Jackie Kusher, who served as cantor at Congregation Etz Chaim-Monroe Township Jewish Center for 39 years, will return on Sunday, Aug. 24 at 2:30 p.m. for a reading and discussion of his first novel, Bloodstains in the Snow, about his parents’ survival during the Holocaust.
Kusher is an actor, singer and songwriter who has appeared in off-Broadway shows, television series and several movies. His debut book recounts the story of his parents, Fishel Kuscher and Jelenka Tambor. His father watched as hate engulfed his native Warsaw while his mother witnessed the same in her small Czech village. The book shines a light on their survival despite a treacherous landscape of escalating violence and persecution as the world around them crumbled and they persevered through hardship to raise a family in America.
The program is free. For information contact Stefani K. at (732) 251-1119 or office@etazchaimmtjc.org.
The Jewish Women’s Circle of Chabad House of Monroe will hold a Rosh Chodesh brunch on Monday, Aug. 25 at noon featuring Mozelle Safdieh, a 29-year faculty veteran who teaches Jewish outlook at Ilan High School for Girls in Ocean Township. She will speak about discovering the meaning of the month of Elul and preparing spiritually for Rosh Hashana. Rosh Chodesh celebrates the new moon at the beginning of the month. Elul is considered a time of intensive spiritual preparation in advance of the High Holidays. As the last month of the year, it is traditionally a time of introspection, repentance and seeking forgiveness so as to enter the new year with a cleansed soul.
To attend go to events@jewishmonroe.com. The brunch is being sponsored by Jayne Levy Carol and Debra Ignotofsky and is free to attend. For more information, contact Chabad at (609) 4091000 or go to jewishmonroe.com.
The Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Monmouth County (JFCS) will host a block party from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22 at its Summerfield Avenue main offices in Asbury Park featuring music, arts n’ crafts, thrifting, raffles, ice cream and other treats. Rain date is Wednesday, Aug. 27. The family-friendly event is open to the public and is designed for those attending to have the opportunity to meet people from other community agencies as well learn about the many programs and services offered by JFCS. Services offered include mental health and wellness services, senior socialization, kosher Meals on Wheels, home health aides and assisting Holocaust survivors.
For more information contact JFCS at (732) 774-6886 or info@jfcsmonmouth.org.
Jewish Family Services of Middlesex County (JFS) is in need of volunteers to help deliver kosher Meals on Wheels. Summer, when some drivers take vacations, is an especially difficult time to fill driver vacancies but the need is still there for seniors and the disabled who rely on the program. Volunteers will fill routes on an as-needed basis in northern Middlesex County and in Old Bridge. Deliveries are for Monday, Wednesday and Friday with meals picked up in Metuchen at 10 a.m. Deliveries should take approximately two hours.
JFS has more than 200 volunteers filling such vital roles as making phone calls for its friendly visitor program, Senior Medicare Patrol, state Insurance assistance program (SHIP), immigration and citizenship services, office workers, staffing its food pantry and to serve as hosts and hostesses.
If interested in volunteering or for more information contact JFS at office@jfsmiddleesex.org or (732) 777-1940.
