The Jewish Community News

Transcription

1 The Jewish Community News News of the Peninsula Jewish Community February 2014/5744 Important Notice! Due to continued Middle Ground Road construction the UJC Campus and offices will be closed on Monday, February 17 th for electrical work.

2 2 News of the Peninsula Jewish Community February 2014/5744 Traffic Pattern Switch for entrance to the UJC Campus via Middle Ground Boulevard The Entrance to the United Jewish Community Center campus is now on Middle Ground Boulevard which can be accessed from Nettles Drive. Spring Road is now closed for traffic to the UJC/JCC. New street and mailing address for the United Jewish Community and the Sarfan Early Childhood Center is: 401 Middle Ground Boulevard Newport News, VA The leader has to be practical and a realist, yet must talk the language of the visionary and the idealist. ~Eric Hoffer Good News The site plans and building drawings are now approved by Newport News for the Infant Toddler Center addition & parking Lot. Come to the UJC/JCC Campus and watch our school grow! President s Message Dr. Guy Levy, President Our Virginia Peninsula is home to a unique and very active Jewish community. Although our Jewish population is considered small by demographic standards, our bustling JCC campus, hosting a daily array of spiritual, educational, athletic and communal programs, is anything but diminutive. The evolution into a powerful and dynamic functional Jewish Federation has occurred due to many decades of dedicated volunteerism, as well as strong lay and professional leadership. Bob Kessler has certainly set the bar high for professional leadership, as evidenced by the growth and development of nearly every aspect of our portfolio and infrastructure, during the seven years of his tenure. With Bob s impending retirement (July 2014), finding an appropriate replacement has been a daunting task. Jim Segall has expertly and tirelessly led the dedicated Search Committee members in this endeavor, and I am happy to report a successful conclusion to this committee s work, pending Board of Directors approval. New Executive Director Chosen Steve Wendell, currently of Connecticut, was selected from many available candidates, after eight months of reviewing resumes and interviewing candidates by Skype and in person. Steve was easily the most qualified candidate of those available to us, and the people of his current and former communities without exception shared great respect and admiration for him. Josh David is generously preparing a formal contract, which will be considered for approval during the February Board of Directors meeting. Assuming Board approval, Steve, with his delightful wife Charlene, has agreed to begin his tenure this summer. More information and a formal introduction will be forthcoming after his contract has been created and approved. On behalf of the UJC leadership, thank you for your generous support during our annual campaign and if you have not yet had the opportunity to show your support, you can give by phone ( ) or online at ujcvp.org.

