|
|
|
2012-2013 Calendar
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September
|
|
|
|
|
|
9
|
Sunday
|
|
Open
House, 11:00 AM — 12:30 PM, Rutgers Prep (Call
732-545-9691 for directions and further information.)
|
|
16
|
Sunday
|
(Class 1)
|
Opening Ceremony/Parent
Orientation – 9:30 AM Rutgers Prep
|
|
17
|
Monday
|
|
Rosh Hashana Ceremony - 11:00 AM - Rutgers Prep.
|
|
23
|
Sunday
|
(Class 2)
|
Adult Program:
Brainstorming to gather ideas for the year's Sunday morning
programs. Everyone is
welcome. 10:30 AM at Rutgers Prep.
|
|
26
|
Wednesday
|
|
Yom Kippur Ceremony
- 11:00 AM - Rutgers Prep.
|
|
30
|
Thursday
|
(Class 3)
|
Adult Program: “Parent Brunch: I.L. Peretz Curriculum
and the Philosophy of Your Child’s Jewish Education.” 10:30 AM at Rutgers Prep.
School
parents please join us in welcoming the New Year and the start of school.
At this
interactive program you will:
1. Learn about
the stories, history and culture your child will be/is exposed to at the
school.
2. Read and
discuss an excerpt from one of the novels used in the curriculum.
3. Discuss
the philosophy of IL Peretz Jewish education and your wants and dreams
for your child’s Jewish education.
4. Get to
know each other better and deepen your relationships with other parents.
This program
will be facilitated by Ruth Goldsmith, Co-VP of Academic Administration
and Level 1 teacher.
Everyone is welcome to learn
more about our school.
|
|
|
|
|
|
October
|
|
7
|
Sunday
|
(Class 4)
|
Sukkot Celebration - 11:00 AM - Rutgers Prep.
|
|
14
|
Sunday
|
(Class 5)
|
Adult Program: "An American Tale: Yiddish
Short Stories in English Translation"
A
presentation by Bennett Muraskin.
Bennett has written three books: Humanist Readings In Jewish
Folklore, Let Justice Well Up Like Water and the Association of Jewish
Libraries Guide to Yiddish Short Stories . He
also co-authored Celebrating Jewish Holidays: A Guide for Secular Jewish
Families and Their Communities, as well as having written Sabbath and
holiday programs for secular Jews. He is employed as a union staff
representative for college professors and other higher education
professionals in New Jersey.
10:30 AM at
Rutgers Prep.
|
|
19
|
Friday evening
|
|
Adult Program: “Jew and the Titanic. A presentation by Dr. Dana Liebmann
Did you know
that it was just over one hundred years ago that the Titanic went down in
the Atlantic Ocean?
Did you know the
Titanic had a kosher kitchen and a "Hebrew chef"?
Did you know
that among the Titanic's passengers were many Jewish families, both
well-known and not-so-well-known, whose stories are all an important and
fascinating piece of history?
Dr. Dana Liebmann has researched and lectured extensively on
those Jews who chose to sail on the Titanic, some
seeking a better future for their families, and others just
returning from their European vacations. All of them represent Jewish
life one hundred years ago, and, whether they perished or were saved,
their adventures contribute significantly to Jewish heritage and culture.
By chance alone, any one of us could have had a relative aboard the
Titanic, and many of us did.
Dr. Liebmann completed her training in psychology at
Sarah Lawrence College and Temple University, and received her doctorate
in education from The University of Pennsylvania. Her lectures on
"Jews and the Titanic" have been received with great curiosity
and enthusiasm, with audience members often initially admitting that they
had no idea there had been Jews on the Titanic. By the end of Dr. Liebmann's presentation, her audience leaves with
knowledge of Jewish families whose stories must continue to be told.
8 PM at The
Reformed Church of Highland Park, 19-21 South 2nd Avenue
|
|
21
|
Sunday
|
(Class 6)
|
Adult Program: "Tonight Is The Night That We
Sanctify Storytelling – Jewish Children's And Young Adult
Literature"
The practice
of telling stories - including fanciful tales, morality tales, and tales
meant to convey history, customs, and values - is a tradition that
Judaism shares with children's literature. Peretz teacher and community member Jill Ratzan (MLIS,
coursework toward Ph.D) will present examples
of books for children and young
adults that convey the variety and scope of the Jewish experience while
also meeting the highest standards of literary and artistic excellence.
We'll look at Jewish-themed fiction, nonfiction, folktales, holiday
guides, and graphic novels aimed at children, teenagers, and families.
We'll also talk about how to find and evaluate Jewish books for young
readers . . . or readers who're young at heart. Join us for a morning of
goblins and golems, time-travelers and troll-fighters, and heroines and
Hasidim.
