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The Westchester Jewish Council's
WE-stchester
Comm-UNITY
Connection
May 14, 2026 27 Iyar 5786
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Greetings!
Over the past week, the community has come together for so many impactful and inspiring Jewish American Heritage Month events and interfaith gatherings, several of which you can read about throughout this newsletter. The Council's Interfaith Roundtable will be hosting a Zoom event with JTC Experiences on May 26th. We will hear from Executive Director Abbe Marcus and April Hampton about their upcoming program, “The Telling: A Gathering of Remembrance” at Star of Bethlehem Church, Ossining, NY. More details can be found below about both the roundtable and the program.
As we begin winding down another meaningful programming year, we look ahead to our 51st Annual Meeting on Wednesday, May 27th, an important time for us to reflect on the year’s work and accomplishments and to recognize board members whose terms are ending, as well as welcome new board members. Please find the full Report of the Nominating Committee here.
On Sunday, May 31st, our community will once again come together in New York City for the Annual Celebrate Israel Parade. This gathering provides our community an opportunity to celebrate our Jewish homeland and unity. We are excited to join thousands of participants for what promises to be an uplifting and memorable day. The Council is once again this year organizing a marching delegation from Westchester. If you would like more information, please contact Donna at Donna@wjcouncil.org.
At this time of year, we like to recognize all of the graduates and wish them a Mazal Tov as they embark on new adventures and opportunities.
Shabbat Shalom and have a lovely weekend---and do try to read the full newsletter. Lots of news and views within.
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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.)
| | Join us on Zoom as we welcome JTC Executive Director Abbe Marcus and Board Member April Hampton and learn about “The Telling: A Gathering of Remembrance”, a history of African Americans inspired by the Jewish Passover Seder. | | |
There’s more!
Join us on Sunday, June 14th at
Star of Bethlehem Church, Ossining, NY for “The Telling”
More details can be found below in the "Odds and Ends" section of this newsletter.
Register Here
| | JEWISH HERITAGE MONTH EVENTS & NEWS | | This year’s JAHM presidential proclamation is particularly significant, as it coincides not only with America’s 250th birthday, but also with the 20th anniversary of the first Presidential recognition of Jewish American Heritage Month. The first JAHM proclamation was issued by President George W. Bush in 2006, and Presidents Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Donald Trump have continued the tradition each year since. This year’s proclamation is especially notable because it goes beyond previous JAHM proclamations by explicitly encouraging a nationwide observance of Shabbat. | | |
This June, come together with the community and the Westchester Jewish Council for a special Jewish Heritage Night with the 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.
| | CONNECTING GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY | | |
The Council was represented by staff and board leaership at Governor Hochul's Jewish American Heritage Month Reception which was held at the Museum of the City of New York.
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ISRAEL
UPDATES & UPCOMING PROGRAMS
FROM COMMUNITY SHLICHA & SHINSHINIM
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ARE YOU READY TO HOST A YOUNG ISRAELI EMISSARY STARTING IN LATE AUGUST? It is an incredible opportunity for any family that has an extra bedroom to bring some Israeli culture into their home for 3-5 months. You will gain an extended family in Israel and a friendship that will last a lifetime.
Please reach out to Karen Avneri for more information.
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SAVE THE DATE TO CELEBRATE
THE ISRAEL DAY PARADE
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WORKING TOGETHER TO BUILD
COMMUNITY AND UNDERSTANDING
| | National Day of Prayer Gathering | | |
Last Thursday, over 60 clergy members of different faiths, including Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam and Hinduism gathered for the Westchester Clergy Faith Gathering to coincide with the annual National Day of Prayer. This program provided an opportunity for the clergy members to connect and build bridges with fellow faith leaders they may not have interacted with before. The program included structured dialogue groups, each tasked with creating its own interfaith prayer. Below is one of the prayers shared during the gathering:
"In many ways, the population of Westchester County is America at is best – a mosaic of colors, traditions, faiths, ethnicities, and identities. May we always remember and start from a place of humanity, empathy, and compassion. To acknowledge what makes us beautiful, different individuals, as we strive towards the common ground we share and work to make our county, state, nation, and world a better and more welcoming place for absolutely everyone within it.
May we be connected to God, our faith, and our spirituality, as we form bonds and connections with each other to do God’s work here in Westchester and on earth".
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REKINDLE PROGRAM
Westchester Jewish Council and UJA-Federation
“Share Our America”
Rekindle Conversations Between Westchester’s
Black and Jewish Communities
In today’s fractured culture, building community is increasingly challenging. Rarely do people have the time or space to engage in deep, honest conversations that foster real understanding. Both the Jewish and Black communities are watching current events unfold with serious concern for their safety and future. Yet those concerns are often different—and not always aligned. Social media silos have further deepened the divide, leaving each community unaware of some of the other’s most pressing realities.