3 3 News of the Peninsula Jewish Community February 2014/5744 Super Size Sunday weekend a huge success! In an era when volunteers are often hard to come by, our community dared to imagine a bigger Super Sunday with more volunteers and all rose to the occasion. Thanks to a rousing inaugural Drink Globally, Give Locally event on Saturday evening, followed by an entire day of phone calling, we raised over $25,000 in a 24 hour period, adding new donors to our rolls, and maintaining an important almost 7% increase over last year s campaign. Thank you to all who made this happen! Drink Globally, Give Locally This brand new concept, planned and implemented by our Lead Jew leadership development group kicked off at 7 pm with food, drink, and education stations from around the globe. Over 50 young adults, joined by a handful of curious, more mature community leaders, filled our foyer and enjoyed homegrown, acoustic musician, Troy Breslow. Just 18 years old, having attended our own Camp Chaverim as a youngster, Troy and his band displayed a maturity beyond their years for two hours of entertaining music. While milling around guests made new friends, learned how Federation helps Jewish and non Jewish communities around the world, and made their commitment to the Annual Campaign. Thank you to committee members Marc Jacobson, and Mike Stupar for their thoughtful pitch to the room which raised over $2500 in pledges, many of which were first time pledges. In addition to Mike and Marc this party could not have happened without the expert input, decorating, cooking, and recruiting of Rosa Ergas, Rachel Lamanna, Rosanne Stupar, Heather Jacobson, and Jessi Malkin. Get ready for next year s event! Sunday Phone A Thon After Saturday night we were all pumped to continue the momentum for a day of reaching out. Our morning started with the true heart wrenching story of Maly Jackson, who at age 7, walked from Ethiopia to the Sudan with her mother Campaign Capsules Sarah Barnett, Campaign Associate Pictured L-R: Alan Mantel, Shoshana Marziano, Shiran Zerach, Olivia Mandel, Molly Jackson. and baby sister in order to be airlifted to her Jewish homeland. It is a story that left no dry eyes in the room yet made us all proud of the Federation system that supported Operation Moses in the 1980 s when she departed Ethiopia and then operation Solomon in the 1990 s which brought tens of thousands of Ethiopian Jews home. It is a system which continues to support their difficult transition, and acculturation in a modern society. Maly s story was just the right jolt to get our adrenaline flowing for the task at hand, that Super Sunday Chair, Jenny David instructed the room on. Hundreds of calls would be made in three calling sessions throughout the day and that is exactly what scores of volunteers did. This year we were fortunate to have seasoned pros and several new callers join our ranks. Kudos to our new callers Danille Francis, Louise Johnson, Mark Goldstein, and Bonnie Brooks. Thanks to our faithful repeats, Jenny David, Jim Barnett, Eric Schanzer, Jody Sarfan, Chip Goldstein, Gary Nachman, Roy Lasris, Neal Rosenbaum, Barbara Rosenbaum, Celia Rinaldo, Jim Segall, Libby David, Linda Roesen, Scott Stein, Mike Stupar, Bill Nachman, Geoffrey Kostiner, Lindsay Silverman, and Jan Frank. Thank you also to administrative volunteers without whom our staff would have an overload of work to do Monday morning. This able crew led by Robin Levy and Bill Becker included, Susan Stein, Martha Katz- Hyman, Brenda Shaye, Ed Olshansky, Rosa Ergas, Kelli Caplan, Ted Sandler, Meryl Kessler, Sara Traster, and Mark Woloshin. It s gratifying to know that even with many of our regular volunteers out of town or sick we were able to field an excellent team that reinvigorated our Super Sunday and made this 24 hours a substantial community success.

4 4 News of the Peninsula Jewish Community February 2014/5744 Campaign Capsules... continued igive because There s a window in my office. It sits behind me and next to my office mate Leslie. It s a narrow window yet we can still see the sunshine when It peeks in between two buildings, and have made sure that its opening is large enough to fit our particular anatomies in case of an emergency requiring a fast window exit. This year our window has an added benefit. On any random day I turn my head to speak with Leslie and through our window, across a 2 foot pathway, and through another window straight across I see eyes peering out. The conversation never starts as a wide smile pops on my face. Leslie, BABIES!. And there they are little faces across the walkway in our brand new infant room. Usually it s Sophia and Dexter, two adorable cherubbed faced, perfect infants, learning with delight how to pull up on the window sill. What does this have to do with why igive? Because I am so proud and supportive that this community, despite a great recession at our backs, continues to move forward and provide new and better services for our community. We don t say we can t, we just do. Of course this is all done with the ingenuity and energy of a great staff, and the support of a visionary board of directors. Sophia and Dexter couldn t move on their own when they joined us. Now, under the watchful eyes of caring staff, they make their way to the window to explore their world and say hi to me and Leslie. They are reminding us why we remind, yes even nag, all of you for support. igive because I want these two and their friends to grow up in a community that provides A Lifetime of Caring and Jewish sustenance. I want them to continue through preschool, Hebrew School, youth activities, summer camp, Hillel wherever they go, Birthright, young adult activities, and then embrace their heritage as adults as they forge their own way. If it s not here because life moves them on, then I want it to be in another community like ours. If they hit a bump in the road I want them to be able to come to us for help. Next year, I will miss Sophia and Dexter as they graduate and toddle on to the mazel tots room. The year after, I will probably barely recognize them in their preschool classroom. They Super Sunday volunteers gather for breakfast and orientation before making calls to the community. may even lose that baby cuteness by the time they graduate from pre-k but I will never forget their piercing eyes peeking through our window. This is why igive. I hope if you have not yet had your opportunity to give to the 2014 Annual Campaign you will take your chance now. Our volunteers will continue to try to reach you through the month of February! UJC Beskin Scholarship Applications Available Established in 1959 in memory of a beloved and outstanding humanitarian and leader, the Theodore H. and Esther Beskin Memorial Scholarship Award is given annually to a worthy local Jewish senior high school student. The recipient is selected on the basis of outstanding achievement and diligence in academic, personal, community endeavors, and other pertinent criteria. Beskin Scholarship applications have been sent to those high school seniors who are in our data base or whose names have st been provided by the synagogues. Deadline to return applications to the JCC is Friday, March 21, If you have not received an application and would like to apply for the $1,000 scholarship, call the JCC at

