Or Chadash Fall 2017 Newsletter
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In This Issue
Service Schedule
In Our Community
Yahrzeits
Donations
Rabbi's Message
President's Message
Educator's Message
Cantor's Message
What You Might Have Missed
Registration Quick Links
Shabbat  Service Schedule
Shabbat Window  
Dec 1:
FANTASTIC FRIDAY
Legacy Shabbat Dinner, 
6:30 PM followed by Legacy Shabbat Service,  7:30 PM
 
Dec 8:
Shabbat Services,  7:30 PM
 
Dec 15:
FANTASTIC FRIDAY
Hanukkah Family Shabbat Service, 7 PM
 
In Our Community

Mazal Tov to  ...
The Schenker family on the occasion of Jackie becoming a Bat Mitzvah

The Orlans family on the occasion of Joshua becoming a Bar Mitzvah

The Rainey family on the occasion of Ricky becoming a Bar Mitzvah

Thank You to ...
Debbie Weiss and the Betsy Award Committee for all of their hard work on the Betsy Award Celebration:
Susan Albert
Christine Berg
Rabbi Joe Forman
Harvey Gold
Jaimee Gold
Sandra Gong
Michele Korfin
Cindy Lehrer
Judi Levine
Kathy Marrus
Stephanie Orr
Wendy Solomon
Jane Stein
Caryn Tomljanovich
Karen Tovi-Jones
Renee Trambert
Glenn Wasserman
Maureen Weiner  
 
Refuah Sh'leima (Get Well) to...
Susan Blaicher
Barbara Sansevere
Gary Weiss
Melvin Hecht
Estelle Breines
Ira Breines
Gail Silverman
Shirley Jaffe 
Victor Sloan
   
Condolences to  ...
The Parilis family on the loss of Susan's beloved cousin Glenn William Hagan

The Freedman family on the loss of Jackie's beloved father Jerry Lane
 
In order to help us be a more caring community, please share your lifecycle events with  Rabbi Forman
  
Feel free to click on a hyperlink to send a note and let someone know you are thinking about them.
yahrzeit photo
Upcoming Yahrzeits 
May the memories of the following individuals be for a blessing:  

November 26
(To be read on Dec 1)
Joseph Kass
Grandfather of Leslie Hann
Rose Leon
Grandmother of Betsy  Zalaznick
Bernard Wolf
Stepfather of Leslie Hann
Charles Gelb
Father of Shirl Levy
Jerome Engel
Father of Jane Engel

December 1
Martin H. Albert
Grandfather of Steve Albert
Anna Robbin Smith
Mother of Harold Smith
Gertrude Heller
Grandmother of Jim Lewy &  David Lewy
Mother of Liz Lewy
Sheila Fisher-Cohen
Cousin of Gary Brodsky
Edward Kurlansik
Father of Jack Kurlansik
 
December 8
Bessie Kenyon 
Grandmother of Susan Albert
Morty Lehrer
Father of Perry Lehrer
Irving Safier
Father of Cindy Lehrer
James Mazzocchi  
Father of Nick Mazzocchi
Steven D. Weinstein 
Brother of Susan Albert
 
December 15
Sylvia Borgman 
Mother of Estelle Breines
Harry Breines 
Father of Ira Breines
Milton Wolfson
Father of Craig Wolfson
Ken Kimberley
Friend of Sherrie Mazzocchi
Joseph M. Fish
Grandfather of Rabbi 
Joseph M. Forman 
Esther Fish
Grandmother of Rabbi Joseph M. Forman

December 22
(To be read on January 5) 
Suzie Cooper Gold
Mother of Andrew Gold
Gloria Grumbach
Mother of Steve Grumbach
Raoul Rabiner
Father of Betsy Zalaznick

December 29
(To be read on January 5) 
Milton Schwartz
Father of Aaron Schwartz
Sylvia Wasserman
Loved one of Shelly Weller
Esther Senator-Gross
Grandmother of Laura Senator
Harry Hackel
Father of Audrey Hackel
Anne Lerner
Grandmother of Liz Tracey

