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Coming Attractions

Friday, Feb. 5

The Highland Park Conservative Temple-Cong. Anshe Emeth. First Annual Sandor and Suzanne Gross Memorial Cantor-In-Residence Shabbaton The event, chaired by Fred and Lisa Morgan, will explore song, history and aspects of synagogue music and cantorial connections. Guest cantor will be Hazzan Henry Rosenblum, Dean of the H.L. Cantorial School and College of Jewish Music of the Jewish Theological Seminary. There is a charge for Shabbat dinner; other events are no cost and include Shabbat morning, Shabbat after Kiddush and Shabbat afternoon. 201 South Third Ave., Highland Park. Information, (732) 545-6482.

Congregation B'nai Jacob. Kathleen DiChiara, Executive Director/President of the Community Food Bank of New Jersey will be the featured speaker in our Kabbalat Shabbat Speaker Series. She will be disclosing important just released new information about hunger in America, in our state, and in our county. 176 West Side Ave., Jersey City. 8 p.m. Information, (201) 435-5725.

Saturday, Feb. 6

East Brunswick Jewish Center. Casino Night fundraiser offering Las Vegas style table games including a poker tournament with professional dealers. Food, drinks and music provided. Thousands of dollars of prizes! 511 Ryders Lane, East Brunswick. 8 p.m. Admission $59/singles and $118/couple includes dinner, two drinks, and money to play. Information, garymoss2@comcast.net or (732) 257-7070.

Temple Emanu-El. Bubbe Dinner. Come join us for those delicacies we remember from the kitchens of our mothers, grandmothers and other great cooks we enjoyed while growing up. Show off by bringing the specialty you've captured, enough for six to eight people. Musical entertainment will be provided by Harry Bernstein and his group, Aliyah (always a hit). And see and hear the Bubbe Players! 100 James St., Edison. 7 p.m. $10 per person for Temple members, $15 for guests. Call Susan Steinfeld at (732) 549-8143, to tell what miechal you'll be bringing.

JCC Princeton Mercer Bucks. "Warsaw." Performance of the epic musical drama. Patriots Theater at the Trenton War Memorial. 7:30 p.m. Purchase tickets, call JCC box office at (609) 219-9550 or email programs@jcctoday.org.

Sunday, Feb. 7

Highland Park Temple-Cong. Anshe Emeth. Rabbi Mordechai Schwartz will present a fascinating program entitled "Do-It-Yourself Torah: Shabbat." This class will study the inner workings of Shabbat including its origins and positive mitzvot. It will empower you to make your own Shabbat choices. 201 South Third Ave., Highland Park. 9 a.m. embers $6/day, non-members $8/day and includes breakfast. Information, call (732) 545-6482.

Temple Beth Or. Bingo. Games include 3 50/50s, $1,500 in prizes. 200 Van Zile Road, Brick. Doors open at 10:30 a.m., games begin at noon. Admission is $2 and food is available for purchase (premises adhere to dietary laws). Information, check the Web site, www.templebethorbrick.org or contact the office at (732) 458-4700.

Monday, Feb. 8

East Brunswick Hadassah. Chocolate! Chef Marc Sessler of Meals by Marc will take you on a chocolate journey where you will learn about the history of chocolate and how it originated. Compare and taste the different types of chocolate then roll up your sleeves and create scrumptious desserts of chocolate. The night ends with everyone tasting all of the wonderful treats that were made, including chocolate lava cakes from scratch and a pareve chocolate mousse cake that is kosher for Passover. At a private East Brunswick home. 8 p.m. $18 to cover materials. Information, Shelly (732) 613-4456.

Temple Beth Or. Adult Education. Rabbi Fierstien's class continues. 200 Van Zile Road, Brick. 10 a.m. Information, (732) 458-4700 or www.TempleBethOrBrick.org.

