New Jersey Jewish News

Strong words for Israel during debate for NJ Dist. 10 seat

Thu, 24 May 2012 21:48 GMT

Five candidates field questions at JCC in West Orange

Five Democrats seeking to replace the late Donald Payne in Congress pledged loyalty to Israel as they faced off in a debate May 23 at the Cooperman JCC in West Orange. »Read More

Published in: New Jersey News, MetroWest News

UJC federation board approves merger with Central

Thu, 24 May 2012 21:32 GMT

Unanimous vote is next-to-last step before creation of 'Greater MetroWest'

Members attending the annual meeting of the United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ unanimously approved its merger with Jewish Federation of Central NJ. »Read More

Published in: New Jersey News, Central News, MetroWest News

Dist. 10 candidates field queries on debt, Israel

Wed, 23 May 2012 18:45 GMT

Democrats respond to CRC questionnaire

Aiming to succeed the late Donald Payne Sr. are State Sen. Nia Gill, Newark Councilman Don Payne Jr., Newark Councilman Ron Rice, Irvington Mayor Wayne Smith, Cathy Wright of Newark, and Dennis Flynn of Glen Ridge. »Read More

Published in: New Jersey News

Universal systems

Wed, 23 May 2012 17:16 GMT

Bemidbar - Numbers 1:1-4:20

This weekend we celebrate Shavuot, called in tradition Z’man Matan Torateinu, “the season of the giving of our Torah.” It is a pleasant coincidence that the Torah reading for this Shabbat, immediately preceding the holiday, is entitled Bemidbar (“In the wilderness”). Rabbinic tradition asserts that the Torah was given in the wilderness to demonstrate that it was not the property of a landed tribe but rather was available to anyone who chose to claim it as theirs. »Read More

Published in: Touch of Torah

Hamas and Fatah: No reconciliation, no peace

Wed, 23 May 2012 17:15 GMT

Fatah and Hamas signed another power-sharing agreement this weekend in Cairo, but if experience is a teacher, it is doubtful this one will be any more successful than the previous attempts at reconciliation between the rival Palestinian factions. »Read More

Published in: Op-Eds

The two-state solution is in Israel’s best interest

Wed, 23 May 2012 17:10 GMT

I am very proud of the role my father played, as small as it may have been, in the establishment of the State of Israel. In 1943, at the age of 16, he left Alexandria, Egypt, for Palestine to join the Hagana. »Read More

Published in: Op-Eds

Jewish firefighters honor a champion of memorials

Wed, 23 May 2012 17:05 GMT

Sol Moglen, the Caldwell resident who spearheaded a campaign to honor heroes of 9/11, was honored himself May 20 by the Ner Tamid Society, an organization of Jewish members of the New York Fire Department. »Read More

Published in: MetroWest News

Darfur refugees settle into a life of work, study

Wed, 23 May 2012 16:58 GMT

JVS is helping connect Jewish community and genocide survivors

Sixteen refugees from war-ravaged Darfur are rebuilding their lives in the Newark area, thanks to a federal grant and the assistance of the Jewish Vocational Service of MetroWest. »Read More

Published in: MetroWest News

Israeli Arab guides both sides to coexistence

Wed, 23 May 2012 16:46 GMT

Olfat Haider is unlike any Israeli her audience in Scotch Plains was likely to have met before. But then, she is also unlike any Israeli most Israelis have ever met. The tall, slender woman is a mountain-climber — scheduled to go to the South Pole in November with an international women’s expedition — and a former member of the Israeli national volleyball team. She is also a Muslim Arab, committed to using her athletic prowess to build understanding between different groups in her home country. »Read More

Published in: Central News

From court to classroom, school tallies success

Wed, 23 May 2012 16:36 GMT

JEC leaves its mark in basketball, science, and Torah contests

As the academic year winds to an end, students at the Jewish Educational Center schools in Elizabeth are tallying their victories from the past few months, from sports to science to Torah learning. »Read More

Published in: Central News

NJ religion-in-adoption bill heads for vote in legislature

Wed, 23 May 2012 16:34 GMT

NJ legislators are closer to passing a law that would require agencies to maintain a child’s religious upbringing when placing the child in an adoptive or foster home. »Read More

Published in: New Jersey News

Kushner alumnus urges students to ‘fight back’