Contributions
Yahrzeit
Steve & Susan Albert
In Memory of Mildred Albert and  Stanley D. Weinstein
Ken Becker & Sharon Bobnar-Becker
In Memory of Eugene Bobnar
Mark & Nancy Beckman
Edward & Frances Hack
In Memory of Edith Hack, Irving Frankel and Stanley Frankel
Susan Ingram
In Memory of Richard E. & Selma A. Ingram, Janet A. & Edwin J. Loewy
Estelle Katcher
In Memory of Avrum L. Katcher
Andy & Michele Korfin
In Memory of Ira Korfin
Judith Levine
In Memory of Annette Crystal
Judith Levine
In Memory of Irving Crystal on the Occasion of Emma's First Birthday
Robert & Alice Schwade
In Memory of David Topf
Gary & Debbie Weiss
In Memory of Larry Seligman

Yizkor
Larry & Beatrice Abrams
Steve & Susan Albert
Steven & Susan Albrecht
Deborah Beer-Christensen
Ray Blumenfeld & Audrey Hackel
Jon & Lori Blutfield
George Eckelmann & Jane Engel
Craig Erkkila & Ruby Halper-Erkkila
Dan & Jacquelyn Freedman
Harvey & Kathryn Gold
Steve & Sage Grumbach
Edward & Frances Hack
Chris & Leslie Hann
Alan Hecht & Maria Jose De La Hoz
Andy & Michele Korfin
Richard & Evelyn Kurtzberg
John Langer & Annette Ivry
Judith Levine
Robert & Shirl Levy
Sherrie Mazzocchi
Stuart Oxenhorn & Robin Schutz
Darren & Yulia Pincus
Wendy Solomon
Andrew & Jane Stein
Cindy Stoter
Paul & Allyse Vanderwalker
Richard Willey & Meridith Sigel-Willey

7th Grade Class Gift
David & Courtney Moscowitz
 
General Contributions
Jeff & Christine Berg
Harvey & Kathryn Gold
John Graybeal & Laura Senator
David & Isabel Mahalick
Judith Levine
In Honor of the marriage of Ian & Aurelie Crystal
  
High Holidays
Larry & Beatrice Abrams
Steve & Susan Albert
Steven & Susan Albrecht
Honi Amodio
Paul & Deborah Augustus
Deborah Beer-Christensen
Adam & Audrey Belkin
Jeff & Christine Berg
Jeffrey & Cyndy Bloch
Ray Blumenfeld & Audrey Hackel
Jon & Lori Blutfield
Mitch Brody
Brian & Carol Coriell
George Eckelmann & Jane Engel
Craig Erkkila & Ruby Halper-Erkkila
Dan & Jacquelyn Freedman
Faith Fuhrman
Steven Garfield
Harvey & Kathryn Gold
Edward & Frances Hack
Chris & Leslie Hann
Alan Hecht & Maria Jose De La Hoz
Lori Imhof
Michele Ingber
Benjamin Jahre
Andy & Michele Korfin
Richard & Evelyn Kurtzberg
John Langer & Annette Ivry
Paul & Marlene Leibowitz
Judith Levine
Robert & Shirl Levy
Elizabeth Lewy
Matthew Lidinsky & Sally Mazzocchi
Edward & Cheryl Lifshitz
David & Carolyn Lobenberg
Sherrie Mazzocchi
Bernard & Carol Miller
David & Katherine Moutner
Stuart Oxenhorn & Robin Schutz
Gary & Susan Parilis
Darren & Yulia Pincus
David Rosen
Wendy Solomon
Louis & Caryn Speizer
Cindy Stoter
Paul & Allyse Vanderwalker
Glenn & Eve Wasserman
Paul & Meredith Weil
Gary & Debbie Weiss
Amara Willey

Educational Enrichment Fund
Steven & Susan Albrecht
Ronni Silver & Bernie Hoffman
Mike & Lisa Tauscher
Bruce & Betsy Zalaznick
In Honor of the marriage of Yi Luo to Aaron Schwartz
Bruce & Betsy Zalaznick
In Memory of Glenn William Hagan
Bruce & Betsy Zalaznick
In Memory of Jerry Lane

Prayer Book Fund
Harvey & Kathryn Gold
Lori Imhof
John Langer & Annette Ivry
Darren & Yulia Pincus
 
Rabbi's Discretionary Fund
Scott & Maryann Breslow
   
Board Directed Fund
Jeff Berg
Dan Freedman
Laura Senator
Perry Lehrer
Victor Sloan
Louis Speizer
Kimberly Turner
Glenn Wasserman
Ross Weinick
Debbie Weiss
Betsy Zalaznick