Tuesday, Feb. 9

Women's Center at Jewish Family and Vocational Service (JFVS) of Middlesex County. Free workshop to assist women who are separated, divorced, widowed or their spouse is disabled. East Brunswick Library, 2 Jean Walling Civic Center. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Information, The Women's Center at (732) 777-1940.

Wednesday, Feb. 10

The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County (JHMOMC). "A Few of My Favorite Things: The Historical Memorabilia of Rabbi Sally J. Priesand, America's First Female Rabbi." In conjunction with the exhibit, Rabbi Priesand will offer an hour-long presentation entitled "Reflections on My Life as a Rabbi." 310 Mounts Corner Drive, Freehold. 6-9 p.m. Giving levels start at $54 and include two tickets to the reception. The exhibit will remain on display through March 16 during regular museum hours. Information, (732) 252-6990 or www.jhmomc.org.

Temple Beth Or. Join Sisterhood's book discussion: "Drawing in the Dust," by Zoe Klein. 200 Van Zile Road, Brick. 2:30 p.m. Information, (732) 458-4700 or www.TempleBethOrBrick.org.

Thursday, Feb. 11

55 Plus Club. Frank Mathews will speak about nine strategies to improve memory. Refreshments will be served. Congregation Neve Shalom, 250 Grove Ave., Metuchen. 7 p.m. Information, call Lorraine Lapidus at (732) 283-0535.

East Brunswick Jewish Center and St. Peter's University Hospital. "Autism: The Journey Towards Understanding." Talk by Dr. Barbie Zimmerman-Bier, chief of the Division of Child Development at the Children's Hospital at St. Peter's University Hospital. Dr. Bier-Zimmerman will give an overview of current theories on the causes and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. She will be followed by a panel consisting of parents and professionals who will give a perspective on the daily life of a family with a child/adult with autism and current treatment/therapies available locally. The program will end with a discussion of the various resources available to families. The East Brunswick Jewish Center, 511 Ryders Lane, East Brunswick. 7:30 p.m. Information, call (732) 257-7070.

Saturday, Feb. 13

Highland Park Conservative Temple-Congregation Anshe Emeth. Screening of "Dear Mr. Waldman." The film will be followed with remarks by Ariella Lang, a visiting scholar in the Department of Jewish Studies at Rutgers University. Her areas of expertise include Jewish-Christian relations, the Holocaust, and Jewish film. 201 South Third Ave., Highland Park. 8 p.m. Information, reservations, please call (732) 545-6482.

Sunday, Feb. 14

United Synagogue of Hoboken (USH), David Kushner will speak about his book "Levittown: Two Families, One Tycoon and the Fight for Civil Rights in America's Legendary Suburb." The book describes a black family's move in the 1950s to a planned community, and the racial tension that ensued. 115 Park Ave., Hoboken. 10 a.m. Information, call (201) 659-4000 or email office@hobokensynagogue.org.

Monday, Feb. 15

Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Monmouth County Presidents' Day Indoor Soccer Clinics. Spencer of Rovers International Soccer will lead two great sessions for students K-5. 22 School Road East, Marlboro. Session I: 9:30-10:30 a.m. Session II: 11-12 p.m. $18. RSVP to linda@schechtergmc.com, ian@jccwm.org, or (732) 431-5525.

Temple Rodeph Torah. Presidents' Day Movie: "The Way We Get By." The community is invited to a free screening of a new film about three people in Bangor, Maine, who greet every soldier returning from the Middle East. A beautiful film which touches on issues of aging and loss along with responsibility and the meaning of life. 15 Mohawk Drive, Marlboro, 2 p.m. Free, but advance reservation required at (732) 308-0055.

Tuesday, Feb. 16

Toms River Hadassah. Joint meeting with Sisterhood. Congregation-B'nai Israel, 1488 Old Freehold Road, Toms River. 1 p.m. All welcome. Information, call Yvette at (732) 255-7386.

