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Sleeping Beauty ice ballet at State Theatre

A scene from the St. Petersburg Ice Ballet's Sleeping Beauty. Performances will be Dec. 5-6 at State Theatre in New Brunswick.

The State Theatre presents the St. Petersburg Ice Ballet in Sleeping Beauty on Friday, Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. A cast of 35 award-winning world-class figure skaters will whirl and twirl to Tchaikovsky's glittering score on a 30-by-40-foot onstage ice rink. This full-length ice ballet makes classical dance and music an unforgettable experience for all ages. St. Petersburg Ice Ballet is sponsored by Credit Suisse. Tickets range from $25-55 (group, student, and senior discounts available).

This enchanting production of the classic children's fairytale combines the opulent music of Tchaikovsky, gorgeous costumes and lighting, elegant ballet-inspired choreography, and the Russian Stars - an award-winning ensemble of 35 top-ranked ice skaters. Founded 40 years ago and steeped heavily in the traditions of Russian classic ballet, the St. Petersburg State Ballet on Ice is the pioneer producer of ice ballets. The company travels with award-winning world-class figure skaters in the tradition of the renowned Kirov Ballet, but of course "on blade" instead of en pointe.

Artistic director and principal choreographer and merited artist of Russia, Konstantin A. Rassadin is a former star of the Mariinsky Theatre of Opera and Ballet of St. Petersburg (formally of the Kirov Theatre). For 23 years he occupied the position of ballet "star," having premiered more than two-dozen leading roles. Rassadin joined the St. Petersburg Ice Ballet in the capacity of its principal choreographer in 1980.

For tickets (or a brochure), call the State Theatre ticket office at (732) 246-SHOW (7469), or visit us online at www.StateTheatreNJ.org. The State Theatre ticket office, located at 15 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Wednesday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and at least one hour prior to curtain on performance dates. For information on group outings and discounts, call (732) 247-7200, ext. 536.

Emanu-El of Bayonne hosts author Kogen

Lisa Kogen, author of the new book, "With Strength and Splendor: Jewish Women as Agents of Change," will be the special guest speaker at Temple Emanu-El's Late Night Service and Oneg Shabbat. Temple Emanu-El, 735 Kennedy Boulevard at 29th St., Bayonne, is proud to be the first to host Kogen at her first synagogue presentation of her new book. All are invited to attend this exciting event.

Kogen, a historian, had been disturbed by the lack of attention to Jewish women in general, but particularly in American Jewish life. In her, book, Kogen creates a vision of Jewish women advancing from the sidelines and making their way into the mainstream narrative of American Jewish (and general) history. In this phenomenal book she has gathered the stimulating stories of women whose achievements have affected every area of American life. Some stories will be familiar, and many will be surprising. For instance, how many people know that Ruth Mosko Handler, the mother of the Barbie Doll, designed one of the first prosthetic bras for women who had undergone radical mastectomies?

Kogen is completing her doctorate in Jewish history at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. She wrote "With Strength and Splendor" after organizing a traveling photo exhibit about these extraordinary women. Kogen is national education director for Women's League for Conservative Judaism. Her husband, Rabbi Judah Kogen, is the new rabbi of Congregation B'nai Jeshurun in Staten Island, and thus a new neighbor of Temple Emanu-El in Bayonne.

Guests will have a chance to personally meet Kogen at the Oneg Shabbat following services.

Services will be held in the temple's Schnitzer Sanctuary. The temple's elevator provides access to the sanctuary, which is located on the second floor of the synagogue. The elevator, which is by the 29th Street side-door entrance, is wheelchair-accessible. If the elevator is needed, and the attendant is not outside, please inquire in our first floor vestry.

For more information, please call the office at (201) 436-4499 (if there is no one available at the office, please leave a message on the temple's voicemail) or visit us online at www.TempleEmanuElNJ.com.

Beth O'r/Beth Torah salutes three locals

Edison residents Jerry Kaplan. Esther Schlesinger, and Barbara James of Westfield were honored by Temple Beth O'r/Beth Torah during services at the Clark synagogue celebrating the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah Oct. 22.

The honorees were cited for their stalwart commitment and leadership on behalf of TBO/BT and their abiding devotion to the highest Judaic values and ethics, in their professional and personal lives, as well as their community and civic endeavors.

Kaplan, a member of TBO/BT for 17 years, is a former member of the synagogue's board and member and former officer of the Men's Club.

The owner of the Garden Deli in Edison for 20 years, Kaplan attended Montclair State University. He was elected to the Hillside Board of Education at age 21, and has been active in numerous political campaigns. He and his wife Hinda Appel-Kaplan, co-executive vice president of TBO/BT, have two children: Megan, who will be teaching in the Edison School District, and David, a sophomore at Indiana University.

Schlesinger is co-executive vice president of TBO/BT and immediate past co-president of the synagogue's Sisterhood. She has held numerous other leadership positions, including those with the TBO/BT Board of Education and Youth Activities groups.

Professionally, she has served for 10 years as a staff psychiatrist at Catholic Charities-Diocese of Metuchen. She and her husband Jay have two adult children.

James, a member of the synagogue for more than 20 years, is vice president of the board and an advisor to the synagogue's youth groups. A past president of the Young Couples Group and Sisterhood, she has also served in various other board positions.

