Yom Hazikaron/Yom Ha’atzmaut Events at YMHA Union Includes Concert From “The Maccabeats”

Union—The YM-YWHA of Union County, with the support of the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest, and generous donations from the Halpern & Kramer families, are pleased to announce the events for Yom Hazikaron/Yom Ha’atzmaut. Under the direction of Maor Tiri, community shlichiah, there will be a Yom Hazikaron ceremony, with readings from Yeshiva students and divrei Torah from community Rabbis, and a performance by the JEC choir under the musical direction of Mrs.Chana Solomon. There will also be a video presentation in memory of the soldiers and Israeli citizens who were killed during the past year.

An Israeli crafts room will be available for children ages 3-10 and Israeli food will be available for purchase, courtesy of Jerusalem Restaurant. Several Israeli vendors will be selling speciality items in the lobby area as well.

Doors open at 5:30 pm for food and shopping, the program begins promptly at 6:30pm, and the Maccabeats (Yom Ha’atzmaut) concert will start at 7:45pm. There is no admission fee but the Y will be collecting tzedakah for various Israeli causes and charities.

The Y is located at 501 Green Lane in Union. For more information, call 908-289-8112.

RTMA to Host Siyum Mishnayot at the JEC Annual Gala

RTMA@60 is the theme of JEC’s annual gala, taking place on June 17. There will be two special initiatives celebrating RTMA@60.

The first of these programs is a Siyum Mishnayot, which will take place at the JEC’s June 17 dinner. The opportunity to be part of the Siyum celebrating RTMA@60 is being extended to students of the Jewish Educational Center, parents, rebbeim, alumni, and members of the broader JEC community and beyond. Don’t miss the chance to celebrate RTMA’s history through participation in this special initiative. Sign up today to learn a Masechta of Mishnah, which will also be acknowledged at the dinner. To sign up, visit RTMA.theJEC.org.

The second event will be the first-ever “RTMA’s Got Talent” program, open to all JEC middle and high school students. Details to come.

Congregation Etz Chaim to Host Community-Wide Yom Ha’atzmaut/Yom Hazikaron Program Featuring Malcolm Hoenlein

On Wednesday, April 22 at 6:45pm, Congregation Etz Chaim will host a Yom HaZikaron Observance and Yom Ha’Atzmaut Celebration. The evening will begin with mincha at 6:45, followed by live music, refreshments and maariv, with special programming for children ages 3 and up.

The featured speaker will be Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations. He has written and lectured across the US and abroad on international relations, Israel and Middle East affairs, Soviet and World Jewry, terrorism, the American Jewish community, and intergroup relations. He will speak on “Learning the Lessons of History: Understanding the World in Which We Live.”

Congregation Etz Chaim is located at 1 Lafayette Road, Livingston.

JKHA/RKYHS to Host Amon Goeth’s Granddaughter

On Tuesday, April 28, at 7 p.m., JKHA/RKYHS will host author Jennifer Teege as she discusses her memoir “My Grandfather Would Have Shot Me: A Black Woman Discovers Her Family’s Nazi Past.” The novel chronicles the crisis she faced at age 38, when she discovered that her grandfather was none other than the notorious Nazi commandant Amon Goeth, who was made infamous by actor Ralph Fiennes in “Schindler’s List.” She will be discussing the ways in which this discovery affected her sense of identity and the ways the Holocaust continues to affect contemporary life. She will be introduced by Kushner parent Wayne Zuckerman. All are welcome.

JCC MetroWest to Hold ‘Amazing Alliance’ for Families

On Sunday, April 26 from 10-11:30am, the JCC MetroWest will hold its first ‘Amazing Alliance,’ a spirit-packed event for children ages 4 and 5 and their families. The children will team up with a parent and compete against other parent/child alliances in a spirit-filled, agility-skilled sports contest. Form new friendships while strengthening muscles and the bond between you and your child. $5/parent-child team in advance & $10 at door upon availability.

To register or for more information, please contact Sherri Feldscher at 973-530-3425 or [email protected].