Discussion with Filmmaker Follows Temple Beth El Screening

Temple Beth El presents a documentary film Saturday.

A discussing with filmmaker Gaylen Ross will follow a presentation of Ross’ documentary film Killing Kasztner: The Jew Who Dealt With Nazis at Temple Beth El on Saturday. Doors open at 6:45 p.m., popcorn, snacks, and dessert will be served. The movie begins at 7 p.m. A special treat is in store afterwards because the filmmaker, Gaylen Ross, will be present and will lead a stimulating discussion. The movie is free, although donations are appreciated. The showing is the next installment of the 2011-12 film series sponsored by the temple's Cultural Arts Committee.   HERO OR TRAITOR? Rezso Kasztner, known as the Jewish Schindler, negotiated face to face with Adolf Eichman, rescuing 1700 Jews on a train to Switzerland, and may have saved tens …

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Take Five

Valentines Alternatives

You know what? Love and flowers is for the birds.

It’s finally the day for love and flowers and…Wait a minute. Valentine’s Day is once a year, but who says spending it single is a downer? Instead of watching whatever’s on prime time tonight while drinking a beer, head out to a local watering hole with friends or have them over for a night in. You can also head to the local supermarkets to scope out the deals on holiday-themed candy. Or, if you’re set on staying home, take in a themed—somewhat—tale courtesy of Last.fm and fantasy/horror novelist Neil Gaiman. There’s a free download of his short story Harlequin Valentine—that has the Commedia dell’arte’s Harlequin offering his Valentine wishes to a modern-day woman—on the site. Here’s what you need to know today:

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Temple Beth El Hosts Israeli Folk Dance Lessons

Lessons will be held every other Thursday and will run until June.

An Israeli and International Folkdancing series at Temple Beth-El, Hillsborough, NJ, is for everyone: rank beginners and experienced dancers alike. These friendly, fun sessions will be held in the Multipurpose Room at Temple Beth El, 67 US Highway 206, from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m., on every other Thursday—February 9 and 23, March 15 and 29, April 26, May 10 and 24, and June 7 and 21. The classes are taught by Anna Paun, a talented dancer and experienced teacher. Just bring your dancing feet and desire to have fun—no partners needed; no experience necessary. These classes are a great opportunity to make new friends, have fun and get some exercise in the bargain. Lessons, refreshments and beverages provided. The suggested donation, which includes …

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Temple Beth-El to Share At Biennial Convention

The Hillsborough temple will share its education know-how, philosophy tt Union of Reform Judaism biennial convention

Temple Beth-El has been invited to share its secrets for success on Friday, December 16, at the Union of Reform Judaism’s Biennial Convention in Washington, D.C. This year’s Biennial Convention, which runs from Dec. 14-18, is expected to be the largest gathering ever of Reform Jews in North America. Participants will learn, pray, share ideas, dance and sing, hear from inspiring guest speakers, reunite with old friends, make new connections, and make decisions about the policies of the Reform Movement. President Obama will address this year’s convention; it will be the first time that a sitting President has addressed a convention of the Reform Movement.  At a time when synagogues across North America are lamenting the tremendous decrease …

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Changes in the Works at Temple Beth-El’s Early Childhood Center

Center’s curriculum will become non-sectarian and offer full-day kindergarten in fall 2011

In order to encourage more families to take advantage of what Director Ronit Bivas described as “a wonderful program,” the Early Childhood Center of Temple Beth-El is making some changes. Beginning in the fall of 2011, the curriculum will become non-sectarian, with a religious elective class for parents who want their youngsters to participate in a religious component. Youngsters whose parents opt for the religious elective will go to a special classroom for part of each Friday morning session. “This enables us to open this up to the rest of the community,” Bivas said. About 120 preschoolers ages 2 to 6 are currently enrolled in the state-licensed program, which started about 50 years ago in Somerville. It has been occupying the extended …

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