UPCOMING EVENTS

• New CJC Phone System, CJC is upgrading its telephone system. We are currently testing the new system alongside the old system. If you receive a telephone call from the numbers 443-319-8111 or -8112, then that is CJC calling. You may continue to use 410-730-6044 to reach CJC.

• Volunteer Needed! Web & computer expert, Our web guru is retiring. CJC needs tech-savvy person to maintain CJC web site and email. Knowledge of html, web services, email, and windows functionality. Will also troubleshoot computer glitches, help staff with computer problems. Contact Jim Lubitz,jimlub@gmail.com; 443-253-7016.

• February 7, 5:30pm, Tu B'Shevat Seder, Tu B'Shevat Seder and Pot Luck Dinner at the Meeting House. Led by Rabbi Starr and Cantor Morrison. (Details) Please RSVP to Mindy at CJC office by Feb. 2, 410-730-6044 ext. 317 or mindy@columbiajewish.org

• February 10, 7:30pm, Dance Service, Israeli dancing follow Shabbat service. (Details)

• February 11, Special Tikkun Olam Program, Synaplex is a organizational term for Klal Yisrael. Both terms refer to the idea that we are responsible for the whole community. CJC will be providing a program on Feb. 11th for all constituencies in our multifaceted community. We will be combining the continual celebration of nature and our environment with the Torah reading of Jethro. Steve Kramer has graciously agreed to teach the all the little ones through second grade about the environment. Phil Rogofsky will have the third grade through 7th having age appropriate fun while celebrating nature. The teens will be meeting with a ger toshav, member of our congregation who has chosen not to convert to Judaism to discuss his spiritual journey and how CJC serves his spiritual needs. The rest of the community will be learning about Jethro and how he has become the model of who and what a ger toshav could as well as hearing a contemporary account from one of our many geri toshav. We do hope to see you at this exciting endeavor! "Moses's relationship with Jethro is not only the most precious relationship in Moses's life, but it is also possibly the most important relationship in the entire Torah, second only to the relationship between Gd and the Jewish people. It is the essence of the bonding between men and the bonding between spirits. Jethro is the father that Moses never had." [Rabbi Jeffrey K. Salkin]

  Come on Feb. 11th to learn more!

• February 11, Tu B'Shedvat Youth Program, During Saturday Morning Service there will be games and activities specially designed for Tu B'Shevat. We hope everyone can make it.

• February 11, 8pm Jewish Film Series, Details

• February 15, 2:30pm, 3rd-5th grade youth event, The next 3rd-5th grade youth event is JumpZone 2:30-4. It's a half day of school. $2 per child. We will have the place to ourselves!!!! Parent must stay with child. RSVP requested.

• February 16, 7pm,Youth Group Movie Night The Howard County Jewish Federation is sponsoring Middle School Movie Night - at Beth Shalom Congregation. Admission $6 at the door includes 2 concession items. Tickets purchased in advance include 3 concession items. Two movies will be offered. Choose from either Glee: The 3D Concert Movie or Spy Kids: All the Time in the World. Contact Michelle@jewishhowardcounty.org or call 410-730-4976, x118. Also, chaperones are need. If you can help, please e-mail progofsky@yahoo.com.

• February 22, 7pm, UMBC Men's Basketball Game vs. Boston University, Tickets will be made available to all CJC/S families for FREE; must RSVP by February 16. Actual tickets are available for distribution from the CJC office or at CJCS on Sunday mornings.

• February 26, 3pm, The Arab Spring - Where will it lead?, Oakland Mills Interfaith Center, Room 100. Where is the Arab Spring heading? What will these developments mean for the countries of the Middle East? for Israel?

  Two seasoned observers of the Middle East and of Israeli-Arab relations, one Jewish and one Moslem, will offer their perspectives on recent developments, with time for audience questions included. Professor Paul Scham teaches Israel studies at the University of Maryland and is the Executive Director of its Gildenhorn Institute for Israel Studies. He was the senior editor of Shared Histories (2005), which examined Israeli and Palestinian historical narratives, and is Adjunct Scholar at the Middle East Institute in Wash. DC. He has worked for over 20 years on Israeli/Palestinian peace in both Jerusalem and Washington. Naiem Sherbiny, who left Egypt in 1955, is the senior representative in the U.S. of the Cairo-based Ibn Khaldun Center for Development, and a board member of the Library of Alexandria Foundation. Formerly a senior economist at the World Bank, he has taught at Berkeley, Wisconsin, Harvard, Georgetown, and the American University at Cairo.

