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Summer is almost here and you can get ready to take a deep breath and exhale.  By the time June rolls around we all look forward to the quiet(er) summer months to recharge our drained physical and emotional batteries and prepare for another jam-packed year starting in September.  Summer is a time for us to relax and reflect on all the good work we've done over this past year.  And there has been plenty of good work done in our community.   

The Westchester Jewish community should be proud of all the wonderful programs that take place in our individual synagogues, JCC's, and umbrella organization on a weekly basis.  In addition, our positive collaborative work done in the areas of interfaith outreach, LGBTQ community building, and Leadership Development is unique among Jewish communities.  There is no denying the fact that the Westchester Jewish Community is exceptionally vibrant and should be a source of pride for all those who work to make it so.

On behalf of the Westchester Council member organizations, our board of trustees, and our incredible staff, we wish you a quiet and relaxing summer.  Your hard work and passion is greatly appreciated and never taken for granted.  Use the time to unplug and enjoy the fruits of your labor.  You've earned it.

Shalom,

The JCC of Mid-Westchester and the JCC in Manhattan will co-sponsor the festival which features four new Israeli movies and discussions after each screening with filmmakers. Admission:  $20 for June 12 Opening Night

(Operation Sunflower, directed by Avraham Kushner) with post-screening reception; $14 for June 15, 16, and 17; $11 for Community Partners. Purchase tickets at www.jccmw.org. Download the flyer for more details.
Opening night, Thursday,  June 12, 7:30pm

JCC of Mid-Westchester

to the Sinai Free Synagogue family on the passing of Dr. Susan Kahn "zl, the past president of of the synagogue.  

On May 28th, Westchester Jewish Center hosted a well-attended Israel on-campus program for graduating High School Seniors and Juniors.  The program was led by Yoni Kaplan of StandwithUs and featured student leaders from Michigan, Wesleyan, Binghamton and NYU, who exposed the students to anti-Israel actions occurring on their campuses.   Adam Tietelbaum of AIPAC also provided input and illustrated some actions students might take.     

M.K. Dr. Ruth Calderon Book Discussion

On May 26, M.K. Dr. Ruth Calderon presented her newly translated book "A Bride for One Night" to a sold out audience convened by the JCC Mid-Westcheter at a private home in Scarsdale. In a conversation moderated by Ruby Namdar the audience learned more about Calderon's vision to revive Hebrew culture and a pluralistic Israeli-Jewish identity.  

Pictured, l-r, Lois Claar, Karen Kolodny, M.K. Ruth Calderon, Ruby Namdar

JEP Celebration 

On May 21, 5 exceptional and highly innovative Jewish educators received The Jewish Education 2014 Young Pioneers Award (honorees pictured left - details below.)

The Celebration also honored Dorothy Tananbaum, President of the Board of Directors of the agency and included remarks by John Ruskay, Executive Vice President and CEO of UJA-Federation of New York.  

Pictured, l-r: Zachary Rolf, Director for Youth Engagement and Outreach at Central Synagogue;  Chani Okonov, Co-founder and Educational Director of Mazel Day School; Timna Burston, Art Educator at Congregation Kol Ami and Beit Rabban Day School; Menachem Menchel, Director of Youth Education and Programming at Hebrew Institute of Riverdale

On floor: Stav Meishar, Founder of Dreamcoat Experience