Jewish Organizations Get On Board For LIFE

What do NBC News' Martin Fletcher, world renowned chef Joan Nathan and comedian Annie Korzen have in common?

Aside from being famous personalities, they will all be part of Jewish LIFE, a program coordinated through the Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center on Talamini Road.

Jewish LIFE is also sponsored in part by Jewish Family Services, a local organization that works to preserve and strengthen individual, family and community life based on Jewish values.

"This year, JFS is sponsoring two events," said Jerry Starr, executive director of the organization located in Somerville. "We feel this type of community program fits our mission and helps educate the community to an important issue.

"By pooling resources, we're able to bring some very interesting, entertaining and informative programs to the community that might not be possible if we were holding these events by ourselves."

According to Debbie Golden, marketing and public relations director for the Bridgewater JCC, Jewish LIFE is in its 11th year, and is a collaborative adult Jewish education program that serves residents of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren counties. She said it was created by the JCC, in addition to the Jewish Federation of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren counties; the Jewish Family Service of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren; and area synagogues.

Most of the programs are being held at the JCC, with a few being held at area synagogues.

"Currently nine area synagogues participate in the program along with the JCC, JFS and Jewish Federation," Golden said. "The Jewish LIFE Festival for 2010 through 2011 runs from October through May."

Starr said the programs cover such topics as current events, politics, religion, culture, life cycle issues and entertainment, all relating in some way to Jewish culture and religion.

For the most part, Golden said, the festival sees some events that attract about 50 people, while others more than 400, depending on the program.

"We have a very positive reaction to our programs, as they appeal to diverse interests," she said. "In addition, people are able to come to programs in Bridgewater that ordinarily they might have to travel a distance for, or not have access to. Our programs are open to the entire community."

The festival will begin Thursday, with a JFS-sponsored talk by Gary Frohlich, a certified genetics counselor, who will speak at the JCC about Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, with a focus on disorders that typically affect Jews of that descent.

Starr said the JFS is also sponsoring a program in November, with a talk by screenwriter Jeffery Cohen about living life as the parent of a child with Asperger syndrome. Cohen will also sign copies of the book he wrote on the subject.

"This addresses parents of special needs children, and will appeal to both a Jewish and non-Jewish audience," Starr said.

For the JFS-sponsored programs, Starr said they look for those that fit the organization's mission and the kinds of programs they offer for the community.

"So our programs usually have something to do with family life, emotional well-being, life cycle issues and mental health topics," he said.

To create the schedule for Jewish LIFE, Golden said, a planning committee meets throughout the year, and attends a conference sponsored by the Jewish Book Council to meet and receive information on authors.

"The committee's goal is to provide programs that educate, inform and entertain our community," she said.

Among the other programs being offered besides celebrity talks, Golden said, are a Global Day of Jewish Learning, a Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) program and an Israeli Independence Day concert featuring the Israel Defense Force Ensemble.

"This year, for the first time, we have a Kids Corner series offering three children authors tied to programs, including a Shabbat dinner, Chanukah celebration and family Passover fun," she said. "There is truly something for everyone."

For more information, visit the JCC website.