5 5 News of the Peninsula Jewish Community February 2014/5744 Birthright Expands Eligibility for Free Trips to Israel By Jacob Kamaras/JNS.org The Taglit-Birthright Israel program has expanded eligibility for its free 10-day trips to Israel for Jewish young adults ages 18-26, JNS.org has learned. Teenagers who went on an educational trip to Israel during high school were previously not eligible for Birthright trips, but can now participate, confirmed Noa Bauer, Birthright s vice president of international marketing. Birthright s eligibility guidelines previously stated, If you have been to Israel before but only with your family or on other personal business, you are still eligible. However, if you have been to Israel as part of a touring group, educational program, study program or an organized extended residential program since you were 12 years old, you are not eligible." While those who have taken educational trips to Israel after turning 18 are still not eligible for Birthright, youths who took such trips before 18 can now go on Birthright from ages 18-26, Bauer told JNS.org. I think everybody thought about [the change in the eligibility guidelines] for many years, and everybody wanted to have it, Bauer said. It was a matter of funding, and I think today you see more anti-israel things on campus, and we realized over the years that people that have been to Israel again have more confidence for talking about Israel, and geopolitics, and anything pertaining to Israel after visiting with Birthright Israel. I think we re one of the best platforms to do that for college students. In the 13-plus years since philanthropists Charles Bronfman and Michael Steinhardt joined forces with the Israeli government, the Jewish Agency for Israel, global Jewish communities, and other philanthropists to fund Birthright, the program has taken about 350,000 young Jews to Israel. Birthright recently said that more than 17,000 Jewish young adults would participate in its trips this season, the largest number of winter participants for Birthright since the program was founded in The program expects to reach 50 percent of Jewish young adults worldwide over the next five years.... Former Birthright participants are 42 percent more likely to feel very much connected to Israel compared to people who didn t go on the trip. Program participants are also more likely to belong to a religious congregation than those who did not attend Birthright, and participants are also slightly more likely than non-participants to make charitable contributions to Jewish or Israeli causes... A series of studies by Brandeis University s Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies have shown that former Birthright participants are 42 percent more likely to feel very much connected to Israel compared to people who didn t go on the trip. Program participants are also more likely to belong to a religious congregation than those who did not attend Birthright, and participants are also slightly more likely than non-participants to make charitable contributions to Jewish or Israeli causes, according to the Cohen Center research. The evidence is clear that Taglit inspires a stronger sense of Jewish identity, Brandeis University professor Leonard Saxe, a chief author of the research and director of the Cohen Center, told JNS.org last summer for a story on Birthright s 13th anniversary. While the Cohen Center surveys didn t ask directly about leadership, it s clear that Birthright produces a desire to be part of the Jewish community, according to Saxe. Matthew Putterman, a 24-year-old analyst for a real estate financial services firm in Houston who went on Birthright in 2010, told JNS.org last year, The sense of global Jewish community developed during Birthright definitely helped to substantiate my initial feelings of wanting to help if at all possible. Philanthropists Sheldon and Miriam Adelson have donated $180 million to Birthright. Exposing young Jews to Israel helps broaden their awareness and deepen their cultural identity, Miriam Adelson has said. Dozens of countries looking to connect Diasporas with their motherlands are taking notice of Birthright, according to Gidi Mark, the program s CEO. Mark told JNS.org last year that he attended a conference in Dublin, Ireland where everybody was talking about Birthright-Israel as a pioneer in this. We were approached already by countries like Bulgaria... and we are happy to help those who approach us, Mark said. For more information and/or to apply for a Birthright trip, log onto birthrightisrael.org.

