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The Westchester Jewish Council's
WE-stchester
Comm-UNITY
Connection
May 28, 2026 12 Sivan 5786
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Greetings!
This week was filled with meaningful moments, from honoring diverse cultural heritages to celebrating leadership at the Council's 51st Annual Meeting.
We were honored to partner with AJC Westchester/Fairfield in celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month and Asian American Heritage Month at the White Plains Public Library. These observances provide an opportunity to reflect, learn, and celebrate the generations whose contributions, experiences, and traditions have enriched our shared American story. Read more about this program in the newsletter below.
Last evening, we gathered for our 51st Annual Meeting. We welcomed 14 new board members, recognized continuing leadership, and expressed our gratitude to those concluding their terms of service. The dedication of both our volunteer and professional leaders is what strengthens and sustains our vibrant community. Click here to view the new and continuing Council leadership.
As we prepare to welcome Pride Month beginning June 1st, we are pleased to highlight programming and events from several of our member organizations below. Through the Council’s ongoing Mosaic Initiative, we remain committed to fostering a community that is welcoming, inclusive, and affirming of LGBTQ+ individuals and families. Please feel free to contact us to learn more about this important work.
We leave you with an interesting fact about today's date in Jewish history because who doesn't love a bit of history? The first Jewish sermon preached and published in America was delivered by Rabbi Hayyim Isaac Carigal at the Newport Synagogue in 1773.
Wishing you a lovely weekend, Shabbat Shalom and hope to see you at the annual Israel Day Parade on 5th.
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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.)
| | Our 51st Annual Meeting was held last evening. President Michael Mittelman gave a comprehensive report on the "state of the Council" including some highlights of plans for the coming year. We honored and recognized both incoming and outgoing board members. Click here to view the new and continuing Council leadership. Thank you to all outgoing board and executive committee members who gave their time while serving on the Westchester Jewish Council Board of Directors. Thank you to JCCH for hosting this meeting. Stay tuned next week for pictures from the evening's program. | |
SAVE THE DATE
50th Annual Jewish Music and Arts Festival
August 16 at 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Kensico Dam, Valhalla, NY
Free
Look out for more details coming soon.
| | JEWISH HERITAGE MONTH EVENTS & NEWS | | |
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. FREE PARKING!!!!
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 Westchester Jewish Council applauds Assemblywoman Amy Paulin for her leadership in securing critical new protections for houses of worship, religious schools, and community centers as part of the newly passed New York State budget. Working alongside fellow legislators and Governor Kathy Hochul, the final agreement expands protections for Jewish institutions and strengthens safety measures around entrances, sidewalks, and parking areas.
Our members know all too well the challenges the Jewish community in Westchester continues to face amid rising antisemitism and harassment. This legislation sends a clear message that New York stands firmly against hate and intimidation, and we are deeply grateful for Assemblywoman Paulin’s advocacy and steadfast partnership on behalf of vulnerable communities.
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As we close both Asian American and Jewish American Heritage Month, we are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us for this meaningful gathering. With more than 75 leaders in attendance, the evening reflected the strength of community, dialogue, and shared understanding.
The personal stories shared by our elected officials were moving and meaningful, reminding us of the immigrant journeys, cultural traditions, challenges, and hopes that connect our communities across generations and carry us into the future. We are especially thankful to the library for serving as such a welcoming and important civic space where learning, conversation, and connection can flourish.
We look forward to continuing to build bridges, deepen partnerships, and celebrate the rich diversity that strengthens our community. Thank you to White Plains Library for hosting so graciously
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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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THIS SUNDAY
CELEBRATE
THE ISRAEL DAY PARADE
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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)
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Interfaith Roundtable
We were honored to have April Hampton and Abbe Marcus from JTC join us via Zoom this week to learn about “The Telling: A Gathering of Remembrance,” a history of African Americans inspired by the Jewish Passover Seder. If you missed the program and would like to view it, please click on the link below.
| | Synagogue Executive Directors - Wednesday June 3 | | |
FROM YOUTUBE TO YOUR LIVING ROOM: JEWISH PARENTING WITH MS. SARA
Thursday, June 4, Doors open at 7:15 pm
Join UJA White Plains for a joyful and meaningful evening with Ms. Sara, a beloved children’s educator known for bringing Jewish values and celebration to life for young families.Sara will be in conversation with Rebecca Solomon, Emmy Award-winning journalist, sharing insights and practical guidance for finding ways to bring Jewish joy into your home through songs, stories, and everyday rituals.
| | A SMALL SAMPLE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING... | | |
While Pride Month officially begins on June 1st, we are sharing this section a bit early to ensure that our readers do not miss the many meaningful programs and celebrations taking place in the community.
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Pride Shabbat:
Scholar-in-Residence Rabbi Mike Moskowitz
Friday, 5/29-Shabbat, 5/30
Please join us for Pride Shabbat as we welcome Rabbi Mike Moskowitz. Rabbi Moskowitz will be giving a d’var tefillah on Friday night, the sermon during Shabbat morning services, and teaching after kiddush on the following topics:
Friday night: "Shabbos and the Gendered Texture of Time"
Shabbat Morning Sermon: "Homophobia is the Real Abomination: Classic Sources and New Understandings"
Post Kiddush Text Study: "Honoring the Divine Presence by Showing Up: Allyship as a Spiritual Practice"
Rabbi Mike Moskowitz is the Director of Scholarship and Multi-faith Engagement at The Beacon for Democracy, a project of Union Theological Seminary. For the past seven years he served as the Scholar-in-Residence for Trans and Queer Jewish Studies at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, the world’s largest LGBT synagogue. Rabbi Moskowitz received three Ultra-Orthodox ordinations while learning in the Mir in Jerusalem and BMG in Lakewood, NJ. He is a Wexner Field Fellow, Senior Rabbinic Fellow at the Hartman Institute, and the author of Textual Activism, Graceful Masculinity, Seasonal Resistance, and Ancestral Allyship.
To purchase Rabbi Moskowitz's book, Ancestral Allyship, please click here.
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CSI – Pride Shabbat
June 6th at 9:30am
Join us for Pride Shabbat with guest speaker Eliana Rubin, the New York Education & Training Manager at Keshet, a national organization working for the full equality of LGBTQ+ Jews and their families in Jewish life.
Eliana is a queer and trans educator and artist who aims to help people better understand themselves and the world around them through her work at Keshet. She received her Master of Educational Leadership from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and previously worked at The Jewish Education Project. Eliana is also a musician and theatre maker with a BFA in Drama from NYU/Tisch.
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WESTCHESTER COUNTY +
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
| | Congregation Sons of Israel is looking for an Interim Religious School Director (1-Year Position) July 1, 2026 - June 30th, 2027. | | Congregation Sons of Israel is also looking for a part-time Religious School Teacher. | | 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 June 4, 2026
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