UJF and its partner agencies will Non-profit Organization 3 kick off Super Sunday season with U.S. POSTAGE PAID a Tailgate Party at the JCC. Permit # 184 Watertown, NY Chanukah celebrations and 4 events are announced; Ronnie Fein offers a holiday recipe. The Jewish High School of 15 Connecticut announced an introductory tuition of $18,500 for the 2015-2016 year. december 2014/kislev-tevet 5775 a publication of United jewish federation of Volume 16, Number 10 Greater Stamford, New Canaan and Darien Limmud NY Returns to “JM in the AM” Visits CAS Nachum Segal, an inter- sands of listeners through national celebrity in the Jew- their morning routine. Se- Stamford ish music and radio world gal’s passion for important Weekend Retreat Celebrates Jewish and the host of the “JM in causes and his longevity has the AM” Jewish music show, also propelled “JM in the AM” will visit Congregation Agu- to be regarded as the radio Learning Without Limits dath Sholom the weekend program of record in the Thanks to the success of last year’s one paid employee who facilitates of December 19-20, and Jewish world. His interviews event, Limmud NY is returning to the work of countless volunteers, speak three times at the regarding current events are Stamford, CT. who are empowered to oversee every congregation. considered must listen radio From Friday, February 13, to Sun- aspect of the event, beginning a year A graduate of Mesivta Nachum Segal, host for many in the community. day, February 16, more than 800 Jews, in advance and continuing on-site Ohr Torah of Riverdale of the “JM in the AM” He is widely known as one from the tri-state area and beyond, throughout the weekend. Limmud and Yeshiva College, Segal Jewish music show of the few people in radio to from infants to grandparents, of all NY’s goal is to be a participatory began his radio career at analyze and probe issues from affiliations – Reform, Conservative, event, a communal collaboration the Yeshiva University campus radio the perspective of the Jewish world. As Reconstructionist, Orthodox, secular, and a celebration of what is possible station WYUR in 1981. Segal launched a result, influential members of the post-denominational – will gather to when people work together. a Jewish music radio show, “JM in the political world – including political celebrate Jewish life for an extended “Limmud NY 2014 was such a AM,” in September 1983, and it has run leaders from America and Israel – have weekend retreat filled with text study, wonderful experience,” notes Ricky uninterrupted for more than 30 years. sought time on the air and joined Segal discussions, performances, meals, late- Arbron, United Jewish Federation of Segal’s presentation of music, news and in the studio. night jam sessions and opportunities to Greater Stamford, New Canaan and community events reaches tens of thou- See “CAS” on page 2 learn about themselves and each other. Darien’s vice president for educa- At Limmud NY, everyone is a teacher tion. “I am incredibly excited that this and everyone is a student. landmark event will be returning to “Limmud” is Hebrew for “learning” Stamford. Limmud NY’s spirit matches Securing Stamford’s Future and Limmud NY is devoted to Jewish perfectly our Federation’s belief in learning in every conceivable form, ‘better together.’” UJF Holds First Legacy Initiative from learning Torah to learning how Limmud NY will be held at the Stam- to make gefilte fish; from Middle East- ford Hilton Hotel and Executive Meet- Workshop for Community ern politics to Jewish Kirtan chanting; ing Center, right off Route 95 and less On October 19, volunteer and pro- “By developing brochures, templates from Refuseniks to slam poetry; from than a mile from the Stamford Metro fessional representatives from a dozen and a legacy information on its website, Schneerson to Seinfeld; from Kol Nidre North/Amtrak station. “Come with agencies and synagogues participated in UJF hopes to eliminate duplication of to klezmer. Limmud was founded in friends or come to meet new friends! the United Jewish Federation of Greater efforts around town and provide useful England in 1980; there are now more Bring your parents! Bring your kids to Stamford New Canaan and Darien’s first resources for the community.” than 80 Limmud affiliates around Camp Limmud! All are welcome!” said Legacy Initiative workshop. The work- In his welcome remarks at the the world. Sivya Twersky, Limmud NY president. shop was the first of many offerings UJF event, UJF CEO James Cohen noted Limmud NY runs on nearly 100 For registration information, go to will provide the community’s Jewish or- that, “This workshop is a milestone percent volunteer power. Limmud NY