Monthly Community News from
the Jewish Federation of Raleigh-Cary
May 2019
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NC Hillel @ NC State
The Growth of the Wolfpack
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It used to be that when Jewish parents were considering which colleges had the best Jewish life on campus, NC State was not at the top of anyone's list. "Even five years ago, rabbis told people, 'Don't go. There's no Jewish life,'" said Hillel Campus Director Sarah Cohn.
That was before the massive growth in Hillel activity - tripling over the last five years - and infrastructure.
North Carolina Hillel, which supports Jewish campus life across NC, made a significant commitment to growing Jewish life at NC State in 2014, hiring part-time staff to mentor Jewish student leaders and build Jewish community. When Cohn was hired last year, she became the first full-time staff person hired to focus solely on Jewish life at NC State. Of the estimated 400 Jewish undergraduate students on campus, Cohn has connected with 149 in the 2018-2019 school year.
In addition, NC Hillel secured NC State's first Hillel Center in the bustling heart of Hillsborough Street, with 2-3 activities each week providing a mix of religious and cultural programming. And of course, it's become a hangout for students who want a Jewish home away from home, or a break from the dorms.
Among the 291 relationships Cohn has built on campus, this includes non-Jewish students. They are learning more about Jewish religion and culture through interfaith collaborations with Better Together, the Muslim Student Association, and a consortium of religious groups on campus.
Cohn's goals for the future of Hillel at NC State are for it to be "a center of Jewish life, regardless of someone's affiliation" and to "bring students into a new way of thinking about Jewish life as an adult, creating their own definition of Jewish life.”
In addition to sending students to complete internships in Israel, Hillel at NC State takes part in two yearly Birthright Israel trips through North Carolina Hillel, and has also received a grant to increase wellness on campus.
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NC Hillel @ NC State
At-A-Glance (2018-2019)
Number of students engaged 1+ times: 149
Number of students engaged 6+ times: 60
Number of students engaged in high-impact ways: 52
Are you the parent of a high school student? Learn more about Jewish life at NC State by contacting Sarah Cohn at
scohn@nchillel.org
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Passover, our celebration of freedom has ended. Many of us gathered around Seder tables, surrounded by loving family, bountiful food, and the beauty of our Jewish heritage, but not all in our community were able to share that joy. Many still seek freedom. Freedom from hunger, pain, and loneliness. Freedom from the anguish of physical and mental illness. And, freedom from isolation.
Right here, in our own Jewish community, individuals and families struggle to keep food on their tables, clothes in their closets, and meaning in their lives. That’s where JFS comes in.
Raleigh-Cary Jewish Family Services provides:
- Food pantry groceries and prepared Mitzvah Meals
- Mental health therapy and counseling
- Case management for families, adults, and seniors
- Friendly & Shabbat Visitors, Shabbat services at retirement communities, and holiday collections
- Free & Subsidized transportation to medical appointments, and Jewish community programs and events
- Emergency financial assistance to prevent utilities shut-offs and evictions, to assist with medical bills and community-supported Jewish burials, and to help recover from natural disasters
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“When the doorbell rings on Friday afternoon and the JFS volunteer delivers
my Shabbat Mitzvah Meal, it’s the one time that I really feel Jewish.” –J. C.
Without your help, none of this is possible. Don’t let anyone in our community be “passed over.” Please consider a JFS Friends Appeal gift today.
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PJ Library Raleigh-Cary Receives
National Recognition
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PJ Library Raleigh-Cary currently has 594 subscriptions, and has mailed out over 8500 books to date.
The PJ Library International conference was at the beginning of April. It was a wonderful few days of professional development and networking. Based on the success of Raleigh-Cary's PJ Library program, Program Manager Tina Schultz was invited by PJ National to write up two pieces to be included in the Engagement Marketplace at the PJ Library International Conference. The Engagement Marketplace is resource center for PJ Program Professionals to use to gain ideas on how to grow and/or manage their communities. Her articles were “Out of the Woodwork: Reaching New Families” and “Filling the Gaps: Creating Shabbat and Holiday Programming to Build Community.”
In mid-April, PJ Library Raleigh-Cary hosted its first Story Walk at their “Last Chametz Hurrah” Passover breakfast. The Story Walk was based on the PJ Library game “The River Ride” and brought families a hands-on, multi-sensory experience about the Passover story. They had 14 families sign up, and everyone had a great time walking through the story, tasting different types of maror, making artwork with radishes and parsley, and designing aluminum foil rafts to float Baby Moses (pennies) down the river. Everyone had a great time!
