A new post on ShulPolitics.com:

Appreciating the Quirks of Shul Members

Sign up to learn The Six Constant Mitzvos from Peasch to Shavous with thousands across the world and make your sefirah count!!!

Short daily emails containing a lesson a day including 3 videos on each mitzvah.

Learn the Torah’s framework for living with a vibrant Emunah and developing a meaningful relationship with Hashem.

visit www.thesixconstantmitzvos.com to watch and be entered to win an iPod Touch

Thousands of Jews around the world have discovered the power contained within The Six Constant Mitzvos. By implementing the Mitzvos in their lives they have found an empowering framework for living with a vibrant Emunah and developing a meaningful relationship with Hashem.

Participate in the Six Constant Mitzvos – Sefiras HaOmer Initiative and learn what’s transforming peoples lives around the world.

The Six Constant Mitzvot are:

1) Know there is a God.
2) Don’t believe in other gods.
3) God is one.
4) Love God.
5) Fear God.
6) Don’t be misled by yo

A new post on ShulPolitics.com:

The Politics of Passover

Halacha & Harmony: Improving the Relationships within your Home

Rav Doniel Neustadt, Rosh Av Beis Din, Vaad HaRabbonim of Greater Detroit

Date: Wednesday, March 28th

Time: 9:30 to 10:00 pm.

Call Number: 712-432-1001

Access Code: 474 399 673#

In this Teleconference you will learn about the following topics:

1. Children in shul

2. Pesach Chumros and Shalom Bayis

3. Taking on Chumros without Hadracha

4. Social Practices without Roots in Halacha

5. Realistic Expectations for Chinuch

6. Birth Control and Shalom Bayis

A new post on ShulPolitics.com:

Shul Fees – Avoiding Taxation Without Representation.

A new post on ShulPolitics.com:

Shortening Shabbos Davening

There is a newly formed division of Ohr Somayach in Monsey led by Rabbi and Mrs Naftali Reich that is conducting year round weekend retreats for BT families at their gorgeous five star Beit Shvidler retreat center

There will be an inspiring Pre Pesach weekend family retreat on March 24th at the Center and we just heard that there are still a couple of vacant slots.

The retreat will have a cadre of world class presenters..our own Rabbi Label Lam, Rabbi David Refson, Mrs Chani Juravel, Rabbi Jonathen Rietti and others. The main theme is ‘How we can make Pesach alive for ourselves and our families’.

It starts on Friday sundown and concludes on Motzei Shabbat and a concurrent professional child care program will be available on the premises . There is an option available (at no extra charge!) to stay over on Saturday eve and benefit from some ‘hands on’ family guidance from Rabbi Avraham Braun and Mrs Rivky Reich on Sunday morning.

The all inclusive cost is $499 per couple and $120 per child and subsidies are available for those that wish to benefit from a highly discounted rate (no questions asked). We encourage you to benefit from this amazing experience! Registration is limited to twenty families in total to ensure a warm, intimate and inspiring environment.

For more info and a program itinerary please call the program directors Rabbi and Mrs Naftali Reich at 914-261-4580 or email to rabbilegacy@gmail.com

A new post on ShulPolitics.com:

Reversing the Slow Death of the Aging Shul

A new post on ShulPolitics.com:

Back of the Napkin Cost To Run a Shul

A new post on ShulPolitics.com:

Keeping Quiet – How to Talk to Talkers in Shul

Read and comment about the The Role of the Rabbi in Increasing Shul Membership. Share your thoughts at Shulpolitics.com.

Is shushing worse than talking in Shul. Tell us what you think at ShulPolitics.com.

Beyond Prayer – A Fountain of Chesed, on Shul Politics.

He Needs Your Love – Understanding Your Shul President at ShulPolitics.com.

Check out Why You Need Shul Bylaws on Shul Politics. There’s even some great sample bylaws to get you going if you need them.

Here’s the opening paragraph from the post:

You can hear the sound of a collective eye roll when you mention Shul bylaws. They’re usually found only in democratic shuls or independent minyanim. Like legal contracts, they can be boring to the non-lawyers among us, but they’re very important for a Shul’s functioning, especially when critical issues come to the forefront. If you don’t have bylaws, it might be a good idea to create them now.

