The annual conference for the Garden State Region of Women’s League for Conservative Judaism will be held on May 19, 2013 at Congregation Agudath Israel in Caldwell, New Jersey. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet sisterhood women from other synagogues in our area, members of our region, and to network with those who share our interests and commitments to Conservative Judaism, our synagogues, Jewish education, family, world affairs, Israel, and public policy and advocacy. There will be a region installation with outgoing president Janet Geldzahler and incoming Garden State Region President, Ilene Rothman.

Conference Chair Teresa Samtur promises that this year’s conference will have something for everyone. Sessions will focus on issues for Women of Conservative Judaism. Workshops on Keruv/Membership, Israel Advocacy and Pubic Policy are just a few of the enriching and exciting plans for the day. These programs will help sisterhood members improve their skills, learn new techniques and enhance sisterhood planning. Sisterhood presidents will have a chance to consult with each other as well as with the Women’s League Consultant, Renee Glazier, member of the Women’s League for Conservative Judaism Board as Director of the Ba’Olam Blog.

This year the Garden State Region will also be promoting a Mitzvah Project at Spring Conference.  The Region is requesting participants bring kosher food items which will be donated to the Bobrow Family Kosher Food Pantry, located at Oheb Shalom Congregation. This is where those in need can come and take food items to help stave off hunger. For many reasons, there are those among us who are still suffering the effects of the recession, Super Storm Sandy, a lay-off or even an unusual economic situation.  A tax donation from will be available at the conference.

Women’s League for Conservative Judaism, the largest synagogue based organization in the world, has more than 100,000 members in the United States, Canada and Israel, is dedicated to the perpetuation of traditional Judaism in the home, synagogue and community, and is associated with the Jewish Theological Seminary (New York), Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies (Los Angeles), and Schechter Institute (Jerusalem). Women across the continent will be meeting in the 13 regions of Women’s League during the spring of 2013.  For more information and to register for the conference, contact Teresa Samtur, 732-821-8163 or msamtur@comcast.net.

Teresa Samtur, 732-821-8163 or msamtur@comcast.net.

Sponsored by: Garden State Region of Women’s League for Conservative Judaism

Join NYC tour guide Marty Schneit for a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge and into Brooklyn Heights.  We’ll start out from the Woolworth building in lower Manhattan and venture across the one mile long bridge into Brooklyn Heights, famous for its incredible Queen Anne architecture and magnificent views.  Among many other things we’ll see the Pilgrim Church where Henry Ward Beecher was a preacher and Abe Lincoln was a visitor.   We‘ll see fabulous brownstones including the one where Truman Capote resided. Then it’s on to the Promenade where you get excellent views of Manhattan.  Don’t forget to bring your camera! From there we’ll go to Montague Avenue with its wide array of restaurants and shops and a 2½ hour break for dinner on your own before being picked up in Brooklyn and heading back home.  $49/ JCCMC Members; $55/ Non-members

Call Diane Mael, Director of Adult Servicdes at 732-494-3232 extension 614

Sponsored by: Jewish Community Center of Middlesex County

If you are curious about the policy-making role of Israel’s ultra-orthodox rabbis, you won’t want to miss an insightful presentation to the Metuchen-Edison Chapter of Hadassah by Central NJ’s resident guru, Barbara Spack, at 7:30 PM on Wednesday, May 22, at Neve Shalom, 250 Grove Avenue, Metuchen. Often on the front lines as a participant or observer of important trends in Israeli life, Barbara will address: “Religion & Politics in Israel,” with a discussion prompted by issues surrounding women’s prayer activities at the Kotel. Do these issues in Israel impact us here in New Jersey? Do America’s laws separating Church and State color our views on Israeli policy? Come find out! Inspirational and knowledgeable, Barbara is a member of the Activism and Partnerships committee of the Jewish Agency for Israel Board of Governors and serves as the Secretary for the World Confederation of United Zionists. She sits on the Boards of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs and the Jewish National Fund and has chaired numerous Israel-related Hadassah initiatives. She’ll follow her talk with a Question & Answer session. There is no charge for this event and refreshments will be served. Contact Linda Erdreich (lindaerd@gmail.com) for more information.

Contact Linda Erdreich (lindaerd@gmail.com) for more information.

Sponsored by: Metuchen-Edison Chapter of Hadassah

Join us on a unique trip to Costa Rica May 24-June 2, 2013, and enjoy:

• Caribbean beaches

• White water rafting (Pacuare River- Class III-IV Rapids)

• Zipline Canopy Tour

• Culturally and ecologically friendly rainforest guided treks

• Horseback Riding

• Two nights on a Jewish owned eco-farm, home to untouched rainforest and amazing waterfalls!

• Arenal Volcano National Park, including a visit to the famous Baldi hot-springs

• Happening night life in Puerto Viejo

• Service project with local indigenous community

• Caribbean cooking class - kosher style!

• Shabbat with the San Jose Jewish Community

For more info and a detailed itinerary, please visit:

http://www.costaribbean.com/detailed-itinerary-may-jewish-trip.html

USE the code MACAW for $175 off for a limited time!

http://www.costaribbean.com/may-24-june-2-2013-jewish-yp-trip.html

Sponsored by: Greener Travel Company LLC

Join licensed NYC Tour Guide Marty Schneit as he offers a brief timeline and history of the varied immigrant populations—Irish, Italian, German, Jewish—who made their home on the lower East Side of Manhattan.  Be reminded of the many food establishments, Feibusch Zipper Corp., Economy Candy, and Orchard Corset Company.  Learn the stories of George Burns, Eddie Cantor and Irving Berlin who grew up on the Lower East Side.  Enjoy the sites and stories that are so much a part of our heritage. $8/ JCCMC Members; $10/ Non-members

Diane Mael,
Director of Adult Services
732-494-3232 ext. 614

Sponsored by: JCC of Middlesex County

4 DAYS,3 NIGHTS “ROCK WITH NA’AMAT”.  MEET DELEGATES FROM ALL OVER THE U.S.  SESSIONS ON EDUCATION, ISRAEL, AMERICAN AFFAIRS.  WELCOME GALIA WOLLOCH,NEW PRESIDENT, NA’AMAT ISRAEL AND SHIRLI SHAVIT, DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR.
3 NITES ACCOM. “EARLY BIRD” $425 2 BREAKFASTS, 2 DINNERS, OPENING RECEPTION, BRUNCH, REGISTRATION AND BAG.  REGISTER BY FEB. 1ST.  AFTER FEB. 1ST, $450.  SGLE SUPP. $200.  ELECTION OF NATIONAL OFFICERS AND BOARD.  CELEBRITIES FROM U.S. AND ISRAEL.  DATES - JULY 21-24, 2013

NA’AMAT USA NAT’L. OFFICE 212-563-5222 OR email: naamat@naamat.org
www.naamat.org  
CHELLIE GOLDWATER WILENSKY, NATIONAL CONVENTION CHAIR - CHELLIEGW@YAHOO.COM

Sponsored by: NA'AMAT USA