Sisterhood - February 2019
The perfect remedy for the isolation of Winter, with its chill and early darkness, is to join your Sisters for one of our spectacular events. Our membership now boasts 133 delightful women of all ages, interests, and Judaic affinity and expression. Sisterhood is like our own exquisite mosaic.
We offer so many opportunities for friendship, bonding, and celebration. We warmly welcome your participation.
Here’s a look at what we’ve enjoyed and what new adventures lie ahead:
Recent Events--
*On January 31st, Sisterhood and Men’s Club presented a fascinating documentary, “Cuba’s Forgotten Jewels,” featuring Jews who fled to Cuba following the Holocaust. After the movie, EBJC Co-President Deena Oren led a discussion describing the present-day Jewish community in Cuba. This was an enlightening educational experience for all who attended.
*Earlier this month, on Friday evening, February 8th, we once again welcomed East Brunswick Mayor Brad Cohen to headline our Kabbalat Shabbat service and dinner. Mayor Cohen brought us up-to-date on all the upcoming plans for our beloved town.
Looking Forward to—
*Wednesday, March 6—Join us for Mosaic Night! This promises to be a fun-filled, creative evening for men, women, and children 12 years and older. Design a gorgeous keepsake—including chais and hamsas—that you will be proud to display in your home. Pre-registration is required.
*Friday, March 8—Our Annual Torah Fund Dinner and Service. Which deserving Sisterhood member will be honored as our Eshet Chayil? (Woman of Valor). Since Torah Fund proceeds support the educational institutions of the Conservative Movement, we are honored to hear success stories of the graduates of these schools. Come hear our own Rabbi Pivo share an account of his years as a student at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. We bet there will be fascinating anecdotes awaiting us!
There’s still time to contribute to this worthy project. Contact our extraordinary Torah Fund chair Jody Bramson at Jlbrams@aol.com to purchase this year’s stunning polished black Torah Fund pin, featuring the insignia “Atid,” meaning “Future." Or donate at any level to get involved.
*Wednesday, March 27—On the Chocolate Trail—EBJC Sisterhood joins with the women of Congregation B’nai Tikvah in North Brunswick for a fascinating journey through the Jewish history of chocolate. Rabbi Deborah Prinz, author of On the Chocolate Trail, draws from her world travels on the trail of chocolate to describe the role of religions in the trade, retail and manufacture of chocolate since it was introduced to Europeans. The evening includes dessert, wine, and chocolate sampling, along with book signing by Rabbi Prinz. How can you resist?
And Don’t Forget--
*Rabbi Pivo’s adult education series “Torah, Time and Tefillah” continues every Thursday evening after Minyan. Still to be examined—an overview of the sacred books that grew up around Torah—Torah commentaries, Mishna, Talmud, Siddur, and Machzor. Sample this comprehensive, interactive class to find out how much you can learn.
Please remember to read each Friday’s Tidbits email blast to learn details of upcoming events
PURIM IS ALMOST HERE! And we have exciting news—this year we offer online ordering and payment of shalach manot. Please use the link provided in the Purim letters that were sent out via email or go to HappyPurim.com to place your order. Not ready for online ordering? No problem. You can still mail in your order/payment with the paper form. Shalach manot baskets will be delivered beginning Sunday, 3/17/19.
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Maj Jong Anyone?—Are you seeking a fun activity to challenge your mind? Did your Mom or Aunt play Maj Jong but you just never learned the game? Do you wax nostalgic about hearing shouts of “Crack/Bam” emanating from the kitchen of the home you grew up in? You’re not alone. Lots of us have heard about Maj Jong all of our lives, but never got around to playing. Don’t fret…
Sisterhood sponsors a Maj Jong game every Monday evening at 7 P.M., and it’s NOT JUST FOR EXPERIENCED PLAYERS. You can drop in any time, and one of the ladies will gladly coach you on all the fine points of the game. You will only observe at first, of course, but in no time you’ll be part of the game!
Calling All Bibliophiles—We are hoping to launch a Sisterhood book club this spring. We would plan to meet on a “seasonal” basis, approximately every three months, allowing plenty of time to finish reading. The selections would be based on reading lists from the Jewish Book Council, as well as member recommendations. Although each book will have some Jewish thematic element, we will not be solely focused on historical fiction. We will include fiction, as well as nonfiction, biographies, and maybe even cookbooks!
There are some details still to be determined, and we’d like your input. When would you like to meet?—weekday evening, Saturday after kiddush, Sunday morn, Sunday evening? Where would you like to meet?—at synagogue, or would you be more comfortable rotating through members’ homes?
Please email Sara-- tranquil77@aol.com to indicate your interest and provide your preferences to the questions above. Look forward to hearing from everyone.
