Focus On Mitzvot in Action- TSTI Teen Danny Brenner

From the THE ITEM OF MILLBURN AND SHORT HILLS

MHS students start new Haiti relief club

Thursday, December 16, 2010

THE ITEM OF MILLBURN AND SHORT HILLS

Millburn High School students are spreading love for Haiti on T-shirts they hope will be worn throughout New Jersey and across state lines.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JEREMY ADELSHEIMER

Millburn High School students Danny Brenner and Jeremy Adelsheimer show the 'Haitian Nation' T-Shirts their new club is selling to raise money for a hospital and bridge in Haiti.

Danny Brenner and Jeremy Adelsheimer have started a Haiti Relief Club at the school, inspired by a connection with people of Haiti that was formed on a trip to the country this past spring with the Church Outreach to Youth (COTY) project.
"We created bonds with all the people that live there," Danny said.
As a kickoff fundraiser, members are selling T-shirts with a "Haitian Nation" logo to show solidarity with the people of Haiti.
Proceeds from the shirts will go to the COTY foundation's efforts to build a hospital in Haiti and a bridge to the hospital so people will have easier access.
Jeremy and Danny said the club is turning out to be popular. They said many students who join are developing an interest to visit Haiti as well.
"It got really big really quickly," Jeremy said.
The first batch of "Haitian Nation" shirts sold out and they had to order 500 more.
The Millburn Deli has agreed to sell the shirts, and students from neighboring districts and even schools in New York have bought or intend to buy T-shirts.
"We're trying to spread our interest in helping Haiti to other schools," Jeremy said.
The club will also plan bake sales, car washed and fund-raising tournaments to help Haiti throughout the year.
To pick up a "Haitian Nation" T-shirt, visit the Millburn Deli or e-mail email jadelsheimer @gmail.com or dbrenner107 @gmail.com.
- Andrea Hughes

As the Fires Burn in Israel You Can Help

At the end of the 20th century the only country or region that left the century covered by more trees rather than fewer trees was Israel. This was a direct result of the Jewish community's commitment to the land of Israel and the Jewish National Fund's efforts to plant as many trees as possible as the Jewish nation "deepened its roots" in the land of our ancestors. 

A significant portion of one of the great forests in Israel is on fire. The loss of life, property and trees is devastating and it only look like it will continue for some time. As such, I wanted to share these emails that just arrived. If you were wondering what you might do to help here is one answer.

My thanks in advance for your support...

Shabbat Shalom 

Rabbi Daniel Cohen

Israel Fire Disaster Relief UJC MetroWest expresses deep concern regarding the devastating fire in Israel’s Carmel countryside and is closely monitoring the situation. Our hearts go out to the families of the 42 Israelis who perished and those critically injured in the blaze. As of this morning, the fire is not yet under control. Over 15,000 people have been evacuated from their homes and 16,000 acres of pine forest have been lost. Israel lacks sufficient flame retardant and is awaiting emergency shipments. Together with our international partners, The Jewish Agency for Israel and JDC, we are: Assisting 15,000 evacuees with emergency shelter and support Providing trauma relief for families who have lost loved ones and homes in the fire Deploying local Emergency Response Teams Working with Israeli youth movements to open day camps for children and students evacuated from the imperiled area We continue to monitor the situation and will keep you updated as details become available. Additional information is available at the JFNA Fire Disaster Information page, which includes news stories and other resources. Israel is desperate for our support. Please make an emergency online contribution to the UJC MetroWest Israel Fire Disaster Relief Fund today. Your contribution will go immediately to help Israel cope with this catastrophe. Or send checks to: Israel Fire Disaster Relief UJC MetroWest 901 Rt. 10 Whippany, NJ 07981 Checks should be made payable to: UJC MetroWest Indicate in memo: Israel Fire Disaster Relief

DATELINE: Friday, 5.00 PM (10.00 AM EST)

The fire in the Carmel Forest is still raging. Israel's fire fighters would have been unable to limit its spread without the fire fighting planes and helicopters that have come to assist from Cyprus, Greece, Jordan and Turkey. (Israel, negligently, has none of her own.) Bulgaria has sent over 90 fire fighters, and offers of assistance have come from many countries, including Egypt and the Palestinian Authority. Chemicals to extinguish the fires from the air are belatedly being flown in today from France and Italy. However, the flames are still raging and is not anticipated that they will be fully doused until sometime next week. More than 15,000 Israelis have been evacuated from their homes, including from parts of Tirat Carmel, Ein Hod and the Haifa suburb of Denia. Kibbutz Beit Oren is in ruins. 

