Rabbi’s Message
Posted under: 
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
Rabbi’s Message
Come and Celebrate ISRAEL this Shabbat!
Dear Friends,
Last week with the observance of Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, we recalled, both during a special Hebrew school service and our congregational Shabbat worship, the darkest of chapters known to our people and humanity as a whole.
Indeed, the impact of the Holocaust has profoundly changed Jewish life for all of us.
And yet, while the world reeled in the atrocities, the greatest of miracles for the Jewish people came to be: the birth of Medinat Yisra'el, the modern State of Israel. Without question, the return to our Jewish homeland has been the most powerful event to have taken place for our people in 2,000 years.
This Shabbat, in a service for all ages, we will rejoice with special liturgy, song and the bright sounds of the GRS Band, our "Miracle on the Mediterranean."
Come be a part of it, as we recall the history and experience the delight of Yom Ha'Atzma'ut, Israel Independence Day, together!
B'rina – with joy,
Rabbi Andy
Rabbi’s Message
Yom HaShoah Commemoration at GRS
Dear Friends,
Please join us for our GRS Erev Shabbat – Yom HaShoah Commemoration on Friday, April 20th, at 6:30pm as members, Jim and Wendy Schreiber, speak about their spearheading of the Auschwitz Jewish Community Center. This museum, synagogue, and center for study stands on the grounds of the former concentration and death camps of Auschwitz and Birkenau, housed in the Polish town of Oswiecim where Jews had lived and thrived for over 500 years.
Since the creation of the center, through Wendy's efforts, the Schreibers have instituted key programs in which select cadet and midshipmen from West Point, the Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy experience intensive Holocaust training, first in the United States and ultimately in Poland. As Jim has articulated, "Most importantly, this program coincides with major efforts at these academies to teach these young officers that if America is to be a force for good in the world, its armed forces must have a moral center."
Prior to her recent passing, our GRS matriarch, Phyllis Schreiber, had made plans to sponsor the Oneg Shabbat for this evening. It would, indeed, mean a great deal to the entire Schreiber family for all to come and hear Jim and Wendy share their most compelling story.
I look forward to sharing this meaningful service with you.
B'Shalom,
Rabbi Andy
Rabbi Andrew R. Sklarz, MA, MSW, RJE
Rabbi’s Message
Remember when we were slaves in Egypt…
Dear Friends,
While we are all eagerly preparing for our celebration of Pesach, let us ever be conscious of Judaism's call that in our moments of celebration, we must ever consider those less fortunate than ourselves.
In the process of our shopping, cooking and preparing to travel for Passover, let us make certain to bring non-perishable foods to GRS to deliver to those at Neighbor to Neighbor!
Wishing all a joyous Pesach,
b'Shalom,
Rabbi Andy
Rabbi Andrew R. Sklarz, MA, MSW, RJE
Rabbi’s Message
Be a Part of Our Passover Seder
b'Shalom,
Rabbi Andrew R. Sklarz, MA, MSW, RJE
Rabbi’s Message
Moments That Touch Our Hearts
Dear Friends,
When you read this column, I will be in Boston with my Reform rabbinic colleagues at the annual CCAR (Central Conference of American Rabbis) convention. However, I wanted to share a most meaningful experience that I had this past Shabbat.
Rabbi Andrew R. Sklarz, MA, MSW, RJE
Rabbi’s Message
Dear Friends,
Each year, everything at GRS just gets better and better, and our Purim service was certainly no exception.
This year, our celebration was enhanced by two – yes two, special Purim shpiels.
In the spirit of this year's Academy Award winner for Best Picture, The Artist, our talented adult thespians acted out silently, although with some impromptu dialogue, the Megillah. Needless to say, it was a most creative and fun-filled dramatic production.
Immediately following, our talented GRS teens took their places in a skit that focused on what happened to the Purim characters after the end of the Megillah and culminated in the realization that a giant hamantaschen had been absconded (which led to a hamantaschen hunt for all kids at the end of the service).
Furthering our excitement was a parade of costumes and gifts galore made possible through the anonymous donation of one of our many generous GRS congregants. In fact, through the kindness of our donors and our very own GRS costume seamstress, Judy Rayner, costumes were provided for those who forgot to bring their own! Of course, prizes were given to all!
Now that we have fulfilled the mitzvah of Purim, stay tuned for Pesach at GRS!
The excitement of life at GRS continues…
B'rinah - with joy,
Rabbi Andy
Rabbi’s Message
LAST STAGE CALL!!
Dear Friends,
No Purim is ever complete without a Purim shpiel – a play of the Megillah (story of Purim). But a shpiel needs actors! We've gotten a few volunteers, but we would love more involvement! There will be no memorization of lines, as narrators will be on hand for those who are shy to speak. We also will not need much rehearsal time for us to present a short, entertaining re-enactment of the Purim story. Adult or kids who are interested, please contact Erin at erin@grs.org.
Also for the Purim shpiel, children and adult costumes are needed, including dress-up clothing, funny hats, glasses, and masks.
Costumes for boys/men are especially needed.
Thank you!
Rabbi Andy
Rabbi Andrew R. Sklarz, MA, MSW, RJE
Rabbi’s Message
Dear Friends,
Thanks to all of you, last Shabbat's New Member Consecration and dinner
were amazing!
AND NOW for somthing
COMPLETELY DIFFERENT…
This Erev Shabbat, Friday, February, 10 at 6:30 pm, our service will take place arround the dinner table for our Tu B'Shevat seder.
In the tradition, Passover, with Haggadah in hand,
we will experience the first signs of spring in the land of Israel. Together we will celebrate the bounty of the earth, with rituals including white and red wine (or grape juice for children) and special fruits, native to Israel and welcome Shabbat, all at the dinner table in the social hall.
Of course, Cantor Lipton and I will provide an opportunity for both the Mi Shebeirach, the prayer for healing, and the recitation of Kaddish.
Bring your favorite winter comfort food, and enjoy the warmth of family and friends on Shabbat. Israeli style foods are certainly in order! Please contact Shelly Kaplan at kaplanhouse22@yahoo.com to let her know what you would like to contribute.
Rabbi Andrew R. Sklarz, MA, MSW, RJE
Rabbi’s Message
Dear Friends,
While every Family Shabbat is replete with ruach – spirit, song, birthday blessings, not to mention our wonderful pot-luck dinners full of child-friendly activities, this coming Shabbat, February 3, 2012, will mark the second GRS NEW MEMBER CONSECRATION – a welcoming of all new members!
Together, we will formally honor our new members as they come up to the bima for a special ceremony. Yet, beyond the pageantry, the key ingredient is YOU! Come meet and greet the newest gifts to GRS, as we expand and deepen our temple family.
Please RSVP to Louise Salzer at salzerhouse@aol.com to let her know what you will be bringing to our dinner.
Let us share the warmth,
Rabbi Andy
Rabbi Andrew R. Sklarz, MA, MSW, RJE
Upcoming Events
- May 19, 2012 10:00 amCynthia Crispino Bat Mitzvah
- May 20, 2012 9:30 amReligious School Mitzvah Day!
- May 20, 2012 10:30 amAdult Ed with Rabbi Rothman
- May 20, 2012 2:00 pmShavuot Seder at Greenwich Woods
- May 24, 2012 7:30 pmBoard Meeting
- May 25, 2012 6:30 pmShabbat Service