CAMERA (Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America), The East Brunswick Jewish Center, the Campus for Jewish Life, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County. Lecture and discussion with Yaakov Katz, military correspondent and defense analyst for the Jerusalem Post. 511 Ryders Lane, East Brunswick. 7:30 p.m. suggested donation of $10 payable to CAMERA to help offset the costs of the evening. RSVP with name, address, and email to Isabel Smith at Isabel@camera.org or (732) 613-1185.

Wednesday, Feb. 17

Raritan Valley Chapter of Hadassah and Raritan Valley Young Women Hadassah, L'Dor V'Dor. Girls Nite Out:Israel Themed Yoga with Nadine. Explore breathing techniques, practice basic yoga postures, and finish with a short relaxation period. Bring your own yoga/exercise mat and yoga strap/belt/tie. Eat lightly or abstain from eating one to two hours before class. Please consult your physician if physical ailments exist. Highland Park Senior Center, 220 South Sixth Ave., Highland Park. $5. Contact Nadine at ywhadassahevents@yahoo.com.

Jess Epstein Lunch and Learn with Princeton Scholars Lecture Series. Afran's African Adventure. Bruce Afran, investigating the case for reparations for slavery, tells of his experience in West African politics and his encounter with Yahya Jammeh, head of state of this tiny Moslem nation. "Spicy grove, cinnamon tree," poet Countee Cullen asked, "what is Africa to me?" Learn what lessons Africa holds for Bruce and the rest of us at our next Lunch and Learn. The Jewish Center of Princeton, 435 Nassau St., Princeton. Noon.

Jewish Congregation of Concordia/Monroe Twp. "The Counterfeiters," a German film that won the Academy Award for best foreign film of 2007. 1600 Perrineville Road, Monroe in the Concordia Shopping Plaza. 2 p.m. Free. Information, jcconcordia@comcast.net.

Shabbaton, Feb. 19-20

Congregation Sons of Israel. Shabbat Across America family Shabbaton featuring scholar-in-residence Rabbi Gershon Bacon, associate professor in the Jewish history department of Bar-Ilan University, where he holds the Klein Chair for the History of the Rabbinate in Europe in Modern Times. He is an expert in the history of East European Jewry, specializing in the social, political and religious history of Polish Jewry in the 19th and 20th centuries. He is a board member of the Union for Traditional Judaism and is also a member of its Panel of Halakhic Inquiry. Gordons Corner Road, Manalapan. (732) 446-3000.

Friday, Feb. 19

Temple Emanu-El. Book fair. Runs through Saturday, Feb. 27. Your chance to buy some wonderful books for all ages and interests, and support our programs. 100 James St., Edison.

The I.L. Peretz Secular Jewish Community. Jewish Poultry Farmers in the Garden State: A Twentieth Century Odyssey. Excerpts from a 1993 film by former Princeton resident Gertrude Dubrovsky (who grew up on a farm in Farmingdale) about these experiences will be shown, followed by presentations by Marion Munk and Allen Kassof, who grew up on farms in Toms River in mid-century. Located at the Reformed Church of Highland Park, 19-21 Second Ave., Highland Park. 8 p.m. The public is invited and the fee is $5 for non-members. Information, (732) 545-9691 or info@ilperetz.org.

Saturday, Feb. 20

Temple Beth Or. Rabbi Shaffin takes Kadima and USY to the movies. 200 Van Zile Road, Brick. Time. Information, reservations, (732) 458-4700 or www.TempleBethOrBrick.org.

Sunday, Feb. 21

Jewish Family & Children's Service of Greater Mercer County and the Mercer County Commission on the Status of Women. "I Am Domestic Violence," performed by motivational speaker Wambui Bahati. Even if you aren't involved with or don't know someone who is touched by domestic abuse, come to this program so that those individuals who need to learn about domestic abuse and gain support can do so under your cover. Princeton University's McCosh Hall, Room 50. 3:30 p.m. This free event is open to the entire community and suitable for ages 12 to adult. Information, Debra H. Levenstein at (609) 987-8100 or debral@jfcsonline.org.

