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  • <span class="slider_title"> Shabbat Evening Sunset - July 2021 </span>
  • <span class="slider_title"> UJC Tashlich </span>
  • <span class="slider_title"> UJC at the March for Reproductive Rights in Danbury </span>
  • <span class="slider_title"> UJC at the ADL/CT Walk Against Hate in Hartford </span>

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From Cantor Kessler: Response to the Congregation Beth Israel Hostage Situation

Sunday, January 16, 2022/15 Shevat 5782

Dear UJC Families and Friends,

Praised are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe,
who frees the captive.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, ruler of the world, who rewards the undeserving with goodness, and who has rewarded us with goodness. May the One who rewarded us with all goodness 

reward us with all goodness for ever.

Late last night after an 11-hour siege, hostage negotiators freed the four hostages at Congregation Bethel Israel in Colleyville, Texas, including Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker. All the hostages were physically unharmed. The hostage taker, Malik Faisal Akram, 44, a British citizen, is dead. 

We can now breathe a sigh of relief. As I wrote yesterday, many of us - myself included - are still feeling sadness, fear, anxiety, anger, and bewilderment. While the location of the attack may have been random (the FBI is still investigating), the fact that Jews were targeted is not random. Approximately 58% of hate crimes are directed towards Jews. 

During the joint Secure Community Network (SCN) and ADL community security briefing this afternoon, the speakers repeated that one of the reasons for the positive outcome yesterday was the preparedness of the synagogue leadership for potentially threatening events. (SCN is the official safety and security organization of the Jewish community in North America, working directly with Jewish Federations, the ADL, the FBI, and the DHS.)

To that end, you need to know that the UJC Security Committee - Stanley Kessler, Chairperson; Neil Friedman, and John Fung - have been working tirelessly with the SCN and the UJC Board of Trustees to enhance the UJC's security system. Federal grant money has been secured to do this work through FEMA's Non-Profit Security Grant Program. The Security Committee will be sending a follow-up email in the next few days letting you know what is currently being done and what is being planned.

The safety of the UJC community is our paramount concern. 

May the Holy One of Blessing spread a shelter of peace and security over us and our loved ones now and forever. 

Cantor Penny Kessler
cantor@unitedjewishcenter.org

January 4, 2022: Important COVID-Related Changes to UJC Services, Programs, and Religious School Classes

Tuesday, January 4, 2022/2 Shevat 5782

Dear UJC Families,

We hope that 2022 has begun with love, health, and peace for all. 

The safety of our families is our highest concern. Because of the current spike in COVID cases in our area, and out of an abundance of caution, the United Jewish Center will be making some temporary changes to our UJC services, programs, and religious school classes. (Please note that as of today, the UJC office will remain open Monday-Friday, 10am-3pm. Please call before you come over.) 

UJC Services and Programs:

All UJC Shabbat services and programs will be conducted ONLINE ONLY in the UJC Zoom meeting room beginning Friday, January 7, at 7pm, and Saturday, January 8, at 10am.  We will reevaluate conducting services and programs in person/online at the end of January based on the levels of COVID-19 at that time.

If you have any questions regarding UJC services, please contact Cantor Penny Kessler, cantor@unitedjewishcenter.org. For program information, please contact Lisi Marcus, UJC President, president@unitedjewishcenter.org. Please check your UJC emails for log-in information.

Religious School:

There will be no Hebrew/Religious School classes (either in person or online) on Wednesday, January 5; Sunday, January 9; Wednesday, January 12; and Sunday, January 16. This will give our teachers time to prepare ONLINE ONLY classes, which will begin on Wednesday, January 19, in the Religious School Zoom meeting room. Beginning Wednesday, January 19, Wednesday classes will be held from 4:30-5:30pm; Sunday classes will be held from 10-11:30am. 

Cantor Kessler will meet with UJC bar mitzvah students ONLINE in the Religious School Zoom as scheduled.

We will reevaluate holding in-person classes at the end of January based on the levels of COVID-19 at that time. If you have any questions regarding Religious School, please contact Daryl Bain, Director of Education, eddir@unitedjewishcenter.org.  Please check your emails for Religious School log-in information.

As always we urge those who are age eligible to get vaccinated and boosted. Please stay safe; your health and welfare are our highest priority. 

Welcome to the United Jewish Center!

The United Jewish Center is a progressive Reform Jewish community committed to providing a loving and safe Jewish environment for grownups and children.
We offer opportunities for people of all ages to learn about Judaism and Torah.
Our worship services encourage participation as we seek to find our unique relationships with God. We believe that social action and justice efforts are an essential part of Judaism. 

We are affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism. 

 We are a warm and welcoming community for individuals and families of all ages and all backgrounds. If you are married or a partner or single, younger or older, you'll find a home here at the United Jewish Center.

Located in the heart of Danbury, our synagogue members come from all over the Greater Danbury area: Bethel, Brookfield, Danbury, New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown, Oxford, Redding, Ridgefield, and Westchester. We welcome you no matter where you are from!

Whether you are looking for a social Jewish community, a place for grownups and kids to learn about Judaism and Torah, worship that encourages participation as we seek to find our relationship with God, the UJC has something to offer you.

We hope to see you soon!

UJC Shabbat Services

 


Friday, December 24: Shabbat Evening Service
 5pm online only
Cantor Kessler will be joined by 
Temple Bethel Rabbi Gold
in Temple Bethel El's Zoom Meeting Room
(check your UJC emails for the log-in information) 

Saturday, December 25: Shabbat Morning Service
10am ONLINE ONLY
in the UJC Zoom Meeting Room

Friday, December 31: Shabbat Evening Service
5pm ONLINE ONLY
in the UJC Zoom Meeting Room

Saturday, January 1: Shabbat Morning Service
10am ONLINE ONLY
in the UJC Zoom Meeting Room

We are OPEN at 141 Deer Hill Avenue!

The UJC building at 141 Deer Hill Avenue
has reopened!

Following CDC guidelines, please wear a mask and socially distance
while you are in the building.

Shabbat evening and Shabbat morning services
will be held in person in the Dick Chapel
and also online in the UJC Zoom meeting room. 

PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE AT (203) 748-3355 or email office@unitedjewishcenter.org
if you have any questions or need assistance.

  • <span class="slider_title"> Shabbat Evening Sunset - July 2021 </span>
  • <span class="slider_title"> UJC Tashlich </span>
  • <span class="slider_title"> UJC at the March for Reproductive Rights in Danbury </span>
  • <span class="slider_title"> UJC at the ADL/CT Walk Against Hate in Hartford </span>

 

Fri, January 21 2022 19 Sh'vat 5782