Betsy Award
Larry & Beatrice Abrams
Abe Abuchowski
Jonathan & Lisa Achinstein
Arlene Adler
Brian Albert
Steve & Susan Albert
Steven & Susan Albrecht
Ken Becker & Sharon Bobnar-Becker
Adam & Audrey Belkin
Douglas & Kimberly Beman
James & Arlene Berg
Kurt & Susan Blaicher
Jeffrey & Cyndy Bloch
Rachel Bloch
Jon & Lori Blutfield
Wasseem & Ana Boraie
Ira & Estelle Breines
Gary Brodsky
David Bunevich & Lisa Nierenberg
Eva Carey
Brian & Carol Coriell
Jonathan & Alana Dambrot
Ivan & Cheryl Dickman
George Eckelmann & Jane Engel
Rabbi Joseph M. Forman
Rabbi Lawrence A. Forman
Rabbi Sharon Forman
Vivian Forman
Carmine & Eileen Freda
Dan & Jacquelyn Freedman
Laura Friedman
Faith Fuhrman
Joe Fuhrman
Patricia Garay
Steven Garfield
John & Maria Gendelman
Harvey & Kathryn Gold
John Graybeal & Laura Senator
Sharon & David Halper
Chris & Leslie Hann
Phillip & Andrea Harvey
Alan Hecht & Maria Jose De La Hoz
John & Rebecca Hennings
Mark & Jessica Hodkinson
Pierce & Stacey Hubbard
Chip Hughes & Maxine Boll-Hughes
Cantor Zoe Jacobs
Gerald Jones & Karen Tovi-Jones
Craig & Sudha Kantor
Richard & Evelyn Kurtzberg
Cindy Lehrer
Perry Lehrer
Jay & Ruth Lenrow
Judith Levine
Robert & Shirl Levy
David & Robin Lewy
Jim & Mary Clare Lewy
Edward & Cheryl Lifshitz
David & Carolyn Lobenberg
Darren & Elizabeth Loew
Matthew & Amy MacIsaac
Steven & Tricia Margolis
Alan Marrus
Ryan Marrus
Vadik & Kate Metelitsa
Richard Meurer
David & Katherine Moutner
Doug & Stephanie Orr
Stuart Oxenhorn & Robin Schutz
Gary & Susan Parilis
Kevin & Iris Parker
Nisim & Alexa Parliyan
Chris & Melissa Pickell
Darren & Yulia Pincus
Stephen & Diana Propper
Ellen Pytlar
Robert & Liane Rabiner
Jonna Ricigliano
Arthur & Betty Roswell
Jeff Sandler
John & Toby Sarinick
David & Emily Schipper
Aaron & Yi Schwartz
Jason Silberfein
Stephen Sinoway & Beth Golden
Gilbert & Sonia Sloan
Victor Sloan & Sandra Gong
Glenn & Lydia Sokoloski
Wendy Solomon
Louis & Caryn Speizer
William & Maryjane Staats
Andrew & Jane Stein
Rabbi Richard and Diane Steinbrink
Rebecca Stoker
Cindy Stoter
Tierney Teeling
Marc & Caryn Tomljanovich
David & Kimberly Turner
Edward Tyler & Renee Trambert
Glenn & Eve Wasserman
Paul & Meredith Weil
Ross & Susan Weinick
Gary & Debbie Weiss
Elinor Willoughby
Mark & Kristina Witzling
Craig Wolfson & Vicki Tuschak
Sergey & Honeylet Wortman-Vayn
Eric & Mona Yorke
Bruce & Betsy Zalaznick
David & Barbara Zalaznick
Ruth Zalaznick
Samantha Zwerling

Legacy Circle Members
 
Larry & Beatrice Abrams 
Susan & Steve Albert
Adam & Audrey Belkin
Kimberly & Doug Beman
Jeff & Christine Berg
Jonathan & Alana Dambrot
Rabbi Joseph M. Forman
Dan & Jackie Freedman
Cantor Kathy Gohr
Harvey & Kathryn Gold
Steven Grumbach
Chris Hann & Leslie Werstein Hann
Alan Hecht & Maria Jose De La Hoz
Darren & Elizabeth Loew
David & Katherine Moutner
Gary & Susan Parilis
Nisim & Alexa Parliyan
Rick & Jill Rosenthal
The Senator/Graybeal Family
The Sloan/Gong Family
Louis & Caryn Speizer
Andy & Jane Stein
Rabbi Richard F. Steinbrink
Caryn & Marc Tomljanovich
Renee Trambert
Kimberly & David Turner
Glenn & Eve Wasserman
Ross & Susan Weinick
Debbie & Gary Weiss
Mark and Kristina Witzling
Betsy & Bruce Zalaznick

Click here  for FAQ's  about Legacy Circle
Jewish Family Services

Jewish Family Services 

JFS is a non-profit, non-sectarian social service agency whose mission is to preserve and strengthen the quality of individual, family and community life based on Jewish values. We provide our services to a diverse socio-economic client population that includes individuals, children, young adults, families and the elderly.