Join our Kiddush Team- Can you spare a few hours each week to shop and/or prepare for our lauded Shabbat Kiddush spread? Shopping lists are issued on Tuesday, and shopping must be completed by Thursday evening. If you’d rather donate your time for food prep, join us Friday morning at 10 A.M. in the dairy kitchen. Contact Sylvia Halpern—smhalpern15@gmail.com or Jodi Harkavy—jbharkavy@comcast.net--to get involved.
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Sisterhood is an integral component of EBJC, and we value YOUR CONTRIBUTION. We proudly carry on the legacy and tradition of our shul, while addressing the diverse pursuits of modern women. Please keep in touch so that TOGETHER we can make Sisterhood YOURS.
Warm regards,
Margot Julis magoo1211@comcast.net
Sara Ullman tranquil77@aol.com
Sisterhood - January 2019
A New Year signifies new beginnings—a reclaimed opportunity to prioritize your goals and the allocation of your time. If you haven’t already joined Sisterhood, this is the perfect time to take that important step. Joining Sisterhood demonstrates your commitment to both EBJC and the continuity of Jewish heritage, faith, and tradition.
We are a diverse group, and we want to include YOU and the unique qualities you offer. Now, more than ever, with anti-Semitism on the rise in an uncertain world, we need the support of all the fabulous women in our shul. As others have stated, we are stronger TOGETHER. Please help us meet our goal of 100% membership.
Last month we enjoyed a fun-filled Evening of Laughs and Libations on Saturday, December 15th. This event, in conjunction with Men’s Club, featured Al Kustanowitz of Jewish Humor Central, who entertained us with a multimedia presentation of Jewish comedy.
Rabbi Pivo’s adult education series “Torah, Time and Tefillah” is going strong! Stop in any Thursday evening after minyan to check out how much you can learn. Now that we have tackled the five books of Moses that comprise the Torah, we will be moving onto Torah in its wider sense—an overview of the sacred books that grew up around Torah. We will examine Torah commentaries, Mishna, Talmud, siddur, and machor, among others.
The two-year curriculum can culminate in bar/bat mitzvah for those who wish. If you’d like to check out the syllabus, the entire outline for the two-year course is available online. And you can join at any time, or just visit those classes that interest you most.
2019 ushers in a host of exciting adventures! Here are some programs and events that are on the horizon:
*Thursday, January 31—Movie Night with Men’s Club featuring Cuba’s Forgotten Jewels (details to follow)
*Friday, February 11—Kabbalat Shabbat in partnership with Men’s Club, headlined by Mayor Brad Cohen of East Brunswick
*Friday, March 8—Our Annual Torah Fund Dinner and Service. Which deserving Sisterhood member will be honored as our Eshet Chayil (Woman of Valor?) Since Torah Fund proceeds support the educational institutions of the Conservative Movement, we are honored to hear success stories of the graduates of these schools. Come hear our own Rabbi Pivo share an account of his years as a student at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. We bet there will be fascinating anecdotes awaiting us!
There’s still time to contribute to this worthy project. Contact our extraordinary Torah Fund chair Jody Bramson at Jlbrams@aol.com to purchase this year’s stunning polished black Torah Fund pin, featuring the insignia “Atid,” meaning “Future." Or donate at any level to get involved.
*Wednesday, March 27—On the Chocolate Trail—EBJC Sisterhood joins with the women of Congregation B’nai Tikvah in North Brunswick for a fascinating journey through the Jewish history of chocolate. Rabbi Deborah Prinz, author of On the Chocolate Trail, draws from her world travels on the trail of chocolate to describe the role of religions in the trade, retail and manufacture of chocolate since it was introduced to Europeans. The evening includes dessert, wine, and chocolate sampling, along with book signing by Rabbi Prinz. How can you resist?____________________________________________________________
Please remember to read each Friday’s Tidbits email blast to learn details of upcoming events
When is the last time you took a glance at our impressive Sisterhood Judaica shop? Why schlep to Highland Park or Brooklyn for all your needs, or order them online, when you can find whatever you imagine in our very own boutique? The gift shop stocks everything, from candles and Jewish-themed toys, to challah covers, kippahs, women’s headpieces, menorahs, seder plates, and more. The selection and design are exceptional. And if it’s not there, we will order it for you! You’ll find the perfect items AND benefit Sisterhood! So it’s a win-win for all. ____________________________________________________________
Calling All Bibliophiles—We are hoping to launch a Sisterhood book club this spring. We would plan to meet on a “seasonal” basis, approximately every three months, allowing
plenty of time to finish reading. The selections would be based on reading lists from the Jewish Book Council, as well as member recommendations. Although each book will have some Jewish thematic element, we will not be solely focused on historical fiction. We will include fiction, as well as nonfiction, biographies, and maybe even cookbooks!