Assistant principal at Andries Hudde Junior high School 240 in Brooklyn, she is also the school's supervisor of language arts and social studies, testing coordinator, and Team 4 leader. She and her husband Mitchell have two daughters: Halli, a junior at Westfield High School who is membership and programming vice president on the Clark USY Board, and Lisa, a resident of Houston, Texas.

Preschool Hanukkah party at Beth Ahm

The Preschool of Temple Beth Ahm in Aberdeen is hosting a Community Hanukkah Celebration on Dec. 7. Miss Judy, of the temple's Mommy and Me program will host this gala with interactive holiday song, dances, and light refreshments. Programs will run from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. The theme of this party is "Giving Rather Than Getting." The temple is asking all children attending to bring a can of food for the local food bank.

This is a great opportunity for your 2, 3, and 4-year-olds to come to a wonderful holiday event and explore the facilities of the temple's Mommy and Me and Preschool programs. Limited openings are still available. The cost for the event is $5 per child with a required RSVP to www.tbaed.org or call the preschool director, Amy Naphtali, at (732) 583-1010. Temple Beth Ahm is at 550 Lloyd Rd., Aberdeen, right off exit 117A of the Garden State Parkway.

Thanksgiving Turkey Drive at Emanu-El

Help Temple Emanu-El of Westfield feed needy families in Union County. Temple Emanu-El is asking the community to bring frozen turkeys for the Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Drive at 756 East Broad St. Nov. 23 and 25. Please bring frozen turkeys in a tied plastic bag, and canned and packaged goods suitable for Thanksgiving (no glass please) to the Temple parking lot during the following dates and times:

Sunday, Nov. 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 25 from 3:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.

The food will be distributed by Yes, We Care Soup Kitchen, The Mandy Reichman Feeding Program, and members of Temple Emanu-El of Westfield.

Please contact Jackie Master, Communications Coordinator, with any questions at (908) 232-6770, jmaster@tewnj.org or visit our Web site at www.tewnj.org.

'Annie' at State Theatre Nov. 30

Leapin' Lizards! "Annie" is returning to the State Theatre for another grand performance! The heartwarming musical is back for two performances only on Sunday, Nov. 30 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are still available for both shows, however, a limited amount of tickets are available for the 2 p.m. Tickets range from $40-75.

"Annie" stars Tianna Stevens (Annie), David Barton (Daddy Warbucks) Lynn Andrews (Miss Hannigan), Analisa Leaming (Grace) and the orphans: Dominique Sofiaross (July); Mackenzie Aladjem (Molly); Madison Kerth (Kate); Sydney Richardson (Duffy); Siara Padilla (Tessie); and Ivy Moody (Pepper).

"One of the best musical ever," proclaims the Chicago Tribune, and the Chicago Sun-Times says, "Ageless 'Annie' as engaging as ever." "Annie," with music by Charles Strouse and book by Thomas Meehan, is again directed by its lyricist, Martin Charnin, who brought the original production of ANNIE to Broadway in 1977. In addition, Tony Award-winning set designer, Ming Cho Lee, has created a fresh look for this new production.

The original Broadway production of "Annie" won seven 1977 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Book, and Score. It ran for 2,377 performances, and has subsequently been produced all over the world. The original production is one of the top 20 longest running shows in Broadway history, and "Annie" continues to be one of the most successful musicals ever.

Boasting one of Broadway's most memorable scores, including "It's the Hard-Knock Life," "Easy Street," "N.Y.C." and the ever optimistic "Tomorrow," you can bet your bottom dollar that "Annie" will bring a smile to your face.

For tickets (or a brochure), call the State Theatre ticket office at (732) 246-SHOW (7469), or visit us online at www.StateTheatreNJ.org. The State Theatre ticket office, located at 15 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Wednesday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and at least one hour prior to curtain on performance dates. For information on group outings and discounts, call (732) 247-7200, ext. 536.

Beth Ahm Aberdeen celebrates Dec. 12-14

The new daily chapel/library at Temple Beth Ahm in Aberdeen.

In 1968, Temple Beth Ahm of Aberdeen opened the doors of its permanent home. Over the next 40 years, the temple has grown into a home for the Conservative Jewish community where one can come to celebrate, pray, learn, socialize, or to simply find help and support when dealing with lifecycle events - all in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

In 2002, Temple Ohav Shalom of Sayreville merged with Temple Beth Ahm. Through this merger, Temple Beth Ahm financed the construction and renovation of its library which now serves as the temple's daily chapel and Library. The chapel's ark proudly displays the doors that used to hang from the ark at Ohav Shalom. Other items from Ohav Shalom that have been integrated into this chapel include: Two lovely Torah stands, an inspirational Holocaust memorial light, and a beautiful wood carving relief, hung above the ark with the well known Hebrew phrase that translates, "Know before whom you stand." In addition, the two stained glass windows on either side of the ark are from the Keyport Jewish Center, which merged with Temple Beth Ahm in the mid 1970s.

To mark the 40th anniversary of the temple building and the completion of the new daily chapel/library, Temple Beth Ahm will host a celebratory weekend in December. The schedule for the festivities is as follows: