Guest Post: Breaking Bread and Breaking Down Barriers by Paul Warhit

I just returned home from the Thanksgiving Diversity Breakfast at Manhattanville College, sponsored by the American Jewish Committee (AJC), the Duchesne Center, and the Westchester Jewish Council in addition to an impressive list of community partners.  They were the most enjoyable three hours I've spent in a long time.  We started by enjoying a delicious breakfast while giving honor to 3 deserving recipients for their efforts in promoting diversity throughout Westchester County.  That was followed by scintillating conversations with my tablemates discussing what each of us is doing to improve relations among different racial/ethnic/religious groups in our community and how we can collaborate to do even more.  The best part of this discussion is that it took place with people I did not know who looked and prayed differently than I do.  And that is a VERY GOOD thing.

The program's theme was "Building the Mosaic" and the event did just that.  Benzinger Hall was filled with 300 people of all colors, religions, nationalities, and sizes with three objectives in mind. 

#1- To greet each other and enjoy our company.
#2- To celebrate the level of success we've achieved in the area of diversity in Westchester County.
#3- To acknowledge that there is still much work to do and to discuss ways to cooperate to make sure no individual or group is left out of our welcoming community.

I left the Diversity Breakfast energized and thankful.  I was energized by the level of mutual respect and commitment to improve on a community that cherishes our diversity.  We acknowledge our differences and embrace the beauty that each of our communities brings to the larger table.  And I was thankful that Ilissa and I are able to raise our three children in an environment where people of all backgrounds treat each other with respect and recognize that we are all created in God's image and are deserving of each other's appreciation.

The message shared by those in attendance was a simple one, but one that can never be repeated enough.  Now it is time to return to the good work that we've begun.

Responses to the Pew Report: A Portrait of American Jews

To read the Pew Report "A Portrait of American Jews" click here.

Responses to the Pew Report are below.  This list is not comprehensive nor in any particular author.  The views expressed in each article are those of its author and do not represent the views of the Westchester Jewish Council.

From the New York Times:  Poll Show Major Shift in Identity of U.S. Jews

From HaymHerring.com:  Beware as the Spin Begins:  Early Headlines on the Pew American Jewish Population Study

From Rabbis Without Borders via MyJewishLearning.com:  A New Spiritual Comfort Zone:  Reflecting on the Pew Study

From Ha'Aretz:  Reengaging American Jews, Before They Drift Away

From Religion New Service:  Winners and Losers in the Pew Research Poll on American Jews

From The Washington Post:  8 Fascinating Trends in How American Jews Think about Israel

From The Times of Israel:  Rise of 'Jews of No Religion' Most Significant Find of Pew Study, Director Says

From The Forward:  Jews Express Wide Criticism of Israel in Pew Survey but Leaders Dismiss Findings

From Commentary Magazine:  American Jews:  Laughing but Shrinking

2013 Day of Chesed

Westchester Jewish Council Board Members and staff were among those in attendance at the Jewish Community Center of Mid-Westchester on Sunday, September 15th, participating in the annual Day of Chesed.

WJC President Paul Warhit
with Board Member Harriet Zeller

Stuart Kolbert (pictured, below) remarked, "The Day of Chesed once again shows the Jewish community at work, helping and assisting the general community in anyway we can. The young participants are learning the importance of helping those less fortunate. As Jews we continue responding to world crisis. Why don't we get better press?"

WJC Board Member Stuart Kolbert
with Executive Director Elliot Forchheimer

Harriet (Gigi) Zeller (pictured, right) said, "An incredible day of Tikun Olam...it was heartwarming to see so many attendees of all ages working together for the benefit of so many here and abroad."

WJC Board Member Mark Reisman said, "I was moved to be in the presence of so many people of all ages
and backgrounds enthusiastically taking part in the Mid-Westchester JCC's Day of Chesed. Coming on the heels of Yom Kippur and springing from the ashes of a horrific national tragedy, the Day of Chesed helped me translate contemplation and sadness into inspiration and positive action. Yasher Koach to all who sponsored and participated in this terrific day!"

"Once again this year the Jewish Community Center of Mid-Westchester became the center of our community's expression of volunteerism in commemoration of 9/11," added WJC Executive Director Elliot Forchheimer.  "Thank you, JCC!"