 Click here for information on additional services.  

 

Meals On Wheels 
Meals on Wheels needs volunteer drivers in our area. Serve your homebound senior neighbors a hot noontime meal. The commitment to drive is only once a month. It will take only an hour or two once a month to get that good feeling of giving. Call our office at (908) 284-0735 to offer your time or for more information (and/or check out our website at mowih.org ). Help us, help others. Many thanks.  

In the Community
2017-2018 Jewish LIFE Program at SSBJCC in Bridgewater
This year's calendar is filled with many, many learning opportunities, cultural and community events that have been created for our Jewish LIFE tri-county audience.  The Melton School and iEngage return, as do the film evenings, a 3-part series on Muslim-Jewish relations, authors, holiday workshops and celebrations and much more.   Click here  for a printable version of the program brochure.

WARDROBE OF HOPE
The Domestic Abuse Sexual Assault Crisis Center of Warren County (DASACC) offers many services. One such service is the Wardrobe of Hope. Any woman in need of clothing, shoes, and accessories, for any reason,  is welcome to visit. DASACC is currently in need of accessories - jewelry and scarves. If you have any items you wish to donate, please drop them in the pink box near the entrance of Or Chadash.


Rabbi's Message
RabbiForman
Dear Friends:

On Saturday, October 28, 2017, Or Chadash shared its appreciation for Betsy Zalaznick's 20 years of generosity, learning, leadership, passion, creativity and dedication - conferring upon her THE BETSY AWARD for those qualities that so many of us have benefited from. I wanted to share with all of you my remarks-which were included in the event's journal.  Additionally, I am including links (below) which will give everyone an opportunity to experience just a bit of some of the elements of the magical night when our Or Chadash community came together to celebrate our educator and friend, Betsy.  



Joshua ben Perachyah, one of the earliest sages in the Mishna, advised: "Get yourself a teacher, acquire a friend, and judge everyone favorably." (Pirkei Avot 1:6) In knowing Betsy Zalaznick, I have been blessed to fulfill all three Mitzvot, as Betsy has been and remains a teacher to me, a friend, and a model of how to treat others.   

Betsy has been teacher to all of us, passionately instructing our Or Chadash community for more than two decades. To be a Morah, a teacher, is to be an exemplar.  (The Hebrew word for parent and the follow-the-leader dance, the Hora, are both from the same root.) Betsy is a unique individual who guides and instructs us not merely by intoning the values of Jewish living, but through her actions, in the way she lives and the example she sets for us, as well.  The bar is indeed high, but she encourages every one of us to surpass our own expectations for ourselves, and, as is always the case with Betsy, encouraging us to have fun while learning. Betsy has a thirst for knowledge and is continually exploring and researching how we can enrich the programming at Or Chadash.  She capably brings to life these nascent ideas she discovers from every imaginable source, transforming them into the myriad successful programs we love.
Betsy has also been a friend  -- to me and to so many of you.  She is someone with whom I have shared our common commitment to Or Chadash, as well as the adventures of her deep love of cooking and baking and the requisite exercises to burn off those calories!  In our shared dedication to Or Chadash, discovering new ideas, trying to improve upon the previous years' programs, while thoughtfully manicuring each and every detail, we have strengthened each other and, hopefully, each of you and our community.

And Betsy is a Mench among Menchen -- a caring and nurturing individual who sees each of us as unique persons and, with seemingly effortless ease, remembers details about us, our families, our birthdays and anniversaries, our alma maters and the names of our nieces and nephews.  And then she inquires about how everyone is doing-either by text, email, phone, or written word.  She truly cares about every one of us!

Tonight we bestow upon Betsy her eponymous award for generosity, learning, leadership, passion, creativity and dedication.  I know of no other individual who embodies these many remarkable qualities.
Kol HaKavod and Mazal Tov!