Wed, 23 May 2012 16:32 GMT

Aaron Marcus recalls role at center of RU’s debate over Mideast

Aaron Marcus, a recent Rutgers graduate and pro-Israel activist at the center of campus controversy, pointed to his days at Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School as the beginning of his activism. Marcus, who graduated from Kushner in 2007, spoke to this year’s graduating class May 21 at the Livingston school about what they could expect when they get to college campuses and urged them to become activists themselves. »Read More

Published in: New Jersey News

Golda Och breaks ground on major renovation

Wed, 23 May 2012 16:25 GMT

Wilf family kickstarts construction to update 1950s lower school

Golda Och Academy lower school in West Orange launched its $7 million renovation with a ceremonial ground breaking on May 17. With shovels in hand, Jane and Mark Wilf of Livingston stood in front of the 60-year-old building and “dug” out the first dirt for the basement, joined by their son, Andrew, who is in the fourth grade, and Mark’s mother, Susie. »Read More

Published in: New Jersey News

Remembering a man with a ‘passion for music’

Wed, 23 May 2012 16:20 GMT

A commemorative wall was dedicated in memory of Jerry Ben-Asher on May 9 in a place that embodies what were his great passions — music and music education. »Read More

Published in: Life & Times

Shavuot 5772

Wed, 23 May 2012 16:06 GMT

Five steps to studying and learning from the Torah

Observing my kids playing, I notice how the same toy, no matter how many times they play with it, can reveal the most remarkable things. If we studied the Torah the way a child plays with a toy — repeatedly and open to the possibility of discovering something remarkable — then perhaps we would discover something remarkable. »Read More

Published in: Life & Times

Football hero a surprise guest at UJC fund-raiser

Wed, 23 May 2012 15:59 GMT

Former Rutgers football hero Eric Legrand was a surprise guest at the 2012 Spring Fling, an annual fund-raiser for United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ. »Read More

Published in: MetroWest News

One people, separate worlds

Wed, 23 May 2012 15:55 GMT

I don’t think there is going to be warfare between haredi Jews and the rest of us — not outside of Israel, anyway. What we have instead are two communities that relate to one another in two distinct and distinctly unhealthy ways. »Read More

Published in: Editor's Column

Remember the Munich 11

Wed, 23 May 2012 15:27 GMT

There had been terrorist attacks on Israelis before the 1972 Munich Olympics, but none with so large an audience or as devastating an emotional impact. »Read More

Published in: Editorial

Hospice volunteer listens ‘in a different way’

Tue, 22 May 2012 16:10 GMT

AS A VOLUNTEER with the Renee Denmark Punia Community Hospice of Greenwood House in Ewing, Lisa Pizza has traveled thousands of miles and provided countless hours of massage and reflexology therapy to hospice patients and their families. »Read More

Published in: Princeton Mercer Bucks News

Hospital rises on its chief’s guiding principles

Tue, 22 May 2012 16:03 GMT

When the Princeton Healthcare System developed a strategic plan back in 2003 for a replacement hospital, one of president and CEO Barry Rabner’s first orders of business was to develop the medical equivalent of a Bible. It contained what he called his guiding principles. »Read More

Published in: Princeton Mercer Bucks News

‘Jewish Legacy’ initiative launched in Mercer

Tue, 22 May 2012 15:57 GMT

The Create a Jewish Legacy campaign, patterned after other successful efforts instituted by Jewish federations and foundations nationally, was officially unveiled on May 9 at the Princeton home of Scott and Jeri Schaefer before 60 people. Scott Schaefer, also legacy campaign cochair and foundation vice president, said the foundation’s main focus is “life and legacy — and not death and taxes.” »Read More

Published in: Princeton Mercer Bucks News

Greenwood House sends patients Shabbat cheer

Tue, 22 May 2012 15:52 GMT

For people stuck in the hospital, battling illness or injury, the days of the week can merge in a bleak blur. When the Rev. Richard White, the chaplain at the University Medical Center at Princeton, was offered a chance to help his Jewish patients celebrate Shabbat, he welcomed the idea enthusiastically. »Read More

Published in: Princeton Mercer Bucks News

String of Pearls celebrates two-decade milestone

Tue, 22 May 2012 15:46 GMT

AS RABBI DONNA Kirshbaum celebrated her fourth year with String of Pearls Congregation in Princeton, she also marked the 20th anniversary of the congregation. »Read More

