PLAZA PRESSPLAZA PRESSPLAZA PRESSPLAZA PRESS The Newsletter for Jewish Federation Plaza

Shavu’ot

Shavu'ot, the Festival of Weeks, is the second of the three major festivals with both historical and agricultural significance. The other two are Passover and Sukkot. Agriculturally, it commemorates the time when the first fruits were harvested and brought to the Temple, and is known as Hag ha-Bikkurim (the Festival of the First Fruits). Historically, it celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, and is also known as Hag Matan Torateinu (the Festival of the Giving of Our Torah). The period from Passover to Shavu'ot is a time of great anticipation. We count each of the days from the second day of Passover to the day before Shavu'ot, 49 days or 7 full weeks, hence the name of the festival. The counting reminds us of the important connection between Passover and Shavu'ot: Passover freed us physically from bondage, but the giving of the Torah on Shavu'ot redeemed us spiritually from our bondage to idolatry and immorality. Shavu'ot is also known as Pentecost, because it falls on the 50th day. However, Shavu'ot has no particular similarity to the Christian holiday of Pentecost, which occurs 50 days after the Spring holiday.

It is noteworthy that the holiday is called the time of the giving of the Torah, rather than the time of the receiving of the Torah. The sages point out that we are constantly in the process of receiving the Torah, that we receive it every day, but it was first given at this time. Thus it is the giving, not the receiving, that makes this holiday most significant.

Shavu'ot is not tied to a particular calendar date, but to a counting from Passover. Because the length of the months used to be variable, determined by observation. There are two new moons between Passover and Shavu'ot. Shavu'ot could occur on the 5th or 6th of Sivan. However, now that we have a mathematically determined calendar, and the months between Passover and Shavu'ot do not change length, Shavu'ot is always on the 6th of Sivan (the 6th and 7th outside of Israel. Work is not permitted during Shavu'ot. It is customary to stay up the entire first night to study Torah, then pray as early as possible in the morning.

Some feel it is also customary to eat a dairy meal once during Shavu'ot as a reminder of the promise regarding the land of Israel, a land flowing with "milk and honey." Others feel that dairy is eaten as a result of Torah dietary laws.

Celebrating June

Shavu’ot June 4-5

Adopt-a-Cat Month

National Soul Food Month

International Men’s Month

Sun Safety Week June 1–7

Automotive Service Professionals Week

June 9–15

Watermelon Seed Spitting Week

June 26–29

Tailors Day June 4

Doughnut Days

June 6–7

Father’s Day June 15

Day of the Seafarer June 25

June 2014

Double-Dog Dare Ya

We double-dog dare you to celebrate Dare Day on June 1. While it would never be advisable to accept a dare to jump off the Brooklyn Bridge, it is always appropriate to dare to be great. U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt said, “Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure... than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.” The first step in daring to be great is to have a positive attitude and let go of any fear of failure. It may be true that society largely judges us on our outcomes, whether we succeed or fail at work or at home, when instead we should all be measured by the fortitude of our character. No matter the outcome of taking a risk, dare, or endeavor, as long as you stay self-confident and maintain self-love, then great things are possible.

JCHC President’s Summit

May 14, 2014: Jewish Federation Plaza hosted the quarterly president summit and luncheon. The presidents of the JCHC communities tenant associations shared resident initiated programs that have been implemented, such as the Yahrzeht Books at Lester, Vision and Voices Art Show at Plaza, the Memorial Contribution fund at B’nai B’rith ;and the New Resident Welcome program at Village. The residents received a tour of the newly renovated dining room. Mitchell Goldberg, Regional Dining Director and his team provided the summer luncheon meal, ending with a delicious cake.

Join Us for an Evening of Join Us for an Evening of Join Us for an Evening of Join Us for an Evening of Song and Celebration Song and Celebration Song and Celebration Song and Celebration

Leil Shirah Leil Shirah Leil Shirah Leil Shirah The JCHC Choral Group, comprised of

seniors from The Lester Senior Housing Community

and Jewish Federation Plaza, will perform a selection of songs to

celebrate spring.

Director- Ronnie Weinstein

Location: Jewish Federation Plaza Dining Room 750 Northfield

Avenue West Orange, NJ 07052 Time: 7:30 pm

Date: June 12, 2014

Reception to follow immediately after concert

Our chorus, the singers of JCHC, has been

in existence for over 25 years. Many

residents have participated over the years-

well over 500 voices in total. For all those

who participate, it is an experience of music

and friendship and fun. Our chorus has

been the featured entertainment at the

Jewish Community Housing Annual

Meeting every year in June. We are a proud

joyful group of women and men. Enjoy! Kvell! Sing along!