Rabbi Joseph M. Forman

Here are some links to the evening's celebration.
A (nearly) complete video of the night:
Please note that the video is missing President Kim Turner's remarks, the presentation of the award (photograph below) and gift (gold charm) and the introduction of Betsy's remarks.  There are some highlights not to be missed -
At 40:00 Jon Zalaznick's remarks about his mom, and at 80:00 Betsy Zalaznick's acceptance speech.
 
This nine minute video, created by Glenn Wasserman, includes tributes from past presidents and our Religious School students.  It was shown during the evening:
 
These are some photographs of The Betsy Award evening taken by Becca Wasserman:
 
In December we look forward to sharing with all of you the online version of the Program/Ad Journal. Stay tuned!




President's Message
Shabbat Shalom

I have to admit I have never really had the Shabbat vibe. My mother has always been the one who lights candles, says the prayers and gathers in the light. She's the one who has the warm Shabbat memories of a childhood in an Orthodox household where Shabbat meant time to relax with family, and a warm evening with candles, challah and a special meal. For me, Shabbat was something I saw from a distance. It's a different story when I think about a Friday night in general. I look forward to Friday nights with the eagerness of a kid headed into a candy store. The end of the work-week, the endless hours of weekend stretching ahead of me. A night when I don't need to think about homework or e-mails, chores or duties. Friday nights for me have always been full of quick changes into flannel pajamas to curl up on the couch with take-out and a good movie or with a dinner at a local restaurant with good friends. Friday night memories for me include dropping my sons at their first dance, reading a good book or hanging out at the kitchen table with my family and friends. I might not be that into Shabbat, but I am all about a good Friday night. Without a doubt, Friday nights are my favorite time of the week. 

Wait - hold the phone (do people still say that?).  I'll admit it took me until this year to realize my love of Friday nights is really my way of celebrating Shabbat. A time for rest, for comfort, for family and for good food and maybe a glass of wine. A time to put the worries of the week, the world and my work aside and to enjoy and recharge with family and friends. Wow, I can't believe it's taken me this long to realize that this is exactly what Shabbat is about. My grandparents celebrated Shabbat by not driving, not watching TV, not preparing food. I don't celebrate Shabbat that way. However, I do celebrate Shabbat. I rest, I recharge, and I spend time cherishing my family and friends. 

At Or Chadash we also have been working to re-imagine Shabbat. We realize that when Friday evening rolls around most of us are tired from a long week. We are busy with kids' sports events, social outings or are just too tired to drive all the way to Foothill road. I get it. I'm right there with you. Every time I've made the effort to come to a Friday night service, I've been glad I did. The warmth, the familiar tunes, the sense of community always leave me with a good feeling. However, if I'm honest, more often than not, I am too tired or too busy or too happy to just relax at home, to make the trip. 

At Or Chadash, we are working to change that. What if the thing happening at Or Chadash was so exciting, so interesting, so appealing that you couldn't wait to get here. When I know my children will be on the bimah, when I know there is a special meal waiting for me, when there is fabulous music, or a great speaker, I get a newfound energy about celebrating Shabbat at Or Chadash. This is the guiding principle of our new Fantastic Friday programming. Over the course of this year you will see certain Fridays designated as "Fantastic Fridays." On these weeks we will include special programming along with, or as part of, our regular Friday evening services. Each Fantastic Friday will be different. We are experimenting with what works and what doesn't. Each Fantastic Friday is designed to be something our community members are excited about coming to. Fantastic Fridays at Or Chadash should be as exciting as having play tickets for Hamilton...well maybe I shouldn't over sell it, but they should be pretty exciting. 

I can't promise I will leave behind my flannel PJs and take-out dinner every week, but I can tell you I am excited about our new way of thinking about Shabbat. Shabbat isn't just for our parents anymore. Think of your favorite Friday memories, and now add a couple of Or Chadash Fantastic Fridays to them. Mine so far includes our Legacy Shabbat dinner, our musical Shabbats, and our Deer Path Shabbat in the park. More to come though. Look for our Fantastic Friday wording on programming, and give it a try. I admit it, my previous idea of Shabbat up until now was something sort of old fashioned: Grandma's silver and roast chicken in a sepia tone. Warm, but not really mine. My idea of Fantastic Fridays, however, is vibrant, full of good food, music, friends and fun. This is our Shabbat. 

Give it a try. Come to a Fantastic Friday and let us know what you think. If you have a great idea for a Fantastic Friday, let us know what it is. Whatever you do, I hope that your Friday this week is full of warmth, caring and sharing and is, in fact: Fantastic. 
 
