Hudson Jewish Community Forum

2. Progress report by Jewish Day School Committee. Status of the issue at 2-month mark. (Note: Hudson County used to have several Jewish day schools. The last survivor, “Yeshiva of Hudson County” in Union City, closed in 1986).

3. Discussion of precarious condition of local synagogues. Be prepared to consider three key questions:

(a) Does the community agree with the synagogue leaders who say “it’s none of anyone else’s business” that their organizations may be among the 4 to 5 (out of only 11) local synagogues that appear poised to collapse in the next several years, just as an influx of Jewish people may be moving to the area?

(b) What, if anything, is the community willing to do for the small number of “last people standing” at failing synagogues who will likely have the legal authority to determine how their substantial assets are distributed upon closure?

(c) In what additional ways can local Jewish organizations cooperate for mutual benefit?

4. Invitation to local synagogue leaders to present alternative 5-year plans: “Plan A” (survival) and “Plan B” (sunset period and closure).

5. Cultivating the next generation of local Jewish leaders.

6. Upcoming community-wide events: Jewish Community Super Bowl Extravaganza (2/3/08); Cocktail party in downtown Jersey City (March – TBD); Purim; Passover.

7. Open microphone