Center for Jewish Life

Rosh Chodesh, a warm community of women who cele¬brate and study women in the Jewish tradition – this month, Yael and Deborah at the JCC MetroWest, West Orange, Tuesday, May 6, at 12:30 pm. Cost is $10; this class is limited to women only. Call 973-530-3521 for more information or to register.

One More Night at Elving’s Metropolitan Yiddish Theater tells the story of New Jersey’s most successful Yiddish theater in Newark, at Congregation B’nai Israel, Millburn, with Linda Forgosh, Tuesday, May 6, 1:00 pm. Call 973-379-3811 for more information.

Are You a Zionist explores what it means for an American living in the Diaspora to be a Zionist as well as what Zionism means in Israeli society, at Oheb Shalom Congregation, South Orange, with Rabbi Mark Cooper, Wednesday, May 7, 8:00 pm. This is the first of four sessions. Call 973-762-7067 for more information.

Fred Lazin, Professor in Political Science at Ben Gurion University will discuss “Contemporary Israel: Prospects for the Future,” Saturday, May 10, 6:30 pm; the evening includes dinner and Havdalah, at Morristown Jewish Center Beit Yisrael. Call 973-538-9292 for more information.

Men’s Lunchtime Schmooze, a thoughtful discussion on Jewish sources and current events, at Temple B’nai Or, Morristown, with Rabbi Donald Rossoff, Thursday, May 15, 12:30 pm. Bring your lunch; this class is limited to men only. Call 973-539-4539 for more information.

Jewish Experience Through Film, presents Crossfire, at Congregation Agudath Israel, West Caldwell, with Rabbi Richard Hammerman, Thursday, May 15, 7:45 pm. The cost is $5. Call 973-226-9279 for more information or to register.

Torah on Tap, sharing ideas on the weekly Torah portion and good micro-brew beers, at Temple Beth Ahm, Springfield, with Rabbi Mark Mallach, Thursday, May 15, 7:45 pm. This class is limited to men only. Call 973-376-0539 for more information.

Click here to check out the Spring Catalog

To obtain a hard copy of this catalogue, please contact Rabbi Robin Nafshi at 973-530-3489 or rnafshi@jccmetrowest.org.

Additions

Their Voices, Our Voices – This class will focus on integrating one's parent's testimony with one's own narrative to teach the Holocaust. Instructors: Sandy Rubenstein, Adam Kenner and Sheryl Rivera. Sunday, Feb. 3, 3:00 pm, at the Aidekman Family Jewish Community Campus. Sponosr: the Holocaust Council of MetroWest with Generations of the Shoah and the New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education.

Bringing Philosophy to February – This class will focus on the philosophical, kabbalistic and Hasidic beliefs and teaching of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, a formative influence on Conservative Jewry and Professor of Jewish Ethics and Mysticism at the Jewish Theological Seminary. Instructor: Rabbi David Nesson. Classes will be held Monday, Feb. 4; Wednesday, Feb. 13; Tuesdays, Feb. 19, 26, from 7:30 - 9:00 pm, at Morristown Jewish Center Beit Yisrael.

Where Learning and Laughter Meet – Neil Lazarus offers an insider's view on Israel and the Middle East, as well as a look growing anti-Israel sentiment on college campuses, on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 7:00 pm, at Temple Beth Shalom, Livingston.

300 Ways to Ask the Four Questions – Dr. Murray Spiegel, author of this new highly-regarded book, will offer innovate ideas for the Passover Seder, on Sunday, Feb. 10, 10:00 am, at Temple Beth Shalom, Livingston.

The Mascot – Join a discussion of the book, the true story of a Jewish man coming to terms with his past, when as a five year old boy he was taken by the Nazis, eventually to star in a Nazi propaganda film. Monday, Feb. 11, noon, at the Aidekman Family Jewish Community Campus; bagels provided. Sponsor: The Holocaust Council of MetroWest.

The Presidential Election: It’s Meaning and Impact For the American Jewish Community and for Israel – A presentation at erev Shabbat services on Friday, February 15, at 8:00 pm, at Morristown Jewish Center Beit Yisrael, with Danielle Kroo, Director of Leadership Management for A.I.P.A.C. (American Israel Public Affairs Committee).

From Reel to Real – Three Israeli-themed films will be shown as follows: Walk on Water, Sunday, February 24, 2:00 pm; The Syrian Bride, Sunday, March 2, 2:00 pm; Under the Domim Tree, Sunday, March 9, 2:00 pm. $5.00 per film, price includes refreshments, at Temple Ner Tamid, Bloomfield.

Judaism and Christianity in the First Centuries of the Common Era – A look at the historical period, the respective religious leaders, what Judaism and Christianity have in common, and what has set the two religions apart, with Rabbi Mark Finkel, Mondays, Feb. 25; Mar. 3, 10, 17, 24, at 8 pm, at Pine Brook Jewish Center, Montville.