Sponsored by the Jewish Community Housing Corporation of Metropolitan New Jersey

Manager's Corner

June 2014 Dear Residents, June is a month that is always filled with happy occasions such as graduations, weddings and of course Father’s Day. This month we will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Choral Group. We will be having a wonderful program featuring songs sung by our very own chorus. Everyone is invited to attend on June 12th at 7:30 pm in the dining room. It promises to be a beautiful evening for all. We will also be celebrating the holiday of Shavuot, there will be services held in the recreation room and special meals will be served in honor of the holiday. Wishing you all a good month. Fondly, Freyda

In the Neighborhood By Sandye Garrison Hi Everyone,

We are so glad that everyone enjoyed our “Mother’s/Father’s Day Celebration”.

Next up is the June 10th instillation of officers. The event will take place at 7:30 p.m. There will be a general tenants meeting followed by the swearing in of Tenants Association Officers, after which all will enjoy a yummy dessert. I want to thank Gert Freeman for the spectacular lunch. She truly delivered! We hope that she has a chance to revive herself before our next fun filled event. Both Gert and I want to thank the hospitality volunteers: Elaine Botterman, Esther Torres, Norma Tooter and Carole Golden.

GREAT JOB! If you haven’t attended Joan Bender’s Relaxation and Meditation Group it’s not too late. The next session is June 3rd at 7:00 p.m. sharp. There will be another session on June 17th. All are welcome to attend.

Kudos to Joan! She is sooooooooooooooo calming.

Bubbes Bazaar will take place on Sunday July 13 in the dining room and on the patio. You will receive a list of appropriate items to donate next week.

See Ya, Sandye

Happy June Birthday

KLEINERT, DOROTHY 6/02 RUBIN, NATHAN 6/03 OPPENHEIMER, HERBERT 6/09 UMANSKY, SARAH 6/10 GEWIRTZ, BEATRICE 6/10 GREENBERG, BEATRICE 6/14 FRANK, ILSE 6/20 CAROBRESE, JOSEPH 6/23 GOLDFARB, SALLY 6/25 GOLDBERG, IRENE 6/25 KLEINMAN, MAX 6/29

Children from Iris Berman pre-school

made challah and sang for Plaza residents.

Resident Lina Bliner’s grandson performed

with his classmates.

Upcoming Events

• Meditation & Relaxation • Tinton Falls Outlets • Homecare by Bayada Homecare • Today & Walking Club • Traveling Stage: Live Peformance

The Life & Times of Nelly Bly • Choral Group Concert &

Reception • Turtle Back Zoo or Swan Boats &

Picnic • Art on the Promenade • Book Club • Gamefest • Rabbi Polansky Study Group • NY Botanical Gardens • Hirschhorn presents: Art with

Judy Ebright • Woodridge Mall, Boscov’s &

Wegmans And much more. Please be sure to check your calendar for dates and times of each event.

Plaza residents enjoyed the Kid’s Cookies and

Concert event during the month of May.

Kid’s Cookie’s n’ Concerts featuring children

from Temple Emanu-El.

Residents and children played games together.

Life-Long Learning Program takes place at Plaza

on Wednesdays.

Life-Long learning participants learn and benefit

from each session.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

WISHES

To: Alyce Atkins

From: Marlene Hyatt

Linda Israel

Dolores Lederman

Helen Mandel

To: Marlene Hyatt

From: Marion Brod

Elaine Botterman

Rachelle Chriss

Dolores Lederman

Helen Mandel

Ilse Frank

Marlene Mankoff

Aggie & Clara Beckerman

To: Helen Mandel

From: Marion Brod

Elaine Botterman

Rachelle Chriss

Dolores Lederman

Marlene Hyatt

Ilse Frank

Marlene Mankoff

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

To: Rachelle Chriss

From: Elaine Botterman

Dolores Lederman

Helen Mandel

Marlene Hyatt

Ilse Frank

Marlene Mankoff

GET WELL WISHES

To: Ilse Frank

From: Miriam Lateiner

MAZEL TOV

To:

Sophie Lubka

on her great grandson's

Bar Mitvah

From: Miriam Lateiner

To: Marion Brod

on the birth of her

great grandson

From: Marlene Hyatt

Dolores Lederman

Helen Mandel

Rachelle Chriss

Ilse Frank

To: Maria Pecello

on her son Nino's

marriage to Illiana

From: Rachelle Chriss

To: Josephine Chan

on her grandson's

Bar Mitvah.

MAZEL TOV

To:

Sophie Lubka

on the graduation

of her granddaughter

and the Bar Mitzvah

of her great grandson.

From: Sarah Levitt

To: Carol Sziklay

on her

granddaughter's

marriage

From: Renee Levy

Dolores Lederman

Helen Mandel

Miriam Lateiner

To: Judy Solomon

on her

granddaughter's graduation

From: Renee Levy

Carol Sziklay

To: Myra Jast

on her grandson's

Bar Mitzvah

From: Miriam Lateiner

THANK YOU

To:

Sandye Garrison

Sandye and her crew

for the wonderful

Mothers Day/Fathers Day

Brunch

It was wonderful!