www.limmudny.org. There will be pro- ganizations to help them better execute in our effort to lead our community’s seeks to create community through gram-only options for local residents their own legacy planning. According conversation on this important subject. volunteering. Limmud NY has only See “Limmud” on page 2 to UJF Vice President Rebekah Raz, See “Future” on page 14 Family Adult Bits & Pieces 6 Candle 6 17 21 Voices & 22 UJF Annual 24 Lighting Central Education Views Meeting Mitzvah Madness Comes to Carmel Academy Carmel Academy’s sixth grade girls and their mothers prepared and served a meal at the Inspirica Women’s Homeless Shelter in Stamford. This was the first community service project the mothers and daughters completed as part of their year-long Mitzvah Madness program. See page 16 for article. 2 THE NEW JEWISH VOICE ■ DECEMBER 2014 december 2014 ■ THE NEW JEWISH VOICE 3 CEO Message COMMUNITY NEWS A Legacy Close to My Heart By James A Cohen shared this column space since I arrived at UJF a year and for their selfless commitment to the ideals Super Sunday Season Kicks Off with Tailgate Party One of the words heard often and a half ago, will finish her term as our president. for which UJF stands. The United Jewish Federation of Greater Stamford, spirit of a tailgate party. Light refreshments will be for children of all ages, including face painting, crafts at UJF’s offices of late is “legacy.” The time she has invested in this organization and We at UJF have much work ahead of us. Jews at New Canaan and Darien will join together with its served. The event will be free of charge. and sports-related games. People will have a chance As the pages of The New Jewish the caring for this community she has displayed are home, in Israel and around the world are still in partner agencies on Sunday, December 7, to hold The day’s activities will include a Chili Cook-off to visit booths and learn more about the agencies Voice have displayed, we have nothing short of remarkable. From the launching of need, still struggle to provide a meaningful Jewish the first Tailgate Party to kick off the Super Sunday sponsored by area kosher restaurants and caterers. and schools that are supported by UJF, highlighting launched The Herzl Initiative, the initiative described above, to leading the organi- life for their children or care for elderly parents. season. The event will be held from 1-3 pm outdoors People will have the opportunity to vote for their UJF’s theme of “Better Together.” designed to assist all our partner zation through governance, financial, fund-raising Some of us combat antisemitism regularly, while our at the Jewish Community Center sports court in the favorite chili. There will also be activities and games The Super Sunday coin program will also kick off and recipient agencies with their and marketing changes, to assisting with multiple brothers and sisters in Israel confront challenges at the Tailgate Party. In order to involve people of all legacy goals. Additionally, we will emergency campaigns, Shoshana has been an in- that have grown more complicated with the passage ages, children are asked to collect coins as part of the be honoring any legacy givers of valuable leader. The legacy of her term will be felt of time. I can think of no better way to honor the fund-raising efforts for Super Sunday. A container whom we are aware who have positively by our community for generations and for legacy of the volunteer leaders, who have given so JFS Cognitive Fitness Training will be given out at the event for them to start their made their intentions known to James Cohen, that I am personally grateful. much of themselves these past two and a half years, coin collection. Children will have the opportunity any Jewish organization at our UJF CEO Shoshana would be the first to point out that than to continue our work, to improve upon it and to bring in their coins on the day of Super Sunday December 10 annual meeting. This important legacy she did not lead in a vacuum. For the past two to continue to grow our Federation so that future Program Enlists First Volunteers and put them in the coin machine, which will then conversation, which UJF is very proud to lead, serves and a half years, the Executive Committee and generations will look back and thank us for not drop- By Lynn Saltz count the money they have collected. as a wonderful segue for me to shine the spotlight Board of Directors have worked tirelessly to do ping the ball. Under the guidance and stewardship Jewish Family Service kicked off the new at-home Chairing the Tailgate Party are Lael and Dani on one legacy in particular. right by UJF and our community as a whole.