10:30 AM at
Rutgers Prep.
|
|
28
|
Sunday
|
(Class 7)
|
Adult Program: "Homosexuality and the
Bible" A presentation by
Peretz School Principal Jeremy Freedman
Matthew Vines
is a young college student struggling with how to reconcile his
homosexuality with his strong religious beliefs. He decided to look at the bible with a
logical, academic eye, and putting it through the lens of the historical
times in which it was written. He
developed a lecture that was recorded and he has been in great demand
ever since. Although he is
Christian, his intellectual arguments are brilliant. Parts of his lecture will be shown
followed by a discussion on the Jewish perspective on homosexuality. It might surprise some that even
Orthodox Jews are evolving on this issue.
10:30 AM at
Rutgers Prep.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
November
|
|
4
|
Sunday
|
(Class 8)
|
Postponed:
Adult Program: "Bar and Bat Mitzvah in a
Secular-Humanistic Community" - a presentation by Ira Mintz, I. L
Peretz President.
This annual
program will address the many options one has in celebrating this rite of
passage into young adulthood. A Bar or Bat Mitzvah can be a very special
opportunity to explore how to make our Jewishness
relevant to ourselves and our children.
10:30 AM at
Rutgers Prep.
|
|
|
|
|
|
11
|
Sunday
|
(Class 9)
|
Adult Program: "Peretz School Service
Activities"
A
presentation / discussion with Peretz member, Robyn Shumer. Robyn will describe the upcoming
planned service activities, and facilitate a group discussion about what
activities they would like to do.
10:30 AM at
Rutgers Prep.
Adult Program: Movie and Dinner at the Rutgers New
Jersey Jewish Film Festival - "My Australia” at 4:45 PM at the Regal
Theater in North Brunswick.
In 1960s Łód´z, Poland, ten-year-old Tadek
and his older brother belong to a gang with a strong anti-Semitic bent.
When they are arrested, their mother reveals that though raised as Catholics,
they are in fact Jewish. The family boards a ship for Israel, and the
boys are sent to live on a kibbutz, where Polish street culture clashes
with the open-door policy of the kibbutz. This tender and humorous drama
is based on the filmmaker's own experiences.
The show will
likely sell out, so get your tickets in advance here. After the film,
you are invited to travel just north on Route 1 to the Omega Diner to
have dinner together and discuss the film.
|
|
18
|
Sunday
|
(Class 10)
|
Classroom
Visitation
|
|
25
|
Sunday
|
|
No School – Thanksgiving break
|
|
|
|
|
|
December
|
|
2
|
Sunday
|
Class 11)
|
Adult Program: "Childhood
Memories From a Hidden Child of the Holocaust"
A Presentation by Eva Vita.
Eva Vita was born in Budapest Hungary
during the early 1940's. She is a child survivor during one of the most
dreadful times history. Hidden with false papers
at the age of 4, she was told by her mother to lie about her name and
religion to the "bad men" in the brown shirts. Even at the of 4 she instinctively knew that she must never
make a mistake. Her story and that
of her family is one of survival and the ability to think quick on one's
feet in times of duress. It is a lesson to all those who doubt the power
within themselves to do what is needed to
survive when extreme situations arise! Eva will discuss her fascinating
personal stories and those of her family members
during this time period.
10:30 AM at Rutgers Prep.
|
|
9
|
Sunday
|
(Class 12)
|
Latke Making (coat drive)
|
|
14
|
Friday evening
|
|
13th Annual
Chanukah Party for the adult members of the entire Peretz Community –
Call or email for info
|
|
16
|
Sunday
|
(Class 13)
|
Chanukah
Celebration
|
|
23
|
Sunday
|
|
No School – Winter break
|
|
30
|
Sunday
|
|
No School - Winter break
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
January
|
|
6
|
Sunday
|
(Class 14)
|
Adult Program: Spook Handy comes to
Peretz to Sing Songs of Social Justice: For Adults and Kids Alike
Local
musician Spook Handy will play and speak about songs that tell of
changing the world for the better.
Spook Handy,
is a local New Jersey singer-songwriter of contemporary folk music. He has performed dozens of times with
Pete Seeger and has shared the stage with the likes of Peter Yarrow and
Donovan.
Audiences
can’t help but participate in Spook’s concerts. They laugh at his
stories, sing along with his songs and can’t wait to chat with him after
the show. In concert halls and people’s living rooms, Spook shares the
pearls of everyday life and extraordinary experiences through songs that
come from both the giants of folk music and his own ample supply of
original compositions. He has been described as
"a troubadour in the style of Pete Seeger and Phil
Ochs, and a messenger of peace, hope and understanding.”…. Jim Beckerman
– The Bergen Record
10:30 AM at
Rutgers Prep.
|
|
13
|
Sunday
|
(Class 15)
|
Adult Program: "Bar and Bat Mitzvah in a
Secular-Humanistic Community" - a presentation by Ira Mintz, I. L
Peretz President. (rescheduled from November 4)
This annual
program will address the many options one has in celebrating this rite of
passage into young adulthood. A Bar or Bat Mitzvah can be a very special
opportunity to explore how to make our Jewishness
relevant to ourselves and our children.