Jewish Teens Go "Clubbing" in Westchester

Interesting article from The Jewish Week about options for Jewish teens - and several of our member organizations are mentioned - along with the Westchester Jewish Teen Learning Initiative!

A New Crop of Yiddush Speakers

Not far from Westchester County, in nearby Goshen, NY, yiddish is flourishing on the farm.  Read more in this article from Gothamist.com.

Who Loves You?

We're planning a fabulous evening of fun!  Here's a sneak peek at "Who Loves You?" - A Musical Tribute to Frankie Falli & The Four Seasons, our musical guests at the 37th Anniversary Gala honoring outgoing WJC President Ron Burton on Saturday, February 2nd.

Register now online!

A MESSAGE FROM THE WESTCHESTER BOARD OF RABBIS

A MESSAGE FROM THE WESTCHESTER BOARD OF RABBIS

The Westchester Board of Rabbis is shocked and saddened by the tragic events of December 14, at Sandy Hook Elementary School.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and with the residents of Newtown, Connecticut.  Our tradition teaches that every human life is sacred for we are all created in God’s image.  We stand committed to this belief and will work toward insuring a better, safer world for all of God’s children.

We pray that the 20 children and 6 educators, who were so cruelly and senselessly killed, will be wrapped in God’s eternal embrace.  We pray that their memories will be come to be blessings.

The Westchester Board of Rabbis

President:  Rabbi Jaymee Alpert

Executive Committee:  Rabbis Morris Barzilai, Sandy Bogin, Lester Bronstein,

Jonathan Morgenstern, Mara Nathan, Gordon Tucker

Immediate Past President:  Rabbi Joshua Davidson

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

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

Day School Affordability

Rabbi Shmuly Yankolowitz writes in an article this week in The Jewish Journal about the affordability of day schools.

According to Yanklowitz, "Rising school costs along with a continuing recession have combined to create a crisis in the survival of Jewish day schools."  In his opinion, "The day school system is potentially the most powerful way of educating, empowering, and activating our Jewish youth base to grow as global Jewish leaders, and is therefore crucial to the future of the Jewish community."

Read the full text of the article here, then join us on December 4th at 7:00 p.m. at the Solomon Schechter School of Westchester as they co-sponsor a community forum on day school affordability in conjunction with the New York State Catholic Conference, UJA-Federation of New York, the Jewish Education Project, the Office of the Superintendant of Schools for the Archdiocese of New York, and the Westchester Jewish Council.

RSVP for the event by emailing Deb Merola.

A Shema to Share

Many thanks to Rabbi Mark Sameth from Pleasantville Community Synagogue for bringing this video to our attention.  Listen to Anna Brooks from Temple Israel of West Bloomfield, Michigan as she performs her new version of the Shema, then share it with a friend.

Win Two Tickets to A Night of Music and Joy!

There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but today there is such a thing as two free tickets...

In case you haven't heard, on Saturday, November 17th we will be presenting A Night of Music and Joy in conjunction with Kol Hazzanim/the Cantors of Westchester at Temple Israel Center of White Plains.  (For complete event details, click here.)

Interested in winning two free tickets to this amazing event?  Leave a comment (below) on our blog letting us know your favorite Jewish song or piece of Jewish music, then sign up (to the right) to receive blog updates via email.

We're giving you a little more than 48 hours - until 5 p.m. on Friday, October 19th - then we'll randomly select a name from all of our blog subscribers and notify the winner!

Already a subscriber?  Terrific (and thank you)!  We'll automatically enter you in the drawing.

Already have your tickets?  Enter anyway and use the winning tickets to bring two friends!

Good luck.

B'nai Mitzvah Blues?

In a New York Times article, author Bruce Feiler reports on a new trend in B'nai Mitzvah preparation:  teaching children how to behave during the service and at the party.

What are we seeing here in Westchester?  Are centerpieces being routinely dismantled, as the article suggests?  Or are we fortunate enough to have the only well-behaved thirteen year olds in the nation?  And if we do have a similar issue here, do you think the problem needs to be addressed by the parents or by the schools?

Read the complete article here, then let us know what you think.  And while you're browsing, stop in for a visit with Alia Ramer at Our Tribe and Joy, whose original blog post kicked off the article.