Shabbat Shalom, 
Kim Turner

Religious School Director's Message
Betsy NYC.jpg
Each week we are offered the opportunity to celebrate Shabbat.  For so many of us, family obligations, sports events, or just exhaustion from a full week prevents us from making the most of Shabbat.  What we need most -- a day of rest -- we are too tired to enjoy or just too busy to slow down.  Getting our lives back in balance is a hurdle that we cannot clear.

Rabbi Naomi Levy, in her new book EINSTEIN and the RABBI: Searching for the Soul, has some wisdom for every one of us:
"No matter what your faith tradition is, imagine what it might be like to set one day aside each week for romance, for family, for community, for learning and prayer.  A day of sensuality, physical pleasure, good food, nature, song.  A day for welcoming the presence of God into our world.  The Sabbath teaches us how to take back our lives, how to balance work and home, prose and poetry, ego and soul.  On the Sabbath the present gives way to the eternal.  Time releases its stranglehold over us.  We're no longer ruled by the clock.  We can stop rushing and stressing."

During the first Shabbat in December, we are delighted to welcome three authors who have written about taking back our lives, about balancing all the tasks that demand our attention. The discussion will explore their strategies for "leaning in", how they get dinner on the table (think one-dish, extra-fast recipes, make-ahead), write novels during their child's swim practice and commute, and navigate the conflicts, struggles and triumphs of being a working parent.

Lauren Smith-Brody, author of The Fifth Trimester, who will be at Or Chadash, wrote:  "The morning and evening rush can be pure chaos for moms.  Liz, Caroline, and I all wrote books that get you through those 'bookends' of your day.  Liz wrote her hilarious and heartfelt novel largely during her daughter's early morning swim practice and on her NJT commute train, Caroline's recipes are brilliant for families with staggered dinnertimes, and my research for new moms help you negotiate everything from flex time to who's making the bed every morning."

I hope you will join us on Shabbat -- Saturday, December 2nd-as we learn and share in the wisdom of three colleagues, authors, and friends.  Join Caroline Campion, ( The Dinner Plan and Keepers), Elisabeth Egan ( A Window Opens) and Lauren Smith-Brody ( The Fifth Trimester) for a morning discussion that balances work and home, and is not ruled by the clock. 

10:00 AM - 10:30 Tasting of recipes from The Dinner Plan
10:30 AM - 12:00 Noon, author discussion and Q & A, Book signing

Open to the community.  No charge.  Books will be available for purchase.  No RSVP is required, but we would love to know that you will be attending:  http://tinyurl.com/yd6t6jm8

Please join us for an extra special Or Chadash Shabbat.

Betsy Zalaznick
Educator



Cantor's Message
Kathy Gohr
As we enter this time of giving thanks, we are reminded to "count our blessings" as we gather with friends and family for a time of feasting and fellowship. Last Friday night at our first "Fantastic Friday" service we explored the Jewish roots of this tradition.  We learned that it was very Jewish to count our blessings, in fact we are mandated to count at least 100 blessings each day. You will find this directive in the Talmud, tractate Menachot 43b, where it was taught, "Rabbi Meir used to say, a person must make 100 blessings each day." 
For more information, please check out the following link:

We were challenged to make 100 blessings over the next 24 hours, and as I drove home I asked to be made more aware of the many blessings that surround me each day.

The next day I spent the morning removing a humongous pile of leaves from my back yard. I have a large maple tree that produces leaves as large as my palm, and I have spent many a Thanksgiving weekend in the seemingly endless pursuit of eradicating the carpet of leaves that covers my lawn after the first hard frost of the year. I had, in fact, begun to dread this time of year, knowing that each year I would be faced with the same task again and again.

But this year was different. As I hauled out my leaf blower and chased the leaves into the corner of my yard, the sun came out. I was reminded of the summer season just past, when the leaves had provided a welcome relief from the heat of the day. The leaves that were now swirling around my feet had not too long ago spread over my head, giving shade that cooled my yard, making it a welcoming place for myself and my dogs, the birds, squirrels and anyone else that needed shelter. I began to feel the blessings arise from those leaves, and the mundane task of raking leaves became a spiritual experience, culminating in the realization that that tree, along with its leaves, would be there for me again next year.