10:30 AM at
Rutgers Prep.
|
|
20
|
Sunday
|
(Class 16)
|
MLK Observance
|
|
27
|
Sunday
|
(Class 17)
|
Tu B’Shevat Celebration
|
|
|
|
|
|
February
|
|
3
|
Sunday
|
(Class 18)
|
Adult Program: "Esther vs. The Maccabee Warrior Queen"
A
presentation by author Judy Petsonk
Queen Esther,
the heroine of Purim, can’t hold a candle to the heroine of
Hanukkah: Queen Salome Alexandra, also known as
Shalom-Zion. Queen Esther was the
fictional winner of a beauty contest. Queen Shalom-Zion, who was married
to a grandson of the Maccabees, actually
governed her nation for 37 of the 77 years of Judean independence. She
negotiated treaties, commanded troops, and influenced Jewish divorce laws
to give women greater rights. She also built mikvah
pools throughout Judea. Talmudic rabbis said that while she ruled, it
rained every Shabbat (but only on Shabbat) and lentils grew as large as
gold coins. The two queens had one
thing in common: drunken kings for husbands. Esther saved the Jews of
Persia from the anti-Semite Haman.
Shalom-Zion, by championing the rabbis, helped Judaism to survive
for the two thousand years after the destruction of the Temple in
Jerusalem.
Judy Petsonk,
author of the historical novel "Queen of the Jews," speaks at
libraries, book groups and synagogues about Shalom-Zion, the real, but
forgotten, Jewish queen.
10:30 AM at
Rutgers Prep.
|
|
10
|
Sunday
|
(Class 19)
|
|
|
17
|
Sunday
|
(Class 20)
|
Adult Program: "300 Ways to Ask the Four
Questions and Enhance Your Seder"
Dr. Murray
Spiegel and Rickey Stein present the fascinating and humorous account of
a 30+ year project to obtain translations of the Seder's Four Questions
from hundreds of people around the globe.
It is a fascinating, humorous and educational multimedia
presentation, with contributions for the Seder from hundreds of people
around the globe: Jews from Uganda to Uzbekistan, Eskimo bishops, as well
as world experts of ancient languages and sign languages. One gem is the actual Egyptian language
from the time of the Exodus. Have
a blast with Valley Girl, Rap, Reggae, Hebrew Semaphore and Na'vi. The
authors will feature the amazing Gilbert & Sullivan contribution from
IL Peretz's very own Karen Cantor.
The program
includes historical facts about the Seder, Jews around the world, as well
as demonstrating how to enliven your family seders.
10:30 AM at
Rutgers Prep.
|
|
22
|
Friday evening
|
|
Adult Program: “Jews of Khazaria:
A Jewish Kingdom 1000 Years before Modern Israel
A
presentation by Bruce Tucker
8 PM at The
Reformed Church of Highland Park, 19-21 South 2nd Avenue
|
|
24
|
Sunday
|
(Class 21)
|
Purim
Carnival – Highland Park Food Pantry Food Drive
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March
|
|
1
|
Friday evening
|
|
Adult Program: “American Atheists”
A
presentation by David Silverman, President of American Atheists, an
organization that since 1963 has been advocating for the civil liberties
of atheists and the total, absolute separation of government and
religion.
8 PM at The
Reformed Church of Highland Park, 19-21 South 2nd Avenue
|
|
3
|
Sunday
|
(Class 22)
|
Adult Program: "Jewish Perspectives on Death
and Dying"
Liz Cohen, a
clinical social worker with Princeton Hospice, will share traditions and
wisdom from our Jewish heritage on how we cope with end of life -- the
decisions we might need to make, the comfort we need and/or provide, and
the traditions of mourning. This will be an interactive session, with
plenty of time for discussion and questions.
Liz has been
a social worker for 30 years, the past 11 in hospice.
She is an
active member of Temple Beth-El in Hillsborough, and notes she found the
practice of attending shiva minyans
for people she did not know helped to lead her to hospice work. She lives in Princeton with her husband
David, and intermittently with their 3 grown children.
10:30 AM at
Rutgers Prep.
|
|
10
|
Sunday
|
(Class 23)
|
Adult Program: "The Modern School of Stelton: Free School, Anarchist Colony, and Secular
Jewish Community."
A
presentation by Fernanda Perrone.