From: Helen Boll

To: Sandye Garrison

A big thank you to Sandye

Garison

and her crew for the wonderful

Mothers Day Fathers Day

Brunch

From: Doris Markowitz

LIBRARY DONATIONS

From:

Helen Boll

Josephine Chan

Sarah Moskowitz

Barbara Palin

Norma Tooter

Florence Widelitz

CONDOLENCE

To: Jay Cantor and family

for the loss of the beloved

Aunt Sophie Gottlieb

From: Marlene Hyatt

Thelma Gottlieb

Dolores Lederman

Helen Mandel

To: Barbara Weisman

on the loss of her

beloved husband Robert.

From: Marlene Mankoff

To: Dolores Delane

on the loss of her

beloved husband Moisha

From: Ilse Frank

To: Crystiana

on the loss of her beloved father

From: Ilse Frank

Dolores Lederman

To: Richard Weiss

on the loss of his beloved father

From: Gert Freeman

Tenant Association’s

Mothers/Fathers Day Brunch Photo Gallery

June 2014 PLAZA Calendar is subject to change

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday

Thursday Friday Saturday

1 11:00

BRUNCH

2:00 MOVIE

2 10:15 TOWN BUS

11:45 JCC Two on Tap Program

11:30 TAI CHI

7:30 BINGO

3 11:00

EXERCISE 2:00 CURRENT

EVENTS

6:00 LIBRARY

7:00 Meditation

& Relaxation

4

Shavuot, 1st Day Office Closed

9:00 am Services

5

Shavuot, 2ndDay

Office Closed

9:00 am Services

6 9:00 SHOPRITE

10:00

SHOPRITE

1:00 ONEG

SHABBAT

7 9:00 SHABBAT

SERVICE

11:00 KIDDUSH

7:00 MOVIE

8 11:00

BRUNCH

2:00 MOVIE

9 10:15 TOWN

BUS

10:45 Tinton Falls Outlets 11:30 TAI CHI

7:30 BINGO

10 11:00 EXERCISE

1:00 Homecare by Bonnie Caterson RN from Bayada Homecare

2:00 CURRENT

EVENTS

6:00 LIBRARY

11 10:45 Essex Green 11:00 Move Today

& Walking Club 1:30 CHORAL

GROUP

7:30 BINGO

12 11:00 Exercise 2:00 Traveling Stage-Nelly Bly (Sharon Moran) 7:30: Choral Group Performance

13 9:00 SHOPRITE

10:00

SHOPRITE

1:00 ONEG

SHABBAT

14 9:00 SHABBAT

SERVICE

11:00 KIDDUSH

7:00 MOVIE

15 Father’s Day 11:00

BRUNCH

2:00 MOVIE

16 10:15 TOWN

BUS

11:30 TAI CHI

7:30 BINGO

17 11:00

EXERCISE

2:00 CURRENT

EVENTS

6:00 LIBRARY

7:00 Meditation

& Relaxation

18 10:45 Livingston & Shorthills Mall 11:00 Move Today

& Walking Club 1:30 CHORAL

GROUP

7:30 BINGO

19 10:45 Turtle Back Zoo or Swan Boats & Picnic Area 11:00 Exercise 2:00 Art on the Promenade 7:30 Book Club

20 9:00 SHOPRITE

10:00

SHOPRITE

1:00 ONEG

SHABBAT

21 1st Day of Summer 9:00 SHABBAT

SERVICE

11:00 KIDDUSH

7:00 MOVIE

22 11:00

BRUNCH

2:00 MOVIE

Gamefest after Movie

23 10:15 TOWN

BUS

10:45 Walmart & Christmas Tree Shop, Rt 22 11:30 TAI CHI

7:30 BINGO

24 11:00

EXERCISE

1:15 Rabbi Study Group

2:00 CURRENT

EVENTS

6:00 LIBRARY

7:00 CEO Chat

25 11:00 Move Today

& Walking Club 1:30 CHORAL

GROUP

7:30 BINGO

26 TBA: NY Botanical Gardens $18 seniors 11:00 Exercise 2:00 Hirschhorn “Art with Judy Ebright

27 9:00 SHOPRITE

10:00

SHOPRITE

1:00 ONEG

SHABBAT

28 9:00 SHABBAT

SERVICE

11:00 KIDDUSH

7:00 MOVIE

29 11:00

BRUNCH

2:00 MOVIE

30 10:15 TOWN

BUS

10:45 Woodbridge Mall, Boscov’s & Wegman’s 11:30 TAI CHI

7:30 BINGO