MESSAGE FROM
Sydney A. Perry, Chief Executive Offficer

In his book of 1988, Where Are We?, the recently deceased writer, liberal, and activist, Leonard Fein, offered an important inquiry into American Jewry: a search for Jewish community – actual, potential and illusory. In a post-Holocaust world, he proposed a guide for the future, based on Jewish history, tradition and values.

Sydney A. Perry

An old joke has it that a pessimist says the glass is half empty; the optimist says the glass is half full; and the realist says – you’re using the wrong glass.

Today we wrestle with some of the very questions that Fein posed: How do we strengthen our Jewish community and Jewish institutions. This is a new age, there are new realities and new responsibilities. We need to envision a different glass with a mix of idealism and pragmatism.

We cannot reproduce the heyday of building large edifices of the 60’s; the robust federation campaigns of 1980’s. We cannot mimic the piety of our ancestors or the insularity of our progenitors. That was then, this is now.

The challenge and opportunity of each generation is to courageously but not precipitously change the paradigms of the past.

We need to be masters of our own destiny, drawing upon our past history and our deep reservoir of tradition and core values . We are indeed a people of history and a people of memory: of the two, our memory is the larger for it contains both our history and our dreams. We remember tomorrow.

If we remember tomorrow, the question we need to be asking ourselves is not just where are we but where do we want to be. This is the leitmotif of 3,500 years of our history. It’s never the status quo; it’s is always an amalgam of initiative, responsibility and chutzpah!

In Israel’s 1948 War of Independence, David Ben Gurion called a meeting of his military experts to address a serious crisis. Reinforcements were desperately needed in the North, but there seemed to be no way to get the troops there. The experts told Ben Gurion that it was impossible to move troops, since the enemies’ positions were too strong. Ben Gurion is said to have replied: “We do not need experts to tell us that something is impossible. We need experts to tell us how to accomplish the impossible! Upon further deliberation, the experts came up with a plan…and they succeeded in doing the impossible. They found a way of getting troops to the North… and ensured a victory for Israel.

Not impossible! with resolve, creativity, good leadership and unified purpose.

So many of us in life start out building temples…temples of character, temples of justice, temples of peace, temples of prayer, temples of education, temples of culture, temples of community togetherness, temples of family. Sometimes it gets discouraging, and sometimes it is enlightening. But we step up and try to do the impossible. In his ‘unfulfilled dreams” speech, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. quoted this line from the Book of Kings about King David, who was denied the opportunity to build the Holy Temple. “It may not come today or it may not come tomorrow, but it is well that it is within thy heart.” It’s well that we try and do our best. Together.

Now look in the mirror. At this time of year, we need to take a real look at ourselves. If we want to know who is a hero, it’s the person who sees not their own reflection but the needs of others. It’s the person who volunteers to help and donates to help others and leads to help others. In large ways and small, it’s the person who says “Hineni”, I’m here, I’ll help. I’ll contribute to the well-being of our community and through small deeds of kindness, tzedakah, hard work, make a positive impact on our family, our friends, our community, the civic arena and for Jews around the world.

We make the impossible possible. We are the people who continue to respond to the question that God posed to Abraham and Moses and Isaiah: “Where are you?” We continue to feel compelled to answer:

Hineni! I am here, fully present.

Where are we?? We are constantly creating our future. When we create a community, we endow our efforts with purpose, with meaning, with holiness. We make a living, breathing, sometimes flawed, often magnificent, entity of our talents, our diversity and our collectivity. Nothing is impossible if we do it together.

So our community may have a different shape and a different size. But let’s raise a glass and drink l’chaim to our future… we are the children of prophets and leaders who not only dreamed the impossible; they brought those dreams to reality. We can do no less as we begin the New Year.

Create A Jewish Legacy Finishes Strong in First Year

CREATE A JEWISH LEGACY NEW HAVEN finished its first year with more than $4 million in commitments with 174 signed letters of intent!

The participating organizations are Camp Laurelwood, Congregation Beth El-Keser Israel (BEKI), Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek, Jewish Cemetery Association of Greater New Haven, Jewish Family Service of New Haven, Jewish High School of CT, Jewish Historical Society, Orchard Street Shul, Temple Beth David, Temple Beth Sholom, Temple Beth Tikvah, Temple Emanuel and the Towers Foundation.

CREATE A JEWISH LEGACY represents a shared commitment by area synagogues and Jewish organizations to work together to secure a more vibrant Jewish future. CREATE A JEWISH LEGACY is sponsored and presented by the Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation of Western Massachusetts. Donors have the ability to create a legacy gift that can benefit one or more organizations and make a commitment, either through a current or future gift, to a Jewish organization’s endowment fund or by declaring intent to remember Jewish causes in a will or estate plans. A legacy gift of any size can be customized and structured to fit specific dreams, lifestyle, family and financial needs and to provide support for a particular institution or area of interest.