6 6 News of the Peninsula Jewish Community February 2014/5744 UJC Endowment Fund News... Robin and Kenny Murov Create a Jewish Legacy to Ensure the Future Robin and Kenny Murov have been residents of the Virginia Peninsula for 38 years. They care deeply about their family, Judaism and their community. This love and compassion is evident in everything Robin and Kenny do. Their commitment to their heritage and to the future of the Jewish community that has been so good to them is why they chose to Create a Jewish Legacy. Both grew up in small Jewish communities; Robin is originally from Bedford, Virginia and Kenny is from Shreveport, Louisiana. Bedford only had three Jewish families, so my parents had to drive to synagogue in Roanoke and Lynchburg. It was very difficult, Robin I did not find the world desolate when I entered it. and as my parents planted for me before I was born, so do I plant for those who will come after me. ~ Talmud remembers. My grandmother sent all of her grandchildren to Jewish summer camps, so that we could get out of small towns. It was at Blue Star Camp in North Carolina which she attended when she was seven years old, that Robin recollects discovering her Jewish identity. She returned home from camp and exclaimed to her parents that she was moving to Israel. Kenny s path was different. I was part of the largest Jewish family in my community. Between first and second cousins of my generation, there were 23 or 24 of us, plus my brother, Kenny recalls. The area of Shreveport he grew up in was very secular there wasn t much Jewish life outside of the synagogue. It wasn t until he attended college at Washington and Lee University (where he met Robin) that he experienced for the first time through his fraternity what it was like to be a part of a focused Jewish community. Almost all of his brothers were Jewish. This experience was impactful on his life and his identity. Today, Kenny still connects with many of his fraternity brothers on a regular basis. We ve been involved in the Jewish community from the time we first moved here, said Kenny. This involvement includes a long-standing membership at Rodef Sholom Temple in Hampton, where both Kenny and Robin served as past presidents. Robin was also president of the Sisterhood. Kenny served as president of the JCC when it was separate from the Federation. He is currently Campaign Council Chairman for the United Jewish Community of the Virginia Peninsula, where he also served as president. Robin continues to volunteer regularly and plays mah-jongg with a group she has played with for years. This community has been wonderful to us, to our children. That s why it s very hard to say no. You sometimes have to remember what hat you re wearing, said Robin. The Murovs three children, twin daughters Rachel and Sarah and son Jacob, were all active in the JCC and in their Jewish community while growing up. The girls were active in BBYO, and all three children attended Jewish summer camps such as Ramah and Timber Ridge. Now, Sarah lives in New York City; Jacob, his wife Lauren and two children live in St. Louis, Missouri; Rachel, her husband David and two children live in Boca Raton, Florida. All three opted to live in large, thriving Jewish communities. Our daughter Rachel worked for AIPAC for 13 years. Three of the four grandchildren attend Jewish day schools, Robin said. They are proud of the lives their children have built, and that they have remained active in their communities and synagogues. I would say that my hobby is my grandchildren. I try to visit every other month, said Robin. Referring to Kenny s hobby: He s a golf addict. Though they know their children will most likely not return to the area, they acknowledge that it was an important part of their earlier lives and upbringing. It s our community and it s their community. We re not going to be here one day, so we decided to make a small mark for when we re not here, Kenny said, and Robin agreed. Robin and Kenny decided on a second-to-die life insurance policy to secure their legacy, concluding that this was an economical and prudent means to fulfill their philanthropic desires. Their gift will ultimately benefit the United Jewish Community of the Virginia Peninsula and Rodef Sholom Temple. Arrangements to identify and secure this gift were made with the assistance of the TJF.

