The Westchester Jewish Council's
Community Connection -
Summer Issue #3
July 22, 2021 13 Av 5781
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Over the past week, we have observed regular citizens visiting outer space, Olympic athletes arriving in Tokyo and a haze from western wildfires shrouding the New York skies. There is so much happening, even here in our community. Please visit the Council calendar for the latest events (and if you are an organization, please feel free to post your events that are open and appropriate for our community). Be sure to read the "Odds and Ends" section which introduces a couple of new local initiatives.
In this edition:
- Westchester Council Looks Back
- Member Events
- UJA Federation of NY - Westchester
- On A Personal Note
- Odds and Ends
- Security Update
- Teen Scene
Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter on this National Mango Day.
Shabbat Shalom!
William H. Schrag, President
Lori Kurlander, Communications Manager
Elliot Forchheimer, CEO
WESTCHESTER JEWISH COUNCIL
"HERE WHEN YOU NEED US-YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW"
(The Council is financially supported by donations from individuals,
dues from 134 member organizations and generous grant support from UJA-Federation)
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Please support the work of the Westchester Jewish Council. Your donation makes a difference each and every day. Click here to donate.
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WESTCHESTER COUNCIL LOOKS BACK |
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“NO FEAR: Rally in Solidarity with the Jewish People” |
Pictured from L to R:
Council President, William H. Schrag and Rabbi Nuriel Klinger of the Young Israel of Scarsdale.
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You're Vaccinated...Now What?
Monday, July 26, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
You've gotten your COVID-19 vaccine, but do you still feel slightly uneasy walking into stores? What should we keep in mind about the variants we hear about in the news? What best practices should we keep in mind if we spend time both with vaccinated friends AND our unvaccinated grandkids or loved one? Please join us for a conversation with a medical specialist who has been on the ground throughout the pandemic and is available to offer us all helpful guidance. Led by Steven Chang, Nurse Practitioner at New York Presbyterian. Presented in partnership with our member organization, DOROT.
To register and receive the link, please click: Health
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UJA-FEDERATION OF NY IN WESTCHESTER |
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UJA-Federation recently gave a grant to create the only dedicated kosher food pantry in Westchester.
The Hope Community Services Food Pantry, created in partnership with Met Council and Feeding Westchester, provides kosher food, year round and free of charge to Westchester residents in need.
If you are interested in signing up and receiving free Kosher food twice a month, click here.
At the same time, Hope is looking for volunteers to help with their operations. If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up by using the following volunteer sign up portal here.
Having problems signing up or have additional questions? Contact Hope’s pantry manager here.
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MAZAL TOV TO:
All 36 people who are being celebrated in "The New York Jewish Week's Annual 36 Under 36", a celebration of 36 noteworthy New Yorkers, who help to strengthen New York and its many Jewish Communities. We are privileged to work with a few of these dynamic leaders and would like to give them a special shout out - Adam Basciano, Rabbi Ben Goldberg and Dubbs Weinblatt. Click here to read the article.
Adam Weiss, the new chief executive officer of the Harold & Elaine Shames Jewish Community Center on the Hudson. Good luck Adam!!!!
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PJ Library (Council member) is actively recruiting Parent Connectors in Northern Westchester and the Rivertowns to spark connections between families raising Jewish children in their neighborhood, and to create welcoming and inclusive programs for families. These connections will be facilitated through a variety of channels, both in-person and virtual (dependent upon Covid-19 updates), which may include one-on-one parent conversations, small-scale family gatherings, program series, parent only hangouts and more. The Parent Connector will be the face of PJ Library in your community, creating meaningful Jewish moments for families beyond PJ Library books. This part-time position (up to 20 hours/month) is flexible and offers a chance to welcome and connect all kinds of families raising Jewish children. Parent Connectors will be mentored and supported by PJ Library staff. View the position description, and submit a quick application today!
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Named after the late Charles Krauthammer—preeminent intellectual journalist and staunch defender of America, Israel, and the Jewish people—the Krauthammer Fellowship seeks aspiring writers, journalists, scholars, and policy analysts interested in Jewish ideas, modern Israel, and American democratic and civic life.
A small number of carefully selected fellows will receive support to produce and publish—in some of the nation's leading magazines—serious long-form essays and articles on:
- American culture, law, and public policy
- The enduring significance of Judaism and Jewish civilization
- Zionism and modern Israel
- The strategic situation in the Middle East
Fellows will also receive mentoring and career guidance from the nation's foremost Jewish and conservative leaders; will participate in a series of master classes on themes in Jewish and American thought; and will attend a mid-program retreat featuring prominent American and Israeli guest speakers. Fellows will be awarded a $7,500 stipend.
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WESTCHESTER GIRLS J-BALL ANNOUNCEMENT
We are aiming for a 3-week tournament with one game per week on a week night to be determined. We had almost 5 teams ready to play in the March 2020 Tournament and hope that number will only grow.
This league will be just for girls and loads of fun. There will be music, food, and guaranteed good times spent with friends on the court.
Please email hannah@bertisch.net or text to 914-327-9997 if you are interested in participating or have any questions. Please also indicate if you have a preference for a particular night of the week to play.
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With the High Holidays just around the corner, Foremost Caterers (business partner) has shared their holiday menu. Click on the image for the full menu.
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WESTCHESTER JEWISH COUNCIL'S
SECURITY AND SAFETY UPDATE
"By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail" B. Franklin
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SAVE THE DATE:
Our (virtual) annual High Holiday Security Briefing in conjunction with the Westchester County Executive and law enforcement is scheduled for September 1st at 10am. More details to follow.
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The Hebrew Free Loan Society (HFLS) (Council member) has created a bridge loan fund providing capital to federal and state security grant recipients to make all necessary security upgrades immediately while awaiting reimbursement from the government. This program provides interest-free loans of up to $150,000 to organizations in our area. Click here for more information, or contact Fred Cohen at fcohen@hfls.org
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Please be aware of the DA’s Tips Hotline (914-995-TIPS) to help combat hate and bias in Westchester.
If anyone requires help with security grants, please contact security@wjcouncil.org.
As always and per protocol, please report any security concerns immediately to your local Police Department and then to the Council and to CSI/Bill Hayes for follow up.
Stay alert, prepared and safe.
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We invite teens in the community to represent their agencies and synagogues at our WJC Youth Volunteer Roundtable. We ask our Youth Professionals to recommend a teen(s) to join us at the table. Please send the name and contact and any questions to Donna Bartell - Donna@WJCouncil.org
Westchester Jewish Council Teen Organizations include:
Thank you to The Jewish Education Project for working so closely with our Teen professionals and volunteers!
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For a complete and timely schedule and other television providers, go to www.jbstv.org
The Hudson Valley 211 Helpline is Here
This is a service of United Way of Westchester and Putnam.
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Westchester Jewish Council
925 Westchester Avenue, Suite 200, White Plains, NY 10604
914-328-7001 | info@wjcouncil.org | www.wjcouncil.org
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The next Community Connection will be published on or about August 5, 2021
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