Congregation Beth Ohr. Dr. Ira A. Shapiro, will speak on his participation at two Olympic Games as team chiropractor for the U.S. Olympic Team. Dr. Shapiro is one of the country's leading authorities on sports chiropractic care, having served in both 2004 and 2006 as a member of the medical staff for the U.S. Olympic Teams. Congregation Beth Ohr, Route 516, Old Bridge. 10:15 a.m. and will be preceded by a complimentary bagel breakfast starting at 10 a.m. Free. Information, David Honig at dhonig@jarchem.com or (973) 344-0600 x106.

Canal Walk Hadassah. Kosher Wine Sampling. Experience a broad selection of holiday wines.Special tasting of new vintage from Australia Special prices for attendees on dozens of wines and scotch. Fund raising event for Sarah Weisman Tower. Wine Vista, 458 Elizabeth Ave., Somerset (behind CVS). 12-4 p.m. Donation: $5 payable at door. Information, Rita at (732) 563-0081.

Monday, Feb. 22

Temple Emanu-El. Book club. The reading for February is "The Bread Givers" by Anzia Yezierska. Come get your "little gray cells" working and enjoy the discussion. 100 James St., Edison. Starts at 7:30 p.m. in the Temple library.

Temple Beth Or. Adult Education. Rabbi Fierstien's class continues. 200 Van Zile Road, Brick. 10 a.m. Information, (732) 458-4700 or www.TempleBethOrBrick.org.

The Jewish discussion group "mamaloshen." Meeting. Rabbi Klien will moderate a current event of interest to the Jewish community. All are welcome. Refreshments will follow the meeting. The Manchester Civic Center located on Colonial Drive and Route 70, Manchester. 1 p.m. Information, Julie at (732) 323-8225 or Joe at (732) 323-0090.

Wednesday, Feb. 24

Allen and Joan Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life. Israeli Authors Forum: Ron Leshem, author of "Beaufort." Talk in Hebrew. 12 College Ave., New Brunswick. 8 p.m. RSVP to csjlrsvp@rci.rutgers.edu or call the Bildner Center at (732) 932-2033.

Thursday, Feb. 25

Allen and Joan Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life and the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. Rachelle Alterman, the David Azrieli Chair in Architecture/Town Planning, of the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology on "The Evolution of Israel's Housing Policies: Planning in the Face of Crisis. Civic Square Building, 33 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick. 5:30 p.m. RSVP by Feb. 16 to csjlrsvp@rci.rutgers.edu or call the Bildner Center at (732) 932-2033.

Friday, Feb. 26

Temple Micah. Shabbat Service and Purim Celebration. Our interactive and relaxed services are especially geared toward families and children. This month we will be celebrating Purim and everyone is invited to come in costume. All are welcome and encouraged to participate. Located in the Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville, 2688 Main St.(Route 206), Lawrenceville. 7:30 p.m. Information, visit Web site at www.Temple-Micah.org, or call (609) 921-1128.

Saturday, Feb. 27

Temple Har Shalom. Purim Party. There will be a wine tasting, desserts and the band "Big Ray" will rock the house. Mark your calendar, get a babysitter and get ready for a good time! Mount Horeb Road, Warren. 8 p.m. Information, call Temple Har Shalom at (732) 356-8777 or visit www.templeharshalom.org.

Temple Beth Or. Purim Megillah reading and pizza. 200 Van Zile Road, Brick. Call for time. Information, reservations, (732) 458-4700 or www.TempleBethOrBrick.org.

Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple. In celebration of Purim is hosting an evening of comedy, featuring noted comedian Joel Chasnoff. 222 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick. 8 p.m. Tickets are $30/person, including a dessert reception and a silent auction. Tickets can be purchased by going to www.AEMT.net or call the synagogue at (732) 545-6484.

Jewish Congregation of Concordia/Monroe Twp. Reading of the Megillah followed by Kaffee Klatch. 1600 Perrineville Road, Monroe in the Concordia Shopping Plaza.7 p.m. Free. Information, contact jcconcordia@comcast.net.

