Rabbi’s Message
Posted under: 
Temple Youth of Greenwich Reform Synagogue (TYGRS) Announces Elected Officers for 2012-2013
Dear Friends,
TYGRS is a vital part of our GRS family, and the momentum is indeed growing! Our devoted teens continue to make an impact upon our congregation and our community, and they are now venturing out into the greater Reform world. I am delighted to welcome our incoming TYGRS Board, President Daniella (Dani) Sklarz; Co-Vice Presidents, Josh Ford and Matt Kramer; Secretary, Isa Goldberg; and Treasurer, Noah Freeman.
Over the last number of years, TYGRS has organized our High Holiday Food Drive, Purim carnival/programs, weekly bagel sales, as well as joining with me to visit residents of local nursing homes, and serving food at the soup kitchen of the Hebrew Union College in New York. I am delighted to add that over the past year, the scope of TYGRS has greatly increased as a result of our growing relationship with NFTY (North American Federation of Temple Youth of the Union for Reform Judaism). During this past year, incoming president, Dani Sklarz, experienced four weeks in Israel with Reform Jewish teens from across the country with NFTY in Israel and attended the URJ Biennial in Washington DC, and the NFTY-NAR (New York Area Region) Social Justice Day with outgoing president, Emma Freeman. This summer, Dani will further her involvement with NFTY at Camp Kutz, the URJ leadership training camp for teens. Dani has expressed her desire to more fully integrate the mission of NFTY into TYGRS and see our members join with her on regional and national events.
I cannot emphasize how meaningful, enjoyable, and special Reform Jewish youth group and camping experiences are. I urge all of our youth from grades 8-12 to become a part of TYGRS. For further information, please speak to Dani or me.
B'Shalom,
Rabbi Andy
Rabbi Andrew R. Sklarz, MA, MSW, RJE
Rabbi’s Message
End of Religious School 2011-2012
Dear Friends,
This week brings our 2011-2012 Religious and Hebrew School programs to a close. As with the end of each school year, I am feeling a host of bittersweet emotions; delight with all that has taken place and sadness as special friends prepare to leave GRS.
This year we will say L'hitra'ot – Au Revoir to some very dear friends, including TYGRS President Emma Freeman, our graduating seniors, and sh'lichim or emissaries, Aviram Spies and Liron Yamin. We will also say Shalom to a woman who has worn a great many hats in GRS during the past three years as 6th grade teacher, TYGRS Advisor, Religious School Coordinator and Assistant to Executive Director, Stephanie Glaser, and myself, our beloved Erin Thomas.
We wish Erin only much happiness as she moves to New York to work at Central Synagogue and in her engagement to Chris Bouchard.
We are filled with joy with all that our dear friends have accomplished and brought to GRS and extend a hearty Mazal Tov as they embark upon the next chapters in their lives. Most of all, we need to rejoice over a wonderful year for our students, teachers and religious school aides, marked by learning, meaningful experiences, and of course, a great deal of fun. I personally thank each and every one of you for all you have shared with our GRS family.
Our school year will culminate with a day of mitzvot and celebration. From 9:30-10:45am parents are invited to join their children for Mitzvah Day, and at 10:45am, we will have an end-of-year assembly in which we will formally honor our teachers, school aides, and emissaries. The morning will conclude with a lunch for all catered by Whole Foods.
I look forward to celebrating with all!
Rabbi Andy
Rabbi Andrew R. Sklarz, MA, MSW, RJE
2nd & 3rd Grade Family Shabbat
Please join us as our 2nd and 3rd graders help lead our Erev Shabbat Family Service, followed by an Oneg Shabbat generously sponsored by the 2nd & 3rd grade parents and the Horowitz Family, in honor of Tate becoming a Bat Mitvah.
Shavuot/Confirmation Shabbat Service
Please join Rabbi Sklarz and Cantor Lipton in supporting the Confirmation Class at the Shavuot/Confirmation Shabbat Service on June 1 at 6:30pm. This will be a very meaningful service with a special Shavuot dairy Oneg Shabbat.
We will also hear the beautify voices of our B'nai Shir choir.
Adult Ed Seminar: The Disparity Between Haves and Have-Nots
Please join us as GRS congregant, Marv Berenblum, leads a seminar on Sunday, May 6 at 10:30am.
THE DISPARITY BETWEEN HAVES AND HAVE-NOTS – A CHALLENGE TO OUR TRADITIONAL FORM OF DEMOCRACY
The downward pressure on socio-economic mobility threatens the very essence of our democracy which relies on equal opportunity for all.
Family Shabbat & Pot-Luck Dinner
As this is the first Shabbat of the month, we would like to invite you to a Family Shabbat Service, followed by a pot-luck dinner and an Oneg Shabbat generously sponsored by Linda & Ken Wiltsek in honor of the babynaming of their granddaughter, Ellie Jacquelyn Stroum, "Chanah Leah Chaia".
If you would like to stay for dinner, please RSVP to Louise Salzer at salzerhouse@aol.com.
April and May birthdays will be called to the bimah for a special blessing, and B'nai Shir will be singing.