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The Westchester Jewish Council's
WE-stchester
Comm-UNITY
Connection
May 7, 2026 20 Iyar 5786
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Greetings!
"If at first you don't succeed, try doing it the way mom told you to in the beginning." (unknown)
Each May, Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) honors the many contributions Jewish Americans have made to our nation’s history, culture, and society.
The Westchester Jewish Council was grateful to be honored this year at the Westchester County Board of Legislators' Annual Jewish Heritage Month Celebration. We thank our legislators for this honor including being featured on the Jumbo-Tron outside the Westchester County Center. More local commemorations and learning opportunities are coming your way at many schools and public libraries. And look for details for a special leadership reception at the White Plains Public Library, proudly brought to you in partnership with the Council, AJC and UJA. More details to follow.
Mark your calendars for the first-ever Jewish Heritage Night at the Westchester Soccer Club! This event promises a night full of exciting sports, fun activities, and an unforgettable atmosphere. Check out the details below and be part of this amazing celebration!
And of course, get ready for an incredible celebration! Mark your calendars for Sunday, May 31, as we come together for the annual Celebrate Israel Parade. Join in marching with the Westchester cluster group, coordinated by the Westchester Jewish Council. If you want to be part of this amazing experience, reach out to Donna at Donna@wjcouncil.org. Let’s show our support for the people of Israel and our Jewish homeland.
Warm wishes to all who celebrate Mother’s Day.
Shabbat Shalom and have a fabulous weekend.
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Michael Mittelman, President
Elliot Forchheimer, CEO
Lori Kurlander, Communications Manager
WESTCHESTER JEWISH COUNCIL
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HERE WHEN YOU NEED US - YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW:
Since 1975, the Council has connected our Jewish community to:
Each other, to Israel, to our elected officials and
to our brothers and sisters from other faiths and ethnic groups
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(The Council is financially supported by donations from individuals,
dues from 120 member organizations and generous financial support from UJA-Federation.)
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31st Annual Julian Y. Bernstein Distinguished Service Awards Photos
Take a look back at our wonderful annual Distinguished Service Awards evening with photos capturing a memorable night honoring 17 dedicated community volunteers from among the Council's 120 member organizations.
Thank you again to Aggie Photography for beautifully capturing the event.
| | JEWISH HERITAGE MONTH EVENTS | | |
This June, come together with the community and the Westchester Jewish Council for a special Jewish Heritage Night with Westchester Soccer Club. On Wednesday, June 10th at 7:00 PM, join us at Memorial Field in Mt. Vernon as Westchester SC faces NYCFC II in an evening that combines the excitement of soccer with a celebration of Jewish culture and community.
This family-friendly event features kosher food options and a vibrant atmosphere for all to enjoy. Tickets are just $15, making it an accessible and meaningful night out for everyone.
Event Details:
Wednesday, June 10th
Gates open at 5:30 PM | Kickoff at 7:00 PM
Memorial Field, 431 Garden Ave, Mt. Vernon
We hope you’ll join us for this memorable evening of community pride and celebration.
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ISRAEL
UPDATES & UPCOMING PROGRAMS
FROM COMMUNITY SHLICHA & SHINSHINIM
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SAVE THE DATE TO CELEBRATE
THE ISRAEL DAY PARADE
| | CONNECTING GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY | | |
The Westchester County Board of Legislators held their annual Jewish American Heritage Month Celebration this week. The Westchester Jewish Council was grateful to be honored, along with the Hon. Suzi Oppenheimer, former State Senator and Mayor of Mamaroneck. Marc Klee, Council Senior Vice President, accepted the award on behalf of the Council.
Thank you to the County Board of Legislators for celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month every year and for honoring our organization this year.
Please find the County Board of Legislators Press Release here.
