Christie: Israel, U.S. Share Values of Freedom

Governor speaks in Bridgewater about his week spent in Israel and Jordan.

Gov. Chris Christie spoke before religious leaders at the Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center Wednesday in Bridgewater to relay information about his “extraordinary week” visiting Israel. Aside from some time spent sightseeing with his wife and children last week, Christie also met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres, he told invited religious leaders. Video of Christie's appearance Christie is also planning to hold similar meetings in other locations around the state to discuss his trip. “It was fortuitous that we went during Holy Week,” he said. “I got an incredible sense about Jerusalem, and why it is important that it remains under Israeli control.” “We saw people celebrating all religious …

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Carnival Held to Honor Jewish Celebration

Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center hosts a Purim Carnival.

The Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center was filled with hundreds of kids, both young and old, as the center hosted its 13th Annual Purim Festival Sunday. "This is a fun event for everyone" said Debbie Golden, marketing and public relations director for the JCC. "It’s an opportunity for families and the community to come together, celebrate and have a good time."  The carnival featured games, a rock climbing wall, pony rides and a GyroXTREME ride, which spun those brave enough to try upside down and sideways. Purim is one of the most joyous and fun holidays on the Jewish calendar. It commemorates the time of the Jewish people living in Persia, and woman who saved them from being killed by an evil decree. The holiday will begun …

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Christie Holding Town Hall Meeting

Gov. Christie will be in Bridgewater Tuesday.

Just two weeks after Gov. Chris Christie was originally scheduled to be in Bridgewater for a town hall meeting, he is planning to come again, Tuesday at the Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center on Talamini Road. The town hall meeting will begin at 10:30 a.m., but the doors will open at 9:45 a.m. Seating for the town hall meeting is on a first come first serve basis. For more information and to RSVP, visit the township's website.

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Get Out

Open Houses, Computer Classes, Great Music

Looking for exciting weekend activities and family-friendly fun? You're in the right place.

The new year has begun, and there's plenty to do in terms of classes, events and environmental fun. Below is the combination of our weekly pick of weekend activities and our Grab & Go Kids Planner, offering both fun weekend activities and great family-friendly fun at the same time. Here are this week's picks: Computer Class: Job and Career Accelerator When/Where: Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Bridgewater Township Library. Why Go: To learn from an instructor how to create professional resumes and cover letters through a Job and Career Accelerator in an effort to find available jobs. Cost: Free, but registration is required. Open House for Membership Pre-School Camp When/Where: Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community …

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Center Celebrates Hanukkah With Party

Event brings local families together for the holiday.

The Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center held a family event Wednesday to celebrate the start of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Traditional foods, like latkes [potato pancakes], were served to the group of more than 125 who turned out for the event. Art and crafts tables were set up for the children, who made dreidels out of marshmellows and pretzel sticks, and menorahs from clothes pins and popsicle sticks. Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days, in recognition of the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabees defeated the Syrians, who were oppressing them, in the second century B.C.E. An eight-candle Hanukkiyah [including a ninth candle used to light the others] is lit every night for eight nights to …

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This Week on Patch

Poll of Year's Best, School Budget Begins

Looking for a story this week? Check out this handy guide.

Every Monday, we will bring you a little look ahead at a few of the stories that are on tap for Bridgewater Patch over the next seven days.  We’ll provide the day a story is scheduled to post on the site so you can be sure to check back on that date to read about all the news you want to know. Don’t see the story you’re looking for? Ask about it in the comments below! Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

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Children Donate Food to Those in Need

Children at the JCC Blaustein Early Childhood Center collecting food and toys.

The children of the JCC Blaustein Early Childhood Center in Bridgewater collected food to donate to the Samaritan Homeless Interim Program [SHIP], based in Somerset County.  The children collected an impressive amount of food, while having fun and learning valuable lessons about helping others and upholding ethical behavior.  The school’s current project is a Chai Lifeline toy collection. The children are collecting new unwrapped toys for sick children, from infants to teenagers, as the preschool families teach their children how important it is to help others. Toy donations will be accepted through Dec. 21, and can be brought to The Blaustein Early Childhood Center, located at the Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center, 775 …

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Preschoolers Share Story of Thanksgiving [Video]

Students at the JCC share their knowledge with their parents and sing songs of the holiday.

They marched into the room, adorned in paper vests and paper feathers, looking for familiar faces in the crowd, but bravely heading to the front to be part of the "Fabulous 4's" story of Thanksgiving. The preschool students of the Blaustein Early Childhood Center at the Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center performed their annual Thanksgiving show Thursday, entertaining parents and grandparents with the story of Thanksgiving and songs about turkeys and Indians. "This is a culmination of a unit learning about Thanksgiving," said preschool director Linda Weiss. "It is a lot of fun and a way to promote the community." The play was followed by a "feast" with cupcakes, cookies, vegetables and other goodies prepared by the parents and…

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JCC Raises Funds While Gambling

The Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center held its annual Texas Hold'em tournament.

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