Eyeglass Frames for Haiti

From member Holly Gewandter's family eye doctor:

Dear Friends,

On March 6, the renowned pediatric eye surgeons Dr. Brian Campolattaro and Dr. Fred Wang of NYU Medical Center and New York Eye Infirmary will be traveling to the Dominican Republic as part of Volunteers in Health. There, they will perform free, sight-saving operations on some of the poorest children in the hemisphere -- many of them Haitian earthquake victims. The children will be fitted with free custom-made prescription lenses after their surgery -- but there is a severe shortage of child-sized eyeglass frames. So we are asking for your help. Many parents save their children's eyeglass frames after they've outgrown them. We would be grateful if you or anyone you know can donate these used frames. All donations are tax-deductible.

The glasses can be donated directly to:
Dr. Brian Campolattaro
30 East 40th St., Suite 405
NY, NY 10016

Thank you so much for helping give the gift of sight.

Molly Gordy
Public Relations Director
The Salvation Army of Greater NY
212-337-7488 (office)

BMA Students Depict the First Family Tree

In honor of Tu B'Shvat our 6th grade BMA students depict the Torah "tree", or the very first family tree:

The Tu B'Shvat Experience - Friday, January 29

Join us Friday, January 29th for 4 cups of wine and 4 creative elements starting at 6:30pm in honor of the original Arbor Day at VCS (272 W 10th St, b/w Greenwich and Washington Sts).


We are looking forward to the fabulous food from chef Lisa Teiger of Creative CuisinEtc! Plus, we are still using reusable silverware and plates thanks to Lisa and Andrew's help. In addition to the specific seder fruits, we will be feasting on tilapia primavera, sauteed kale with garlic + mushrooms, herb roasted potato with dijon vinaigrette, and much more.

Themed flower arrangements are being donated by Shula from Flowers by Special Arrangement. Shula donated our beautiful flowers during the High Holy Days and we can't wait to see what see creates for this magical evening.

We have a great group of members performing (including: Karen Loew, Brian Browdie, Barry Temkin, Susan Kanev, Moshe Rothenberg, Lilly Day, Susan Buckler, and Paul Barman) as well as musical guest RazEl.

The event is free, but two teenagers are organizing a bake sale to help Haitian families living in Brooklyn who need funds for funerals of relatives who died in the earthquake.

So Many Film Festivals...

it's hard to pick which ones to post on the blog, but these movies sound incredible:

14th NY Sephardic Jewish Film Festival

February 4 - 11 @ Center for Jewish History

Israeli films in the festival -

A Matter of Size - Directed by Erez Tadmor and Sharon Maimon - Sat. Feb. 6, 7:30PM

Across the River - Directed by Duki Dror - Mon. Feb. 8, 6:30PM

Azi Ayima (Come Mother) - Directed by Sami Shalom Shitrit - Wed. Feb. 10, 6:30PM

Children of the Bible - Directed by Nitza Gonen - Thur. Feb. 11, 7:00PM

Honor - Directed by Haim Buzaglo - Sat. Feb. 6, 9:30PM

Pillar of Salt (20th Anniversary Reprise) - Directed by Haim Shiran - Tue. Feb. 9, 9:30PM

Queen Khantarish - Directed by Israeli Shaer Meoded - Wed. Feb. 10, 8:30PM

Revivre (Rebirth) Part 1 - Directed by Haim Buzaglo - Sun. Feb 7, 5:30PM

Revivre (Rebirth) Part 2 - Directed by Haim Buzaglo - Sun. Feb. 7, 9:00PM, Tue. Feb. 9, 6:30PM

General Admission - $11.50

Festival Pass:
Admission to all Center for Jewish History screenings (except Opening & Closing Nights)
$100 General
$75 ASF & YU Members, students and seniors

For more information visit - http://www.sephardicfilmfest.org

Chelsea Kids' Club

Last Saturday we had the wonderful opportunity to volunteer at Chelsea Kids' Club. Twelve New Shul teens gathered together to play games, do an art project led by member Mary Jo Berger, and discuss Martin Luther King's message with over 30 kids living in the neighborhood projects.



We encourage you to join us at our next volunteer date on Saturday, March 6th from 11am-2pm.

