News from Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation-Emek Shalom

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This Week at FVJC-Emek Shalom:

High Holidays Reminders

All services will be held at FVJC. The service service is as follows:

1st Day Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur Morning Services

9:00 a.m.: Adult Services in the Sanctuary led by the Rabbi and Cantor

12:00 p.m.: Family Services (for Grades 3 and up) in the sanctuary led by the Rabbi and Cantor
2:15 p.m.: Young Children’s Services (for children through 2nd Grade) in the sanctuary led by an early childhood educator and a song leader.

2nd Day Rosh Hashanah

10:00 a.m.: Morning Services
12:30 p.m.: Tashlich at the Drake Hill Flower Bridge. (Tashlich will be held on the second day this year, because the first day of Rosh Hashanah is Shabbat.)

Yom Kippur Afternoon

11:15 a.m.: The Discussion Group will be held in the Multi-Purpose Room after the Adult Service
3:00 p.m.: Afternoon Services will begin as usual.

Parking

Parking will work best if we all work together. Please drive only one car per family to attend services, or by carpool with another family if possible. There will be Simsbury policemen directing traffic and helping with parking. It is of utmost importance to follow their instructions. Additional parking is being made available along Stratton Forrest Road, thanks to our friends in the condo community next door. Drop off service is available at the circle for those who cannot navigate the stairs from the main entrance.

Babysitting

If you have children too young to attend Adult or Family Services (for grades 3 and up), please consider the Young Children's Service or plan to bring your own babysitter (over 16 years of age), and use the Family Lounge. Children will not be permitted in the Family Lounge without an adult family member or a 16-year-old babysitter.

For more details about High Holiday Services, please click here to view the September Shofar (in Adobe Acrobat)

Social Action News

You can make a difference in the lives of at-risk Hartford area school children by becoming a Hartford Jewish Coalition for Literacy (HJCL) reading mentor. Please call the Hartford Jewish Coalition for Literacy (HJCL) at 236-READ or email hjcl@jewishhartford.org for more information. ****************************************** Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a Holocaust denier who has threatened to wipe Israel off the map and whose regime has brutally repressed protestors challenging his recent re-election, is scheduled to be at the United Nations in New York on Thursday, September 24. On that day, as Ahmadinejad addresses the UN General Assembly, thousands of Americans will join together outside the UN to rally for human rights and an end to Iran’s nuclear program at the “Stand for Freedom in Iran Rally.” RSVP to Jo LaRocco at the JCRC (727-6169 or jlarocco@jewishhartford). ****************************************** Our annual Yom Kippur Food Drive is just about to kick off. Make sure to pick up your bag (so generously donated by Fitzgerald’s) at all Rosh Hashanah services on Saturday, September 19. The “Gifts of Love” truck will be available on Yom Kippur to collect the food.

Sisterhoood Events

Sisterhood Book Group News:

Our next meeting will be on October 29th at 7:30 PM at Linda Levine's home in West Hartford. The book to be discussed is The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit: A Jewish Family's Exodus from Old Cairo to the New World by Lucette Lagnado. Our book discussion group is open to all Temple women. You are welcome to come to learn about the group even if you have not read the book. The group is informal and varies in size each month.

In November, we will host an evening with an author. Local author Virginia Hale will come to discuss her book A Woman in Business: The Life of Beatrice Fox Auerbach. This event will be open to all Temple and community members. More information will be available soon.

Pay Your Dues by November 1 and join us for a Fun Sisterhood Dinner Out

Join us for dinner and tea cup auction at Tower Ridge Country Club on Sunday, November 1 at 5:30 pm! More details to follow soon.

Saturday Morning Service

The first lay-led Shabbat Morning Worship Service this year will be held on October 3, at 9:00 am in the Sukkah (weather permitting). Join us for a short prayer service, a lively discussion, Kaddish and Kiddush. This is a lovely way to participate in a unique Shabbat event, and become acquainted with other synagogue members in an intimate setting. Come and share the experience!

Chai Center Happenings

The Bible, With Rabbi Howard Herman, Mondays, October 5, 12, 19, 26
1:30 – 2:30 pm at FVJC-Emek Shalom

What can we learn from our ancestors that we don't already know and is the Torah is relevant to us in the 21st century? Join us for weekly study and discussion about the bible from a human point of view - character study of biblical personalities, family relationships and dynamics, as well as events to see what modern wisdom we can gain from ancient texts. For more information please contact Edie Offenhartz at 693-0155 or zediezed@comcast.net.

Shabbat Shenannigans – Sukkot Style, Friday, October 9, 1:00 – 2:15 pm

At a private home in Simsbury – location provided upon RSVP

Other dates include November 13, December 4

Bring the kids to our once a month Jewish themed playgroups that include crafts, stories, songs and a holiday themed snack. This Sukkot playgroup is co-sponsored by the Young Emissaries and the Commission on Jewish Education and Leadership. Please RSVP to Elana at emacgilpin@jewishhartford.org or 677-1235 by October 8. Fee $5 per family.

Fall Family Fun Day, Sunday, October 18, 2:00 – 3:30 pm, The Pickin’ Patch, Nod Road, Avon

A wonderful opportunity to celebrate the fall season and to come learn more about what the Jewish Federation does for our community. Admission is free – enjoy hayrides and fall refreshments! RSVP to Elana MacGilpin at 677-1235 or emacgilpin@jewishhartford.org.

Jewish Beginnings – Resources for New Parents, Tuesday, October 20, 7:00 pm, At Avon Wellness Center (Healtrax), Suite 205, Simsbury Road, Avon

This program offers Jewish parents-to-be a spiritual, ritual and emotional support network for welcoming a Jewish child into the community. Learn about options concerning Brit Milah (bris), Simchat Bat (naming ceremonies) and Jewish community resources. Co-sponsored by Chai and the Hartford Hospital's Women's Health Services. Please call Elana at 677-1235 or emacgilpin@jewishhartford.org to register.

Greater Hartford Jewish Community Happenings

Alice Hoffman at the Mandell JCC Jewish Book Festival, Wednesday, September 23, 7:00 pm, Mandell JCC, West Hartford

Alice Hoffman is the New York Times Bestselling author of 18 novels, two books of short fiction and eight books for young adults. Here on Earth was an Oprah Book Club selection and Practical Magic and Aquamarine were bestsellers and Hollywood films. Tickets are $40 and include a hard cover copy of The Story Sisters, her new novel about three Long Island sisters coming of age. For more information and to purchase tickets log onto www.mandelljcc.org, 231-6316 or tickets@mandelljcc.org.