Published in: Princeton Mercer Bucks News

EU funds Hadassah College science project

Tue, 22 May 2012 15:33 GMT

Rutgers a partner of multinational group in Bio-Xplore initiative

For the first time, the European Union has funded an Israeli institution to lead a multi-national scientific initiative. The partners in the project — which will make use of indigenous plant life in countries in the Mediterranean Sea basin to create a variety of cosmetics, medications, and food — make up a diverse coalition. Hadassah College in Jerusalem is the lead institution for an up-to-$2.7-million grant from the Joint Management Authority of the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument for its Bio-Xplore project. »Read More

Published in: Princeton Mercer Bucks News

Essay by local student wins newspaper writing contest

Mon, 21 May 2012 20:37 GMT

Gabriella Newman of East Windsor and three of her classmates have earned a literary distinction for Ilan High School for Girls. The four students at the Ocean school were selected as finalists in “Linking the Generations,” a nationwide writing contest held by the English-language edition of Hamodia: The Daily Newspaper of Torah Jewry. »Read More

Published in: Princeton Mercer Bucks News

Schoolkids learn lessons on Shoa and civil rights

Mon, 21 May 2012 20:30 GMT

The Freedom Rides of the civil rights era were the focus of the 31st Annual Colloquium for middle- and high-schoolers sponsored by the Brookdale Community College’s Center for Holocaust, Human Rights & Genocide Education (CHHANGE). Some 1,500 students, teachers, and invited guests gathered on the Lincroft campus May 10 for presentations by Freedom Ride veterans, Holocaust survivors, and experts who tied their stories to themes of equal rights and resistance. »Read More

Published in: Monmouth News

Pioneering women to gather for historic forum

Mon, 21 May 2012 20:10 GMT

First rabbis to share their experiences in breaking ground

A standing-room-only crowd is expected at a celebration honoring Four Firsts — the first women in America ordained as rabbis in, respectively, the Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist, and Open Orthodox denominations. The Four First Women Rabbis forum will take place at Monmouth Reform Temple in Tinton Falls, where the nation’s very first female rabbi, Sally J. Priesand, served for 25 years. The event will be held on June 3, the exact date of her ordination 40 years ago. »Read More

Published in: Middlesex News

Fashion maven gives insider’s view at Main Event

Mon, 21 May 2012 19:58 GMT

About 140 women who already share a commitment to community got to share a beyond-the-runway peek at the dynamic world of high fashion. Fern Mallis, the creator of New York Fashion Week, provided that insider’s perspective at the annual Main Event program of the Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County. »Read More

Published in: Middlesex News

Dist. 10 race demands community’s attention

Wed, 16 May 2012 18:32 GMT

CRC forum to feature four candidates vying for Rep. Payne’s seat

On June 5, primary day, District 10 in New Jersey will be having two parallel elections. The first primary is for the late U.S. Rep. Donald Payne’s unexpired term (November 2012-January 2013); the other is for the Democratic congressional candidate (January 2012-January 2015) for the new Legislative District 10. Voters will be asked to select a candidate to fill Payne’s unexpired term, and then also to select a candidate for the full, two-year congressional term. »Read More

Published in: Op-Eds

The 2012 election: ‘A pox on both your houses!’

Wed, 16 May 2012 18:31 GMT

This year’s political election cycle is still in its pre-convention stage and the one recurring thought is “can it possibly get even uglier?” The personal attacks, the disdain for collegiality, and the unwillingness to engage in civil dialogue make it clear why one of the critical questions for this fall’s election is whether or not segments of the electorate — from Christian evangelicals to previously invigorated young people — will even participate. »Read More

Published in: Op-Eds

In Israel, gay rights is ‘a vision that unites us’

Wed, 16 May 2012 18:29 GMT

Today, Israel’s LGBT community is part of the fabric of Israel’s diverse and vibrant society. Together we are soldiers, professors, legislators, jurists, factory workers, health-care providers, and educators. Together, we are not gay or straight or bi or transgender, but merely, proudly, Israelis. And together we want peace. »Read More

