 |
We’ve got some celebrating to do…
November December |
A Shul Without Walls
The JCK Announces its New Innovative Model
Pompton Lakes, NJ —The Jewish Congregation of Kinnelon, located until recently in Pompton Lakes, NJ, and its innovative religious school, B’Yachad,is proud to announce that as of September 16, 2016 we are a Chavurah style Jewish Community and open for business.
“It’s not your parents’ Hebrew School,” said Juliet Barr, Educator of the B’Yachad program, “and you probably won’t find another program like this in the greater New Jersey or New York area!” She’s referring to the once-a-month family education model, open to all congregants, and the one on one Hebrew tutoring offered to all students.
Time for a Change
“When it was time to leave our building, we asked our congregants what THEY wanted,” reports Congregation president Carol Elstien. She says that they voted hands-down for a community that would engage all members, and keep everyone involved. Maria B, a longtime member, echoes this sentiment, with an eye to her older children, who both attend schools where there are very few Jewish students. “I want them to continue and learn about Jewish topics with their friends, and also meet other young Jewish teens in our community.” Gary D. was happy to find that this new model would still be there to train his older daughter as she becomes a Bat Mitzvah, while his younger daughter is just learning her alef-bet.
Community as a Classroom
Leaving their building give them many new opportunities they never had before. Parks, theaters, museums and people’s homes will be the learning spaces. Bergen, Morris and Passaic Counties, not to mention Rockland County NY and New York City are open to them as they embark on holistic, experiential, meaningful Jewish learning. They also have a spacious, sunny office space in Butler, NJ for students’ weekly Hebrew education and small events such as Teen hang-out nights and adult education.
For over 30 years, the JCK, and now B’Yachad have stood for inclusive Judaism and Jewish education. They now stand on the precipice of something truly exciting. To join them now, as they embark in their Chavurah model, please check out the website or call the numbers given below.
Juliet Barr, Director of Education
B’Yachad
Sally Fane, Administrator
Jewish Congregation of Kinnelon
About our Scroll
Our Torah is Czech Scroll MST #1089. It is one of the 1564 Czech Memorial Sifre Torah which formed part of the treasures which were saved by being collected in Prague during the Nazi occupation 1939-1945 from the desolated Jewish communities of Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia, and which then came under the control of the Czechoslavak Government for many years. The scrolls were acquired by Ralph Yablon and brought to the Westminster Synagogue in London. Subsequently some 1400 scrolls have been allocated on loan to communities and organisations around the world; founding member Ed Weisselberg secured the JCK scrolls.
Through the scrolls we wish to remember European Jewish life before the Holocaust as well as it’s tragic destruction, challenge those who interact with the scrolls to confront prejudice and hatred, and inspire them to action by committing to their Jewish lives and working to build bridges across communities.
For more information about the preservation and history of the Czech Memorial Sifre Torah visit “Memorial Scrolls .”
AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support JCK every time you shop, at no cost to you.
When you sign up at Amazon Smile you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to JCK.
Here’s a great idea! How about hosting shabbat get-together? If you’re interested, please drop an email to jckinformation@gmail.com. Everyone that attends shares the cost and the work AND the fun! How about game night and snacks, movie night, or even a wine and cheese get together? If you can host or organize a gathering, please let us know!
RSS Feeds & News
From the Union For Reform Judaism / Reform Movement
We are Still In: My Congregation’s Fight Against Climate Change