Film Festival – Three New York area premiers: Children of the Sun, a look at the Israel kibbutz movement from the 30s to the 70s (Tuesday, Feb. 26, 7:30 pm); The American Jewish Experience on Film (Thursday, Feb. 28, 7:30 pm); The Girls From Brazil, about 3000 Brazilian girls adopted by Israeli families in the 1980s (Sunday, Mar. 2, 10:00 am), at Temple Beth Shalom, Livingston.

Darfur: Too Dark Too Far – Join a film screening and discussion, examining the root causes of Genocide. Speakers: Hafiz Farid, Film Director; Dr. Lori Heninger; Rabbi Jehiel Orenstein; Reverend Charles Blustein Ortman; Imam Haneef Rashada, Thursday, Feb. 28, 7:00, at the Cooperman JCC, West Orange. Sponosr: The Holocaust Council of MetroWest with The African-American Heritage Parade Committee and NoCane, Inc.

Jews of Iran – The Book of Esther describes Jewish life in Persia a long time ago. But what has been the history of Persian Jews in more recent times? Dr. Houman Sarshar, an Iranian born psychologist and historian, will describe the ups and downs of Jewish life in Iran since those ancient days, Sunday, Mar. 2, 10:00 am – noon, with continental breakfast. Free; registration required for breakfast – e-mail ezinbarg@aol.com, at Oheb Shalom Cong., South Orange.

Israel at 60: A Musical Retrospective – Explore the history of the State of Israel through the prism of music, beginning in the 1880s through the birth of the State in 1948, and the decades of war and reconciliation to the present day. Mar. 2, 9, 23, 30; Apr. 6, 13, 11 am - noon, at Cong. Beth El, South Orange.

Women in the Partisans – Attend this teacher institute, sponsored by the Holocaust Council of MetroWest and the NJ Commission on Holocaust Education, with the Jewish Partisan Educational Foundation, Thursday, Mar. 13, 4:30 - 7:00 pm, at the Aidekman Family Campus, Whippany.

Stem Cell Research – The Basics – Hear guest speaker Douglas S. Landsman, Ph.D, Director, Individual Research Grants Program, Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation discuss this important topic during Shabbat services, Friday, Mar. 21, 8:00 pm, Morristown Jewish Center Beit Yisrael.

300 Ways to Ask the Four Questions – Dr. Murray Spiegel, author of this new highly-regarded book, will offer innovate ideas for the Passover Seder, on Saturday, Mar. 22, Morristown Jewish Center Beit Yisrael.

Israel: Challenges for the 21st Century – Benjamin Krasna, Israel’s Deputy Counsul General in New York shares his thoughts on Sunday, Mar. 23, 11:00 am, Morristown Jewish Center Beit Yisrael.

Biblical Hebrew: Study Hebrew from the Parsha – Each week, gather for an hour to hone your biblical Hebrew skills by translating the weekly Torah portion, with Rachel Kushner. Knowledge of the aleph-bet and basic Hebrew required. Thursdays, Mar. 27; Apr. 3, 10, 17; May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; Jun. 5, 12, 19, 8:30pm - 9:30pm, Cooperman JCC, Ross Family Campus, West Orange; $240.

Praying With Lior – This award-winning documentary film about a young man with Down Syndrom who becomes a bar mitzvah is shown Saturday, Apr. 5, 8:45 pm, Morristown Jewish Center Beit Yisrael.

Community Forum on Politics, Power and Jewish Women – Are Jewish women represented in the political process? What is unique to our voice? Are Jewish women prepare to lead in the 21st century? Thursday, Apr. 10, 7:00 pm, at the Aidekman Family JCC, Whippany. Sponsor: Community Relations Committee.

The Kiddush – This class teaches how to say, understand and explore the Kiddush blessing over the wine, Sunday, Apr. 13, 10 am, Morristown Jewish Center Beit Yisrael.

Pesach Cleaning From the Inside-Out: How to Cleanse the Body and Soul – with Leora Nesson, Holistic Nutritional Counselor certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners, Sunday, Apr. 13, 10:30 am, Morristown Jewish Center Beit Yisrael.

Anti-Semitism Today: Global to Local Trends – Etzion Neuer, New Jersey Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League, will speak on Sunday, Apr. 13, 2008, 11:00 am, at Temple Hatikvah, Flanders. Mr. Neuer's presentation will be followed by a question and answer session. This program is presented as a complement to the holidays of Purim and Passover.