Published in: Op-Eds

Pledges of value

Wed, 16 May 2012 18:23 GMT

Behar-Bechukotai - Leviticus: 25:1-27:34

The second part of this week’s double parsha, Bechukotai, begins with a section known as the Tochehah, meaning warning, reproach, or rebuke. In it, God states: If you follow My laws, you will be blessed with prosperity, security, and victory over your enemies, but if you do not follow My commandments, you will experience a long list of curses, including disease, crop failure, starvation, war, and exile. »Read More

Published in: Touch of Torah

Soul food

Wed, 16 May 2012 16:33 GMT

Synagogues plant gardens to feed the hungry

Broccoli, carrots, celery, and zucchini are emerging from the earth in a small open space on the grounds of Temple Emanu-El in Westfield, mostly within a garden box measuring four feet by eight feet. A team of volunteers recently harvested 38 heads of lettuce and donated them to the food pantry located at nearby Holy Trinity Church. The garden — initiated after assistant Rabbi Erin Glazer delivered a sermon about hunger at a High Holy Day service — sits right in the middle of the synagogue, in a glassed-in courtyard. »Read More

Published in: New Jersey News

District 9 contenders stake out views on the left

Wed, 16 May 2012 16:29 GMT

Rothman and Pascrell tout liberal credentials in Montclair U. debate

The issue of Muslim rights arose early in the hour-long debate between Democrats Bill Pascrell and Steve Rothman as the two men battled for political survival on a stage at Montclair State University. They met May 14 at the John J. Cali School of Music in the second of three debates, this one sponsored by The Record and Herald News and broadcast by NJTV, the state’s public television network. »Read More

Published in: New Jersey News

Agudath Israel celebrates a 90-year milestone

Wed, 16 May 2012 16:19 GMT

In 1922, 30 families built the first home for a growing shul

Congregation Agudath Israel of West Essex in Caldwell is celebrating a milestone: the 90th anniversary of its very first building. The synagogue’s 30 founding families constructed that first home on Washburn Avenue in Caldwell in 1922, two years after they formally established themselves as a congregation. It was a one-room, stucco facility that served the congregation known then as the Jewish League of Caldwell. Since then, the congregation has moved once, expanded, changed its name, undergone two subsequent renovations, and grown to 940 families. »Read More

Published in: MetroWest News

Therapist shares men’s ‘secrets’ with 500 women

Wed, 16 May 2012 16:10 GMT

M. Gary Neuman says, ‘We need to love, and feel connected’

Like women, men crave to feel loved and appreciated, M. Gary Neuman says. But unlike women, men compartmentalize what goes on in their lives, and, whatever those compartments contain — marriage, work, or their favorite sports team — they love to win. So, in light of these “secrets” about men, his advice to wives is: “Make your husband feel like a winner.” »Read More

Published in: MetroWest News

June meeting will see vote on federation union

Wed, 16 May 2012 16:06 GMT

Central leadership will field questions on MetroWest merger

Supporters of the Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey will cast their ballots June 4 on its planned merger with United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ. The vote is the last step — required by the two organizations — in finalizing the merger and will take place during the Central federation’s annual meeting. »Read More

Published in: Central News

Main Event looks back in praise, ahead in hope

Wed, 16 May 2012 15:58 GMT

Fashion, food, and laughter filled the Crystal Plaza reception rooms on Wednesday evening, May 9, but there was also a undercurrent of bittersweet emotion. The Main Event, the major fund-raiser of the Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey, was probably the last official get-together the group will hold before joining forces with the women of MetroWest. »Read More

Published in: Central News

Event will gather generations of the Holocaust

Wed, 16 May 2012 15:19 GMT

Statewide ‘celebration of survivors’ will urge ‘passing the torch’

Generations of families touched by the Holocaust are being invited to join in a statewide “celebration of survivors,” in West Windsor on Sunday, June 10. The “Statewide Gathering of Generations of the Shoa” will be held at Mercer County Community College from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. »Read More

Published in: New Jersey News

NJ rabbi joins effort to ban groups from parade

Wed, 16 May 2012 15:03 GMT

Targets deny charges by hawkish coalition that they support BDS

An e-mailed petition circulated by a hawkish pro-Israel coalition — and signed by at least one NJ rabbi — is demanding that a number of left-leaning groups be barred from marching in New York City’s annual Celebrate Israel Parade. The petition claims that the New Israel Fund and other groups that plan to march in the June 3 parade support or fund groups that support the BDS movement, whose followers call for an economic boycott of Israel. »Read More

Published in: New Jersey News