SENSE: South East Nassau Synagogue Enterprise

FAMILIES ACROSS LONG ISLAND
CELEBRATE THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Sunday, December 17, 2006

Westbury, NY - Families across Long Island celebrated the Festival of Lights at the second annual Chanukah Mall Mystery event held Dec. 17 at The Mall at the Source in Westbury. Sponsored by South East Nassau Synagogue Enterprise (SENSE) in cooperation with the Mid-Island Y Jewish Community Center and SAJES, the central agency for Jewish education, the celebration began with latkes provided by Del-Mir Caterers at Temple Judea of Massapequa.

Children participated in a "Mystery Message" detective game. Teens in the JCC's "Crossing Borders" program, dressed as detectives, were stationed at various locations near Fortunoff Court. Upon finding the detectives, the children received clues to a Chanukah-themed puzzle. Following the game, everyone gathered for a holiday sing-a-long with entertainer Oneg Shemesh. Cantor Jeffrey Forman of Farmingdale Jewish Center led everyone in singing the holiday blessings. After lighting the menorah, the children played the dreidel game and received holiday treats.

"It was wonderful for the families to celebrate Chanukah in a communal setting other than synagogue, and it was a great opportunity to showcase the vibrant Jewish life that thrives in Southeast Nassau," said Barry Shorten, one of the founders of SENSE.

"Family Chanukah Mall Mystery" is a program of 'Celebrations: Discovering Jewish Life in the Marketplace', a project of SAJES.
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12/26/06

SOUTH EAST NASSAU SYNAGOGUE ENTERPRISE
(SENSE) HOSTS PRE-HIGH HOLIDAY PROGRAM
Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Massapequa, NY - "More than Apples & Honey: The Meaning of High Holiday Traditions and Prayers" was the focus of a free, pre-high holiday program on Tuesday, September 12 at Temple Judea in Massapequa. Sponsored by South East Nassau Synagogue Enterprise (SENSE), the program offered an opportunity to learn about the special prayers, melodies and traditions of Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur.

Rabbi Michael Kramer of Temple Judea began the session by explaining that Rosh HaShana literally means “head of the year.” Although most people refer to the holiday as “the Jewish New Year”, Rabbi Kramer explained that it has little in common with the secular New Year celebrated January 1. “There is none of the frivolity and joy, but rather solemnity,” he said.

Rabbi Alan Lavin of the Wantagh Jewish Center spoke about the origins and use of the shofar, the ram’s horn blown daily during the month preceding Rosh HaShana and 100 times during the High Holiday service. “It awakens the spirit of repentance within us,” he said. He explained that during the ten days between Rosh HaSHana and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, Jews must examine their lives and make amends for wrongdoing.

Hazzan (Cantor) Jeffrey Myers of Congregation Beth-El of Massapequa sang and explained the origin and meanings of several of the central prayers of the High Holiday service. “There are specific melodies associated with the High Holidays that are not used any other time during the year. If you were Rip Van Winkle and you awoke in a synagogue during this time, you would immediately know it was Rosh HaShana or Yom Kippur,” he said.

This year, Rosh HaShana begins at sundown on Friday September 22. Yom Kippur begins at sundown on Sunday, October 1. Seats are still available for holiday services at all SENSE congregations. It is not necessary to join a congregation to attend services, but you must call ahead to reserve seats.

SENSE is a consortium of eight synagogues and the Mid-Island Y Jewish Community Center whose mission is to invigorate Jewish life in South East Nassau. Participating synagogues include: Congregation Beth-El of Massapequa, Farmingdale Jewish Center, Suburban Temple, Temple Beth El of Bellmore, Temple Judea of Massapequa, Temple Shaarei Shalom -- East Bay Reform of Bellmore, Temple Sinai of Massapequa and Wantagh Jewish Center.

For more information on SENSE, call 877-368-9568 or visit the website at www.sensenassau.org.

SENSE CELEBRATES ISRAEL'S BIRTHDAY
WITH A "PAJAMA STORY TIME"
Sunday, May 7, 2006

Massapequa, NY – Celebrate Israel’s birthday! Come in pajamas, make a craft, enjoy a pizza dinner and a bedtime story about Israel at a “Pajama Story Time” on Sunday, May 7, from 5:30-7 pm at Congregation Beth El, 99 Jerusalem Avenue, Massapequa. Sponsored by South East Nassau Synagogue Enterprise (SENSE), the program is geared for children ages 3-7 with adult(s).

SENSE is a consortium of synagogues whose mission is to reinvigorate Jewish life in South East Nassau. Participating synagogues include: Congregation Beth El of Massapequa, Farmingdale Jewish Center, Suburban Temple, Temple Beth El of Bellmore, Temple Judea of Massapequa, Temple Shaarei Shalom -- East Bay Reform, Temple Sinai of Massapequa and Wantagh Jewish Center.

For more information, please call Sue Schwaber-Tregerman at the Mid-Island Y JCC, (516) 822-3535 x320.

SENSE INVITES FAMILIES TO
A "PASSOVER EXTRAVAGANZA"
Sunday, April 2, 2006

Massapequa, NY - South East Nassau Synagogue Enterprise (SENSE) invited families across Long Island to a "Passover Extravaganza" on Sunday, April 2 at Super Stop and Shop, 3750 Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown. In addition to sampling Passover foods, there was an opportunity to "ask the experts" about holiday preparations and ways to enhance the seder. Various haggadahs, children's books and toys were on display and children made an arts & crafts project. One lucky raffle prize winner went home with a basket of Passover food! Families also enjoyed one-stop seder shopping in the store 's expansive Passover section.

This community-wide event was sponsored by SENSE in cooperation with the Mid-Island Y Jewish Community Center and SAJES, the central agency for Jewish education. "Passover Extravaganza" is a program of 'Celebrations: Discovering Jewish Life in the Marketplace', a project of SAJES.

For more information, please call Sue Schwaber-Tregerman at the Mid-Island Y JCC, (516) 822-3535 x320.

SOUTH EAST NASSAU SYNAGOGUE ENTERPRISE (SENSE) "FAMILY CHANUKAH MALL MYSTERY" EVENT
Monday, December 26, 2005

Families across Long Island celebrated the Festival of Lights at a special Chanukah Mall Mystery event held December 26, 2005 at Roosevelt Field in Garden City.

Sponsored by South East Nassau Synagogue Enterprise (SENSE) in cooperation with the Mid-Island Y Jewish Community Center and SAJES, the central agency for Jewish education, the celebration began with refreshments provided by Del-Mir Caterers of Temple Judea of Massapequa and latkes provided by BEN'S.

Children participated in a Mystery Message detective game. SENSE volunteers dressed as detectives were positioned at various locations around Carousel Court. Upon finding the detective, they received a clue that completed a Chanukah-themed puzzle. Following the game, everyone gathered to hear a Chanukah poem and story as well as a musical performance by students of the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County (HANC). Cantor Jeffrey Forman of Farmingdale Jewish Center, accompanied by Elizabeth Kessler, a Mid-Island Y JCC preschool teacher, led everyone in singing the holiday blessings.

After lighting the menorah, the children received goodie bags filled with holiday treats. "This was a truly collaborative effort which would not have been possible without the support and dedication of our volunteers, sponsors, the Mid-Island Y JCC, SAJES, HANC, and our host, Roosevelt Field," said Barry Shorten, one of the founders of SENSE.