However, the greatest tragedy is that 41 prison guards and policemen were burned to death abroad a bus on its way to transfer prisoners from a facility threatened by the flames. A further three, including a fire fighter, have been serious burned and are fighting for their lives in Rambam hospital.

As darkness falls here, the helicopters and planes that have done so much to douse the flames today have been grounded until first light. That will leave much of the fire unattended overnight. However, at the same time, the strong easterly winds that we have experienced during the day and which have fanned the flames have also died down.

There is already a great deal of criticism of the fact that successive Israeli government had not built up a fire force and provided it with the necessary equipment to cope with an eventuality of this nature.

The latest news is that police have arrested two men from Daliat el Carmel, who they suspect may be part of a gang responsible for lighting the fires. However, at this point in time, this is no more than a suspicion.

Hanukah, a festival that is normally associated with the miracle of the flame that continued to burn for eight days, will henceforth also be remembered as the time when Israel faced the challenge of the greatest fire in her history.

Shabbat shalom v'Chag Urim sameyach,

Micky Boyden

Hod Hasharon, Israel

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UPDATE: The mood is not optimistic after more than 35 hours battling what is the worst fire in Israel’s history, reports Hezy Levi, a Haifa region fire fighter who is on the scene. “We are working around the clock,” said Levi, “and are receiving help from Greece, Cyprus, Russia, Britain and Turkey, but we are short on supplies—firetrucks, hoses, extinguishing agents, airplanes, you name it.” Levi reported that 2 firefighters have died in addition to the 41 prison guards, more than 25,000 people have been evacuated, residential homes have been lost and more than 7,000 acres of forests are on fire – about ½ of the Carmel Forest. Many people are being treated for burns and smoke inhalation. “We have deployed all of Israel’s firefighters, from Eilat all the way up, but right now there is no end in sight.” They need your help. Israel’s firefighters are desperately short on supplies. JNF is the U.S. fundraising arm of Friends of Israel Firefighters. To donate to the relief effort, and arm the firefighters with the protective gear and equipment they need, go to www.jnf.org/fifdonate. LAST CHANCE TO JOIN THE CONFERENCE CALL! With Representatives from JNF, Israeli Firefighters, JNF-KKL, and Chief of the U.S. Forest Service Jewish National Fund will be holding an emergency conference call today, Friday, December 3 at 12:00 PM EST for all of its donors and supporters. The call will feature: Ambassador Michael Oren A firefighter from the scene Ronald Lauder, JNF Chairman Efi Stenzler, World Chairman KKL Shimon Romach, Israel’s Fire Commissioner Chief Tom Tidwell, Chief of the US Forest Service   RSVP to attend the call and your e-mail confirmation will contain the call-in information. To donate to the relief effort, and to arm the firefighters with the protective gear and equipment they need, go to www.jnf.org/fifdonate.
Plant Trees in Israel | Travel to Israel | Donate

Buy Israel... Especially Today...

Join AJC in the “Buycott” of Israeli Goods 
TOMORROW, Tuesday, November 30^th!

AJC is proud to join other pro-Israel groups across the country on 
Tuesday, November 30^th to support “Buy Israeli Goods” Day
and to counter those calling for boycotts of Israeli products.

Help us send the message to retailers such as Hiller's, Costco, Whole Foods,
Trader Joe’s and ULTA by buying up all of their Israeli-made products!

 HOW CAN YOU HELP?

VISIT www.buyisraelgoods.org to search for Israel products in our area! 
Whether its hummus or olives or Ahava skin cream, every purchase helps!

SPREAD THE WORD! Please share this email with at least 5 friends.

THANK THE STORE for carrying Israeli products! 
Be sure to alert and thank the store manager for carrying Israeli products.
Let them know that you will be a repeat customer for that reason!

TAKE A PICTURE!
Send a picture of you and your family and friends buying Israeli goods to: newjersey@ajc.org

Thank you for helping AJC show support for Israel!

