BS"D





                  Great Fun & Free Things to Do

                    --------------------------



1. Jewish Seminars



        The friendly atmosphere and interesting topics at many 

Jewish seminars make it easy to learn about Judaism and make 

friends at the same time. 



        The Jewish Heritage Center holds seminars, lectures and 

outings to help you to get more acquainted with Judaism. Several 

of my friends attended their seminars and were very pleased with 

the activities and the company. The JHC's recent newsletter lists 

their activities as: Seminars - Adult Classes - Weekend Retreats 

- Missions to Israel - Book and Tape Libraries - Jewish 

Information Service - Hebrew Reading - Prayer Services - Shabbos 

Hospitality - Singles Events - College Programs - Beginners 

Classes - Charity Drives - Community Service. That can keep you 

busy for a while. Their motto is Guided Growth Through Torah. 

The newsletter also boasts "The JHC celebrates approximately 20 

marriages of its students a year!" 



        The Jewish Heritage Center of Queens and Long Island is 

directed by Rabbi Naftali Portnoy and Rabbi Moshe Turk. It is 

located at:     68-29 Main Street 

                Flushing, NY  11367

                718-575-3100 tel / 718-575-2728 fax

                e-mail: JHCemail@AOL.COM



        If you are in the city - Manhattan - The Flame may 

interest you. They hold convenient classes on topics such as 

Bible Stories, Jewish History, Judaism and Love, Women in 

Judaism, Nine questions about Judaism, etc. They are located on 

the New York University campus, at the Loeb Student Center at 

West 4th Street. To register for classes call Susie Garber at 

718-268-2448. Or speak with Rabbi Mat Hoffman at 212-303-9029.



Other organizations that you may contact to find out about 

seminars, programs and lectures are: 



Agudath Israel  212-797-9000 x 53 - Seminar information 

Aish HaTorah    718-377-8819      - Discovery Outreach &

                                    Summer / Israel Programs

Arachim         800-722-3191      - Weekend Seminars

                914-356-2766

Center for Return                 - Torah programs

                718-263-3551

Council of Jewish Organizations   - Jewish programs

                718-591-8978      - 152-45 Melbourne Avenue, Flushing

Havurat Yisrael 261-5500, 09      - Outreach Synagogue

Ohr Sameach     212-213-3100      - Summer / Israel / 

                                    Year Learning Program 

Queens Jewish Center              - Outreach Synagogue

                459-8432, 830-9024 

Shalheves       800-998-0400      - Rabbi Ezriel Tauber's

                914-425-2094      - Weekend Seminars





                 

2. The Jewish Educational Program



        JEP - the Jewish Educational Program - is dedicated to 

outreaching and teaching children about Torah and our heritage. 

During the school year they regularly visit public schools to 

give the kids a feel for Judaism. They give lectures and explain 

concepts in small groups. JEP also sponsors shabbatons - in 

which a group of children are invited to spend Shabbat at an 

observant families homes. They sing, play games, learn and 

enjoy. 



        In the summer JEP runs a camp for Boys and Girls called 

Camp Negeelah.  Call 516-374-1528 for more information.



        The staff of JEP is friendly and helpful. Once I called 

JEP to ask about Jewish schools in the neighborhood. I chanced to 

speak with Rabbi Katz. 718-941-2600. He gave me some information 

and told me that if I know anyone who is having difficulties 

getting their child into a Jewish school that he could help them. 

If you have such a concern, take him up on it. 



        There are JEPs in Long Island, Monsey, Montreal, Queens, 

Staten Island, Toronto and Weschester.



        JEP is a program of Agudath Israel. For more information 

call 212-797-9000. fax 212-269-2843







3. Visit a Jewish Library



        In Brooklyn, the Jewish Youth Library can keep you busy 

enjoying for days and days. The Jewish Youth Library is not only 

for the young and the young at heart. It is for old, grumpy 

people as well. Just Joking. Their brochure states: The Jewish 

youth library opened its doors in 1979 to meet the demand for 

popular material on Jewish subjects. ... [It holds] Popular 

children's books, Jewish history books. Books about Torah and the 

Talmud, Biographies of great heros... journals. Books about 

Jewish life and Jewish culture. Books in English, Hebrew, and 

Yiddish. 



