The Rabbinical Assembly recently circulated the following letter to members of the Masorti/Conservative Movement regarding a important bill in the Israeli Knesset which affects conversion.  Please click on Read More to see the entire letter

This week's Torah reading concludes the book of Exodus, and what a bang-up ending it turns out to be! Although people who are following along might have snoozed a bit the past few weeks as we've been reading the details of the construction of the tabernacle (mishkan) and all its appurtenances, this week we see the massive payoff. Our reading begins with the completion of everything: the priestly garments, the tent, the altars, the table for the challah that was constantly on display in the tabernacle, the annointing oil, etc., etc., etc. (As Yul Boccursrynner would say).

Then Moses "blesses" them and the entire structure and apparatus is completed; the date given is the first day of the first month in the second year of leaving Egypt (1st of Nissan, 2 weeks before Passover, on the one year anniversary of the Exodus). Each part is put into place, every hinge and hook is assembled. The entire "melacha" (special word for work, used elsewhere in reference to the types of work not allowed to us on shabbat) was completed. So far so straightforward. (Please Click Read More for the entirety of Rabbi Bockman's D'Var Torah)

New York Jewish Week recently featured our very own HVK-USY Chapter.  Go to http://www.thejewishweek.com/viewArticle/c36_a18077/News/New_York.html to see a copy of the article.

Sunday, March 21 at First Hebrew Congregation, Peekskill

KADIMA (5:00 - 7:00 p.m.)  and USY (7:00 - 9:00 p.m.) - Celebrate the upcoming Passover holiday the HVKUSY way…with chocolate covered matzah and a Rugrats Passover!

Spring is undoubtedly in the air and on the calendar. And what is spring without a good round of spring cleaning! CJC is certainly in need of some sprucing up, and we will begin by cleaning the kitchen and adjacent areas for Passover on consecutive Sunday mornings - March 21 and 28. Volunteers are welcome and needed, so please come to work out that spring cleaning urge, and to learn more about the laws and customs of Passover as well. See Read More for Details!