community

Ten Reasons to See What Temple Beth El is All About!

December 1, 2019 by The Inside Press

Courtesy of Temple Beth El

1. Temple Beth El welcomes all who wish to participate in Jewish life with an inclusive and enriching community, led by our award-winning clergy: Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe, Rabbi Maura Linzer, and Cantor Elizabeth Sternlieb.

2. Our vibrant Religious School emphasizes experiential learning and family education, with a wide array of programming that includes trips to Washington, D.C. and New York City.

3. The TBE Early Childhood Center provides children of nursery school age with a fun, exciting, and developmentally appropriate program in a warm, nurturing preschool environment.

4. Attend our monthly Tot Shabbat and Family Worship Services that engage our younger congregants. Save the date for our Scout Shabbat on February 28!

5. Holiday and festival celebrations for all ages – Join us for the Vodka & Latkes Adult Social prior to our Chanukah Service or be part of the cast for our upcoming Purim Spiel: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel!

6. Deeply meaningful High Holy Day services filled with reflection, prayer, celebration, and community.

7. Numerous Adult Programming and Education opportunities that range from an annual Scholar-In-Residence program featuring prominent figures in the Jewish spiritual, intellectual, and political arenas to Sunday morning classes with our clergy.

8. Deep commitment to tikkun olam, social action, and social justice with our new Year of Mitzvot programs. Volunteer for our Emergency Shelter Partnership, Cooking for Neighbors Link, or our annual “Soup’er Bowl” Sunday!

9. A commitment towards inclusion and outreach to individuals and families of all backgrounds and needs, as well as a welcoming approach to interfaith families.

10. Making connections with our friends and neighbors in the broader community through Interfaith initiatives and creating joint programs with Antioch Baptist Church and the Upper Westchester Muslim Society.

Visit us at bethelnw.org

What We Love About Breezemont

December 1, 2019 by The Inside Press

Courtesy of Breezemont Day Camp

1. Our highly trained staff and very high camper to counselor ratios

2. Our well balanced range of activities

3. Our new facilities and fields

4. Our beautiful lake

5. Our towel service

6. Our Red Cross Certified Swim Program and heated pools

7. Our nut free, no outside food policy, hot lunches and allergy specialist on site at all times

8. Our Registered nurses at camp each day

9. Our qualified and experienced leadership team

10. Our wonderful Breezemont families that create our special community

Visit us at breezemontdaycamp.com.

Tzahal Shalom of Northern Westchester Brings Israeli Reservists to New & North Castles

December 1, 2019 by The Inside Press

A delegation of Israeli reservists visited New and North Castles this November. Their 10-day visit was organized by the non-profit Tzahal Shalom of Northern Westchester. During their limited “free” time, they also had the chance to read Inside Chappaqua and Inside Armonk magazines.

For the 13th year in a row, a delegation of seven reservists from the Israel Defense Forces called New and North Castles their “home away from home” during a 10-day visit this November. During their stay organized by Tzahal Shalom of Northern Westchester, the reservists attended many speaking engagements where they spoke about their experiences in the Israel Defense Forces. They spoke to every demographic in our communities: high school and middle school students, adults, seniors, college and university students, Jewish and non-Jewish alike.

During the program, the delegation begins to understand the support they have from our communities in Northern Westchester and returns to Israel with a renewed spirit and great pride. In return, our communities build relationships with these special individuals.

Tzahal Shalom of Northern Westchester has been bringing delegations to the community since 2006. They are a registered 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, led entirely by a dedicated team of volunteers. For more information, visit tzahalshalom.org

More Than A Parade

November 13, 2019 by The Inside Press

By Sabra Staudenmaier

Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer. Pools are open, playgrounds are busy with active children and sports tournaments are in full swing at town fields. On Memorial Day, Chappaqua residents break from their recreational activities to take part in or observe the highlight of the weekend: the annual Memorial Day Parade. The parade is important to the community, as it is an opportunity to remember those who sacrificed their lives for the Country’s freedom.

The parade begins at the top of King St. and continues down the hill to Greeley Avenue and through town to the Chappaqua train station. An array of marchers partakes in the procession; including Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, Brownies and Daisy Troops. The School District’s band students perform patriotic musical pieces like “Star Spangled Banner” and “America the Beautiful.”

Local sports organizations march while proudly displaying their team flags. Town association representatives, including the Chappaqua School Board, The Chappaqua Library and the Town of New Castle Senior Citizens walk alongside military vehicles and first responders. Town government representatives are often joined by other members of government such as Governor Cuomo and Bill and Hillary Clinton. The Clintons have marched in the parade for almost two decades.

The echo of drums and bagpipes can be heard alongside the exuberant cheers of residents lining the streets. Patriotism is exhibited through colors in the crowd; mostly everyone is dressed in red, white and blue and patterns of stars and stripes. Small handheld flags are waved by many of the patrons. Whether you are Democrat or Republican or Independent, young or old, the day is enjoyable for everyone.

The Memorial Day Parade concludes at the Chappaqua train station where the community gathers together to remember those who died bravely fighting for our country. Onlookers watch as officials and veterans speak during the Memorial Plaza Ceremony. Biographies of New Castle veterans are shared and dignitaries and veterans who are present are recognized.

The parade is a reminder that Memorial Day weekend is more than just a time to barbecue and relax with family and friends; it is an opportunity to pay tribute to those who died while fighting for the freedoms that are alive and well in our town today.

Artists Share their Passion via ‘Art Around Town’

November 13, 2019 by The Inside Press

The Northern Westchester Artists Guild is a nonprofit organization of artists whose mission it is to share art by the community for the community. This was the genesis of Art Around Town.

Art Around Town has become an annual tradition in the hamlet of Chappaqua. It is “a vibrant celebration of art, music and community” per Julia Bialek of the Inside Press.

Merchants and artists are matched and the anticipation of the event begins. The annual art festival opening night celebration is held at the end of May/early June during the golden hours of spring. Food and libations abound. The town becomes alive with activity. There is singing in the streets. Work stays exhibited for the month of June at the host shops and restaurants. Downtown Chappaqua miraculously morphs into a strolling art gallery! Art invigorates our communities, our town and our merchants.

Art Around Town inspires the imagination of every community member, from child to senior. It brings the community together in charming downtown Chappaqua. nwartistsguild.org.

Courtesy of the Northern Westchester Artists Guild