cnu student take a hike to big band page 9 page 4 page 10 jewish community … · 2019-07-15 ·...
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Jewish Community NewsNews of the Jewish VA Peninsula Community
Take a Hike to the UJC Silent & Live AuctionPage 10
Jewish Community News
Archeology in Israel Page 9
In the 1980s, the UJCVP hired a consultant to study our community and make recommendations about its future direction. The consultant recommended that we close our JCC facility and open a storefront out of which we would run our Annual Campaign. In essence, the consultant viewed our future as solely a fundraising organization.
Community leaders met and (no spoilers here) rejected the consultant’s recommendation. They believed we needed a place for education, programming, and social services. We needed a place to come together. A place for community.
I am writing this article on a Sunday morning, and as I reflect on the events of this weekend alone, it is clear that those leaders of more than 30 years ago had it exactly right. The UJCVP is a place for community.
Let me tell you about this weekend. Starting on Thursday afternoon, we had children from different synagogues on the campus for our community Hebrew School. On Friday evening Adath Jeshrun, Congregation Emet V’Or (CEVO), and Rodef Sholom Temple held services, and both CEVO and Rodef Sholom hosted congregational dinners. Adath Jeshrun and Rodef Sholom held services on Saturday morning, and then came together for a joint kiddush lunch. The UJCVP staff then quickly turned over the space and set up for the world premiere of the film Nobody Wants Us, which was attended by 200 people on Saturday evening. At the same time that
the movie was being shown, over twenty children in grades K-3 participated in the JCCY program Totally Tubular Tu B’Shevat in the gym, and fourteen children in grades 4-7 boarded the UJCVP bus to go bowling as part of our PJ Our Way program. On Sunday, CEVO and Rodef Sholom held religious school on the campus, and the UJCVP held a Babies and Bagels program for Jewish families with young toddlers and babies.
Obviously all of this doesn’t happen on its own, and we are so fortunate to have a
hard-working, creative, and committed staff. A huge thank you to them for all that they do!
I encourage you to read the weekly email from the UJCVP, which highlights upcoming programs and events, but, in particular, let me call your attention to a few important things on the calendar. Our comedy night Campaign event, It’s Saturday Night Live At the J is on January 26th, Super Sunday, the Joint Sunday School program is the next day, January 27th, and the Happy Camper Auction is March 9th.
Please join us for as many things as you can. We want to see you here on the campus!
Shalom,Jenny
President’s Message - Jenny David
President’s Message - Jenny David
Let’s Stay Connected! Receive the UJC weekly eblast for the latest community information.
Send an email to Sara Traster - [email protected] ask her to get you connected!
CNU Student Big BandPage 4
“A Lifetime of Caring” February 2019/5779
2 Jewish Community News | February 2019
Do you have the soaps, shampoos, and other toiletries
that are in your hotel rooms when you travel? People in homeless shelters, centers
for abused women and other havens for the less fortunate can
always use these items.
Please bring them by the UJC when you can, and they will be
distributed to persons in need. If you have any questions, please
get in touch with:
Stan Glasofer at 930 -4606 or
For the most up-to-date information on
All Things UJC visit us on Facebook
www.facebook.com/ujcvp/2200 EXECUTIVE DRIVE, SUITE A HAMPTON VA 23666
Sherri L. Becker, O.D.,F.A.A.O. American Board of Optometry Diplomat
Office: 757-827-0009 | Fax: 757-827-2820beckereyecare.com
UJC Preschool Fund Ricki & Joe Rosenberg, Mazel Tov on your first grandchild
Carmela & Chris Kuhn
Unrestricted Endowment Fund In memory of Gale Phillips
Ettalea Kanter
Fund Donations
February 2019 | Jewish Community News 3
As you can see in our UJCVP President, Jenny David’s, article, the UJC Campus continues to grow as a center of Jewish programming for our community. Even with the snow and threat of snow Saturday evening, January 12th, we had 212 attendees for the premier showing of the film, “Nobody Wants Us,” which filled our atrium.
And as Jenny mentions, if you read our weekly program eblasts (if you’re not getting them, call Linda at the UJC, 757-930-1422 or email [email protected]) you will see that our dedicated program staff is offering a huge, and growing, variety of activities at the UJC for all ages. The new Program Passport initiative provides us with the resources to continue to grow our programs in both quantity and quality.
Please consider becoming a Program Passport supporter of the UJC. Even if you are not able to participate in all the programs the Passport entitles you to attend for free, by purchasing a Program Passport, you help ensure that quality programs will continue to be available in our community at the UJC Campus.
