Contemporary Issues Group welcomes Reform Rabbi: Talk on American Democracy

On Thursday, January 13 the Contemporary Issues Discussion Group will welcome (via Zoom) Rabbi James Rudin to make a presentation and lead a discussion which he has entitled, "A Reform Rabbi looks at American Democracy"

Rabbi James Rudin, who has visited Kendal several times previously, was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and grew up in Alexandria, Virginia. He attended Wesleyan University and graduated from George Washington University with academic distinction.

He received his rabbinical ordination from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and did graduate studies in history at the University of Illinois. The rabbi holds honorary doctorates from Saint Leo University, Saint Martin’s University and HUC-JIR.

As a member of the American Jewish Committee’s professional staff for 32 years, Rabbi Rudin served as the AJC’s Interreligious Affairs Director. He is currently the AJC’s Senior Interreligious Adviser and a member of the organization’s Board of Governors. 

He is Distinguished Visiting Professor of Religion and Judaica at Saint Leo University and teaches at Florida Gulf Coast University Renaissance Academy. 

Rabbi Rudin served congregations in Kansas City, Missouri and Champaign-Urbana, Illinois and was a United States Air Force Chaplain stationed in Japan and Korea.    

Saturday Opera

Saturday Opera continues at Kendal.

A daring production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Abduction from the Seraglio by Hans Neuenfels, in which the singers are doubled by actors, will be presented on January 15. 

The 1998 performance by the Stuttgart State Opera is conducted by Lothar Zagrosek. 

Join in for a little adventure in the Gathering Room at 1:00 pm.

New Trip: Jewish Museum

On Thursday, February 3, there will be a trip to the Jewish Museum in Manhattan.

The book The Hare with Amber Eyes by Edmund de Waal tells the story of the Ephrussi family from its rise to prominence and splendor in the 19th century until World War II when the family lost its fortune and art collections to Nazi looting.

The book inspired this exhibition which brings together family photos, decorative objects and paintings with a focus on Charles Ephrussi, a prolific collector and art historian.  The exhibit’s centerpiece is an extraordinary collection of Japanese netsuke, including the hare; their survival is the heart of de Waal’s memoir.

The netsuke, palm-sized carved figures from the Edo Period of Japan (17th-19th centuries), belonged to the Ephrussi family for generations.  The installation closely follows the book. 

You can also explore Jewish art and culture over 4,000 years at the museum.

There is a short waitlist for the Wednesday, January 12, trip to the Bruce Museum, Greenwich, CT.

Sign up for all trips in the Trips Book in the Activities Alcove.

Cezanne: The Father of Modern Art

The Education Committee announced their February Course “Cezanne: The Father of Modern Art.”

On Tuesday afternoons February 1, 8, 15 and 22, Professor Jill Kiefer will discuss one of the most influential painters in the history of art Paul Cezanne.

In this four-part series to be held in the Gathering Room, we will examine the evolution, achievements and broad influence of Cezanne as an artist and as a man.

Tuition is $50 for the full course, $15 per individual session.  Enrollment forms have been distributed; extras are in the wall rack in the Activities Alcove.

Contact Fran Kelly for more information.

Zoom Drills & Help

The Computer Committee headed by Joe Bruno is offering drills and lessons on how to better use Zoom.

Perhaps you are already comfortable getting on Zoom and watching and listening, BUT when you want to ask a question, you are slower than you would like RAISING YOUR ZOOM HAND and UNMUTING yourself.  To help with those times, the Computer Committee is offering a ZOOM DRILL.

If you are interested in a ZOOM DRILL, call Roberta P. or send her an email. Help will be arranged, probably on a Wednesday or a Friday at 2:00 pm. Each session will be about 30 minutes.

If instead you would like a more basic Zoom Practice session, just ask and the Computer Committee will make that happen.

Questions? Speak to Roberta P. or Joe Bruno.

Happy New Year

The Editors of the Kendal on Hudson Residents Website wish all its readers a healthy and happy 2022.

Books & Issues for 2022

The Contemporary Issues Discussion Group (CIDG) will kick off its weekly program on Thursday, January 6 with an exchange of thoughts on “Books & Issues for 2022”.

Participants will talk about the books they have read in 2021 and the issues they raised that will be of importance in the coming year.

The CIDG meets every Thursday morning at 10:00 am via Zoom. It is open to all Kendal residents. In order to be on the CIDG email list, if you are not already listed, please contact Gene DuBow who will be delighted to add your email address so you can receive the CIDG notices.

Trip: Space Available

Jan Myers, who chairs the Trips Committee, tells us that there is space available for the Wednesday, January 12 excursion to the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, CT.

The Bruce is celebrating Native Nations Art with baskets, weaving, ceramics, silver, a doll, drum, and more plus the Fisher Dollhouse: a Venetian Palazzo in Miniature created during the Covid pandemic.

If you have questions you can contact Jan. Our advice is to get your name on the list in the Trips Book which is located in the Activities Alcove opposite the Computer Room.

Recycle Your Redeemable Bottles and Cans

There is a move afoot to recycle redeemable bottles and cans.

Ursula Hahn requests that if you’re in the habit of throwing out redeemable bottles and cans — those for which you pay sales tax but don’t return to the store to claim the New York State Cash Refund of five (5) cents — please bring them rinsed to the Give and Take Table the first week of the month, instead of consigning them to a landfill or incinerator.

G&T Table team Sharry and Art Lukach have agreed to launch a pilot project on January 1, 2022. It will only be a success with your participation.

A brightly papered box will receive your redeemable bottle and cans. The takers will be grateful.

Any questions? Call Ursula.

Afghan Refugee Information Session

There will be an “Afghan Refugee Information Session” on Friday, January 7 at 11:00 am. A Zoom meeting will be hosted by Pamela Klapproth and Ellen Ottstadt to inform residents about the Kendal on Hudson Board Initiative to host Afghan refugees.

This will be a short presentation to give the basic information that is known about partnering with Hearts and Home to host two women Afghan refugees.

A Zoom link is being sent out on Friday, December 31. If you do not receive it in your email, please reach out to Jordan DiPaolo or Ellen Ottstadt.