JCSS Concentrates On Family Holiday And Adult Programs

The Jewish Cultural School & Society (JCSS) is planning family-holiday events and adult programs for the coming year. Long-time members have taken over the leadership reins and the organization has shifted from being primarily a child-oriented education source to serving adults who want a north Jersey home to express their cultural Jewish secular identity.

Peter Cole of Montclair, the new President, and his wife Lisa, have been affiliated with JCSS since 1999. “Our children are alumni of the school. The four of us continue to enjoy being members of a secular Jewish community, where we can come together for holiday observances, adult education events, and family activities. We’re hoping to attract a new burst of alumni families as well as interested adults.”

The initial events for JCSS are the fall holidays. Both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are hour-long celebrations the evening before (Erev) in rented space at the Universal Unitarian Congregation of Montclair, 67 Park Street.

The Sun., Sept. 13, Rosh Hashanah program starts at 7 p.m. and is followed by a pot-luck dessert social. The Thurs., Sept. 22 Yom Kippur program starts at 8 p.m. Children are welcome at both if they can sit quietly with their parents. The Sukkot celebration on Sun., Oct. 4, 10 a.m. in Tulip Springs Grove of South Mountain Reservation, West Orange, is more active for all ages. After building a sukkah there is an official program and then a pot-luck picnic and informal games. All JCSS ceremonies feature readings, poems and songs exploring the humanistic meanings of these Jewish holidays. Each costs $10 for member household; $30 for non-member.

For more information about JCSS and the events, see www.jcss-nj.org; write: membership@jcss-nj.org or call 951-JCSS-NJ1 (961-527-7651).