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8 8 News of the Peninsula Jewish Community February 2014/5744 The United Jewish Community Center along with Temple Sinai, CNU Hillel and Rumi Forum is pleased to announce a very important program. "Interfaith Dialogue th Sunday, March 9 at Temple Sinai, Warwick Blvd. Newport News, VA :30-6:30 PM Join us for a free program featuring the documentary Desperate Hours Turkey s Rescue of Jews Followed by a full Turkish meal prepared by the Local Turkish Community and the Rumi Forum RSVP by March 2 to the UJC at nd Ida Fenigsohn Sick Loan Shelf As a service project to help those in need, the Hampton Roads Section of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) lends durable medical equipment, such as wheel chairs, crutches, canes, and walkers, to anyone in the community free of charge. A request from a medical professional is required and items may be borrowed for up to 6 months, but can, of course, be kept longer as necessary. Items are available for pick up at the Newport News Public Health Center, 416 J. Clyde Morris Blvd, Newport News (corner of Warwick and J. Clyde Morris Boulevards). For more information, please contact Michele Linn at Message from Jewish Family Service Thank you so much to everyone who has donated food for the JFS food closet. This food program supports Peninsula Jewish families who come to Jewish Family Service for financial assistance. They all struggle with monthly expenses and these items are always a welcome help to them. At this time, the most needed items include tuna and peanut butter as well as gift cards for gasoline and grocery gift cards to help with expenses for perishable frozen or refrigerated items. We greatly appreciate your support of our agency and the services that we provide to those in need. All donations of food or gift cards are tax deductible and may be dropped off at the JFS office or at the main desk at the UJC. If it is more convenient, please send gift cards via mail to Jewish Family Service 401 Middle Ground Boulevard Newport News, Virginia Libby Batten, JFS Social Worker

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10 10 News of the Peninsula Jewish Community February 2014/5744 Temple Sinai Warwick Blvd, Newport News, VA Services are held every Friday at 7:30 p.m. Rabbi Lawrence Forman will conduct services February 21. Services will be lay-lead February 14 and 28. Cantor Jonathan Rathsam will be featured at the February 14th service. Join our religious school students, teachers and parents for the Purim celebration March 14. Join Temple Sinai Sisterhood Sunday, February 9 for Ladies Day Out at Williamsburg Winery. We will take a tour and tasting at noon, followed by lunch at the Gabriel Archer Tavern. The tour and tasting is free to Sisterhood members; cost is $10 for nonmembers. Lunch is at your own expense. For more information or to RSVP by February 3, contact Leslie Borwick at The Temple Sinai Sisterhood gift shop has new items for Purim, including masks and greggers. The shop is open during the Temple s regular business hours or after special events on Sunday. The Temple Sinai Brotherhood will hold its next breakfast, Sunday, February 23 at 10 a.m. Guest speaker Roberta Rosenberg, a professor in the English Department at Christopher Newport University, will speak about Jewish humor based on a recent article she published in Studies in American Jewish Literature entitled, Larry David s `Dark Talmud Or Kakfa in Prime Time. Rosenberg teaches courses in Multicultural American Literature, Women s Studies and Writing. She has written four books on American and World literature and many articles on American culture. Cost is $6 for non-members and there is always plenty of food, good company as well as an interesting program. Temple Sinai now offers Gentle Hatha Yoga classes on Thursdays 4-5 p.m., taught by John Mellman at the Temple. There is no charge for classes. Temple Sinai will host a showing of the documentary film, Desperate Hours-Turkey s Rescue of Jews, on Sunday, March 9 at 4:30 p.m. the film is part of an Interfaith Dialogue, co-sponsored by the United Jewish Community Center, Temple Sinai, CNU Hillel and the Rumi Forum. The film will be followed by a full Turkish meal prepared by the local Turkish community and the Rumi Forum. Please RSVP to the UJC at by March 2. Keep up with all the news from your Temple at or on our Facebook page. UJC Fund Contributions RHODA H. AND MARVIN I. MAZUR EDUCATION FUND Donations in memory of Rhoda Mazur have been made by: Libby and Buddy David,Randye Zerman and Mark Rosing, Diane Banyai, Janet and Stan Glasofer, Dr. R.R. and Pearl Harrell, David Carliner, Beverly and William Outzts, Barbara Weisner, Michael Ware, Joanne and Richard Gordon, Rhoda Horowitz, Cynthia Bischoff, Eric, Debby, Jessica and Alexandra Bashkoff, Joan Aaron, Lil Lieverman HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL FUND Joanne and Richard Gordon in honor of Jack and Aviva Mrazik s new grandson. Joanne and Richard Gordon in honor of Tzina and L.J. Richman s new grandson. Aviva and Jack Mrazik in memory of Rhoda Mazur. THE LEONARD & SYLVIA WATERS LIBRARY FUND Joanne and Richard Gordon in memory of James Corky Foreman. LEROY M. SPIGEL EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FUND Estelle Fineman in memory of Gerri Rosenkrantz. MARC MINKOFF SPORTS SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION Karen Minkoff in memory of James Foreman. PRESCHOOL FUND Doreen and Mayer Sarfan with congratulations to Stan Glasofer on receiving the Blue Yarmulke Award at Rodef Sholom Temple. Doreen and Mayer Sarfan with congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. James Batterson in their new home. Y.B.I. HANDY MAN HOME REPAIR SERVICE INTERIOR/EXTERIOR QUALITY WORKMANSHIP FOR A REASONABLE PRICE LICENSED AND INSURED CALL MEIR AT