LINDA SLUCKER ACHIEVES NATIONAL POSITION

Linda Slucker has been nominated as national president of the National Council of Jewish Women, Inc. Her election to this office will be held in Dallas in March, 2011. Mazel tov, Linda!

URJ 10 Minutes of Torah

Friday's 10 Minutes of Torah is designed to present a diversity of editorial viewpoints from Jewish papers. The following editorial appears November 3, 2010 on The Washington Jewish Week website and is reprinted with permission.

We need to take action 
When organizers decided to focus last year's Toronto International Film Festival on Israeli filmmakers, more than 1,000 prominent actors and filmmakers signed a statement threatening to boycott the event.

The UJA Federation of Greater Toronto and the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles came up with a counter statement supporting the festival. Among its signers: Jerry Seinfeld, Natalie Portman, Sacha Baron Cohen, Lisa Kudrow, Jason Alexander and Lenny Kravitz.

"It was a great lesson and set a template on how to respond because clearly, the other side is running a linked campaign with international funding and global strategy but local implementation," Ted Sokolsky, president of the Toronto federation, recently told JTA.

The Jewish Federations of North America and the Jewish Council for Public Affairs want local communities to be able to spring into action in defense of Israel on a regular basis. That's why they are gearing up to launch a multimillion-dollar joint initiative to combat anti-Israel campaigns. Locally, the Jewish Community Relations Council also is planning to step up its efforts through an Israel Action Center.

These actions come not a moment too soon. The BDS (boycott, divest and sanction) movement is a sinister campaign designed to erode the very basis of Israel's legitimacy. With the exception of the seemingly unrelenting Iranian effort to build nuclear weapons, this push to undermine the idea that Israel has the right to exist as the Jewish state in the Middle East is its greatest existential threat.

Israel's supporters must quickly do what they can to stem the damage. Not simply by talking about all of Israel's terrific accomplishments or by bashing its enemies, but by confronting boycotters head on, as did the Toronto film festival's supporters.

And, as did the JCRC when it learned in July that a boycott was planned outside the Ulta store in Silver Spring, urging customers not to buy Ahava products, charging they "were illegally produced by settlers ... on stolen land." The JCRC sent out an e-mail alert late on a Friday afternoon, notifying those on its mailing list of the boycott and urging them to buy Ahava. By Monday morning, Ulta's Ahava shelves were bare.

Such efforts can't simply be ad hoc. JCRC, for example, urged its "buycott" just once, despite continued efforts to boycott Ahava. Fighting BDS must be part of a continuing effort to educate the public, both Jews and non-Jews -- particularly civic leaders -- about Israel's legitimacy and proper place in the world.

Whatever the source of action, the message should be clear: Though we may not always agree with all of Israel's policies, we all stand with our brothers and sisters in Israel in defense of the Jewish homeland and its right to exist. 

URJ Weekly Briefing November 12, 2010

The political career of Sen. Russ Feingold, shown on the campaign trail for Barack Obama in Eau Claire, Wis., in August 2008, was marked by a fierce independence. (Phil Freedman)

As Feingold exits, Senate loses a
principled liberal

By Ron Kampeas

The speech that Russ Feingold gave to end his career in the U.S. Senate was much like the Wisconsin pol's career itself -- by turns crystal clear, obscure, ornery, defiant and gracious.Read more »

Reform Movement in the News

JTA: First Female Rabbi Ordained in
Germany Since 1935

Germany's Reform rabbinical seminary ordained three new rabbis, including the first woman to become a rabbi in Germany since before the Holocaust. Read more »

Tablet Magazine: Resisting 'Re-Ghettoization' - Lunch with Yossi Klein Halevi

For many American Jews, Yoffie argued, it is difficult to move onto combating international demonization when that demonization is provoked by the blatant moral and practical blight that is continued West Bank construction. Read more »

The Jerusalem Post: Gender Separation in Public Areas Growing

Movement for Progressive Judaism warns against growing phenomenon; issues its fourth report on gender separation during Knesset meeting. Read more »

Reform Day Schools Win PEJE Video Awards!

