Random Roundup

Here are some articles, videos, and websites we've found interesting this past week...take a look and let us know what you think!

First up, click here to read the latest statements from local elected officials supporting Operation Pillar of Defense.  Our thanks to the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York for collecting them all in one place.

Take a moment to read this post from Robyn Faintich of JewishGPS who asks how we define - or how we SHOULD define - what it means to be part of the "organized Jewish community."  She raises some important questions and kicks off a valuable conversation (through social media and in the comments on her blog).

Donniel Hartman says "Thank you, Prime Minister" in this blog post at The Times of Israel.

At Forbes we found this interesting article entitled "3 Entrepreneurial Lessons from the Jewish Experience."

Westchester Jewish Council board member Larry Frankel shared this link where you can view his photos from the JNF President's Society Mission to Israel.

For a little fun, enjoy this article where Jewcy identifies what they believe might be the best Jewish marriage proposal video of the year. Be sure to watch the video - which includes a visit to White Plains!

And, finally, just in time for Chanukah, this new musical mash-up from four members of the Maccabeats is sure to put a smile on your face.

Westchester Stands with Israel - A Night of Solidarity

This Tuesday November 20, 2012

Temple Israel Center of White Plains, 280 Old Mamaroneck Road, White Plains

 

 Click HERE for event details and registration (requested, but not required).

Annual Westchester/Fairfield Thanksgiving Diversity Breakfast 2012

In partnership with AJC Westchester, the Duchesne Center at Manhattanville College, and many other area synagogues and organizations we were proud co-sponsors of this annual event, held Thursday, November 15, 2012.

Honored at this year's event were Reverend Sarah Henkel, Multi-Cultural Coordinator of the Hudson River Presbytery, Rabbi Rigoberto Emmanuel Viñas, Lincoln Park Synagogue, and Bishop Martin Nelson, Bezer Holiness Church.

Click the above links to view videos of interviews with each of the honorees.  A slideshow of photos from the breakfast is available here.

In Reponse to the latest Middle East events...

Below please find a small sample of some of the important information that has been created in response to the latest Middle East events. We thank the JCRC of NY, Dennis Monasebian of NOW Israel, Mona Abramson of the Westchester Jewish Council, the Jewish Federations of North America and the JCPA for their ongoing support and information sharing.

We also invite you to attend our long - scheduled Westchester County “Night of Music and Solidarity” this Saturday night, Nov 17, 7:30 PM at Temple Israel Center of White Plains, 280 Old Mamaroneck Road, White Plains.  The evening is produced by Kol Hazzanim (the Cantors of Westchester) and the Westchester Jewish Council with grant support from UJA-Federation of NY.  You may register when you get there (doors open at 7:00 PM) and the cost is $25 per person payable to the Westchester Jewish Council.  As of this email, we have 300 confirmed registrants.  The evening will serve as a community builder as 21 Cantors inspire us with song as we join together in response to the challenges of “Hurricane Sandy” and the unsettling situation in the Middle East.  If your schedule permits, we would love for you to join us.

Finally, we would be remiss not to mention the stalwart recovery efforts from “Hurricane Sandy” throughout the region.  It is nothing short of inspirational to see so many of our member organizations and synagogues involved in the disaster recovery.  UJA-Federation of NY continues to remain ready to assist you in your mobilization.  Visit their website for the latest information on how UJA-Federation is responding to the community’s needs.

   

ISRAEL ACTION ITEMS

:

Here are words of support conveyed by President Obama to Prime Minister Netanyahu in their telephone call last evening (readout below), as well as the statement issued by the State Department yesterday.

We are also gratified that Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) filed a resolution today expressing “unwavering” support for the State of Israel and reaffirming her right to “act in self-defense.”  In addition to this resolution, New York’s elected officials have issued many statements of support, including those from Senator Charles Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Congress Members Rangel, Engel, Ackerman, King, Lowey, Maloney, Meeks, Nadler, McCarthy, Clarke, Israel, Bishop, and Congresswoman Elect Meng. New York State leadership has also spoken out, including: Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos. New York City's leaders have issued statements as well, including: Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Public Advocate Bill DeBlasio, New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, District Attorney Charles Hynes, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, Councilmembers Garodnick and Halloran and former NYC Comptroller William Thompson.  The list is growing each hour.

 Please click here for a listing of these important statements.
 

RESOURCES:

1. Readout of the President’s Phone Calls with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Egyptian President
2. Suggested messaging from the Ministry of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs

3. Backgrounder and talking points from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
4. Recording of yesterday's conference call briefing with Amb. Ido Aharoni, Consul General of Israel in New York
    

FOLLOW UP ITEMS:

1. Stay up to date by visiting the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs website as well as the Israeli Consulate in New York's Twitter and Facebook pages. 
2. Please share this story from Tablet Magazine with your networks.
3. Musician Alanis Morissette is now under a lot of pressure to cancel her upcoming visit to Israel, please like this page and encourage her to go. 
4. Two  additional articles of interest:

·        This op-ed by former URJ President Rabbi Eric Yoffie is recommended reading: “A call to U.S. progressive Jews: Support Israel's 'get tough' policy in Gaza”

·        Gaza Cyber-battle Almost as Fierce as Missile War

Jewish and Israeli Relief Efforts Underway

Here's a smattering of links (in no particular order) covering some of the many efforts by Jewish and/or Israeli organizations providing relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Israeli Volunteers Head to NY to Help in Sandy Relief Efforts

Israeli Aid Missions Providing Relief to Hurricane Sandy Victims

Jewish Groups Begin Sandy Relief Efforts

You Don't Walk Away You Just Help

In Wake of Hurricane Sandy Disaster, Jewish Volunteers Step Up

Resources and Information in the Aftermath of Hurricane Sandy

We're not reinventing the wheel, just doing what we do best:  coordinating information to help our member organizations do their jobs effectively.  Below are links to resources, information on volunteer opportunities, supply drives, etc.