11 11 News of the Peninsula Jewish Community February 2014/5744 Rodef Sholom Temple February Happenings *Service Schedule: Friday night services at 6:00 p.m.; Shabbat Morning services at 9:30 a.m.; Morning Minyan services on Mondays and Thursdays at 7:45 a.m. *Feb 2: Sisterhood Torah Fund and Brunch- The Modern Jewish Family *Feb 4: Tuesdays with Rabbi Lunch and Learn at Noon at the Law Offices of JBWK *Feb 9: Men s Club World Wide Wrap Minyan Service and Tefillin program *Feb 22: Shabbat School *Feb 28: Education Fellow arrives from the Institute of Southern Jewish Life (ISJL)

12 12 News of the Peninsula Jewish Community February 2014/5744 EMET V OR DATES AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES PO Box 8038 Yorktown, VA All are welcome to Friday night services at 7:00PM at the United Jewish Community Center main building at their new address 401 Middle Ground Blvd- * 2700 Spring Road was old address- drive in the new entrance off of Nettles Rd. ADULT EDUCATION Jewish Interactive Adult Learning *Chai Mitzvah is a 9 month class with group learning once a month. Choose an independent study, incorporate a new Ritual, Do a social action project. 10AM-11:30AM 2/2, 3/2, 4/6, May, 6/1 additional 4 tbd. $18.00 per person It is not too late to let Ann Lynn L. at teabague@aol.com to register. *Texting: Not with your thumbs! Study the weekly portion once a week on Wednesdays in March 5:15-6:00PM. March th th th th 5, 12, 19, and 26. Sign up with Ann Lynn. *Cooking Jewish: What is it and how to do it? Hamentashen, challah, chicken soup, kugel, and brisket. Limited to 12 people per session. Dates are Sundays: 2/9, 3/9, 4/13, 5/18, 6/8 or Tuesdays evenings 2/11, 3/11, 4/15, 5/20, 6/10. Contact JenniferRmeyers@aol.com. FITNESS Spiritual Fitness: Do you enjoy the great outdoors? Is running, walking and/or hiking one of your things? Then contact Lisa C at lisa.carroll4@outlook.com PARENT AND PRESCHOOLER Synagogue affiliation is not required for participation Are you raising a Jewish or interfaith child under 5? Monthly parent led program connects children s literature with our Judaic heritage in fun filled ways.10:30 for socializing and 11am - 12pm for the program! 2/23, 3/16, 4/20. Please emial Anya in advance: anyawise@yahoo.com. Conversational Hebrew Class Offered at the UJC Always wanted to learn conversational Hebrew? Going to Israel and want to speak to the Israelis? Just bored and need something to do.. Come to the UJC on Wednesday nights from 7 PM to 8 PM. The first four week session started January 29th. The second four week session will th start March 5. Our teacher, Marla Schuchman will run the 2 - four week mini sessions with different themes. The first four weeks focuses on daily life and the second four weeks focuses on government and politics. You need to have some knowledge of Hebrew to enroll in this class. The cost is $35.00 per session. We must have a minimum of 5 students to hold the class. Call the UJC at to sign up today. You only have to commit to one session (4 weeks) at a time. JCC Seniors Programs Don t forget to come to the JCC on Tuesdays. If you are over 60 and looking for a good place to have a delicious kosher lunch and meet other seniors, come join us at the JCC. Lunch is $2.50 and transportation is provided by reservation in the UJC bus. Call the JCC at to make your reservations Grand Club February 4 February 11 February 18 February 25 Bingo/Mah Jong Bingo/Mah Jong, Speaker: Diabetic Needs Bingo/ Mah Jong, Blood Pressure Checks Bingo/ Mah Jong Don t Forget the Homeless 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 JCC 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 or glasofer@verizon.net.