• March 4, JRF Chesapeake Region Annual Celebration, Join us as we honor some outstanding leaders in the Chesapeake Region. You're Invited to JRF's Chesapeake Region Annual Celebration! This year's celebration will take place at Oseh Shalom in Laurel, MD on Sunday, March 4, 2011. The theme for this year's event will be "JRF Salutes: L'dor v'dor (From Generation to Generation)" Join us in celebrating CJC's honorees at this event -- Dan Cohen and Bonnie Sorak.

  Register at: http://www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventID=1042635

• March 11, 1:30pm, 2nd Annual Hotter than Thou Chili Cook-Off, Bridges to Housing Stability is a local non-profit organization dedicated to empowering Howard County families to maintain stability in their homes through their housing stability program and homelessness prevention program. With support from the Board, CJC is dedicated to helping individuals and families at risk of losing their homes avoid homelessness and those who are homeless, regain stability. In support of Bridges to Housing Stability, CJC is participating in the 2nd Annual Hotter than Thou Chili Cook-Off. Please come out and support Bridges and our team on Sunday, March 11, 2012 (1:30-3:30 pm) at the First Presbyterian Church (9325 Presbyterian Circle, Columbia, MD 21045). Contact Lisa Jablonover (mrjllj@msn.com; 410-531-6874) if you would like to help out at this event or help cook award winning chili!

• April 22, Come ride the train with CJC!, As a fun raiser CJC members will be experiencing luxurious rail travel aboard the classic 1934 Pullman lounge/sleeper Dover Harbor (doverharbor.com) for a trip to Williamsburg, VA. This all-day trip in comfortable booths, lounge chairs and settees will take you from Union Station in Washington DC to Colonial Williamsburg for a 5-hour plus exploration of the sights and sounds of spring time. Underway breakfast and dinner will be served (kosher style cooked on the train car) with full bar service and refreshments, served by white jacketed stewards in the classic Pullman tradition. We are preselling all 24 tickets at $249, of which $50 will be tax deductible. The trip will be on Sunday April, 22 2012. Interested? Contact Hans Plugge preferrably at dutchwerks@gmail.com or 410-446-7986.

• June 15, 7:30pm, Dance Service, Israeli dancing follow Shabbat service. (Details)

• Summer 2012, CJC and CJCS trips to Israel, CJC, CJCS and The Meeting House are planning several trips to Israel. Go to columbiajewish.org/israel2012.shtml for more information.

ONGOING

• CJC now on Facebook - Become a "fan" and you'll be able to quickly see, RSVP, and be notified of upcoming CJC events.

To join CJC on Facebook, click on the facebook icon on CJC's homepage and click the "Become a Fan" button at the top of the page.  Note however that you must have or create a Facebook account to join our page.  Email Rich Goldman at facebook@columbiajewish.org with any questions. 

• Tekiah - Simchas and Mazel Tovs - Every month the Tekiah will list birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, b'nai mitzvahs, and more. Send in your special days - tekiah@columbiajewish.org .
• Last Friday of the month - looking for CJC students and youth group members to join Rabbi Kramer at Vantage House for an intergenerational service.
• The A-OK (Assisting our Kids), a mentoring/tutoring program sponsored by the congregations at The Meeting House, is seeking volunteers. Contact Chaya Kaplan or Joe Wilmott for more information.
• Soup Kitchen will be held at Shepard's Table every 4th Sunday of every month. Contact Roni Rothman or Lois Savar-Rock for more details.
• Chavurah - welcomes participation from all congregation members. One of the highlights of the weekly chavurah experience is our lively Torah discussion. If you would like to receive regular updates on the specifics of what is happening at chavurah services, please e-mail Judy Young and request that you be placed on the chavurah mail list.
• CJC Jewish Film Series - see what films are available to borrow from CJC's Library.
• Cooking For Grassroots: CJC has volunteered to provide dinner for the Grassroots Homeless Shelter in Columbia on the fourth Sunday of every month. The meal consists of one main course and two side dishes. The meal is prepared in your home and is brought to the shelter on either Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. We are currently looking for volunteers to provide meals on the following dates:  September 27, October 25, November 22, and December 27. If interested in participating or if you have questions, please contact:  Sandy Saperstein at sansap@mac.com.
• Torah Study with Rabbi Siegel - Mondays at noon.
• Adult Choir - 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:30 PM.
• Spare Change for Performances - Bring your spare change that's on your dresser and in jars around the house and drop it in the container in Cantor Morrison's office, marked for upcoming performances! This painless way to add to the fund will help us insure terrific professional performers for our listening pleasure.
• CJC Gift Shop hours - Monday - Thursday 8:30 - 4:30 pm. Friday 8:30 - 2:00 pm. Visit the shop and purchase Fair Trade organic coffee and chocolate bars, hand-woven kippot, small purses and pencil bags created by women's cooperatives in Guatemala, beautiful congregant designed note cards, books, cds and more.