ReelAbilities: NY Disabilities Film Festival

Reelabilities: the second annual NY disabilities film festival is dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories and artistic expressions of people with different disabilities. The festival opens this Thursday in 13 locations.

For complete schedule, tickets & venue information visit www.reelabilities.org.

Happy Tu B'Shvat Week!

Join us this Friday for the Tu B'Shvat Experience beginning at 6:30pm at 272 W 10th St.

To get you in the mood for Friday night, check out the below Chaikus written by member Sean Baldwin and read at previous Tu B'Shvat Jams.

Witnessing the New York City Experience of Tu B’Shevat

Ill-timed Holiday
To plant a tree in this stuff
Must I rent John Deere?

Another Dig Out
Broken Plastic Shovel cries
Nature! You cruel wench!

This snow is past tense
Shoveling, my father seems
Right here beside me

Seed
My power inside
I am frozen holding it
The sun decides when

Eat No Eat No Eat
I already ate at home
Bubbe don’t play that

We Just Started Celebrating Tu B'Shvat but are Already Planning Purim

What happens in Shushan Stays in Shushan.

King Ahasuerus and Queen Vashti invite you to spend a delicious and dissolute evening at the Royal Palace...here, anything can happen!

Celebrate Purim at The New Shul's annual "Folies Esthere," an extravaganza unlike any other. Food! Wine & Beer! Dancing Girls!

Please come in costume!

Featuring Candy Samples and The Vashti Vixens!

New Shul Members: Free
Non-Members: $10

Where
272 West 10th Street (between Greenwich & Washington Streets)

When
Saturday, February 27 at 7pm

Sponsor a Team in Memory of Owen Gerson

The Greenwich Village Little League would like to raise money from those who played with or were friends with Owen Gerson to help sponsor a team in his name: Owen's Stars.

“Owen’s Stars” will be a team in the Majors, either Nationals or American League that Carin Ehrenberg manages. Each team jersey will have a patch on the sleeve and “Owen’s Stars” on the back. We plan to create a sponsorship in Owen’s memory for the next three years.

Our goal is a minimum of $500 to sponsor the team this year, but more would go towards the full three years. We are asking for donations of either $25, $50 or $100, made payable to: “Greenwich Village Little League.”

Mail checks to:
Pat Hickey • (GVLL Treasurer)
20 East 9th St. #22D
New York, NY 10003.

Please note in the memo line: Owen Gerson sponsorship.

A Note From AJWS about Haiti

Dear Friends,

With unprecedented devastation and the death toll rising each day, many Americans are searching for actions that they can take to support the Haitian people and help them to build a better future. But for recovery efforts to be successful, the people of Haiti must be relieved of a fiscal burden that predates the earthquake and has kept the country in poverty for decades. Despite achieving significant debt relief last summer, Haiti still owes over $800M to international creditors.

Given this predicament, we were shocked to learn that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) pledged $100M for Haitian relief as a loan, a decision which is up for debate at next week’s IMF board meeting. Additionally, Haiti also owes $447M to the Inter-American Development Bank and no commitments have been made to ease the Haitian government of this enormous burden.

United States Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner sits on the Executive Board of both institutions and commands the largest share of the votes. Before the IMF meets next week to reconsider its loan as well as the $165M Haiti currently owes, we must let him know that the American people demand debt relief.

Tell Secretary Geithner to use his position of power to cancel Haiti’s remaining debts to these institutions. The American people have responded to this tragedy with an outpouring of support and do not wish to see aid money needed for the reconstruction of a nation going to pay back loans.

Sincerely,

AJWS Action Team

Innovative Jewish Ideas Wanted for Bikkurim Idea Lab 2010

If you have an innovative idea for the Jewish community and want to know how to turn it into a reality join Bikkurim for this innovative workshop on Tuesday, March 2 from 4:00-9:00 PM. From 4-6 you will have a wonderful opportunity to learn about Bikkurim, what makes a successful start-up and how to write a business plan. Then, from 6-9 there will be individual consultation sessions available by advanced apointment (if you are interested in this, you will be aksed to fill out a short written proposal prior to March 2nd, and you must attend the introductory session from 4-6.)

It takes place at 25 Broadway, 17th Floor and the cost is free!