Temple Rodeph Torah. Annual Purim celebration and shpiel, open to the whole community. Groggers for everyone in costume, and prizes for the best adult costume. 15 Mohawk Drive, Marlboro. 7:30 p.m.Information, call (732) 308-0055.

Temple Emanu-El. "Fiesta of Esteh: A Mexican Purim." Bring the family to hear the Megillah reading with a South-of-the-Border twist... followed by kosher Mexican food and a festive Pinãta for kids of all ages to enjoy! 735 Kennedy Blvd., Bayonne. 5:30 p.m. Free. Information, (201) 436-4499.

Sunday, Feb. 28

Temple Emanu-El. Purim service and carnival. There will be prizes for those who come in costume – so join the revelry. Please bring a canned or non-perishable food for our food pantry. 100 James St., Edison. The service and Megillah reading, as well as schpieln (games) start at 10 a.m. and the carnival begins at 10:45.

Temple Beth Or. Purim Carnival. Come in costume. 200 Van Zile Road, Brick. 12:30 p.m. Information, reservations, (732) 458-4700 or www.TempleBethOrBrick.org.

Mountain Top School. Purim Carnival. Games, prizes, crafts, raffles, bounce house, fish, and fun! 104 Mount Horeb Road, Warren. 1-4 p.m. $12 per child. Information, email Michelle Gehrmann at michellegehrmann@yahoo.com or Michelle Tannenbaum at michelle.tannenbaum@gmail.com.

Temple Rodeph Torah. Purim Carnival Games, prizes, music and food for children of all ages! Open to the entire community. Mohawk Drive, Marlboro, Noon-2 p.m. Information, call (732) 308-0055.

Congregation B'nai Tikvah. Purim Carnival. Enjoy arcade-type games, inflatable obstacle course, raffle and prizes. Hotdogs, knish, snacks and beverages avail for purchase. Wine tasting and wine sales for adults. Costumes encouraged. Fun for all ages. 1001 Finnegan's Lane, North Brunswick. 12-2:30 p.m. Free. Information, contact (732) 297-0696.

Tuesday, March 2

The Colonia Chapter of Hadassah. Luncheon meeting. Guest speaker, Lena Feld, will discuss her experiences growing up in Shanghai, China. Congregation Neve Shalom, 250 Grove Ave., Metuchen. 1 p.m. $5 per person and reservations are required. RSVP to Priscilla at (732) 527-0819 by Feb. 25. Information, call Millie at (732) 381-9054.

Wednesday, March 3

The Jewish Congregation of Concordia. Grigory Kaganov, professor at the European University, St. Petersburgh, Russia will speak on "Rembrandt and Jewish Amsterdam". He will talk about Rembrandt"s connection with the rich and influential Sephardic Jewish Community of Amsterdam. Concordia Shopping Center, 1600 Perrineville Road, Monroe.

Thursday, March 4

Bat Shalom Hadassah of Jackson-Howell. Cocktail hour and Kosher wine tasting party. Musical entertainment will be provided by Cantor Amar. You'll be able to taste and order your favorate kosher Passover wines, and refreshments will be served. The Mews, South Cooksbridge Road, Jackson. 7 p.m. $5 per person. To reserve a space, contact Myra Salz at (732) 928-9663 or Ellen Keller at (732) 833-6610.

Friday, March 5

JFCS and The Jewish Center of Princeton. Welcome the Sabbath in song, stories, and dinner with other Jewish families and individuals living with special needs. The Jewish Center, 435 Nassau St., Princeton. 5:30-7:30 p.m. $36/family or $12/individual. Pre-registration required by Tuesday, March 2. Information or to register, contact Debra H. Levenstein at (609) 987-8100 or debral@jfcsonline.org.