Executive Director’s Message - Steven Wendell
Two happy participants of JCCY programming
To check out the next JCCY event go to page 7. To find out more about JCCY email Jessi Malkin -
4 Jewish Community News | February 2019
UJC Blood Drive Wed. Feb. 20th, 10am-2pm
Contact Sara Traster to sign up for a time slot
SAVE THE DATE - UJC Book Club –
Tuesday March 12th at 7pm
Next Book to Be Announced Soon!
Save the Date for this Special Event!
Lunch & Learn Dinner Edition at the UJC
CNU’s Student Big Band Tuesday, February 12th at 7pm
The Jazz Ensemble performs all styles of jazz music from Duke Ellington, through Count Basie and Charles Mingus, to the contemporary jazz ensemble
composers of today.
Program Passport Members are FREE | $12 for Non-Members RSVP & Pay Online
Email Sara Traster for more info: [email protected]
February 2019 | Jewish Community News 5
Campaign Director’s Message - Sarah Barnett
We are well on our way to completing our Annual Campaign and are making our final push to reach out and raise funds that have such a significant impact on our community. So far we have raised over $600,000 in Campaign commitments, getting closer and closer to our goal of $800,000! To those of you who have already made your commitments, we want to let you know that: • Your generosity has allowed us to expand our youth programs so that we now support programming for grades K-12. • Your generosity helped provide 150 Hanukkah gifts to Jewish children in need on the Peninsula. • Your generosity helps insure that the Sarfan Center is the envy of other early childhood centers on the Peninsula and is a source of pride to all of us. • Your generosity has supported the creation of a new position for Jewish programming, which has filled our calendar with just that – lots of Jewish-themed programs. • Your generosity brings Jewish children from different congregations together for Community Hebrew School. • Your generosity helps provide emergency funding for Jewish community members experiencing unexpected financial hardship. • Your generosity helps connect all of the Jewish community living on the Virginia Peninsula and so much more.If we have not yet been able to reach you for your regular or brand-new contribution please insert the word “will” in the sentences above to read “your generosity will” and be in touch! We have never completed our task until we have reached everyone.
This is Us: Making a Difference
Sarah and Carmela make a difference by reaching out to you with Facebook Live. Some of you may have seen our new Facebook Live program, “Who’s in the Backseat?”, the brainchild of Sarah Barnett (Director of Development) and Carmela Malkin Kuhn ( Director of Education and Program Development), who love to talk about the community but only like to be filmed from the neck up. Roughly once a week, they get in the car, put a surprise guest in the back seat, and drive 5 minutes down the road to Dunkin Donuts drive-thru and order coffee all the while filming themselves and talking. During the ride, they banter about their contentious relationship, interview the guest in the back seat, and go over the current slate of programs at the UJCVP. Guests have been fellow staff members and volunteers. Sarah and Carmela make a difference by always looking for new ways to get our message across and have found that Facebook Live generates a lot of attention with community members who watch, comment, and share. If you have never seen one of their videos “like” our Facebook page by searching United Jewish Community of the Virginia Peninsula on your Facebook search and “like” our page. Our posts will show up on our newsfeed, and you can share them with your friends.
We know you are all busy, and it’s hard to keep up with everything that is going on here. “Who’s in the Backseat” is an easy way to catch up on what’s going on at the J. All videos are saved on our page and can be watched any time.
6 Jewish Community News | February 2019
UJC Senior Grand Club
Dates For February 2019Tuesdays, February 5th, 12th,
19th & 26th. Program Passport Members
are FREE!
Come to the UJC for Lunch and Bingo.
February 2019 | Jewish Community News 7
PJ Our Way
Tween Pajama Party Saturday,
February 9th, 2019 7pm-9pmKids and Tweens, grades 4-7, show up in PJs for
a Pajama Party! Pajama Party Classic Games, Karaoke, glow stick hide-and-seek and ice
cream sundae bar. Non-dairy option available upon request.
Program Passport Members are FREE! Non-Members $10 per first child ($5 for each
additional child)
Must RSVP by 2/6/19 to [email protected] and/or pay online on the UJCVP.org website.
Sun, February 10th, 201910:45am – 11:45amDo you have a child under the
age of 2 in a Jewish home?Do you want your child to have a
fun hour with children his or her age?Do you like bagels? Then come join us!
At the Sarfan Center
Program Passport Members are FREE! Non-Member - $5/parents RSVP [email protected]
The Super Bowl may be over, but
JCCY is just getting started!
5th QuarterSuper Bowl
Party
February 9, 2019 7-9pmAll K-3rd Graders Welcomed!