RSVP by February 16 to jleibowitz@bikkurim.org

for more information go to www.bikkurim.org

A Little More on Jewromatherapy

Please join us for Jewromatherapy Shabbat with Aromatherapy expert Cathy Gins and Rabbi Dan. For thousands of years people have used scent to connect to their spiritual source. This evening we will travel on a path of natural aromas, prayer, and song to experience Shabbat with all of out senses. Come renew, explore, expand and celebrate at this special service.

There will be a light healthy oneg Shabbat served after the . This event is open to the public.

Date: Friday, February 5
Time: 6:30pm
Location: Yamuna (132 Perry Street)
Cost: Free

About Cathy Gins:

Cathy, member of The New Shul, is a designer, teacher, vibrational healing practioner and aromatherapist, Cathy has combined all of her passions in her role as Founder and Creative Director of Aromawear.com.

In Memoriam - 63 Years Later

Forwarded by member Cathy Gins

Irena Sendler

There recently was a death of a 98 year-old lady named Irena. During WWII, Irena, got permission to work in the Warsaw Ghetto, as a Plumbing/Sewer specialist. She had an 'ulterior motive' ... She KNEW what the Nazi's plans were for the Jews, (being German.) Irena smuggled infants out in the bottom of the tool box she carried and she carried in the back of her truck a burlap sack, (for larger kids..) She also had a dog in the back that she trained to bark when the Nazi soldiers let her in and out of the ghetto. The soldiers of course wanted nothing to do with the dog and the barking covered the kids/infants noises.. During her time of doing this, she managed to smuggle out and save 2500 kids/infants. She was caught, and the Nazi's broke both her legs, arms and beat her severely. Irena kept a record of the names of all the kids she smuggled out and kept them in a glass jar, buried under a tree in her back yard. After the war, she tried to locate any parents that may have survived it and reunited the family. Most had been gassed. Those kids she helped got placed into foster family homes or adopted.

Last year Irena was up for the Nobel Peace Prize ... She was not selected.

Sophisticated Israeli Field Hospital in Port Au Prince Haiti

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Jewish Artists for Haiti Benefit Concert

Join the Workmen's Circle at Jewish Artists for Haiti Benefit Concert
Thursday, Jan 28, 7-10 pm @ Stephen Wise Free Synagogue (68th & CPW)

All proceeds from the benefit concert will go directly to The American Jewish World Service Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund. Admission to the concert is a minimum donation of $18.

Artists include: Frank London and The Klezmer Brass All-Stars, Neshama Carlebach and The Green Pastures Baptist Choir, Soulfarm, Basya Schaechter and Pharoah's Daughter & more.

To purchase an advance ticket click here.
To donate directly to AJWS click here.

PLEASE NOTE: US government just passed an act allowing individuals or corporations that donate to Haiti to take off the donation on taxes for 2009.

Rebbe's Table - This Sunday, January 24

CREATION, THE BIG BANG AND THE SEARCH FOR TRUTH

Only 5 more days until Rabbi Dan and Cosmologist David Hogg will discuss the Big Bang, creation and the search for truth at the next Rebbe’s Table Klezmer brunch series on Sunday, January 24 at 10 am at City Winery (155 Varick Street).

Check out the two key paragraphs below from the article, Can you believe in God and Evolution?

FRANCIS COLLINS
Director, National Human Genome Research Institute

I see no conflict in what the Bible tells me about God and what science tells me about nature. Like St. Augustine in A.D. 400, I do not find the wording of Genesis 1 and 2 to suggest a scientific
textbook but a powerful and poetic description of God's intentions in creating the universe. The mechanism of creation is left unspecified. If God, who is all powerful and who is not limited by space and time, chose to use the mechanism of evolution to create you and me, who are we to say that wasn't an absolutely elegant plan? And if God has now given us the intelligence and the opportunity to discover his methods, that is something to celebrate.

STEVEN PINKER
Psychology professor, Harvard University

It's natural to think that living things must be the handiwork of a designer. But it was also natural to think that the sun went around the earth. Overcoming naive impressions to figure out how things really work is one of humanity's highest callings.

What do you think? Join us Sunday to participate in this lively discussion.