Ruth as Radio Theater – Meet, greet and improvise with Ruth, her parents, Naomi and Elimelech, with Dr. Peter Pitzele. Dr. Pitzele pioneered the development of Bibliodrama, a form of role-playing that invites participants to find their voices in the Biblical text. Sunday, May 4, noon – 3:00, Adath Shalom Synagogue, Morris Plains. The cost is $18 for adults and students 15 and older. Call 973-539-4440 for more information or to make a reservation by April 28.

Fred Lazin, Professor in Political Science at Ben Gurion University will discuss “Contemporary Israel: Prospects for the Future,” Sat., May 10, 6:30 pm, the evening includes dinner and Havdalah, at Morristown Jewish Center Beit Yisrael. Call 973-538-9292 for more information.

Cancellations

Jews in the Movies – page 23.

The Birth of Modern Zionism – page 26.

Changes

Jewish/Christian Dialogue, page 5 – Will begin at 7:30 pm. This class was inadvertently left out of the list of classes for Congregation Beth Ahm of West Essex.

Advanced Hebrew, page 9 – Will meet on Mondays , not Thursdays, on the following dates: Mar. 3, 17, 31; Apr. 14, 28; May 12, 19; Jun. 2, 16.

Holocaust Lunch and Learn, page 12 – Speakers for the spring are as follows: Feb. 19, Charlotte Elwin; Mar. 18, Harry Ettlinger; Apr. 15, Jean Gluck; May 20, Eva Zysman; Jun. 24, Regina Weiss.

Real to Reel: Holocaust Film Series, page 13 – Titles for the spring are as follows: Feb. 11, Architecture of Doom (beginning at 6:30); Mar. 6, Shop on Main Street; Mar. 31, Prisoner of Paradise; Apr. 17, Korczak; May 18, The Optomists; Jun. 2, Blind Spot: Hitler's Secretary

The Haggadah, page 20 – The final session on March 26 is cancelled.

Orthodox and Conservative Judaism on Torah, page 25 – Will meet on Tuesdays, on the following dates: Jan. 15, 22, 29; Feb. 5, 12, 19.

Zionist Dreams: What Were They and Where Are They Now?, page 27 – This class will meeting Feb. 7, 14, 21; please note the correct number to register is 973-539-4539.

Live and Become, page 29 – This is a showing of the movie, not a presentation by Surak Shabbat. Albert Frankel will lead the discussion.

The core of Rimon is the partner synagogues who are working actively to develop the Rimon program and who will deliver the bulk of the Rimon programming when Rimon launches in the Fall of 2007.

To learn about the Rimon partners, including their current adult education offerings, select any of the links below.

Adath Shalom Congregation Morris Plains www.adath-shalom.org
B’nai Shalom West Orange www.bnaishalom.net
Chavurat Lamdeinu Madison www.chavuratlamdeinu.org
Congregation Agudath Israel of West Essex West Caldwell www.agudath.org
Congregation Beth Ahm of West Essex Verona www.bethahm.org
Congregation Beth El South Orange www.bethelnj.org
Congregation Beth Hatikvah Summit www.bethhatikvah.org
Congregation B’nai Israel Basking Ridge www.cbibr.org
Congregation B’nai Israel Millburn www.cbi-nj.org
Congregation B’nai Jeshurun Short Hills www.tbj.org
Congregation B’nai Keshet Montclair www.bnaikeshet.org
Congregation Etz Chaim Livingston www.etzchaimnj.org
Congregation Shomrei Emunah Montclair www.shomrei.org
Jewish Congregation of Kinnelon Kinnelon
Jewish Cultural School and Society West Orange jcss-nj.com
Jewish Learning Institute/Randolph Chabad Randolph www.randolphjewish.com
Morristown Jewish Center Beit Yisrael Morristown www.mjcby.org
Mount Freedom Jewish Center Randolph www.mtfjc.org
Oheb Shalom Congregation South Orange www.ohebshalom.org
Pine Brook Jewish Center Montville www.pbjc.org
Summit Jewish Community Center Summit www.summitjcc.org
Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael Springfield www.templebethahm.com
Temple Beth Am Parsippany www.tbaparsippany.org
Temple Beth Shalom Livingston www.tbsnj.org
Temple B’nai Abraham Livingston www. tbanj.org
Temple B’nai Or Morristown www.templebnaior.org
Temple Emanu-El of West Essex Livingston www.emanuel.org
Temple Hatikvah Flanders www.templehatikvahnj.org
Temple Ner Tamid Bloomfield www.nertamid.org
Temple Sha’arey Shalom Springfield www.shaarey.org
Temple Shalom Succasunna www.tshalom.org
Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel South Orange www.tsti.org
Temple Sholom of West Essex Cedar Grove www.sholom.net
Temple Sinai Summit www.templesinainj.org
White Meadow Temple Rockaway www.whitemeadowtemple.org

The MetroWest agencies that have joined the Rimon Partnership are as follows:

DOROT, Fran Rod, NJ Outreach Coordinator, 973-763-1511, dorotusa.org

JCC MetroWest
Adult Education through the Center for Jewish Life, Rabbi Robin Nafshi, 973-530-3489, rnafshi@jccmetrowest.org
Florence Melton Adult Mini-School, Rhonda Lillianthal, Director, 973-530-3519, rlillianthal@jccmetrowest.org
Hirschhorn Senior Adult Jewish Education Program, Rhonda Lillianthal, Director, 973-530-3519, rlillianthal@jccmetrowest.org
Center for the Arts, Julie Rossi, Director, 973-530-3440, jrossi@jccmetrowest.org

Jewish Historical Society of MetroWest, Linda Forgosh, Outreach Director, 973-929-2994, jhsmw.org

Lester Senior Housing, Amy Baer, Activities Manager, 973-929-2731, jchcorp.org

Morris County Connnection, Rebecca Trif & Dana Lichtenberg, 973-929-2936, themorriscountyconnection.wordpress.com

The Partnership for Jewish Learning and Life, Robert Lichtman, Director, 973-929-2950, rlichtman@thepartnershipnj.org

United Jewish Communities MetroWest, metrowest.ujcfedweb.org

UJC Community Relations Committee, Lori Price-Abrams, Director, 973-929-3064, crc@ujcnj.org

UJC Holocaust Council, Barbara Wind, Director, 973-929-3194, bwind@ujcnj.org

UJC Legow Family Israel Program Center, Orli Dudaie, Executive Shlicha, 973-929-3070, odudaie@ujcnj.org

UJC Rabbinic Cabinet, Rabbi Dan Cohen, rabbicohen@tsti.org

UJC Synagogue Council

UJC Waldor Memorial Library

Meet the Rimon Leaders

Joyce Goldstein, Chair (Congregation Beth El)
Rabbi Mark Cooper, Program Co-Chair (Oheb Shalom Congregation)
Rabbi Donald Rossoff, Program Co-Chair (Temple B'nai Or)
Merle Kalishman, Marketing Chair (Temple B'nai Abraham)
Rabbi Helaine Ettinger, Evaluation Co-Chair (Jewish Congregation of Kinnelon)
Sharon Resnick, Evaluation Co-Chair (Temple Sholom of West Essex)
Ed Zinbarg, Founder (Oheb Shalom Congregation)
Rabbi Robin Nafshi, Director
Rhonda Lillianthal, Director of the JCC Center for Jewish Life

The mission of Rimon is to provide the MetroWest community with a program of quality, innovative adult Jewish learning.

Rimon is a collaboration among the synagogues and agencies of MetroWest who have joined together in the spirit of sharing resources and knowledge. Every partner has committed to host classes, have representation on the Rimon committee, and provide publicity.

Rabbi Mark Cooper of Oheb Shalom Congregation, Co-chair of the Rimon Program Committee, describes the choice of “Rimon” for our name: “The name Rimon, Hebrew for pomegranate, was chosen because of its rich Jewish symbolism. The pomegranate is one of the seven species of fruit mentioned in the Bible with which the Land of Israel is blessed. According to tradition, the pomegranate is a symbol of righteousness because it is said to have 613 seeds, one for each of the mitzvot. These images match the aspirations of Rimon, for through this new program we seek to plant seeds of Jewish learning and values that will take root in the soul and blossom for a lifetime and beyond.”

Rimon launched its program in the fall of 2007, presenting the community with an extensive list of lectures, classes, Shabbaton celebrations, scholar-in-residence programs, and other adult education opportunities, offered by the Rimon partners. Participants in the Rimon curriculum are given a “passport” into which they can record all of the Rimon programs in which they take part. In addition, for those participants wishing to coordinate their studies into a selection of core Jewish literacy classes, a guide helps them through the learning process. All Rimon classes fall into the following core areas:

1. Cherishing Our Foundation Stones
Sacred Texts and Languages
2. Journeying From Where We’ve Been
Jewish History
3. Considering What We Think and Feel
Jewish Philosophy, Ethics and Spirituality
4. Exploring How We Live
Jewish Rituals, Holidays, Lifecycles and Culture
5. Celebrating Who We Are
Israel; Diaspora Judaism; Denominations; Ashkenazi, Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews
6. Contemplating Contemporary Issues
Politics and Current Events

Rimon is a new and unique model for community partnership and organization around adult Jewish education. Pirke Avot (1:6) teaches, “Make for yourself a teacher and acquire for yourself a friend.” Through Rimon, you can learn about your heritage and connect with your community.

For more information about Rimon, Collaborative Jewish Learning in MetroWest, please contact Rabbi Robin Nafshi at 973-530-3489 rnafshi@jccmetrowest.org.