Creating your Jewish legacy ensures that you’ll be remembered and your work and Jewish values will continue beyond your lifetime. All of us, regardless of age, wealth or affiliation, have the ability to make a difference for future generations.

For more information: Lisa Stanger, Jewish Foundation Director, (203)387-2424 x382, lstanger@jewishnewhaven.org, www. jewishlegacynewhaven.org/www.newhavenjewishfoundation.org.

Food4Kids Wins Community Service Award

Food4Kids New Haven, which was established to provide supplemental weekend food packages to food insecure schoolchildren, was recognized with the prestigious Robert Eisner Community Service Award. The award is presented annually to exceptional individuals or groups for making a significant contribution in the Jewish and secular communities.

Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven and Jewish Family Service of New Haven partnered to assemble food bags with kid-friendly nutritious food on a weekly basis and delivered them weekly to 60 students from the East Rock Community Magnet School, most of whom are from low-income households, are chronically hungry and don’t have regular access to food outside of school. Teachers reported that these students have demonstrated improvement in school attendance, test scores and health.

Food4Kids New Haven is gearing up for the 2014-2015 academic year with hopes to expand to another school. The cost to feed one child every weekend during the school year is $200. One hundred percent of the monetary donations go directly to procure the contents of the food bags.

Food4Kids is facilitated, organized, and governed by volunteers, and the committee seeks sponsorships for support.

Community members are invited to become involved as donors and/or volunteers. For more information: Enid Groves, (203)387-2424 x267, Egroves@jewisnewhaven.org.

Women’s Philanthropy announces 2014 Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award Recipient

Shirley Scholder

Shirley Scholder will receive the Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award at the International Lion of Judah Conference (ILOJC) on Sept. 9 in Manhattan.

In 2004, National Women’s Philanthropy established the Kipnis Wilson Friedland Award in recognition of Norma Kipnis Wilson and Toby Friedland, founders of the Lion of Judah pin. This award recognizes extraordinary women who have set a high standard for philanthropy and volunteerism in their communities.

“Shirley is a dedicated philanthropist, a strong supporter of Israel, a leader committed to Jewish causes and so deserving of this prestigious recognition,” said Judy Skolnick, past recipient of the Kipnis Award.

Scholder has contributed her energy and leadership in the Jewish Community of Greater New Haven for the past 56 years and has been active in many capacities and has contributed her energy and leadership by chairing the Jewish Federation’s Women’s Division. She served on a number of boards including the Jewish Federation, the Jewish Foundation, Women of Vision, Congregation Mishkan Israel, and currently serves as vice president of the Jill Fox Memorial Fund. Scholder is a Ruby Lion and LOJE.

Greater New Haven Supports Stop the Sirens

Nine year old Kyra organized a dance-a-thon at the JCC Aug. 6 for Tzedakah on behalf of Stop the Sirens.

As of August 12, The Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven has raised $65,239, one hundred percent of which has been used to provide respite for children who have experienced more than a decade of living under fire, shelter for the elderly and disabled, trauma support, and flexible assistance for the communities hit the hardest by Gaza’s strikes.

Our partner agencies remain cautiously optimistic and report that they are prepared for any and all developments. Guided by decades of experience servicing Israel’s most vulnerable populations, the Jewish Agency for Israel, American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Israel Trauma Center and others are well-equipped to provide services to Israelis at this difficult time. Over the past four weeks, tens of thousands of Israelis have found relief through these agencies, in addition to the millions who have benefitted from their work during times of relative peace.

In the coming weeks, we will shift our emergency response effort and begin to focus on rehabilitation. We pray for lasting peace, in hopes that future generations will not have to repeat the sacrifices made by the parents of Israeli soldiers who fought to protect the Jewish State.

Community Kicks Off Campaign With Dr. Stephen M. Berk

When the sirens are silenced, a cease fire in place and, hopefully, Hamas is demilitarized, world Jewry will need to focus on the “second front campaign,” the emergence of organized anti-Israel demonstrations and anti-Semitic violent actions that have unfolded across Europe.

On Sept. 17, the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven has invited scholar and spellbinding public speaker Dr. Stephen Berk to address these issues for the 2015 Campaign Kickoff event.

His talk “Anti-Semitism, Gaza, Israel and the Search for Peace” at the JCC will include a cocktail hour. Event co-chairs Judy and Alan Cooper, Debbie and Richard Epstein, Marilyn and Gerald Fishbone, Sally and Stephen Glick, JoAnn and Michael Price, and Maddy and Larry Tannenbaum are enthusiastic about the insights of Dr. Berk, an expert on the Holocaust, Soviet Jewry and anti-Semitism.