New Shul Members $12/Non-Members $15
(includes a seat at The Rebbe's Table, music cover charge, coffee/tea and juice; brunch is a la carte)

A Note From Rabbi Dan about Haiti

Dear Friends,

We are still reeling from the news and the images that we have been receiving from the earthquake in Haiti. They are difficult to confront - not only because of the horrific tragedy to which we all bear witness - but also because we can feel helpless in our ability to provide assistance to a place far removed from our community.

The principle of "Pekuach Nefesh" - saving the life of another - is the most important mitzvah in our tradition. The Talmud teaches that "one who saves a life, it is as if they have saved the entire world." We know that there are many people currently fighting for their lives in Haiti, struggling to find food, water and shelter. As a religious community we feel compelled to respond.

The Hebrew word for charity - Tzedakah - comes from the root - Tzedek - which means "justice." We urge you to join us in our support of these social justice organizations below, which are on the ground in Haiti providing relief and saving lives during this time of extreme need.

B'Shalom,
Rabbi Dan

P.S. There are many organizations accepting donations for Haiti relief. Here is a suggested list. One organization that appears in the link we listed is Partners in Health, or in Haitian Creole Zanmi Lasante, which is one of the largest health care providers in rural Haiti. It operates, in partnership with the Haitian Ministry of Health, some 10 hospitals and clinics, all from the capital and all still intact. To learn more about this wonderful organization, read this New York Times Op-Ed article.

Where to Donate for Haiti Relief Efforts

"If there be among you a needy man, one of thy brethren, within any of thy gates, in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thy heart, nor shut thy hand from thy needy brother." -Deuteronomy 15:7

Here is a list of a few organizations currently taking donations for relief efforts:

• American Jewish World Service
• American Jewish Committee in partnership with IsrAID
• B'nai B'rith International
• American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)

For a list of more places taking donations, please click here.
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Jewromatherapy Shabbat

Please join us for Jewromatherapy Shabbat with Aromatherapy expert Cathy Gins and Rabbi Dan. For this unique service, we will combine the traditional liturgy and kavanot (intentions) associated with the Shabbat with an experiential journey through a range of fragrances and aromas that can renew, replenish and help heal souls.There will be a light healthy oneg Shabbat served after our aromatic Kabbalat Shabbat experience.

This event is free and open to the public.

Date: Friday, February 5
Time: 6:30pm
Location: Yamuna, 132 Perry Street

What Would You Take

Yesterday, a group of teens gathered over dinner and participated in a great discussion. The question: What would you bring to a deserted island that would maximize the likelihood of the survival of the Jewish people? The items you bring are not for the survival of you, a Jewish person, but rather the survival of the Jewish people ten generations from now.

We decided that we would combine our individual lists and bring only four items agreed upon by majority vote. This was not an easy task. Our list included:

More Jews
Tanach
Candles
Kiddush Cup
A kosher supermarket
Matzah
Jewish books
Mezuzah
Synagogue
A Rabbi
Sukkah for everyone
Wine
Katz's Deli/Second Avenue Deli
Kippahs
Kosher cookbook
Torah
--------

The teens answer appears in the comment section. What would you add to the list? Then pick four items of your own and leave your answer in the comment section.

Pics From Class Shabbat Dinner

Last Friday, over 50 Rishonimers (and their families) gathered together to celebrate Shabbat. We sang songs, used our own challah covers, displayed art projects and celebrated the beauty of Shabbat with friends and family.


Avner, one of our talented teachers took pictures of the night.


To see more pictures, click here. Our next class Shabbat dinner is on Friday, March 12th.

Six Points Fellowship

The Six Points team is looking for artists for the next round of the Six Points Fellowship! They are providing up to a total of $40,000 as well as workshops, Jewish learning, and professional support to develop new projects exploring Jewish ideas and concepts.

They're looking for nine talented artists (ages 22-38 and based in NYC) to open up new conversations in the worlds of contemporary culture and the Jewish community.

The 2-year fellowship will provide:
-Stipend: Up to $20,000 over two years
-Project Grant: Up to $20,000 over two years
-Retreats, monthly workshops, coaching, and mentorship

To learn more and apply for the Fellowship, visit their website at www.sixpointsfellowship.org. They are holding application workshops on Feb. 7 and Feb. 17 at 7pm at the Bronfman Center at 7 E. 10^th Street. The Letter of Intent (LOI) is due March 1, 2010 and the fellowship cycle begins in October 2010.

