Committees & Connecting
Adult Education: The T & V Adult Education Committee takes to heart the teaching that “the study of Torah equals in value all the other commandments” (Peah 1:1). Maimonides teaches that one is “required to study Torah, whether poor or rich…young or old…” and that one “must set aside definite times to study by day and by night…” Here at Town and Village we are dedicated to providing a variety of learning opportunities, at all levels of knowledge and at many times of day. Our Adult Education program enables members to acquire the Hebrew language and other skills to participate more fully in our services. A wide variety of courses and other learning opportunities allow the interested learner and to deepen their understanding of Jewish prayer, text study, Israel, history, and Jewish life. Contact: Louise Sherby at lsherby@outlook.com.
American Sign Language: The American Sign Language Committee organizes and provides American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation for a variety of services and events in order to make them accessible to the Jewish deaf community. Contact: Bram Weiser at bramweiser@usa.net.
Chesed Committee The Chesed Committee organizes volunteers to deliver food to new parents, the bereaved, and the sick and homebound and participates in other charity projects throughout the year.
- Chevra Chesed Shel Emet (Bereavement Committee): Our Chevra Kaddisha sees to the needs of families in mourning, sending meals and arranging minyans for shivah.
College Committee: Works to maintain connection with college age students of T&V members. Among the activities the College Committee might support is sending holiday packages for Chanukah, Purim, and Passover to college students.
Go Green Task Force: The Task Force aims to educate the T&V community about the applicability of Jewish values and text to environmental sustainability, increase T&V’s GREEN footprint in the areas of food and facilities, and expand member participation in the Go Green effort both at T&V and in their own homes
HAZAK: The Hazak Committee is a relatively new committee, and is based on the principles and guidelines of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism’s Hazak program. Hazak’s purpose is to provide educational, social, and spiritual programming for individuals 55 years old and older. The Hazak Committee has had a “Fun and Games” afternoon and recently went to an off Broadway play. Other events are now being planned. The Committee is also a clearinghouse for United Synagogue’s Camp Hazak. The Committee is always eager for new members to join and share their ideas. The chair people are Marcia Goldstein. Their respective e-mails are goldsteinm@rcn.com. Please feel free to contact Hher with any questions.
Youth and Family Committee: Contact: Alex Jassen, apj205@nyu.edu
Israel Action Committee: The Israel Action Committee creates opportunities to educate the Town and Village community about Israel, and to find meaningful and effective ways of demonstrating support for the State of Israel, including travel to Israel, purchasing Israeli products, etc. Contact: susan.abramowitz@nyumc.org T&V’s Twin Synagogue in Israel – Kehillat Netzach Ashkelon - if you or your children are visiting Israel, please contact our twin synagogue at www.netzach-israel.org.il. Teen Trip to Israel – To watch a trailer for the documentary “Journey of Our Making” about a trip by a group of T&V teens to Israel, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DwwUXIxfPU.
Jewish War Veterans: The former Jewish War Veterans Stuyvesant-Cooper Post 235 and Town and Village Synagogue both were founded in the late 1940s by many of the same people. This has resulted in a more than 60-year association between the veterans and our synagogue. At our synagogue, the veterans hold an annual klezmer concert and a memorial service officiated by Rabbi Sebert to which all members of our congregation are welcome. The veterans group is now called Manhattan-Cooper Post 1. For more information, contact Post Commander Jerry Alperstein at [212] 477-3131 and alperstein300@gmail.com.
Member Services Task Force: The goal of the Member Services Task Force is to build connections among T&V members. The Task Force works with other T&V committees to develop skills in in-reach and building volunteer involvement. Contact: sabramowitz45@icloud.com.
Ritual Committee: Under the guidance of Rabbi Sebert and Cantor Postman, the Ritual Committee is involved with all aspects of the religious life of the synagogue. The committee plays a critical role in promoting a greater love of Jewish ritual and personal observance and, at the same time, assuring the congregation that the religious policy of the synagogue is followed. Members of the committee serve as liaison to families who want to celebrate a life cycle event in the synagogue, such as a baby-naming, Bar/Bat Mitzvah or aufruf. The members of the community are very active and the Ritual Committee involves as many people as possible through assigning Torah, Haftarah and Megillah readings as well as seeing to the daily morning minyan. We look forward to welcoming you to our community.
T&V Together: The Committee aims to 1) identify and build leaders in the Synagogue Community; 2) identify social action projects of interest to the synagogue members; 3) work with interfaith groups, (other members of MetroIAF groups in the city and beyond) on social action projects; 4) facilitate one-to-one meetings among synagogue members as a means of community building; and 5) work with other downtown Jewish synagogues and organizations on activities of mutual interest.
Young Adults: The second Friday of every month, T & V hosts a themed dinner for young adults and grad students in their 20s & 30s. Led by a steering committee of young adults, these dinners bring together individuals and couples as a way to connect with local Jewish life, synagogue, and each other. The steering committee gathers once every few months to plan the dinners and other exciting events for this age group. Contact:youngadults@tandv.org.