Program Passport Members are FREE!Non-Members – $10 per kid ($25 max for 3+)
RSVP to Jessi Malkin [email protected] | 757.930.1422
BBYO Game NightFEBRUARY 2, 2019
7-9 PM
At Tzipora Hyman’s house
BRING YOUR FAVORITEPARTY GAME!
RSVP to Jessi Malkin for directions
8 Jewish Community News | February 2019
Save the Date and Start Reading!Author Talk Judy Seldin Cohen
Sunday, March 27th, at 7PM- 8:30PM
Good news: Just Announced: Recharging Judaism won the National Jewish Book Silver Award in the category of Contemporary Jewish Life and Practice, the Myra H. Kraft Memorial Award.
Judy Seldin-Cohen, community advocate and co-author of Recharging Judaism, explains how civic engagement can redefine synagogue life.After two decades in business, she began collaborating on social justice issues as a volunteer lay leader with Rabbi Judith Schindler, then her synagogue rabbi and now her co-author.Seldin-Cohen continues her synagogue social justice work today while also chairing a $20 million housing endowment and inspiring other synagogues on their civic engagement journeys.
$5 for guests, FREE for Program Passport membersBooks available for purchase in the UJCVP office for $14.00 per person.
Email [email protected] to RSVP
A RETIREMENT LIFESTYLE COMMUNITY
The RETIREMENT LIFESTYLE at The Arbors is
A member of the Virginia Health Services family
Contact Elaine at 757-814-4432 or [email protected]
The Peninsula’s most luxurious independent retirement community, The Arbors, offers all the comforts of home — with none of the worries — and the amenities of a resort. Located in bustling Port Warwick, The Arbors is surrounded by boutiques, restaurants, and year-round
activity, a perfect location for active seniors.
n All-inclusive rates with no entrance fees
n Delicious, chef-prepared meals
n Concierge and private transportation services
n Housekeeping and linen service
For those seeking luxury assisted living, VHS offers apartments at The Huntington and The Hamilton.
1100 William Styron Square South Newport News, VA
www.thearborsatportwarwick.com
Secure.
February 2019 | Jewish Community News 9
Lunch and Learn: Look What We Just Found!
Israel Archaeology in Israel with Professor Owen Chesnut*
Sunday, February 17, 2019, 12:00PM– 1:00PM at the UJC
“In what other area of serious scientific research do you get to race up a mound of rubble pushing a wheelbarrow or smash big rocks with a hammer?”
Owen Chesnut, adjunct professor at North Central Michigan College is the head archaeologist on blue Yarmulke site in Ashdod-Yam and will be speaking about:-Recent Archaeological Finds from Jerusalem Connected to the Torah-What Modern Archaeological Excavation Looks Like-Important Finds from Ashdod Yam
Program Passport Members no Charge. $10.00 per person for non-passport members.
RSVP to [email protected] and/or pay online in advance by 2/13/19.
*This Program is part of our year-long Israel Series Program and our year-long archaeology program.
Purim Art Contest2nd Annual Create Your
Purim Inspired Work
Deadline: Thursday, February 28th
Mail or drop off art to UJCVP 401 City Center Blvd Newport News, VA 23606RULES: • Create an original drawing or painting related to Purim in any medium (no chalk
or computer-generated art), any size, not larger than 11x14 • One entry per person • On the back of the art piece list artist’s name, contact phone number, email, and grade if in school.
A selection of the entries will be displayed at the United Jewish Community of The Virginia Peninsula Community Purim Carnival on Sunday, March 17th.
• Drawings will not be returned, but may be picked at the UJC following on March 17th following the carnival. • Unclaimed drawings will be discarded.
For further information contact: [email protected]
10 Jewish Community News | February 2019
Sponsor & Volunteer Opportunities Available Contact Co-Chairs: Jody Sarfan, Wendy Eisner, Joanne Gordon or Judie Kavit
February 2019 | Jewish Community News 11
At The Hamilton at York Convalescent & Rehabilitation Center, life is all about you. Whether you spend your days socializing with friends, reading a book or enjoying some entertainment, we are dedicated to assisting you in living life to its fullest.
Welcome Home• Spacious two-bedroom, 0ne-bedroom and studio
apartments, classically designed• 24-hour on-site licensed nursing staff• Beautiful, full-service dining room and private dining areas• Wellness and activity options, with a variety of programs• All inclusive rates with no entrance fees
Our Continuum of Care• The comfort of knowing Virginia Health Services offers a
continuum of care from independent living at The Arbors, to skilled nursing care, long-term care, home health and hospice care with preferred access to any of the VHS services
* We are also now accepting reservations in our Newport News luxury assisted living community, The Huntington.
