News from Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation-Emek Shalom

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This Week at FVJC-Emek Shalom:

Last Chance to RSVP for Sisterhood Game Night.

Game Night on Thursday, January 28th at 7:30 to 9:30 in the Social Hall. Open to all Temple women and their friends. The games planned for the evening are Mah Jongg (beginner and experienced groups), Bunco (beginner and experienced), Scrabble and Trivial Pursuits. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP to Stacie Rabinowitz by Monday, January 25th at 651-3666 or shsrabinowitz@hotmail.com.

The Women's Seder with Debbie Friedman on March 2 is now all sold out! We have 42 Temple women and some of their friends attending this event. I will take names of any women who want to be on a waiting list in case we have some last minute cancellations.

Haiti Relief Effort

Our hearts and prayers go out to all of the people affected by the earthquake in Haiti. There is no infrastructure for widespread distribution of needed supplies, including food, water and clothing. Therefore, the Social Action Committee will not be sponsoring any type of drive benefiting the survivors of the earthquake. Although this may change in the future, there is still a way that you can help.

Relief agencies are aksing for money to aid in the relief effort. We strongly encourage you to make your own donations to a charity of your choice. For your convenience, the following are all legitimate groups raising money for victims:

Donations to the Union for Reform Judaism Haiti Relief Fund can be made online or by check (note: Haiti Relief in the memo section) to:
Union for Reform Judaism Attention: Development
633 Third Avenue 7th Floor
New York, NY 10017
www.urj.org/relief
Note: The Union for Reform Judaism retains no overhead expenses for disaster relief donations, other than direct costs of credit card fees.

Other Jewish organizations set-up to receive donations:
American Jewish World Service (www.ajws.org/haitiearthquake)
American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (www.jdc.org)
American Jewish Committee (www.ajc.org/haitifund)
B'nai B'rith International (https://secure.ga1.org/05/web_relief_donations)

The Soup's On!

The “Soup’s On!” canned or boxed, kosher soup drive benefiting JFS has begun! The community needs your donations of cans or boxes of kosher soup. Collection containers can be found in the lobby and the narthex of the synagogue. Soups must be kosher or they cannot be accepted (see attached list). Please note that NO Campbell's or Progresso soups are kosher.

FVJC Music Shabbat

Friday, February 5, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. the Simsbury Light Opera Choristers (SLOCO), will join us for our Shabbat worship. During our service they will be singing several beautiful Jewish choral selections, including the inspiring " Jerusalem of Gold." Please come to welcome them and be uplifted by their singing.

Friday, February 26, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. our new FVJC-Emek Shalom Adult Choir will make its debut. Don't miss hearing your fellow congregants enhance our worship with their beautiful singing. We are looking forward to being a very special part of services that evening.

Financial Planning In A Turbulent Economic Environment

The Men's Club invites all Temple members and friends to attend our next meeting on Sunday, February 7. The topic for discussion is: Financial Planning In A Turbulent Economic Environment. How do you start financial planning at any age? When do you begin planning for retirement? Are there tools to help with planning for college? Can you assist your elderly parents with their planning?

These and other issues related to your financial well-being will be discussed by Carl Anderson, a financial representative with Barnum Financial Group, an office of MetLife.

This will be an informational meeting with real tips that you can use today and every day.

This meeting is open to all. Please join us at 9:00 a.m. for coffee and bagels and 9:30 for the program. For further information contact Carlos Fuentes.