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The purpose of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) is to define and advance the values, interests, and priorities of the organized Jewish community of the Capitol Region of North Carolina in the public square.
To achieve our shared values effectively, JCRC and the Greater Raleigh Jewish community work toward a strong infrastructure of community relations, articulated through building our community's connection and commitment to civil society, developing the next generation of Jewish leaders, weaving a strong network of Jewish organizations, and investing in deep ties with those serving as elected officials and staff of the local, county, state and federal offices.
The Council is actively seeking new committee members for the following sub-committees:
- Government Affairs
- Education/Schools
- Holocaust Awareness
- Israel Engagement
- College Relations
Each will be represented on our new Council’s Board. A Council meeting is being scheduled before the end of May. If you have an interest in getting involved, please contact the JCRC Chair, Eugene Barlaz, at
ecbarlaz@gmail.com
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Aquatic Membership Special!
First time members can contact
Leslie
at the JCC or visit
RaleighCaryJCC.org
today to get a “POOL ONLY” Aquatics Membership for $250. This special is running for the month of May only. Don’t miss your chance to have a fun summer at the pool.
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Thank You, Amy Bush!
We would like to thank Keller Williams Commercial Raleigh/ Amy Bush for becoming our first Restaurateur Sponsor for Federation Feeds! To learn more about sponsorship opportunities,
CLICK HERE
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Jewish Federations of
North America (JFNA) News
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin sends a letter thanking Diaspora Jews for their contributions to Israeli society;
read letter here
. Pittsburgh's Federation President and CEO will represent the Diaspora at Israel’s Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration. The head of Federations’ Secure Community Network (SCN) says organizations should take a “holistic approach” to security, strengthening themselves physically, mentally and spiritually.
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Are you interested in getting involved with our growing David R. Kahn Community Campus,
or one of our naming opportunities?
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Under Construction
Our state-of –the-art Sports Pavilion is on the way!
Crews have completed pouring concrete and will soon begin installing steel beams.
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Mazel tov to Maimonides Society Chair
Mike Ross and his wife,
Elizabeth, on the marriage of their daughter
Emily to
Michael Mims. We wish them a lifetime of health and happiness!
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Kol ha'kavod to Federation Grants Manager
Jorie Slodki! Her production of the short play "The (Dog) Park" won the Best Production Award in the Cary Playwrights Forum Radio Play Contest! To listen to the play,
CLICK HERE.
Do you know about a recent wedding, engagement, birth, or professional accomplishment that needs to be shared? To share your news,
CLICK HERE
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Wednesday, May 15th
11:30am-1:30pm
Tobacco Road Sports Cafe/
Raleigh Brewery
505 W. Jones Street, Raleigh
Topic: "The Regulation of Industrial Hemp"
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Jewish Realtors Lunch & Learn
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Tuesday, May 28th
11:30am-1:30pm
Player's Retreat
105 Oberlin Road, Raleigh
Topic: Wake County Economic Development
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Chagall Society Musician
Happy Hour & Jam Session
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Thursday, May 30th
6-7:30pm
Imurj
300 S. McDowell St., Raleigh
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Table Tennis Tournament Fundraiser
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Sunday, June 2nd
6-9pm
Triangle Table Tennis
2900 Perimeter Park Drive, Suite 200
Morrisville
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Sunday, August 4th
6-9pm
Market Hall
215 Wolfe Street, Raleigh
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Tzofim Friendship Caravan
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Thursday, August 8th
6:30-7:30pm
Beth Meyer Synagogue
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David R. Kahn Community Campus
Dedication & Ribbon Cutting
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Sunday, September 22nd
More Information to Come
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Triangle Newcomers
Have you recently moved to Wake County? Is there a new Jewish family on your block?
Let us know so that we can send information about community resources.
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Shop 'Til You Plotz!
Do you shop through Amazon.com?
You can donate money with every purchase!
Go to
Smile.Amazon.Com
and select "The Jewish Federation of Raleigh-Cary/JCC" as your charity of choice.
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Raleigh-Cary Congregation News
Click the links below to see the upcoming events across the community!
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Miriam's Tent is now available by mail!
Some of our community members have requested a paper copy of Miriam's Tent be mailed to them as well.
Click here
if you would like to be added to that list. There will be a $36 annual fee.
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No matter your stage in life,
the Federation has a way for you to find your crowd.
To see our calendar of upcoming events, click here:
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