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WESTCHESTER JEWISH COUNCIL'S
SECURITY AND SAFETY UPDATE
“Repetition Reinforces Retention and Recall”
| | For more information about the Westchester Jewish Council's Security Roundtable initiative, contact security@wjcouncil.org. Working together we are all safer. | | WESTCHESTER JEWISH COUNCIL ROUNDTABLES | | |
Westchester Jewish Council
Upcoming Community Roundtables
(The Council thanks the hundreds of people who dedicate time to attend our Roundtables - a signature initiative of the Council, often sponsored with wonderful partners from among our member organizations)
Security - Thursday, May 14
Mosaic/LGBTQ+ - Tuesday, May 19 at 7:30 pm on Zoom
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UJA Westchester Annual Celebration
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 • 6:30 pm
Celebrate our community’s support for UJA and help us honor Karen and Ed Friedman for their deep commitment to the Jewish community and recognize Kim Goldberg and Lauren Shalem as the recipients of our Young Leadership Award.
Register now: https://www.ujafedny.org/event/view/westchester-celebration
| | A SMALL SAMPLE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING... | |
ADL New York/New Jersey Community Briefing:
2025 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents
Friday, May 8 at 12 PM
On Friday, May 8 at 10 AM, please join us for a virtual community briefing and deep dive into the New York and New Jersey data. The ADL New York/New Jersey Regional Operations team will discuss the trends, how ADL is monitoring and addressing antisemitism locally and across the country, and how we can all take action.
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Bet Am Shalom Synagogue
Sunday, May 17, 10:00 – 11:00 AM
BAS member and Non-member families: please join us with your young children.
Theme this Month: Shavuot
Shorashim is a free, monthly, Sunday morning program for young children ages 0-5, and their parents, grandparents and caregivers. The program brings to life a different Jewish holiday or theme with age-appropriate cooking projects, arts & crafts, stories, songs and other activities.
Feel free to invite your extended family, friends, neighbors, your friends’ neighbors, etc…
Contact Lisa Jacobs, Director of Family Education & Engagement with any questions.
Register Here.
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MAZAL TOV TO:
Congregation Kol Ami's Rabbinic Intern, Leah Sherin, on her ordination
Westchester Jewish Center on its 2026 Gala and to the honorees Jacqui & Andre Kaplan, Susan & David Miller, and Amy & Justin Mayer
Rev. Dr. Erwin Lee Trollinger, Jr. of Calvary Baptist Church of White Plains on his being honored for 15 years of pastoral leadership in our community
Cantor Jenna Mark, Woodlands Community Temple, and Rabbi Zach Plesent, Associate Rabbi at Temple Israel Westport, on the birth of their son Elijah
THANKS TO:
Jack Zinn, for his dedication and time as Council Treasurer. Photo below.
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Joel Haber's new book, Cholent: The Most Jewish Food on Earth, is due to be released by Green Bean Books shortly before the Jewish holidays in September. He plans to come to the States for a book tour after the holidays are over. While the exact dates are still to be finalized, I am blocking off a long span of time, between mid-October (approximately October 9) and late November (around the 22nd).
To learn more about Joel, and about the book, see the attached flyer. To see other topics he has covered in the past, along with some video excerpts, check out https://www.tasteofjew.com/hear-me-speak/. And to get a good feel for his angle on Jewish food, and its relationship to culture and history, a great place to start is his podcast, "18 Jewish Foods," available via his website or on any major podcast platform.
He can be reached at jewishfoodbook@gmail.com for any booking inquiries, or to answer any questions. Please feel free, as well, to pass this along to anyone who might potentially be interested in booking him for a program.
| | WESTCHESTER COUNTY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES | | Beth El Day Camp is looking for a camp director. Full details can be found below. | | Congregation KTI is looking for a Director of the Community Learning Center. | | SOME QUICK MEDIA/COMMUNITY LINKS | | |
Westchester Jewish Council
925 Westchester Avenue, Suite 200, White Plains, NY 10604
914-328-7001 | info@wjcouncil.org | www.wjcouncil.org
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For information regarding submissions, please contact Lori Kurlander
The next Community Connection will be published on or about May 14, 2026
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