Federation President Dr. Stephanie Wain announced that Dr. Milton Wallack will be honored at the event with a Lifetime Leadership Award. Dr. Wallack, a retired periodontist, has served in many capacities in the Jewish and civic communities with a diligence and competency that is unequalled.

“Milton’s leadership is worthy not only of honor but also emulation,” Dr. Wain said.

For more information and to RSVP (by Sept. 11): Andy Sarkany, (203) 387-2424 x301, esarkany@jewishnewhaven.org. Wednesday, Sept. 17, JCC of Greater New Haven, 360 Amity Rd., Woodbridge.

Cocktails at 6:30 p.m., presentation at 7:30 p.m. $54 per person.

Tickets at www.jewishnewhaven.org.

JCC’s Family Center plans Holiday Programs

Play, learn and grow – the philosophy adopted by the Family Center at the JCC of Greater New Haven is reflected through monthly programming that celebrates a universal value and theme based on Jewish holidays and culture. Opening the door to a JCC Family Center program means entering a warm and nurturing space with thoughtful and unique activities that accommodate all ages and abilities.

The First Friends Club continues on Tuesdays at 11 am for parents and their young children to connect and share advice and friendships while children play in a comfy, spacious family-friendly atmosphere.

This September marks the launch of the Holiday Prep Class on Thursday evenings, a relaxed and open opportunity for young families and others to learn how to celebrate the Jewish holidays. The class is a conversation and a way to feel empowered and at ease taking on the responsibility of hosting a holiday at home. Participants do not have to be affiliated with a Jewish institution or have any prior knowledge!

The fall also provides the opportunity to attend the PJ Library and JCC sponsored program On the Road with PJ & LJ at Drazen Orchards (Sunday, Sept. 21) and Massaro Farm (Sunday, Oct.19). The program will explore the relationships between the holidays Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, their themes of new beginnings and mindfulness, and these outdoor spaces.

The Family Center, located at the JCC of Greater New Haven, 360 Amity Rd., Woodbridge, looks forward to welcoming and establishing a connection with all families in the community.

For more information: www.jccnh.org.

Community Highlights

• Edge of the Woods Opens at the JCC
Edge of the Woods, New Haven’s popular natural market established in 1978, is open in the JCC and provides fresh, healthy take-and-go meals, all kosher vegetarian with gluten-free options. Open Mon -Thurs 8am-8pm; Fri. 8am -4pm; Sunday 8am – 5 pm; Closed Shabbat.

• Global Day of Jewish Learning
The annual global event is hosted by PJ Library on Nov. 16 at 12pm at the JCC of greater New Haven, 360 Amity Rd. This year’s theme is Heroes, Villains, Saints, and Fools: The People in the Book based on the book Noah’s Bed.

The free educational day features a program for adults and a separate program for children with the main topic of Ometz Lev (Courage) – learning how to push away fear – and activities including drum building (an object to help push away fear), story time and discussion, singing songs about courage, and snacks will be provided

• JCC Kindergarten is Back
The JCC is proud to announce the re-opening of their kindergarten program for the 2014-15 school year. The kindergarten program, part of the JCC’s Yeladim Early Learning Center, serves the varying educational needs of children who can benefit from extra attention and other needs that a small classroom can provide. The low teacher child ratio allows for individualization and support for children to progress at their own rate and the nurturing community atmosphere inspires the love of learning, exploration, questioning, experimenting, and thinking independently. The program features full- and half-day options. For more information: Lynn Bullard, (203)397-7415, lynn@jccnh.org.

• Community One
On Oct. 25, the Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven are bringing back Community One to the Shubert Theater. Community One is a spectacular gala event that brings star power and prestige to its supporters while benefiting the vital Jewish agencies that provide a full range of services to thousands of people in the Greater New Haven area.

The Community One performance of the Broadway smash comedy musical A Jew Grows in Brooklyn is the premier fundraising event for the Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowment (PACE), an investment established and endowed to the Jewish Federation Annual Campaign, allowing a gift to continue providing help when and where it is needed indefinitely.

Festival goers enjoy cotton candy at the 9th Annual Shoreline Jewish Festival hosted by Chabad of the Shoreline on Aug. 10 on the Guilford green.

The outdoor family fun day of live music, kosher food, vendors, and activities was sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven, Boris Mizhen, Cherry Hill Construction, Sound Spectrum Entertainment, and Goody’s. Kids enjoyed inflatable slides, an obstacle course and a variety of themed arts and crafts projects. Families explored the ancient Temple in Jerusalem through a hands-on, interactive presentation.