PARDeS and The Saul Mirowitz Day School - Reform Jewish Academy of St Louis each received the 2010 Overall Excellence in Video Award on October 25, 2010 at the Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education ( PEJE) Assembly in Baltimore Maryland. Read more »

Jewish World News

Army converts are latest to be dragged into Israel's conversion wars

A new review panel established by Israel's Chief Rabbinate threatens to invalidate thousands of conversions performed under the auspices of the Israel Defense Forces. Read more »

Startup continent: European Jewry

A new survey by Jumpstart finds more Jewish startups per capita in Europe than in North America. Read more »

17 charged in $42.5 million fraud at
Claims Conference

The man who oversaw two of the Claims Conference's major Holocaust restitution programs was the ringleader of a fraud conspiracy that led to $42.5 million in false claims, the U.S. Attorney's Office charged. Read more »

First sign of the new U.S. political reality —
Bibi's swagger

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to the General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America called for a “credible military threat” against Iran as a means of avoiding war, echoing leading Republican lawmakers and showing clearly his empowerment by the GOP sweep of the U.S. House of Representatives. Read more »

From RJ.org Blog

Coming Together to
Fight Cholera

At the Hôpital Albert Schweitzer in Haiti -- one of the beneficiaries of the URJ Disaster Relief Fund -- staff and patients demonstrate profound resilience and strength in the fight against the spread of cholera. Former URJ staffer Carrie Weinrobe gives us a first-person perspective.Read more »

Forever Summer:
The Importance of
Jewish Camping

While nothing is more gratifying than hearing from a camper about how our programs have influenced their sense of self, a close second is reading a prestigious study that verifies the importance these summer experiences have on developing Jewish identity. Read more »

The Next Wave Starts Now

High schooler Austin Zoot expounds on the cultures of the different Jewish youth groups available in his community, and why he chose NFTY. Read more »

Prepare for Chanukah

Chanukah is Coming Soon

This year we light the first candle on Dec. 1. Visit our Chanukah website for social action programs, family activities, recipes and more.Read more »

Send Chanukah E-cards

Send holiday greetings to friends & family and include a recipe, song, video, or blessings.Read more »

Chanukah Gift Idea #6: Merle Feld'sFinding Words

URJ Books & Music has eight great gift ideas, one for each night. Finding Words is a moving and accessible poetry collection and makes a great gift for friends, family and congregants. Read more »

Holiday Happenings: Chanukah

This guide will help enrich your holiday celebration, complete with recipes and fun activities for the tots in your life.Read more »

Reform Judaism Magazine Explores Chanukah

Holidays: Becoming a Maccabee: Judith Richlin-Klonsky probes the ways modern Jews become Maccabees.

Cooking: The Land of Olives & Oranges:Tina Wasserman offers up recipes that reflect Israel's bounty.

Judaica: Jewish Antiques Appraisal Show: Jonathan Greenstein appraises a folk artsy brass Chanukah lamp made in Poland 1840 — 1920. Read more »

Union News

Final Chance to Enter the URJ Techies Contest!

The URJ Techies contest recognizes member congregations successfully using social networks and technology to engage members online. Entries due Nov. 15. Read more »

Upcoming Webinar: Nov. 16 - Torah Alive: Every Person Has a Name...

Find out what Israeli poetry has to say about names, their meanings and the stories behind them. Read more »

After the Spill Conference Call

Join the RAC on Nov. 18 at 3pm ET to hear from mental health experts on the impact of the BP oil disaster on residents in the Gulf Coast. Read more »

North American Forums: Three Days of Learning and Networking

Discuss adult learning, early engagement, Hebrew education and small remote congregations in Atlanta, Nov. 19-21.Read more »

The Future of
Reform Judaism

The URJ, CCAR and HUC-JIR are convening a Think Tank to address important issues facing the future of Reform Judaism and they need your input! Register now to participate in an online public forum on Nov. 21 at 4 pm PT / 7 pm ET. Read more »

Thanksgiving Holiday Happenings

Learn ways to approach the holiday from a Jewish perspective. Read more »

RJ Web-Builder Site of the Month

The website of Temple Israel of New Rochelle, NY, built using RJ Web-Builder, has been recognized as an outstanding site for employing best practices in design and content. Read more »

WUPJ's Connections Convention

Register online for the World Union for Progressive Judaism's Connections 2011 conference in San Francisco Feb. 8-13.Read more »

Register Now for NFTY Youth Workers Conference,
Feb. 18-22, 2011 in Dallas

Youth workers will learn from experts, networking and sharing ideas for enhancing youth programming. Early bird registration ends Tues., Nov. 16. Register now to $ave!Read more »

Apply for a URJ Incubator Grant!