Inspired by
the anarchist educator Francisco Ferrer, the
Modern School of Stelton was founded in New
York in 1911 and moved to Piscataway, New Jersey in 1915. The school was
run democratically by students, teachers, and parents. Children were
allowed to choose classes and activities freely each day. Parents and
supporters of the school built houses on former farmland near the school
buildings and attempted to live independently of the federal, state, and
municipal government. While the majority of the settlers were anarchists
and shared a common Eastern European Jewish background, they also
included people of diverse political and ethnic origins, including
Chinese, Japanese, and African Americans. The Modern School closed in
1953, due to financial pressures and demographic change. In the 1970s,
the Friends of the Modern School, a group dedicated to preserving the
legacy of the school, was founded, and the
archives of the school and community were donated to Rutgers University
Libraries.
Fernanda Perrone, curator at Special
Collections and University Archives, Rutgers University Libraries, has
served as archivist of the Modern School since 1995 and more recently as
Trustee and Vice President of the Friends of the Modern School. She holds
a B.A. from McGill University, a D.Phil. in history from Oxford
University, and an M.L.S from Rutgers. Her research interests are the
history and documentation of women's education and religion.
10:30 AM at
Rutgers Prep.
|
|
17
|
Sunday
|
(Class 24)
|
Regular
Classes AM, Community Passover Seder at 3 PM (Food Drive)
|
|
24
|
Sunday
|
(Class 25)
|
|
|
31
|
Sunday
|
|
No School – Spring break
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April
|
|
7
|
Sunday
|
(Class 26)
|
Yom HaShoah Ceremony
|
|
12
|
Friday evening
|
|
Adult Program: The Book of Life: Selected Jewish
Poems, 1979 – 2011
A
presentation by Alicia Ostriker.
Alicia Ostriker is a major American poet and critic, and Professor
Emerita of English, Rutgers University. Twice nominated for a National Book
Award, she authored thirteen volumes of poetry, most recently The Book of
Seventy (2009), which won the Jewish Book Award for Poetry, and The Book
of Life: Selected Jewish Poems, 1979-2011 (2012), which she will read
from. As a critic, Ostriker has written about women’s poetry and
feminist interpretations of the Bible.
8 PM at The
Reformed Church of Highland Park, 19-21 South 2nd Avenue
|
|
14
|
Sunday
|
(Class 27)
|
Adult Program: "The Forgotten Refugees"
A
presentation by Gabriel Rubin.
Gabriel Rubin
is an Assistant Professor at Montclair State University. He is the author
of Freedom and Order: How Democratic Governments Restrict Civil Liberties
after Terrorist Attacks--and Why Sometimes they Don't. He resides in
Bedminster, NJ with his wife Ariel and children Shai
and Talya.
We will
explore the rarely discussed Jewish exodus/expulsion from Arab lands. The
documentary "The Forgotten Refugees" will be used as a touchstone
for discussion on the history of Middle Eastern and North African Jews as
well as the circumstances of their immigration to (mostly) Israel and
their current state
10:30 AM at
Rutgers Prep.
|
|
21
|
Sunday
|
(Class 28)
|
Adult Program: Membership Meeting
10:30 AM at Rutgers Prep.
|
|
28
|
Sunday
|
(Class 29)
|
Adult Program: “The Story of Moses: A Secular
Perspective
A
presentation by Ron Herrmann
Ron will
examine the story of Moses, the Hebrew slaves and the Pharaoh from a
secular point of view. Ron’s
interpretation is very different from the religious interpretation and he
argues that it is a story that “repeats itself over and over through the
history of mankind.” Ron promises
many surprises.
Ron Herrmann
is a Peretz parent. He is an
Israeli, teaches Hebrew at Peretz, and lives with his partner and son in
Bedminster NJ.
10:30 AM at
Rutgers Prep
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
May
|
|
5
|
Sunday
|
(Class 30)
|
Adult Program: “Do The Math: The Movie” - On April
21, 2013, there were over 1,000 screenings of this 42-minute
mini-documentary about the rising movement to change the terrifying math
of the climate crisis and challenge the fossil fuel industry. We will watch the movie and then
discuss this most Jewish of topics: what we can do locally to repair the
world.
10:30 AM at
Rutgers Prep.
|
|
12
|
Sunday
|
(Class 31)
|
Board Elections - We need your votes!
Then a look
back at the year at Peretz.
10:30 AM at
Rutgers Prep.
|
|
19
|
Sunday
|
(Class 32)
|
Closing
Ceremony - Graduation
|
|
|
|
|
|
June
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
July
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For more information about the
I. L. Peretz Community Jewish School or the I. L. Peretz Secular Jewish
Community, call us at 732-545-9691 or email to mailto:info@ilperetz.org
|
|