        It is located at 1461 46th Street in Brooklyn, NY. You 

might as well take the zip also: 11219-2633. Call them at 718-

435-4711. 



        Inspiration, education and exhilaration are at your 

fingertips at the Queens Torah Library. They feature a large 

selection of Children's Books, Music Tapes, Video Tapes, Rabbi 

Wein's History Tapes, Daf Hayomi (Talmud page of the day program) 

Tapes and much more. Located at 68-09 Main Street in Flushing, 

NY, they are across the street from the Mobil Gas Station. 

Because of their selected hours, call before you go. A recent 

flyer stated their hours: Sunday 9 AM - 1 PM, Monday 8 PM - 10 

PM, Tuesday 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM, Thursday 8 PM - 10 PM. Call them 

at 718-263-0852 





4. Spend Shabbat at a friendly family's home



        You can read about Shabbat for years and years, but you 

don't feel the delight until you actually experience one 

firsthand. Hospitable organizations and individuals open their 

arms to you to get the feeling of Shabbat. 



        Jewish Outreach Professionals can guide you to a family 

or an organization that welcomes you in for a Shabbat or Jewish 

Holiday. Whether you are in California, Boston, or any other 

place in the continental United States, they can refer you to a 

hospitable home. They can be reached at Jewish Outreach 

Professionals, 341 Route 306 Monsey, NY 10952-1443, 914-354-0100 



        The National Jewish Outreach Program hosts the Turn 

Friday Night into Shabbos experience. It includes a delicious 

Shabbos meal, with kiddush, challah, singing and dancing. For 

more information call 212-986-7450. NJOP also offers Beginner 

Services which is a special Shabbat for newcomers to Synagogue 

life which introduces our traditions through group prayer and 

open discussions. It holds a Course in Hebrew reading, where you 

can learn to read Hebrew in five free lessons, and a Crash Course 

in Basic Judaism, where you can learn about the philosophy and 

wisdom of Judaism in five free sessions. 





5. Get a free Jewish Educational Materials catalog



        Torah U'Mesorah is a national organization for Hebrew day 

schools. They have an excellent catalog of Jewish materials for 

children - they include beautiful posters, books, informative 

videos, charts, stencils, cassettes, and more. The catalog is 

also great for the newly acquainted to Judaism. Flipping through 

the pages of the catalog, I feel like ordering some things 

myself. You can also get a comprehensive directory of Jewish day 

schools - Elementary and Secondary - for the United States and 

Canada. This Directory costs about $12.00. Totally worthwhile, for 

those who want their children to learn the heritage of their 

grandfathers. 



        Torah U'Mesorah Publications is at 5723 18th Avenue, 

Brooklyn, NY   11204, 718-259-1223 tel / 718-259-1795 fax 









6. Call the Torah Phone



        Call 718-435-3492. All sorts of options are open to you 

on the Torah Communication Network's Torah Phone. Basically, 

using your touch-tone phone you select either a Torah lesson 

(Shiur), a dial-a-daf (page of Talmud) or a Mishna (Jewish law) 

to learn. These are samples. They offer subscriber service as 

well. To find out more about their services call 718-436-4999 or 

fax 718-435-0191. When you call listen to the menu. The 

selections I made were 3 for a sample, 3 for dial a shiur (Torah 

lesson) in English, and 13 for a Hashkafa Shiur (Torah philosophy 

lesson) by Rabbi Yonathan Alton. But you have many other 

alternatives like: Mesilath Yesharim - The Path of the Just by 

Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzatto on Jewish Ethics; Jewish History and 

Biographies, Stories, Rabbi Ezriel Tauber's Lectures, Psalms, 

Torah insights, and much more. 



        There are other Torah lesson phone providers as well:

Torah Sion Torah Phone offers interesting lessons around the 

clock at 212-330-7030. Dial and learn. They offer lessons in 

English and Persian.