Unaffiliated Jews Seek Jewish Expression

A press release issued yesterday by Workmen's Circle/Arbeter Ring presents some surprising results challenging general beliefs about unaffiliated Jews.

"This group, according to the survey, makes up 16% of Jews in the United States, or about 1 million of the 6 million Jews in the country. These individuals say that being Jewish is very important in their lives and that they actively seek Jewish expression and engagement outside of a synagogue."

Here in Westchester County, the 140+ members of the Westchester Jewish Council offer countless opportunities for Jewish engagement, many of which are listed on our Community Calendar and some of which are highlighted in our bi-weekly newsletter.

If you are looking for way to connect, consider registering for one of the classes being offered by WAJE (Westchester Jewish Adult Education).  From an introduction to Judaism's essentials, to an in-depth study of Torah, Talmud, Ecclesiastes or Job, their courses range from one shot deals to ten week classes.

If you are looking for an evening of music and camaraderie, join us on Saturday, November 17th for A Night of Music and Joy, presented jointly by Kol Hazzanim and the Westchester Jewish Council with grant support from UJA-Federation of New York/Westchester.  The talented Cantors of Westchester will share their rhythm and soul in a program that ranges from traditional to contemporary, Jewish to secular, and rock to rap.

For our member synagogues and organizations, we'd like to know:  what programs or events have you sponsored recently that attracted a large percentage of unaffiliated Jews?  Please leave a comment!

[ETA:  We're so trendy!  Tablet Magazine just published their own piece on this topic.  Read it here.]

The press release, in its entirety, can be read here.

One million unaffiliated Jews are Jewishly engaged

~Workmen’s Circle supported poll reveals intriguing data~

 

NEW YORK. For years there seemed to be two choices in Jewish life: a person was either an observant Jew or a cultural Jew, the type whose Jewish engagement begins and ends with watching Woody Allen movies and noshing on corned beef and rye sandwiches. But a national poll conducted by a team led by Professor Steven M. Cohen for the Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring, a national Jewish cultural, educational and activist organization, reveals that many Jews today fit into another category, that of the engaged and congregationally unaffiliated.

This group, according to the survey, makes up 16% of Jews in the United States, or about 1 million of the 6 million Jews in the country. These individuals say that being Jewish is very important in their lives and that they actively seek Jewish expression and engagement outside of a synagogue. 

These characteristics put them in marked contrast to other categories of non-Orthodox Jews in this extensive study — the engaged and congregationally affiliated, the congregationally affiliated but unengaged (those who join synagogues but rarely attend), and the unengaged and congregationally unaffiliated. 

While the engaged and congregationally unaffiliated are not synagogue members — they typically attend religious services only once or twice a year on average — they still show numerous signs of Jewish engagement. They also tend to be attached to Israel and demonstrate noticeably strong commitments to economic justice and social equality. 

They are also exceptional in their progressive political views. Of note, nearly twice as many of the engaged and congregationally unaffiliated Jews compared to others see economic justice issues as important "to a great extent," identify as pro-labor to a great extent, and see the current federal tax system as unfair. 

Furthermore, these individuals tend not to describe themselves as religious, secular, or anti-religious. Rather, they typically identify themselves as cultural Jews and see their Jewish identity as more fluid than others have in previous generations.  They frequently self-define as “spiritual.” 

Indeed, these Jews are part of a larger national trend, as portrayed in a recent study from the Pew Research Center. According to Pew, one in five Americans do not identify as part of any specific religious denomination. However, many in this group still see themselves as spiritual and say they pray and believe in God. 

“Numbering a million, these Jews represent an opportunity for engagement. Their interests and their distinctiveness make them candidates for a deeper involvement in Jewish life, while their social profile explains some of their tendencies to distance themselves from conventional religious life,” said Cohen. 

Who are the engaged and unaffiliated?

·        As many as 40% are under the age of 35. 

·        They are more concentrated in the western region of the United States, where a third of them live, as compared with just over a fifth of other American Jews. The west is known for low rates of Jewish communal affiliation, while the eastern United States is known for its relatively high rates.

·        Just under half (49%) of the engaged and unaffiliated are married, slightly less than in other Jewish groups. Some18% of them are intermarried and 22% are married to other Jews. They are less likely to have children than other groups.