I think that the most important aspect of Rabbi Meir's original intention was to seek out the holy in the mundane, revealing the sparks of the Divine that hide in plain sight. I'm not sure if it is our gratitude that elevates the ordinary or if the blessings are already there waiting to elevate us, but either way it is our engagement that is crucial to bring about Tikkun Olam, the healing of our world.  May you be blessed beyond measure this year, and always. 

Bles-sings,
Kathy Gohr

Bat Mitzvah - Jackie Schenker
Jackie Schenker, daughter of Don and Sara Schenker, became a Bat Mitzvah on October 21, 2017. Jackie is a seventh grader at Old Turnpike School. She loves learning pretty much anything and is most interested in history and literature. She participates in several academic clubs, as well as chorus and vocal ensemble.  She likes to ride her horse and loves to ski. Jackie's Torah portion helped her look at the true meaning of righteousness and of being a good person. She raised food for the local food pantry, fostered dogs for a rescue group and helped out at the Family Success Center in Flemington. Jackie enjoyed celebrating her Bat Mitzvah with her friends, family and community.

Bar Mitzvah - Joshua Orlans
Joshua Orlans, son of Rita and David Orlans, became a Bar Mitzvah on October 28, 2017. Joshua is a quick-witted eighth grader from Annandale, NJ. He attends Clinton Township Middle School where he especially enjoys Math, Science and Social Studies.  His activities include swimming, middle distance running, football, basketball and especially skiing.  Joshua has many interests, including computer games, exotic cars, trivia, reading and investments. In addition to his parents, his family includes his sisters, Olivia and Sara; and his brother Sean. He is very thankful for his Hebrew education and enjoyed celebrating his Bar Mitzvah with his family and friends.

Bar Mitzvah - Ricky Rainey
Ricky Rainey became a Bar Mitzvah on November 11th. He is the son of Michelle and Matt Rainey and an 8th grader at Clinton Township Middle School. Ricky loves his dogs, Timber and Rocket, and his goldfish Plankton and Jopeck.  Ricky enjoys playing guitar and is part of the rock band at school. He also plays clarinet in concert band.  For his Bar Mitzvah project, Ricky researched, visited and made a film about the historic synagogues of Newark.  He and his brother, along with his mom and dad, visited Newark more than 15 times to photograph and shoot digital video of the synagogues in Newark and speak with people associated with them. He performed research at the Jewish Historical Society at MetroWest and the Jewish Museum of NJ. He was invited into the 4 buildings that were the major synagogues in the city.  He visited 23 buildings in all.  Ricky enjoyed celebrating becoming a Bar Mitzvah with friends and family and community.

Save the Date - Community Interfaith Thanksgiving
The public is invited to attend the annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, sponsored by Hunterdon Interfaith Outreach Council, on Tuesday, Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m., in the Little Thea ter at Hunterdon Central Regional High School, 84 R o ute 31 North, Flemington. Entrance to the theater is via the Commons, on Junction Road. 11/12 Campus.

Clergy and leaders from several local congregations will conduct the service.   An offering will be taken for  the  Hunterdon Interfaith Outreach Council (HIOC) in memory of Rabbi Evan Jaffe, founder. Through the help of more than 30 contributi ng congregations and organizations, Hunterdon Interfaith Outreach Council provides emergency assistance to help alleviate poverty in Hunterdon County, connecting people in need with solutions.

SUPER WEEK at the Jewish Federation of Hunterdon, Somerset, and Warren Counties
The Jewish Federation of Hunterdon, Somerset, and Warren Counties (located in Bridgewater) is hosting a SUPER WEEK of giving from Monday through Thursday, November 27th - 30th and also a SUPER SUNDAY on Sunday, December 3rd.  Click here for a list of activities and registration information.
Save the Date - Legacy Shabbat and Family Recipe Dinner

Save the Date - Hanukkah Family Service

What You Might Have Missed
First Days of Religious School










High Holidays - Rosh Hashanah Family Service






Simchat Torah

Consecration


America's Grow-A-Row







Sukkot






The Betsy Award Celebration
Jon Congratulating His Mother
Presenting THE BETSY AWARD
Jon Zalaznick
Bruce Zalaznick
Guests at the Celebration
Betsy
Rabbi Forman, Debbie Weiss (Chairperson), Betsy
Cookies by Betsy and Kate
Table Arrangements at Hawk Pointe
Kate Zalaznick and Friends
Betsy's Brother Bob Rabiner, Betsy, Jon Zalaznick
"Betsy by the Numbers"

The After Party
The Betsy Award Party Favor