Please let us know if you have additional information to add to this list.

NOTE:  The link in our newsletter dated 11/8/12 was incorrect.  Please click HERE to donate to UJA's Hurricane Relief Fund.

Volunteer opportunities through UJA-Federation of New York

Connect-to-Care has reopened and is available to help members of the Jewish community cope with economic and career distress. You may contact them at 914-470-5721  E-mail:  connecttocare@wjcs.com

For small businesses:  http://www.sba.gov/content/2012-hurricane-and-tropical-storm-recovery-assistance-information

From the Mamaroneck Community Action Program (C.A.P. Center): Our most urgent need is with our homework assitance program which is very important to give the kids a sense of normaly and help them catch up with their curriculum. Our program runs Monday thru Thursday 6-7:30PM and welcomes students from grades K-12. Regularly we see mostly elementary school children. If you have anyone that can donate some time to help up operate our program, we'd really appreciate it!

134 Center Avenue, Mamaroneck, NY 10543, Telephone: 914-393-0802, Fax: 914-698-6964

Guisela Marroquín, Area Director at gmarroquin@westcop.org or guiselamarroquin@yahoo.com

Dorot Westchester  http://www.dorotusa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=westchester_d

Contact:  Melanie Kane   914-674-9129 & dorotusa.org
DOROT Westchester was formed to reach the needs of the isolated homebound elderly in Westchester.  Volunteer programs include:  weekly friendly visiting, weekly telephone a friend, holiday package delivery with a short visit, and Shabbat package delivery with a visit.  Please consider signing up for friendly visiting, Thanksgiving or Shabbat meal delivery.  People will be in extra need due to Sandy

HOPE Community Services http://hopecommunityservices.org/
50 Washington Ave., New Rochelle  914-636-4010   info@hope-cs.org
Hurricane Sandy HELP!!
Hurricane Sandy caused historic devastation to Westchester and many of our neighbors who are still without power. Those who are hungry or at risk of hunger when
conditions are normal greatly need our help at times like these.  Many have lost all their food.  We, too, at HOPE were forced to throw out ALL the food in our freezers and refrigerators. 
What can you do to help? You can donate funds online www.hopecommunityservices.org or by calling (914) 636-4010 or mailing a check payable to:
HOPE Community Services, 50 Washington Avenue, New Rochelle, NY 10801
You can also donate food. Food drop-offs can made at:
HOPE, 50 Washington Avenue, New Rochelle HOURS: 10 am to 3 pm.
Most-needed food items (no glass containers, please):
Cold cuts
Shelf-stable milk (32-oz. or 8-oz. box)
Cereal
Granola bars
Peanut butter (plastic containers only, please)
Jelly (plastic squeeze bottles, please)
Tuna
Meal-In-A-Can: Spaghetti O's & Chef Boyardee
Cheese or Peanut Butter Filled Cracker Packs
Baby Formula (ready mixed)

Guiding Parents Through Services (GPS)

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, this is a particularly stressful time for children and families throughout the New York area, and the Westchester Jewish Community at large. GPS (Guiding Parents Through Services) is a free, confidential consultation service for Jewish families throughout the New York area, offering family resource specialists at licensed mental health agencies. In Westchester, WJCS GPS is designed to assist families who have questions or concerns about their children's social and emotional development, including very young children through college age. GPS can be considered as a primary resource for families to support and strengthen their children in the face of adversity and disaster relief. Families may be displaced, without power, food or other basic needs as well. It is important for families to be aware of signs that their children may not be adapting or recovering in a healthy way. These signs of may include changes in sleep and eating patterns, increased irritability, increase worry and anxiety, difficulty focusing in school or difficulty separating from parents or family.

GPS assists parents in connecting to appropriate services and resources, and provides guidance, support and follow-up for families throughout the process. GPS is also available as a resource for Jewish Community Professionals and clinical providers throughout Westchester.

For more information, please contact Brenda P.Haas, LMSW, Ed.M., WJCS GPS Program Coordinator, (914) 761-0600, ext. 318.

Kid's Kloset
WJCS' Kid's Kloset will assist hurricane relief efforts by accepting and distributing NEW or GENTLY USED warm winter clothing for children up to age 18. Diapers are also sought in all sizes. Program Director Stephanie Roth is also seeking volunteers to help sort clothes and pack them for distribution to social workers from human service agencies. Distribution is NOT open to the general public.
Volunteers are welcome and donations of children's clothing and/or diapers can be made during limited hours.

Please contact contact 914-338-8586 to make arrangements.
Kid's Kloset recently relocated to temporary space at 4 Gannett Drive, Suite 100 when a fire and flood damaged their building on East Post Road.

Volunteers can come to help sort and pack clothing during the following times from tomorrow on:

Wednesday, Nov. 14th - 1pm - 3pm

Wednesday, Nov. 14th evening hours - 7pm - 9pm

Thursday, Nov. 15th - 9:30am - 1pm

Sunday, Nov. 18th - 10am - 1pm

Tuesday, Nov. 20th - 10am - 11:30am

Tuesday, Nov. 27th 10am - 1:30pm

Wednesday, Nov. 28th - 1pm - 3pm

Wednesday, Nov. 28th - EVENING