There are some details still to be determined, and we’d like your input. When would you like to meet?—weekday evening, Saturday after kiddush, Sunday morn, Sunday evening? Where would you like to meet?—at synagogue, or would you be more comfortable rotating through members’ homes?
Please email Sara at tranquil77@aol.com to indicate your interest and provide your preferences to the questions above. Look forward to hearing from everyone.
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It is our sincerest wish that 2019 holds the promise of good health, peace, and contentment for all the families in our congregation, and for the global Jewish community. May the precious values of Judaism remain close to our hearts and inform how we treat our relatives, friends, neighbors, and fellow EBJC members each day.
“She opens her mouth with wisdom and the law of kindness is on her tongue.”—Eshet Chayil, Proverbs
Warm regards and Happy New Year,
Margot Julis magoo1211@comcast.net
Sara Ullman tranquil77@aol.com
Sisterhood - December 2018
When this issue arrives in your homes, you will hopefully be lighting candles and frying latkes. There is nothing like Chanukah to illuminate the early darkness and the chill of winter.
If you still haven’t joined or rejoined Sisterhood, it’s not too late. You will stand among 115 proud members who support our mission and want to make a significant contribution to our congregation. Our goal is 100% membership, so that Sisterhood can truly represent the glorious array of women in EBJC—women of all ages and education levels, women who are both traditional and progressive in their practice of Judaism. Sisterhood embraces us all and works to help each of us fulfill her highest potential and aspirations as a Jewish woman. We warmly welcome you.
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Rabbi Pivo’s adult education series “Torah, Time and Tefillah” is an intellectual adventure every Thursday evening after minyan. This is no ordinary lecture. It is a lively, interactive class, filled with questions, comments, and sharing of stories. The two-year curriculum can culminate in bar/bat mitzvah for those who wish. If you’d like to check out the syllabus, the entire outline for the two-year course is available online. And you can join at any time, or just visit those classes that interest you most, so it’s clearly worth a try—just ask any of the 30 men and women who regularly attend.
October was marked by a fascinating five-day Artist-in-Residence program, featuring renowned artist Mordechai Rosenstein. His pieces are colorful and stimulating, and they tell beautiful stories about our sacred books, history, and culture. Rosenstein’s creative use of Hebrew calligraphy makes his work truly unique. On November 1st, Sisterhood presented “Originals by an Original,” a slideshow and lecture by Rosenstein himself, in which he displayed a variety of custom-designed commission pieces he has created over the years, including ketubot, birth announcements, and invitations. Through his narration, we gained valuable insights into the inspirations that drive Rosenstein’s innovative talent.
On Friday evening, November 9th, Sisterhood and Men’s Club hosted a joint Kabbalat Shabbat dinner and service, featuring storytelling and a sing-a-long by our own Rabbi Pivo and Cantor Brandspiegel. The cozy group basked in the joy of fellowship with our friends and neighbors on Shabbat.
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On November 4th, EBJC Sisterhood was honored with a Torah Fund Award at the Garden State Region Brunch, in recognition of the fact that we exceeded our Torah Fund goal last year. And we have already reached over 90 percent of this year’s goal, so we are well on our way to another honor!
This annual fundraising project supports all the educational institutions of Conservative Judaism throughout the world. You can demonstrate your commitment to this cause by purchasing a beautifully designed pin for $180. This year’s pin features the insignia “Atid,” meaning “Future” on a stunning polished black background. But all donations are welcome at any level. Contact our exceptional Torah Fund chair Jody Bramson at Jlbrams@aol.com to get involved.
On The Horizon
Jewish Comedy Night with Men’s Club on Saturday, December 15th, spotlighting humorous entertainer
Al Kustanowitz offering a multimedia presentation (see information in the Recorder)
Wine and Chocolate event with Sisterhood of B’nai Tikvah in North Brunswick
Torah Fund Dinner and Service on Friday, March 8th
*Please remember to read each Friday’s Tidbits email blast to learn details of upcoming events
“Everyone should know and understand that inside each individual there’s a light,
And no one’s light is identical to another’s and there is no human without a light.
One must kindle it, and strengthen it into a great torch, and use it to brighten the whole world.”
--Rav Abraham Isaac Kook
In this season of miracles, let’s vow to fortify the bonds that unite us as Jewish women—intense love for our families, fierce commitment to Jewish values and education, compassionate outreach to the vulnerable among us, and sincere dedication to the continuity of our heritage and faith.
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From our families to yours, wishing you all the beauty and joy of Chanukah,
Margot Julis magoo1211@comcast.net
Sara Ullman tranquil77@aol.com