·        Almost half earn under $50,000.

·        They most often (51%) identify as liberals — more often than any other group in the survey.

How do they engage Jewishly?

·        Most (55%) report that at least half their friends are Jewish. This is somewhat less than among the congregationally affiliated — whether active or not — but substantially more than among those who are unengaged and congregationally unaffiliated.

·        Nearly 3 in 5 fast on Yom Kippur, not that far behind the congregationally affiliated (3 in 4) and substantially ahead of the unengaged and congregationally unaffiliated (1 in 3).

·        Almost half (46%) “at least sometimes” have a special Friday night meal with family and friends.

·        40% say religion is “very important” in their lives.

·        More than any other non-Orthodox group in this study, 56% see themselves as very attached to Israel.

“As this poll demonstrates, there is a real need for a Jewish home for those who do not seek a congregational affiliation. As we in the Workmen's Circle continue updating our learning centers, summer camp and more, we are aiming to provide such a home for the one million Jews who consider themselves engaged but are not synagogue members,” said Madelon Braun, the president of the Workmen’s Circle.

“We are seeing a shift in how American Jews define being Jewish. In the past, those who saw themselves as cultural Jews had a very passive approach to Jewish life. But today they are engaged with Jewish values and look to be part of a Jewish community, although often outside of a congregation. We look forward to creating a community that welcomes this emerging group,” said Ann Toback, national director of the Workmen’s Circle. 

Background on the poll

The poll was commissioned by the Workmen’s Circle / Arbeter Ring. The first part of the poll was released on May 31, 2012.

Principal investigators were Professor Steven M. Cohen of the Berman Jewish-Policy Archive @ NYU Wagner (www.BJPA.org ), and Professor Samuel J. Abrams of Sarah Lawrence College and Stanford University.

The Washington office of IPSOS, under the direction of Dr. Alan Roschwalb, fielded the survey April 19 - May 3, 2012. Respondents included 1,000 American Jews, by Internet, who had previously agreed to participate in social research conducted by IPSOS. The results were weighted to reflect the American Jewish population with respect to age, gender, regional distribution, educational attainment, marital status, intermarriage status, and Jewish parentage (none, one, two parents). 

The survey questions can be found here: www.wcsurvey.org. 

About the Workmen’s Circle

The Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring was founded in 1900 by Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe who sought to promote values of social and economic justice through a Jewish lens.

Today, the Workmen’s Circle is creating a cultural and progressive Jewish learning movement through the development of a national network of Workmen’s Circle Learning Centers. The WC Learning Centers will be family-oriented complementary schools that will feature a curriculum that is rooted in celebrating Jewish cultural heritage alongside the expression of social ideals in activism.

These WC Learning Centers will serve to build communities of activists through their programs.

The Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that does not support or oppose candidates for political office.

From SUNY Purchase to Bulletproof Stockings

From The Times of Israel comes news about The Bulletproof Stockings - labeled the first-ever Hasidic alt-rock girl band - and the article mentions a Westchester connection:  Dalia G. Shusterman, a member of the group, was a student at SUNY Purchase.

Read the article here and, if you wish, sample some of their music here.

Meeting Mutual Needs: When Afterschool Meets Hebrew School

In an article published yesterday in The Jewish Week, Julie Wiener covers a growing trend in which Jewish organizations are offering a combination of religious education and afterschool care.

Read the article here, then come back and tell us what you think.

Are Westchester organizations getting requests from families for this service?  Are you providing a similar service already?  And is this only an option in close-knit, urban communities, where children can more easily be transported from school to afterschool than in our car-centric suburban world?

A Stormy Sukkot

It's wet and windy here in Westchester... perhaps in solidarity with our Israeli brethren, who are less accustomed to this type of weather in October than we are.

This article, from Ha'aretz, discusses stormy weather and power outages in Israel, while this one, from The Jerusalem Post, mentions "Rabbi Benny Lau, head of the Ramban synagogue in south Jerusalem and a prominent figure in the national-religious community, [who] said in his sermon Monday morning that the rains on the first night of Succot conveyed definite divine displeasure."

Let's hope for better weather this Thursday, October 4th, when Congregation Sons of Israel in Briarcliff Manor will host the WJCS Sukkot Celebration for Persons with Developmental Disabilities.