HAMILTONAT YORK CONVALESCENT & REHABILITATION CENTER
A member of the Virginia Health Services family
THE
LUXURY ASSISTED LIVINGHAMILTONAT YORK CONVALESCENT & REHABILITATION CENTER
A member of the Virginia Health Services family
THE
The Hamilton at York Convalescent & Rehabilitation Center113 Battle Road | Yorktown, VA | www.vahs.com
Contact Mattie Beckermanat 757-243-8859
Reservations Now Being Accepted
NOW OPEN
TEMPLE BETH EL
Williamsburg, Virginia
Shabbat Kulanu
…is TempleBeth El’s family oriented service. Shabbat Kulanu features song leading & guitar playing, puppet shows, storytelling and pizza dinner for all after the service.
Come To The Next Shabbat Kulanu on February 9th Services Begin at 6:30pm
Temple Beth El is located at 600 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg, Virginia For additional information call (757) 220-1205
12 Jewish Community News | February 2019
Temple Sinai11620 Warwick Blvd, Newport News, VA 23601(757) 596-8352
February 2019
All are welcome to our services, programs and activities!
Friday Night Shabbat Services (7:30 p.m.)- February 8th (Shabbat Malachim) - February 15th
Saturday Morning Shabbat Services (10:00 a.m.)- February 2nd- February 23rd
For further information to any of the above events please call 596-8352.
Rabbi Séverine Sokol (1-314-628-9196) [email protected] Administrator - Mary Beth Colgan - [email protected]
(757) 596-8352 - office (757) 596-8492 – fax Web address: http://www.templesinai-nn.org/ www.facebook.com/pages/Temple-Sinai/161739667352609t
February 2019 | Jewish Community News 13
On January 13th, Adath Jeshurun sponsored a luncheon to thank Rodef Sholom Temple for our beautiful historical Ark from the Berkley Synagogue of Norfolk.
We had a wonderful meal and the presentation of the Ten Commandments plaque, which had been on the top of the Ark. We have had the plaque restored, and it will hang in a prominent place in our new sanctuary. The camaraderie of being together and enjoying a Shabbos meal made a beautiful Sabbath for everyone who attended.
Learn About and Do the Mitzvah of Wrapping Tefillin
Annual
World-Wide Wrap
Sunday,
February 3 at 10 AM
Congregation Adath Jeshurun 401 City Center Blvd. , Newport News, VA 23606
Telephone # 757-930-0820 | Website: www.ajshul.comRabbi Gershon Litt, 757-559-1836
401 City Center Blvd. Newport News, VA 23606 • 757-826-5894 [email protected] • www.rodefsholomtemple.org
Shabbos Candle Lighting Times February 1 5:12 pmFebruary 8 5:20 pmFebruary 15 5:27 pmFebruary 22 5:34 pm
Rabbi Litt Shabbos Schedule
February 15thMarch 15th
14 Jewish Community News | February 2019
Federation Impact
A Survivor Shares Her Story with a New GenerationToo “traumatized after the war,” Marsha Kreuzman didn’t discuss her Holocaust experiences for nearly 30 years. “I cannot actually tell you what date motivated me, but I woke up and said, ‘the world has to know what we went through,’” she recalls. The younger generation had to hear the story.
Since then, Marsha’s had an enormous impact. She estimates that she’s shared her story with some 80 young Jews through a Federation program that pairs, or “twins,” survivors with b’nai mitzvah students. Thirteen-year-old Matt Survis was one of her most eager listeners. He learned all about what Marsha, now 91, experienced: her imprisonment in the Plashov labor camp in Poland for four years, where she had only rags to protect her from frigid snowstorms; the “mountains of dead people” she saw when she arrived at Auschwitz; how cold the crematorium door at Mauthausen felt against her cheek; and the indescribable feeling of liberation in May 1945.
Education into ActionFeeling a deep responsibility to ensure that his and future generations knew her story, Matt has put Marsha’s mission into action. In eighth grade, he developed a curriculum to teach his fellow students about the Holocaust and the stories of Holocaust survivors. At college, he founded the “Upstander Initiative,” a nonprofit that works in schools to humanize the Holocaust through individual stories, discuss the enduring problems of genocide and teach students to recognize prejudice in their own communities.
Now 19, Matt still has a deep connection with Marsha. “She comes over for holidays, graduations, and birthday celebrations,” he says. “We end our weekly phone calls with three words: I love you. I am so very fortunate to have Marsha in my life.”
Enduring ConnectionsTwo other of Marsha’s “twins” and their families have become like adopted family to her, visiting, calling, taking her out for meals—the family she and her late husband, who she met in a displaced persons camp
after the war, chose not to have. During his bar mitzvah, one of those twins told the congregation, “I have three grandmothers”—Marsha being the third.