Rekindle dialogue groups build deep interpersonal relationships among participants that last far beyond the twelve programmatic discussion hours. That way, when a situation arises in either community, there is an allyship to call upon for greater understanding and support.
| | The White Plains Interfaith Clergy Council Breakfast was held this past Monday. This was the second gathering aimed at uniting local faith leaders to continue building relationships, advancing understanding, and serving together for the good of all. The attendees participated in an exercise similar to speed dating in which they paired up with different partners to study religious text. Thank you to St. Gregory The Enlightener Armenian Church for hosting this event. | |
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
| | Interfaith Roundtable - Tuesday, May 26th at noon via Zoom (Details can be found above in the "Council Events" section) | | |
A highly engaged group participated in the Synagogue Presidents Plus One Roundtable end-of-program year meeting on May 6. The agenda included a brief update on security from Carey Hollander of CSS (Community Security Service), drinking a toast to and getting words of advice from outgoing presidents (thank you to Jill Ratner of Bet Torah, Marcy Modica of Congregation Emanuel of Westchester, and Stephen Lehman of Larchmont Temple for participating), as well as discussion groups on synagogue governance. Thank you to Steve Young, roundtable chair, and to our discussion facilitators Audrey Samers, Lori Sloane, Marc Klee, David Eppinger, and Larry Engle.
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Westchester Business and Professional Division Spring Dinner
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Join the UJA Westchester Business and Professional Division for our annual Spring Dinner.
We’ll honor Geri Eisenman Pell for her philanthropic leadership and years of commitment to the Jewish community and the Hon. Jeffrey A. Cohen (ret) for his dedication to Israel and advancing Jewish causes throughout our local community and beyond.
Register now: https://www.ujafedny.org/event/view/bp-spring-dinner
| | A SMALL SAMPLE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING... | | |
"UJA-Federation of New York taps Leffell School's Michael Kay
to serve as next CEO"
(Courtesy of the Jewish Insider)
| | Elluminate’s webinars highlight visionary Jewish women leaders and their organizations, addressing today’s intractable issues and innovative solutions. Tune in to learn about important, timely issues through a gender lens. | |
Russ & Daughters: 100 Years of Appetizing
Join us for a book talk and tasting with Niki Russ Federman and Josh Russ Tupper of Russ & Daughters as we celebrate their new cookbook 100 Years of Appetizing.
Tuesday, May 19
Tasting Reception: 6:30-7:30 PM
Program in Theater: 7:30-8:30 PM
Grab and Go Dessert: 8:30 PM
Tasting Ticket: $118 (includes tasting, program, dessert, and book)
General Admission: $65 (includes program, dessert, and book)
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First Hebrew Congregation to install Rabbi Jonah T. Geffen in weekend-long celebration. Mazal Tov!
Read the full press releae below.
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ADL shares a message about the passing of
past National Director Abraham H. Foxman (z"l)
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THE TELLING: A Gathering of Remembrance A Juneteenth Commemoration in Ossining
Sunday, June 14, 2026 • The Telling Service: 6:00 PM • Dinner: 7:00 PM Admission: $20 per person (Registration required)
In honor of Juneteenth, the Briarcliff Ossining Ministerial Association (BOMA), Star of Bethlehem Church, NAACP Ossining, the Ossining Village Juneteenth Council, CSI Briarcliff, and JTC Experiences invite the community to a powerful evening of reflection, history, and shared experience: “The Telling: A Gathering of Remembrance.”
Kosher and Halal meal options available upon request
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MAZAL TOV TO:
Rabbi Jonah T. Geffen on his installation as the Congregational Rabbi of First Hebrew Congregation of Peekskill.
Community Synagogue of Rye's rabbinic intern Morgan Tobey on her ordination
| | WESTCHESTER COUNTY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES | | |
JCC Mid-Westchester Parent Ambassador (Part-Time)
The Parent Ambassador serves as a community connector—building authentic relationships with families, fostering peer connections, and creating small, welcoming gatherings that help families build meaningful relationships and a sense of belonging through 1:1 meetings, tabling at events, planning and hosting pop-up programs and meetups
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Senior Director, Development (Full-time + benefits)
The JCC Mid-Westchester is seeking a Senior Director, Development to join its expanding development team. In recent years, the organization has significantly invested in its development function, yielding strong results. We are now looking for a leader to provide strategic direction and guidance to an exceptional team of professionals and build on this exciting momentum.
| | 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 21, 2026
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