ShulPolitics.com: Pardon Me, But You’re in My Seat

Jew in the City: Science vs. Religion: Mayim Bialik and the OTHER Big Bang Theory

The BT Handbook: If I want to start learning Torah, where should I begin?

Mini Series: On Becoming a Baal Teshuva on Web Yeshiva

Course Description

Join Allison Josephs, founder of jewinthecity.com, as she shares the story of her journey of spiritual growth.

Part 1: “Why I Did It,” (experiencing an existential crisis in childhood pushed me to find purpose before it was too late). Part 2: “How I Did It” (how do you persevere when faced with obstacles preventing spiritual growth?). Part 3: “How I Kept It” (so many ba’alei teshuva revert to their old ways eventually – how do you make teshuva last?). The series will take place on Monday, May 23rd & 30th and June 6th. While this mini series is complimentary, there is a suggested donation of $10 for the session.

About Ms. Allison Josephs
Allison Josephs is the founder of jewinthecity.com which aims to break down stereotypes and misconceptions about Orthodox Jews and Judaism through the power of new media. Allison was raised as a proud Conservative Jew in a small town in New Jersey. As a result of a childhood existential crisis, she spent years searching for the meaning of life. At the end of high school she started looking into Judaism, and saw that there was much depth and beauty within Orthodoxy, but realized that it was an option that so few Jewish people ever consider, as public opinion of Orthodox Jews is so negative. Allison has been involved in the field of Jewish outreach for a dozen years, teaching and lecturing in cities across America, and has worked for Partners in Torah, Sinai Retreats, NCSY and Stars of David. She has also written, directed, and produced videos for Aish.com and has seen her writing published in the Jewish Press, the Forward, the Washington Times, and many other publications. Allison received her Bachelor of Arts from Columbia University in Philosophy and lives minutes from the George Washington Bridge with her husband and four children.

And You Shall Tell Your Son: Developing “REAL”ationships with Your Children

Presented by Rabbi Avraham Mifsud, Director of NASO

In this program you will learn ten chinuch principles of Rav Shlomo Wolbe, זצ’ל,

that will help you to develop a clearer understanding of how to create strong, loving relationships with each one of your children.

Wednesday March 30th, 9-10 pm Eastern time

Attendee Dial-in #: (712) 432-1001

Attendee Access Code: 429870820#

Join Rabbi Yakov Horowitz and Rabbi Avraham Mifsud for a 30 minute live telephone parenting conference call entitled:

Safe and Secure: Keeping Your Children Protected From Pedophiles

In this call, you will learn practical and age appropriate ways to teach your children about safety and personal space. Helping your children understand appropriate personal boundaries is one of the most effective tools you can give them to help ensure their safety. At the most recent Agudath Israel convention, the Novominsker Rebbe, שליט״א said that we have an obligation to make sure our children understand what are appropriate physical boundaries. Listen in to learn how to have these important discussions with your children.

When: Thursday, February 10th, 2011

Time: 9:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. EST

Conference line: (712) 432-1001

Access code: 482469604#

Time on the conference will be dedicated to YOUR questions! Email your questions for this topic to: am@NASOamerica.org by 6:00 p.m. Thursday, February 10th, 2011 or click here to post them online.

This call is sponsored by The Center for Jewish Family Life/Project YES and NASO: National Association for Support & Outreach.

To sign up for Rabbi Horowitz’s weekly emails, please click here.

As you know we’re planning a Beyond BT Meet Up on Friday February 11th from 8:30pm to 11:30pm in Kew Gardens Hills at 141-43 72nd Crescent. There will plenty of food, friends, L’Chaims and short divrei Torah. It’s open to BTs, children of BTs and friends of BTs, and people who want to be friends with BTs.

We’re hoping to start discussions so we can identify additional ways that we can support our sub-community.

Here are 10 topics for discussion:

1) What inspired you to become frum?
2) How have your family and friends accepted you becoming observant?
3) Do you currently have a mentor or a Rabbi that you speak with regularly?
4) What resources have you used to help find a Shidduch?
5) Have you been able to address your gaps in Torah education?
6) What would you different in your journey the second time around?
7) Are you a member of a Shul? Are you Active? What attracted you to that Shul?
8) How have you dealt with intermarriage among family and friends?
9) What kind of support programs would you like to see going forward?
10) Do you need a refill? What are you drinking?