Freehold Jewish Center. Shabbat Across America/Canada. Freehold Jewish Center will be one of approximately 700 synagogues across the continent that will simultaneously open its doors to all Jews, so they may join together to experience and rejoice in a traditional Shabbat service and festive meal. Freehold Jewish Center, 59 Broad St., Freehold. 6-9 p.m.

Sunday, March 7

Highland Park Temple-Cong. Anshe Emeth. Rabbi Mordechai Schwartz will present a fascinating program entitled "Do-It-Yourself Torah: Shabbat." This class will study the inner workings of Shabbat including its origins and positive mitzvot. It will empower you to make your own Shabbat choices. South Third Ave., Highland Park. 9 a.m. embers $6/day, non-members $8/day and includes breakfast. Information, call (732) 545.6482.

Makhelat HaMercaz, The Jewish Choir of Central N.J. The repertoire will feature Jewish music spanning centuries and continents, with secular, classical, jazz, pop, and folk selections. This will be the third annual concert of Makhelat Hamercaz, a chorus of 43 singers under the direction of Cantors Anna West Ott and Sheldon Levin, at The Library. The East Brunswick Library, 2 Jean Walling Civic Center. 3 p.m. Free. Information, Beverly Kaplan, (732) 985-2778.

Thursday, March 11

HaDor Haba, a young women's chapter of Hadassah. The Matzah Ball couples' dinner dance with DJ entertainment and will include a large gift auction. Palms Plaza Catering, 343 State Route 34, Matawan. Tickets to attend are $96 per couple, and sponsorship levels range from $180 - $1,000. Information on attending and giving opportunities, call (732) 617-9517 or email mpetto@optonline.net.

Sunday, March 14

Highland Park Temple-Cong. Anshe Emeth. Rabbi Mordechai Schwartz will present a fascinating program entitled "Do-It-Yourself Torah: Shabbat." This class will study the inner workings of Shabbat including its origins and positive mitzvot. It will empower you to make your own Shabbat choices. South Third Ave., Highland Park. 9 a.m. Members $6/day, non-members $8/day and includes breakfast. Information, call (732) 545-6482.

Wednesday, March 17

Jewish Congregation of Concordia/Monroe Twp. Screening of "Exodus 47: The Ship that Launched a Nation," narrated by Morley Safer with first person accounts. 1600 Perrineville Road, Monroe in the Concordia Shopping Plaza. 2 p.m. Free. Information, jcconcordia@comcast.net.

Thursday, March 18

JCC of Western Monmouth. "Arabian Nights" Join Nanette Cohen of "The Shana Rose" in the JCCWM for a multi-sensory, educational Aromatherapy Workshop. You will be working with dried herbs and liquid essences, mixing and blending to create your own aromatherapy items. You will leave with two unique aromatherapy items. 100 US Highway 9, Manalapan. JCCWM members: $12 per person; non-members:$15 per person. Information, contact, shelley@jccwm.org or (732) 683-9300.

Temple Har Shalom. Multi-generational Seder for Women. Miriam's seder comes to Temple Har Shalom. Created for multi-generations of women: mothers, daughters, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, cousins and friends, all are invited to join Rabbi Randi Musnitsky and Cantor Anna Berman for an evening of dining, singing, fun and laughter as we make our way through a special Haggadah filled with new rituals, songs and stories. No experience or prior knowledge is necessary! Mount Horeb Road, Warren. 6 p.m. Information, call Temple Har Shalom at (732) 356-8777 or visit www.templeharshalom.org.

Saturday, March 20

Beth El Synagogue of East Windsor. Werner Lecture Fund. Dancing with The Stars. Joel and Donna Muroff will be teaching one ballroom dance and one line-dance. 50 Maple Stream Road, East Windsor. 8:15 p.m. $18. All proceeds go to the Beth El Synagogue Religious School Scholarship Fund and American Friends of Magen David Adom. RSVP to (609) 443-4454.

Sunday, March 21

Temple Beth Or. Event. Description. 200 Van Zile Road, Brick. Time. Information, reservations, (732) 458-4700 or www.TempleBethOrBrick.org.