mishna and Talmud teacher Dr. Josh Kulp produces the online Mishna Yomit (Daily Mishna) study program for United Synagogue. The Yeshiva’s rosh yeshiva, faculty members, and students all contribute to the Divre Torah page on the Yeshiva’s website.
And if you are planning a trip to Israel, be sure to look to the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism's Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center for travel help, learning and volunteer opportunities, help in planning bar and bat mitzvah services and celebrations, learning and volunteer opportunities, accommodations, and more. Learn more about the center's programs and services.
United Synagogue’s Conservative Yeshiva Year Program - The Conservative Yeshiva at the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism’s Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center offers Jews of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to study classic Jewish texts in a vibrant, open-minded, egalitarian community. Study can be full-time or part-time, on a short or long-term basis; some scholarships are available. For more information and an application, email Yeshiva@uscj.org, call 011-972-2-622-3116, or click here.
USY’s website - USY's website Has a great resource for USY and Kadima chapters, the Online Program Bank,which features a searchable database feature and program ideas.
Schechter Online - Check out the Solomon Schechter Day School Association's new website for the latest news about affiliated schools, as well as information about the overall education policy behind the movement.
Approaching the New Year - As the summer days get shorter, the shadows lengthen, and leaves begin to turn color, we often think about time passing, and about the new year that is about to begin. Here are some new ways to organize time and to think about the High Holy Days.
Organizing Time
It’s About Time CD-ROM - Create an original full-color calendar complete with graphics, Torah readings and more. $29.95. Call United Synagogue’s Book Service at 212 533-7800, ext. 2003, email booksvc@uscj.org, or go to www.uscj.org/booksvc.
United Synagogue Calendar Diary 2006/7 - The annual pocket diary includes information about the Jewish holidays, weekly portions, and Perek Yomi, and lists affiliated congregations and organizations. $4.95. Call United Synagogue’s Book Service at 212 533-7800, ext. 2003, email booksvc@uscj.org, or go to www.uscj.org/booksvc.
Luah 5767: Order of Prayers, Blessings and Torah Readings for Synagogue and Home Table - The Conservative movement’s user-friend luah is in English and cross-referenced to the Sim Shalom. It provides detailed instructions and clarifies prescribed times and manners of praying. $15.25; $12.95 each for orders of five or more. Call United Synagogue’s Book Service at 212 533-7800, ext. 2003, email booksvc@uscj.org, or go to www.uscj.org/booksvc.
The 5767/2006-2007 Art Calendar - The 5767/2006-2007 Art Calendar holds photographs of Judaica from our member synagogues and a question and answer – a sh’eilah and teshuvah – by prominent Conservative rabbis. $25; for orders of 25 or more, $5 per calendar. Call 866-5-SHALOM.
Preparing for the High Holy Days
Entering The High Holy Days by Reuven Hammer offers a deep unstanding andd profound appreciation of the season. $18. Call United Synagogue’s Book Service at 212 533-7800, ext. 2003, email booksvc@uscj.org, or go to www.uscj.org/booksvc.
Tiku Shofar: A High Holy Day Mahzor and Source Book for Students and Families. The mahzor, which is suitable for children’s services, family services, and classroom preparation for the High Holidays, includes stories and discussion starters in a gender-free translation. $12; quality discounts are available. Call United Synagogue’s Book Service at 212 533-7800, ext. 2003, email booksvc@uscj.org, or go to www.uscj.org/booksvc.
A Yom Kippur Think - Meant for young children, A Yom Kippur Think is an illustrated storybook about the true meaning on Yom Kippur. $8. Call United Synagogue’s Book Service at 212 533-7800, ext. 2003, email booksvc@uscj.org, or go to www.uscj.org/booksvc.
The Yom Kippur Anthology - by Philip Goodman includes selections from the Bible, prose, poetry, history, and information on how to observe the Day of Awe. $22. Call United Synagogue’s Book Service at 212 533-7800, ext. 2003, email booksvc@uscj.org, or go to www.uscj.org/booksvc.
Make A Lulav Shake - The kit includes posters, flyers, buttons, a t-shirt, blessings, information on the symbolism and interpretations of the four species, and more. The full kit is $60; some individual items are available separately. To order, email eduation@uscj.org or call 212 533-7800, ext. 2500.
A Family Activity Guide for Sukkot presents ideas for sukkah decoration, activities, and entertaining. It includes a Sukkot home service, recipes, resources, and more. A master copy of the activity guide and permission to reprint is $25; packets of 10 are $11. To order, email eduation@uscj.org or call 212 533-7800, ext. 2500.
The High Holiday Junior Congregation Curriculum contains detailed activities for two hours of services. It is aimed at the parents, college students, or older high school students who will lead the programs. $40. Toorder, email eduation@uscj.org or call 212 533-7800, ext. 2500.
Seaboard screens "The Tollbooth.
Seaboard’s Hazak group goes to Richmond, Virginia.
Midwest offers scholar-in-residence Naomi Graetz.
- "Family Rhymes for Family Times" showcases Jewish family life, both at holiday times and during the rest of the year.
- Take advantage of free Internet hosting services to affiliated synagogues, USY chapters and afternoon/day schools.
- Get suggestions for building a Jewish home library. Great ideas for gift giving as well.
USY Convention - So far more than 1,300 people are expected at the 56th annual USY international convention, which is set for December 24 through 28 at the Boston Marriott Copley Place. During those five days USYers will talk and think about social action projects, summer program reunions, educational programs, and more. This year’s theme will revolve around the Jewish calendar; as always fun and fellowship are on the agenda. For more information, visit www.usy.org/ic or email us at usyconvention@uscj.org.
SSDSA Meeting - The Solomon Schechter Day School Association’s lay and professional leaders meet for the group’s biennial conference in Boca Raton, Florida, from December 10 through December 12. The conference theme will be Commitment, Covenant and Community; the conference will include a discussion on recruiting and supporting new heads of school. At the conference, at the Boca Raton Renaissance Hotel, participants will have the chance to network and learn fromeach other as they look at the challenges that face Schechter day schools. For more information about SSDSA, go to its website, www.ssdsa.org.
- More information about the conference
Save the Date - Mark your calendars, update your PDAs, fill in your datebooks. United Synagogue’s next biennial convention will be held from Thursday, Nov. 29 - Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, at the new Rosen Shingle Creek Resort and Golf Club in Orlando, Florida. We look forward to seeing you there. The convention will be chaired by Carole Korowitz and co-chaired by Rochelle Baltuch.
- Read the Convention e-Newsletter for more information
The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
Rapaport House
155 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010
212.533.7800, ext. 2601
info@uscj.org