URJ is offering up to $5,000 for member congregations' innovative projects aimed at engaging members. Read more »

Shabbat Tzedek: 50 Years in Pursuit of Justice with the RAC

On Jan. 14-17, 2011 join congregations across North America in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the founding of the RAC and the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Transform your congregation's MLK weekend into a special Shabbat Tzedek. Read more »

Got Shabbat: Vayeitzei

Glean lessons from this parashah that you can use with kids at home and in your classroom.Read more »

NCJW Holds Its "Earthly Treasures" Fundraiser Tonight

Greenfaith- November E-Newsletter

Sustainable Synagogues Initiative Partnership with Conservative Leaders GreenFaith, the Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs, Women's League for Conservative Judaism, and The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism have announced The Sustainable Synagogues Initiative, a partnership designed to educate and mobilize synagogues and members of the Conservative movement in North America on the environment.  Learn more about the Sustainable Synagogues Initiative>> back to top back to top Ground for Hope Education and Training Nov. 14-15 Dr. Larry Rasmussen Keynotes NJ Event On Sunday, Nov. 14 and Monday, Nov. 15, GreenFaith is partnering with Drew Theological School in Madison and Watchung Avenue Presbyterian Church in North Plainfield to offer Ground for Hope - New Jersey, a religious-environmental leadership training conference. Learn more and register for Ground for Hope>> back to top Meet Imam Ibrahim Abdul-Matin, author of The Green Deen Imam Ibrahim Abdul-Matin recently published The Green Deen - What Islam Teaches About Protecting the Planet.  Join GreenFaith to meet Ibrahim on a special webinar on Wednesday, December 1 from 7:00 - 7:45 pm.  Learn and register for Green Deen>> back to top Judaism and Environment Webinar Series - Nov. 18 Kickoff The Judaism and the Environment Webinar Series - designed to educate and equip Jewish leaders for environmental action - begins on Thursday, Nov. 18, 12:00 noon - 1:30 p.m. ET with Getting Started on the Environment in your Synagogue.  On-line registration is available.  Judaism and the Environment is sponsored by GreenFaith, the Jewish National Fund, the Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs, Women's League for Conservative Judaism, and The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Learn more and register for Judaism and the Environment>> back to top GreenFaith, Ironbound Community Corporation Announce Settlement with Newark Incinerator GreenFaith and the Ironbound Community Corporation (ICC) announced recently that they had reached settlement with Covanta - the owner and operator of a garbage incinerator - in a case involving air emissions violations at the incinerator, which is located in the densely populated Ironbound section of Newark, New Jersey.  The settlement will result in improved air pollution controls at the incinerator, and a substantial contribution to park space in the Ironbound. Learn more about incinerator>> In this issue Sustainable Synagogues Initiative Ground for Hope Education and Training Nov. 14-15 Meet Imam Ibrahim Abdul-Matin Judaism and Environment Webinar Series - Nov. 18 Kickoff Settlement with Newark Incinerator GreenFaith News Briefs GreenFaith's Rabbi Lawrence Troster on CNN's Faces of FaithGreenFaith's Rabbi Lawrence Troster, GreenFaith's Fellowship Director was featured today on a CNN's Faces of Faith in a segment on religion and the environment. The show was filmed during the Temple of Understanding's Interfaith Visionary Call To Action Conference on Sustainable Development on Tuesday, October 19 at The Pierre Hotel in New York City.  In addition to Rabbi Troster, the segment featured: Karen Armstrong, a best-selling author and religion scholar Dr. Mary Evelyn Tucker, Senior Lecturer and Senior Scholar, Department of Religious Studies, Yale University Ibrahim Abdil-Mu'id Ramey, Director, Human and Civil Rights Division, Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation. To view the segment, click here Temple Beth Rishon Saves Thousands, Wins GreenFaith Award The NJ Jewish Standard featured Temple Beth Rishon, the first synagogue in the GreenFaith Certification Program, and reported that TBR has saved thousands of dollars through energy conservation.  To read the full article, click here>>