7. Bracha (Blessings) List



        The Chofetz Chaim was a great sage who lived 

approximately 100 years ago. He wrote books on Jewish laws, on 

doing acts of loving kindness (Ahavat Hesed) and books on 

guarding one's speech. An organization named after him 

distributes - among other things - a pocket brochos guide. If you 

want to know what brochos to say for Cheerios, it is in there. 

They also distribute material and cassette tapes on guarding 

one's speech. 



        I have one of their standing cards on my desk. It speaks 

about Loshon Tov (good speech) - Words that build, Words that 

Heal. I couldn't resist quoting from it here. "When we speak to 

family, friends, even strangers, in a gentle, considerate way, 

our words become conductors of tremendous positive power. We can 

alleviate loneliness and despair, build self-confidence and 

respect, and even turn a tense volatile household into a peaceful 

harmonious one. ... By gearing our speech to accomplish these 

positive effects, we have the ability to create tremendous 

good in our world." On the other side of the card it includes 

quotes. One, from Midrash Mishlei, says "If someone speaks well 

of the angels speak well of him before G-d." 



        You can get the Pocket Brochos, from the Chofetz Chaim 

Heritage Foundation, 620 Coney Island Avenue, Brooklyn, NY   

11218. 718-871-6700.



        The brochos list can be used in many ways. A great way to 

teach children the trait of appreciation is to ask them to say 

the Bracha's before they eat food. Explaining to them that Hashem 

(G-d) created a delicious fruit or food and that we should thank 

Him for it by saying the Bracha - gives them a greater sense of 

satisfaction from life. When children from my family come over my 

home, I sometimes ask them who created the food and ask them to 

say the bracha. After they say it, I say "That was so good" and 

shower some praise upon them. It teaches them to appreciate the 

food, to appreciate Hashem and to gain a better feeling towards 

being Jewish. It also helps to develop more self-confidence. 



      The Orthodox Union also distributes a comprehensive "Guide 

to Blessings". It may have a minimal cost. Call them at Union of 

Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, 333 Seventh Avenue, New 

York, NY 10001-5004.  212-563-4000. The OU is the organization 

that gives Kosher supervision approval. They also provide other 

services as well. ie, Singles services, Passover information, 

Summer learning programs, and more. 







8. Jewish Outreach Hotline



        Up to date information on upcoming seminars, classes and 

other outreach activities and resources is available from the 

outreach hotline. Want to find out the nearest, upcoming seminar 

on raising children, family purity, marital relationships - they 

can help you. The Hotline number is 1-800-KIRUV-84. That's 1-800-

547-8884.







9. Prayer Hotline to Jerusalem



        Refuah Yeshuah offers a free public service to those who 

have a concern on their mind. They offer prayers at the Western 

Wall for those with an illness, a pending surgery, a crisis, a 

success or any occasion. "Our sages say "Prayer Helps" especially 

Tehillim, recited with a minyan (group of 10 men) when said at 

the Western Wall." Their phone number is 1-800-545-PRAY. That's 

1-800-545-7729.







10. Free Mincha Map



        You find yourself in the middle of Manhattan and realize 

you that time for Mincha (the Afternoon prayer) is coming. You 

want to pray with a Minyan (a group of 10 or more men). What do 

you do? Just take out your handy Mincha map and look up the 

nearest Minyan.



You can get one by contacting:

 Agudath Israel of America

 84 William Street

 New York, NY   10030

 212-797-9000



        Agudath Israel also provides other services like help for 

Jewish professionals and others to find a job. They run camps and 

youth programs. They provide services for the elderly. AI 

maintains Jewish archival resources. They provide aid to women in 

financial crisis. They also have a Jewish law hotline. If you 

want answers to your Jewish law questions, they have a competent 

staff of Rabbis that are ready to answer.                 









----

from:   The Jewish Education Network

at:     http://www.aquanet.co.il/vip/mc

e-mail: jenet@iname.com

date:   17 Tamuz 5758 / July 12, 1998

ver:    1.1



The Jewish Education Network -  A Jewish Education Counts,

Matatia Chetrit, Copyright (1998)

Please feel free to copy this document. We only ask that you keep 

it intact and leave this message on it. Thanks

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