Community Bulletin Board: Criterion Sentinel (for December 11)

Sunrise Senior Living will collect new men’s, women’s and children’s socks for the homeless and needy through The Joy of Sox at the facility, 1801 Oak Tree Road, Edison, through Dec. 23.

For more information, call 732-767-1031.

 

 

Congregation Neve Shalom will hold a blood drive from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 15 at the temple, 250 Grove Ave., Metuchen.

Sign up at tinyurl.com/givebloodNJBS using group code 13814.

All donors will receive a $10 coupon to Houlihan’s.

 

The National Council of Jewish Women: Metro Jersey Section will present “Traditions and Trends: Evolution of the Jewish Family” at 2 p.m. on Dec. 15 at the Jewish Community Center, 1775 Oak Tree Road, Edison.

Eric Rosin of Congregation Neve Shalom in Metuchen will speak. The program is open to the public and there is no admission fee. Light refreshments will be served.

To RSVP, email Elaine at [email protected].

 

 

 

Central Jersey SCORE, a non-profit resource partner of the Small Business Administration, is seeking volunteers to assist people looking to start a business or grow an existing small business.

The organization is recruiting retired or current business owners and executives who want to share their experience and knowledge with today’s up-and-coming entrepreneurs.  The Central Jersey Chapter of SCORE serves Middlesex, Somerset and Hunterdon counties.

Central Jersey SCORE provides in-person mentoring at a wide variety of locations and also presents seminars at local venues. In addition, the SCORE website offers tools and templates on a wide variety of topics related to organizing and managing a business and numerous online courses and webinars to assist small business owners through every aspect of business development. Services are offered free of charge.

For more information, visit www.centraljersey.score.org.

 

 

 

The Jamaica Organization of New Jersey (JON-J) will hold its annual Pre-New Year’s Ball from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Dec. 28 at The Imperia, 1714 Easton Ave., Somerset.

Proceeds benefit the organization’s scholarship fund for awards to local high school graduates who are going on to college and for a donation to Hampton School in Jamaica towards infrastructure improvements.

Tickets are $110. Cash bar.

For tickets, visit brownpapertickets.com.

 

 

 

Congregation Neve Shalom will hold a casino night fundraiser at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 11 at the temple, 250 Grove Ave., Edison.

Blackjack, poker, craps and roulette will be offered. There will also be raffles and auctions throughout the evening.

Tickets are $36 in advance or $45 at the door, and include nosh and casino cash. Additional casino cash will be available for purchase.

Email [email protected] for information and sponsorship opportunities.

Must be 21 years or older to attend. BYOB.

Register at neveshalom.net/casino.

 

 

The Jewish Community Center of Middlesex County’s Sunday Concert, “Journey from Johannesburg,” will be presented at 2 p.m. on Dec. 15 at the JCC, 1775 Oak Tree Road, Edison.

Toby Tobias, a South African born Jew and singer songwriter, will share his story of his unique journey from South Africa to Israel to the United States through original songs and a multi-media presentation.

The event is free and open to the community as space allows. Advance registration is recommended.

To register, call 732-494-3232.

 

 

The Edison Township Menorah Lighting and Hanukkah Celebration will be held at 7 p.m. on Dec. 18 at the Jewish Community Center (JCC) of Middlesex County, 1775 Oak Tree Road, Edison.

Dignitaries, JCC staff and community members will come together for the menorah lighting, followed by musical entertainment, crafts and light Hanukkah refreshments.

The event is free and open to the community. For more information, call 732-494-3232.

 

 

 

Abstract paintings by Ray Skibinski will be on display through Dec. 22 at the Gallery at the Metuchen Library, 480 Middlesex Ave., Metuchen.

Formerly an illustrator for various periodicals, newspapers and books, Skibinski now devotes his creative energy to his own painting and to teaching a weekly watercolor class, the Oak Tree Watercolor Group.

 

 

The 10th annual Hugs for Brady Foundation Winter Gala will be themed “Oh What a Night!,” featuring entertainment from the stars of Broadway’s “Jersey Boys,” on Jan. 25 at The Palace at Somerset Park

The gala honors individuals who have made significant contributions to help those affected by childhood cancer. This year’s honorees are The 2020 Gala Committee as the Ellen Gambatese Pediatric Cancer Volunteer of the Year; Roy G. Svenson as the Brady Buggy Wagon Volunteer of the Year; Steven K. Libutti, director of the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, as the Dr. Randy Siegel Pediatric Cancer Medical Humanitarian of the Year; and Kevin Cummings, chairman and CEO of Investors Bank, as the Hugs for Brady Foundation Pediatric Cancer Humanitarian of the Year.

For more information, tickets, sponsorship information, to donate or to take part in the silent auction, visit www.hugsforbrady.org.

 

 

Middlesex County will hold its annual conference for young men, aimed at instilling leadership, wellness and prevention of drug and alcohol abuse, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 17 at Middlesex County College in the College Center, 2600 Woodbridge Ave.

The program will feature interactive workshops designed to provide students with opportunities to learn about a healthy and empowered lifestyle. It will focus on setting and achieving goals and avoiding negative influences. Participants will also learn to identify resources and tools that can be shared with their peers.

For more information, email [email protected] or call 732 257-3300, ext. 1930.