Bearing witness to the past sustains Marsha. In addition to the twinning program, Federation helps Marsha share her story with thousands at schools, synagogues and churches and provides her with transportation to and from events. Otherwise, she rarely leaves her home. “I only live for the Holocaust,” she says, wanting “as much as possible and as many children as possible” to hear her life story. And with people like Matt listening, her experience will never be forgotten.
Federation is Working to Meet the Needs of SurvivorsCompared to other seniors in the U.S., Holocaust survivors are at a significantly higher risk for poor physical and mental health, depression and social isolation. And as they age, their urgent needs are increasing.
A lifeline for tens of thousands of survivors, Federation funds critical medical, housing, nutrition, socialization and transportation services to help this vulnerable population age more comfortably.
February 2019 | Jewish Community News 15
Please support a mikveh for ALL at the UJCVPNaming opportunities available for dedication to honor the memory
of a loved one in the amount of $25,000 and up.
Thank you for your support! Please email Meryl and Kayren at [email protected] find out more.
Musings of Contemporary Mikveh Guides“It was extra special to be alone in the quiet and low light with my guests. Though they were here for an extremely sad reason, I was so glad to be here for them — two hour drive and all.” ‐ Susan“It was great to be an enthusiastic tour guide for a rabbi visiting from out of town for the Boston Marathon. His smile lit up the room making my joy at being here even greater.” ‐Margaret“A new secular year full of vibrancy at the mikveh — a 40th birthday party (should I do my 50th here next month?). The place is full of joy and life, happiness and warmth. I am happy to play my little part — and do a load of holy laundry. I leave feeling more centered and less afraid.” ‐Michael“Being here always brings calmness and opens my mind to the many ways we bring joy, comfort, and solace to the people who come.” ‐ Gail“I often leave thinking, “Thank you, for letting me be a Guide here.” I come away so enriched by the people and their experiences as I get involved just a bit in their lives.” ‐ Amy“I was filled with awe as I guided a young woman immersing in memory of her Holocaust‐surviving grandparents who both died this past year. I am at peace knowing that the next generation is carrying on the legacy of holiness.” ‐ Janet
Steering Committee: Gary Kavit * Meryl Kessler * Scott Wolf * Kayren Segall
We hope to build a universal mikveh space for all (Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, or unaffiliated) where you can bring your whole selves – y o u r joys, your losses, your sorrows – into the living waters of the mikveh.
If you would like to find out more about a modern Mikveh please visit:
• Rising Tide Open Waters Mikveh Network - https://www.mayyimhayyim.org
• Introduction to Mikveh - https://www.mayyimhayyim.org/the-education-center/programs-for-adults/introduction-to-mikveh/
401 City Center Blvd.Newport News, VA 23606
Electronic Address Service Requested
Friday, February 12nd Annual Purim Art contest begins10:00am - Preschool Open House for families
Saturday, February 2BBYO - 7pm1:00pm - Lead Jew Shabbat
Monday, February 44:00pm - Williamsburg Hebrew School
Tuesday, February 510:30am - Grand Club4:30pm - Hebrew School
Wednesday, February 612:00pm - Campaign Council
Thursday, February 74:30pm - Hebrew School6:30pm - Pearl Pop Up
Saturday, February 97:00pm - JCCY 7:00pm - PJ our Way
Sunday, February 1010:45am - Babies & Bagels
Monday, February 114:00pm - Williamsburg Hebrew School
Tuesday, February 1210:30am - Grand Club4:30pm - Hebrew School7:00pm - Lunch & Learn (Dinner Edition)
Wednesday, February 135:30pm - UJC Executive Board Meeting
Thursday, February 144:30pm - Hebrew School
Saturday, February 166:00pm - Lead Jew Havdalah
Sunday, February 1712:00pm - Israel Programming Dig It!
Monday, February 18 Preschool & Infant Center closed Presidents’ Day (regional holiday)
Tuesday, February 1910:30am - Grand Club4:30pm - Hebrew School
Wednesday, February 2010:00am - Blood Drive7:00pm - UJC Board Meeting
Thursday, February 214:30pm - Hebrew School
Saturday, February 23JCCA Conference
Sunday, February 24JCCA Conference
Monday, February 25JCCA Conference4:00pm - Williamsburg Hebrew School
Tuesday, February 26JCCA ConferenceJewish Advocacy Day10:30am - Grand Club4:30pm - Hebrew School
Wednesday, February 27 JCCA Conference
Thursday, February 28Purim Art Contest ends4:30pm - Hebrew School5:30pm - Pearl Society Prom
UJCVP Community February 2019 Calendar