13 13 News of the Peninsula Jewish Community February 2014/5744 WE NOW HAVE REDUCED PRICE TICKETS AND BETTER SEATING FOR THIS PERFORMANCE. Buy your tickets now for the Haifa Symphony Orchestra of Israel $34.00 per ticket through the UJC. (Tickets previously purchased for zone 2 are now in zone 1. If you paid $50/ticket, you will now receive a $16.00/ticket refund.. This is a group rate. Call now, limited availability (757) What s Happening at the JCC Join us at the JCC for interesting and informative lectures and lunch at 12 Noon with the following presenters: February 20: Rabbi David Katz, Temple Beth El March 20 - TBD April 17 - Former Governor George Allen, (the story of how he found out as an adult that his mother was Jewish) May 15: State Delegate David Yancey, (his mother s story of the escape from the Holocaust as a Jew and her later conversion.) Cost: $ Call JCC to RSVP Save these dates for our Life Enrichment Programs! Tuesday, February 4 An evening out, play and dinner. Honkey Tonk Angels at the Wells Theater in Norfolk. Wednesday, May 21 Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens in Richmond Call or Leslie for further details or to make a reservation Come to the JCC for a movie and popcorn. Upcoming and Final movie this season: March 6th: Sarah s Key All movies begin at 1:00 PM and are free to the public. I've found that luck is quite predictable. If you want more luck, take more chances. Be more active. Show up more often. ~ Brian Tracy

14 14 News of the Peninsula Jewish Community February 2014/5744 THE UJCVP INVITES YOU TO JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER LIST! Please sign up to receive your monthly newsletter by . You will receive the newsletter before the mail comes plus you will see the news in living color and be saving UJC dollars while reading the most updated information from the JCC. SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, May 4, 2014 Sarfan Early Childhood Center 5K Race NEW LOCATION The Mariners Museum 100 Museum Drive, Newport News (Get your running shoes ready ) American-Born Rabbi Honored by Queen Elizabeth II An American-born rabbi was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II. Rabbi Mark Winer, a British subject and a U.S. citizen, is believed to be the first Ererican rabbi to be so honored. The awards, including knighthoods were announced on Monday, December 30. Winer, 71, received the honor for services to interfaith dialogue and social cohesion in the United Kingdom. He said in a statement that he was humbled and thrilled to accept the honor. For 30 years, he led congregations in the United States before moving in 1998 to London, where he spent 12 years as senior rabbi of the Reform West London Synagogue of British Jews.

15 15 News of the Peninsula Jewish Community February 2014/5744 th Wednesday, February AM-11:45 AM Babies and Bagels Playgroup! I have a child under the age of 2. I want my child to have a fun hour with children his or her age. I like bagels. If you have a child under 2, Babies and Bagels Playgroup is for you. Join us for a light nosh and some adult conversation while you watch your children play and interact with others in their age group. #February 26th at 11am we will learn about Purim. #March 26th at 11am we will learn about Passover. #April 23rd at 11am, we will learn about Israel s Independence Day. #May 28 at 11am we will learn about Shavuot. There will be singing, age appropriate stories and craft and free play for this baby/tot and parent 45 minute program. Please rsvp in advance to Jennifer@ujcvp.org. Siblings are welcome! Super Sunday PJ Library program. To sign up for PJ Library, contact Jennifer at or jennifer@ujcvp.org. This Program Is Made Possible with a Generous Grant from the Eugene M. & Betty N. Levin Family Philanthropic Fund of the UJC Endowment. "PJ Library" and "PJ Library logo" are registered trademarks of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. All rights reserved.

16 16 News of the Peninsula Jewish Community February 2014/5744