Six Points is a unique collaboration of Avoda Arts, Foundation for Jewish Culture, and JDub Records, and they are pleased to continue the program with significant support from UJA-Federation of New York .

Recycle Tzedakah Boxes

For our community art project to benefit The Mayim Project and as a part of the Tu B'Shvat Experience we are in need the following. Please donate what you can:

Empty Water Bottles – large and small, with labels removed

Arts and Crafts Materials

* tissue paper
* scrap paper
* wrapping paper leftovers
* old catalogs
* paper plates you’ll never use again
* string
* yarn
* fabric scraps
* stray buttons
* ANYTHING colorful or playful that you weren’t sure if you should keep or throw away!

Bring to Rishomim or BMA by January 27. Or bring with you to the Tu’Bshvat Experience on Friday, January 29 at 6:30.

Open Call for The Tu B'Shvat Experience

The Birthday of the Trees won’t be the same without you!

Do you play an instrument?
Do you write poetry?
Do you sing?

How can you express your relation to creation?

We need you to perform poetry, songs, and short stories celebrating nature (an original piece or one of your old favorites!).

Tu B'shevat is an ancient Jewish pilgrimage festival that celebrates nature itself. Explore our diverse relationships with the environment through the themes of creation's majesty, our abuse of it, how we can repair it, and its power to renew and transform.

Email or call the office by January 20th to sign-up.

The New Shul Tu B'Shvat Experience
Friday, January 29th at 6:30pm
272 W 10th Street

Beginning of Exodus

This Saturday we begin reading the second book of the Torah, Exodus. Dylan Morris (pictured above) will be reading this section on Saturday as he becomes a Bar Mitzvah. He did a trial run yesterday in front of his peers at B'nai Mitzvah Academy. It was a very special class, and we are all looking forward to the celebration this Shabbat. We encourage you all to join us for services beginning at 10:30am at VCS (272 W. 10th Street, b/w Greenwich and Washington Sts.

The below video is from G-dcast: a weekly cartoon about the story Jews are reading in the Torah right now and is this week's Torah portion SHEMOT.

Signs of Life, A Play about Defiance during the Holocaust

Signs of Life is an exploration of life in the Jewish artists’ ghetto created by the Nazis in the Czech town of Terezin during World War II. Hitler renamed it Theresienstadt and his propaganda cynically proclaimed it “A City for the Jews”. He proceeded to populate Theresienstadt with the most prominent artists, composers, scientists, and scholars of Europe. A vibrant artistic community emerged and the ghetto was alive with concerts, plays, and lectures. The Nazi’s, for their own international propaganda purposes, coerced their prisoners to depict Terezin as a place where they lived free lives. But hidden from the watchful eyes of their captors, the artists created secret pictures and writings which were concealed and smuggled out to alert the world to what was really happening. They felt that, because of their covert efforts, the truth could survive. Signs of Life is a true story of love, defiance and the power of art.

Signs of Life will begin performances on Tuesday February, 16 and will open on Thursday, February 25, running through Sunday, March 21. Tickets are $55 for adults and $40 for seniors and students and $40 for all previews and can be purchased by calling 212-352-3101 or online at www.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/425

The Tu B'shvat Experience

Experience Tu B'Shvat with The New Shul on Friday, January 29, 2010 at 6:30pm. We will celebrate together at VCS, located at 272 West 10th Street. This event is free and open to the public. All ages are welcome to participate. ---- Tu B'Shvat is Jewish Arbor Day, a time to celebrate the invaluable ways that trees benefit us. We invite you to join us as we honor trees, the environment and the cyclical nature of life during a gathering where we will eat, drink, sing, dance and learn together. Celebrate this green festival by sharing with The New Shul in ways as old as the Sequoias and as new as a first bud. Engage in all four phases of our spiritual and creative Tu B'Shvat seder: Participate in a community project and let a tzedakah project take root in your home, Have the first glass of wine. Take a chance, go out on a limb...write a poem, a song or a story celebrating nature, trees or life and bring it to share. To participate in this open mic section, email amye@newshul.org, Then have the second glass of wine. Celebrate Shabbat with Rabbi Dan and add a new leaf to your own Book of Knowledge, Time for the third glass of wine. Finally, listen as the sounds of RazEL take flight and join the dancing that follows, Now have the fourth glass of wine.