Shabbat Idea: Join the National Day of Unplugging

Blackberry won't stop buzzing? Are your iPhone apps driving you crazy? Do you feel incomplete without technology? Why not change it up--take a day to disconnect AND reconnect with Reboot's National Day of Unplugging!

The National Day of Unplugging is a respite from the relentless deluge of technology and information. With roots in Jewish tradition, this modern day of rest was developed by Reboot as a way to bring some balance to our increasingly fast-paced way of life and reclaim time to connect with family, friends, the community and ourselves. Shut down your computer. Turn off your cell phone. Stop the constant emailing, texting, Tweeting and Facebooking to take time to notice the world around you. Connect with loved ones. Nurture your health. Get outside. Find silence. Avoid commerce. Give back. Eat Together.

The National Day of Unplugging runs for the 25 hours from sundown Friday, March 23, to sundown, Saturday, March 24.

Register here: http://www.causes.com/causes/648905-national-day-of-unplugging/actions

We always love to see and hear new ideas about engaging with Shabbat, and this project seems like an amazing opportunity and challenge. Are you ready to really unplug? To share your thoughts on the challenge and let us know if you will participate, please comment on this post!

Words from Our Members: My Daughter's Shul

The New Shul is a special place to all of us for different reasons. It is our community, our spiritual home, our family, and countless other things. We recently heard from one member about her experience and were so moved, we wanted to share it with all of you!

Thank you to Annie and the entire Yanovsky family for sharing....

My Daughter’s Shul

Becoming parents creates an entire new checklist: Buy healthier groceries. Check. Join a playgroup. Check. Put away sharp objects. Check. Join a shul. Check. After the Bat Mitzvah, un-join the shul. Umm... Not so fast.

Like so many families with young children, we went “shul shopping” 11 years ago to ensure that our daughter become educated about Judaism. We suffered through Hebrew school and so should she. Right? Boy were we wrong. Flash forward 11 years: She loves the New Shul. Our exuberant executive director and tuned in Rabbis get the thumbs up. But most impressive of all is her deep affinity for the friends that have grown over the years into a community of teenagers. Pretty cool, right? You bet.

I was amazed how often a bad day at school would be magically erased by an afternoon at Rishonim or B’nai Mitzvah group. A safe oasis of friendly faces and supportive adults, The New Shul creatively connects the young members to each other. They have grown up together singing and dancing, making art projects, going on field trips and volunteering. They learn about their differences and similarities. They hear what they like and sometimes what they don’t. They are encouraged to ask questions both of themselves and their Rabbi. Laughter permitted.

Our daughter showed us that Shul and fun are not an oxymoron. Just two months shy of her Bat Mitzvah, she is already making plans for next year’s new wave of teen projects. Five years until Birthright Israel!

From Adam Zucker, a Film You Don't Want to Miss: CAROL CHANNING: LARGER THAN LIFE

Friends,

A film I edited and co-wrote for my friend and frequent collaborator Dori Berinstein is opening in New York this Friday. CAROL CHANNING: LARGER THAN LIFE is funny, touching, poignant....as everyone seems to be saying. Playing at the AMC 25, 42nd and 8th. Check it out!

"One of the most touching love stories the screen has seen in a long time" ... "A love letter to a born star and living legend that will make you laugh, cry, and be thankful that the great Channing is still here among us." - Backstage

"A terrifically entertaining, smartly constructed trip down memory lane with one of the American stage's most legendary troupers" - LA Times

"Charming and seductive." - Toronto Star

"Totally captivating and surprising!" - Film Journal

"A loving look at the saucer-eyed Broadway star’s legend." - The Village Voice

"Splendid!"... "Masterful!"... "Intoxicating!" - NY Press

"A celebration!"... "A bonbon for buffs of all things Broadway!"... "A class act!" – Variety

Find this wonderful project here on the web: http://www.carolchanningmovie.com/

Check Out New Shul Member Oren Moverman's New Film: RAMPART

We are proud to say one of our amazing New Shul members, Oren Moverman, has directed and c0-written yet another fantastic film. Read his note below to learn more about it, and don't forget to go see RAMPART opening weekend!

Friends,

As you may know, a movie I directed and co-wrote, RAMPART, opens February 10th in New York and Los Angeles. We plan on the movie spreading from there around the country like wildfire in the following weeks.

I am writing to you to express my hopes that you will see RAMPART in the theater, like it, and tell others about it. To be honest, I actually hope you will tell people about RAMPART first, then like it and only then see it, in that order.

Opening weekend is critical for a life of a picture in theaters and RAMPART will not be available on Video On Demand or any kind of streaming; it is a good old fashion independent theatrical release and we need your help and support.

So, please get in touch with someone you love, or someone you plan on loving, or someone you used to love who is still talking to you, and arrange to see RAMPART Friday, February 10th, or Saturday, February 11th, or maybe Sunday February 12th is more your speed.

I guarantee you the movie will spark interesting conversations and what's better than human interaction with someone you love, past, present or future?

Where?

In NYC:

THE SUNSHINE CINEMAS

LINCOLN PLAZA

EMPIRE, 42nd STREET

There's lots of information about the movie at

www.rampartmovie.com

I'm very grateful for the time you spent reading this and I hope this movie speaks to you.

And if it doesn't, that's ok, just keep on doing what you're doing, stay healthy and happy and have some fun for god's sake.

Many thanks,

Oren Moverman