Rabbi’s message
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Dear Friends,
As we prepare to peacefully celebrate our bounty on Thanksgiving day, our hearts cannot help but be turned towards Israel. Too many lives have already been lost, and reports are coming forth of those who have been injured, both physically and emotionally, with the bombing of the bus, just hours ago, in Tel Aviv. How much this atrocity hit home, as I consider the countless bus rides I took during the years in which I studied in Israel.
As I write this column, Secretary of State Hilary Clinton is the Middle East in the hopes of brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza. But even if a ceasefire does come to fruition, how long will it endure? And will those who conspire against the very existence of our Jewish homeland ever come to accept Israel's right to exist?
The Iron Dome has intercepted scores of missiles from Gaza, as the trajectory has penetrated deep into Israel. Thank God, Israel's most sophisticated technology has averted countless tragedies thus far. However, the danger prevails no longer only upon those towns that border Gaza but into the marvelous modern "Mecca" if you will, of Tel Aviv, and the holy city, spiritual center to Jews, Christians and Moslems, our beloved Jerusalem.
As our Jewish tradition teaches, "to destroy a single life, is as if one has destroyed the entire world." Israeli or Palestinian, we are all the children of one God. When will the enmity cease? When will hostile forces who not only plot against Israel, but make their own people innocent victims and martyrs to their cause, be willing to listen to the voice of God?
This Thanksgiving, as we thank God for our blessings (and of course remember to generously share with those who lack all we take for granted every day) let us pray that the violence and hatred rampant in to many places throughout the world, will come to an end.
B'Shalom,
Rabbi Andy
Rabbi Andrew R. Sklarz, MA, MSW, RJE
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE PLANS FOR THANKSGIVING PLEASE CONTACT ME at rabbisklarz@grs.org.
Our family would be honored to have you join us!
With the goal of creating a GRS Memory Box, kindly send your photos, artifacts and personal pieces (in prose or poetry) which share significant moments in our history toDenise at denise@grs.org.
Rabbi’s Message
Congregational Life in Full Force! 
Dear Friends,
Congregational life calls for the nurturing of our souls through worship, education and social action. However, the glue that binds all, lies within the relationship between members. Last Saturday evening, thanks to the gracious hospitality of Jim and Wendy Schreiber, the tireless efforts of past president Helen Stark and Sisterhood president Pamela Toper,and under the auspices of the GRS Congregational Life Task Force Committee chaired by Cheryl Probst, a wonderful gathering of our GRS family, including new and prospective members took place. Although it was intended that the Summer Splash would include swimming, tennis and cocktails around the pool, Mother Nature had other plans. However, inclement weather could not put a damper on the GRS spirit as inside we all enjoyed delicious food, drinks, desserts and most of all one another.
Our evening drew to a close with the making of Havdallah, as we bid a farewell to Shabbat, and we owe a special thanks to Bob Stark for his accompaniment on the guitar.
How awesome it was as we stood arm in arm and shared this sacred moment together.
Yes, synagogue life must be grounded in Torah, but it is the fellowship of the members which brings Torah to life.
We look forward to you joining us for our upcoming events!
L'Shalom,
Rabbi Andy
Rabbi Andrew R. Sklarz, MA, MSW, RJE
Rabbi’s Message
TISHA B'AV SERVICE – A SOLEMN MOMENT IN TIME
This year our hearts are especially heavy as we recall the Israeli athletes who perished in the Munich Olympics forty years ago, the recent massacre of Israeli citizens in Bulgaria, and the atrocity which took place just days ago in Aurora.
Be with us for this solemn service in which we observe Shabbat, commemorate Tisha b'Av, and celebrate that Am Yisrael Chai – the Jewish People endures!
b'Shalom,
Rabbi Andy
Rabbi Andrew R. Sklarz, MA, MSW, RJE
Rabbi’s Message
Dear Friends,
Our incoming TYGRS president, Daniella Sklarz, is currently spending the summer at Kutz Camp in Warwick, New York. Kutz is our Union for Reform Judaism's Teen Leadership leadership camp and draws those involved in NFTY (North American Federation of Temple Youth) from across the continent for four weeks of intensive study and programs to enhance the temple youth group experience. While focusing on a selected major and on-going minors, studying Jewish values, participating in discussion with peers and a host of related activities, teen leaders develop a greater understanding of our Reform Movement and experience programs to bring to their home congregations. In addition, during a day in New York City, students visit the United Nations and the Israeli Consulate.
Each contact Dani makes with me is filled with such enthusiasm with what she is acquiring and plans to bring to GRS. Both Dani and I are so excited about the future of youth programming for our congregation.
For additional information about the URJ overnight camps for children and teens, please visit the URJ website at URJ.org.
L'Shalom,
Rabbi Andy
Rabbi Andrew R. Sklarz, MA, MSW, RJE
Rabbi’s Message
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
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