December Arrives With A Flourish

Dear friends and neighbors,

The holiday season is in full swing and there are plenty of ways to celebrate in the cities, towns and villages of the 88th Assembly District. Here’s a closer look at some of the events that are taking place. Remember that if you have an event that you’d like me to include in the coming weeks, send the information to Paulina@NYAssembly.gov.

THURSDAY

  •  The Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services will host a guidance program on county services for seniors at the Scarsdale Library (54 Olmstead Road, Scarsdale) from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Visit scarsdalelibrary.org for more information.
  • The Beth-El Synagogue Center (1324 North Avenue, New Rochelle) will host Rabbi David Schuck and Rabbi Zach Sitkim along with Dr. Carol Diament for a 9:30-a.m. discussion that will compare Jerusalem in biblical and rabbinical sources with Jerusalem in modern Israeli literature. Beth-El Synagogue will also host Rabbi Lila Kagedan, the first Orthodox woman to achieve the title of rabbi, will be the guest scholar at the Open Beit Midrash at 8 p.m. Visit bethelnr.org for more information.
  • The Westchester Reform Temple (255 Mamaroneck Road, Scarsdale) will host Rabbi Jonathan Blake as he concludes his informative series “Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Reform Judaism” at 9:30 a.m. Visit wrtemple.org for more information.
  • The Westchester Reform Temple will also host its 5th Annual Water and Wine with Alon Ben-Gurion in Conversation with Rabbi Jonathan Blake from 7:30-9 p.m. Contact Stephanie Risa Balkin, The Jewish National Fund director for Westchester County & Southern Connecticut at srbalkin@jnf.org or 212-879-9300, ext. 510.
  • John McAuliff, the Executive Director and Founder of the Fund for Reconciliation & Development, will give a 5:15-p.m. presentation entitled “Cuba-U.S. Relations in the Era of Donald Trump” at Sarah Lawrence College (1 Mead Way, Bronxville). Visit sarahlawrence.edu for more information.
  • The Temple Israel Center of New Rochelle (1000 Pinebrook Boulevard, New Rochelle) will show “Welcome to Kutsher’s: The Last Catskills Resort” at 7:30 p.m. as part of its Prime Time 4 Adults Movie Series. Visit tinr.org for more information.
  • Yan Kjar will man the piano bar at Underhills Crossing (74.5 Pondfield Road, Bronxville) from 7-11 p.m. Visit underhillscrossing.com for more information.
  • The New Rochelle Library (1 Library Plaza, New Rochelle) will host the Friends Antiquarian Book Sale from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. Visit nrpl.org for more information.
  • The Bronxville Library (201 Pondfield Road, Bronxville) will continue its Thursday Matinee Movie Series with a 1:30 p.m. showing of “Churchill”. Visit bronxvillelibrary.org for more information.

 FRIDAY

  • Scarsdale’s “Light the Dale”, the annual tree-lighting event in Boniface Circle, will be held from 5-7 p.m. The Hoff-Barthelson Music School carolers will perform. Visit scarsdale.com for more information.
  • The Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum (895 Shore Road, Pelham Bay Park) will host its annual Holiday Luncheon from 12:30-2 p.m. There will be gifts and home-baked goods in addition to lunch. The Museum will also host its First Friday! Music and Trolley program from 5:30-8:30 p.m. The MetropoliTones will perform and a free trolley will run continuously from the #6 Pelham Bay Park subway station to BPMM to City Island. Visit bartowpellmansionmuseum.org for more information.
  • Historian Jeremi Suri will discuss the rise and fall of the American presidency at Sarah Lawrence College (1 Mead Way, Bronxville) from 12:30-2 p.m. Visit sarahlawrence.edu for more information.
  • The Bronxville Chamber of Commerce will present the holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony in Leonard Morange Square at 5:30 p.m. Visit bronxvillechamber.org for more information.
  • The International Gem & Jewelry Show will take place at The Westchester County Center in White Plains from noon-6 p.m. The show will continue on Saturday (10 a.m.-6 p.m.) and Sunday (11 a.m.-5 p.m.). Visit countycenter.biz for more information.
  • The Ajkun Ballet Theatre will present “The Nutcracker” at New Rochelle High School’s Whitney Theater (265 Clove Road, New Rochelle) at 7 p.m. There will also be shows on Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Visit ajkunbt.org for more information.
  • The Temple Israel Center of New Rochelle (1000 Pinebrook Boulevard, New Rochelle) will host a Human Rights Shabbat Service at 7:30 p.m. Tamara Fish, the president of the Jewish Multiracial Network, will speak. The topic is Free Speech: A Look at Charlottesville, The NFL and Black Lives Matter through the Lens of Our Tradition. Visit tinr.org for more information.
  • The Chabad of Bronxville (1 Stone Place, Bronxville) will host Soup and Scotch at 5:30 p.m. Following services, there will be a variety of soups and fine scotch to sample. Visit jewishbronxville.com for more information.
  • The Hitchcock Presbyterian Church (6 Greenacres Avenue, Scarsdale) will host The New Choral Society as it performs “F. Händel Messiah, Part I with choruses from Parts II and III” at 8 p.m. and again at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Visit www.hitchcockpresby.org for more information.
  • The Geoffrey Morrow Trio will perform at Alvin & Friends Restaurant (14 Memorial Highway, New Rochelle) from 7:30-11 p.m. Visit alvinandfriendsrestaurant.com for more information.
  • Dannis Winston will man the piano bar at Underhills Crossing (74.5 Pondfield Road, Bronxville) from 8-11:55 p.m. Visit underhillscrossing.com for more information.

    Newsies at Stepinac High

  • Temple Israel Center (280 Old Mamaroneck Road, White Plains) will continue its Books on Tour series at 7:50 p.m. Author Sana Krasikov will discuss her book “The Patriots”. Visit templeisraelcenter.org for more information.
  • Scholar-in-residence Rabbi Chaim Weiner, a leader of the Masorti (Conservative) movement in Europe, will speak at Shaarei Tikvah (46 Fox Meadow Road, Scarsdale) on Friday at 7:30 p.m. about “The European Origins of Today’s Jewish Customs” and on Saturday at 12:15 p.m. about “The Jews of Portugal–History and Contemporary Challenges.” visit org or call Robin at 914-472-2013 ext.300 for more information.
  • The Archbishop Stepinac High School Theatre Company (950 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains) will present “Newsies” at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Visit stepinac.org for more information.

 SATURDAY

  • The St. Paul’s Church and National Historic Site (897 South Columbus Avenue, Mount Vernon) will host the Sarah Lawrence College A Capella Group for a 1 p.m. holiday concert. Visit nps.gov/sapa for more information.
  • Our Lady of Perpetual Help-St. Catharine’s (575 Fowler Avenue, Pelham Manor) will hold its annual Christmas Boutique & Wreath Sale from 4:30-6:00 p.m. and again on Sunday, Dec. 3 from 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. There will also be a silent auction, raffles, food and more. olph-pelhammanor.org/ for more information.
  • The Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum (895 Shore Road, Pelham Bay Park) will host “Holiday family Day” from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. There will be hot cocoa, crafts, gifts and a chance to meet Santa. The Museum will also hold its annual Evergreen Gala from 7-10 p.m. There will be dinner, a live auction and more. Visit bartowpellmansionmuseum.org for more information.
  • The Huguenot Memorial Church (901 Pelhamdale Avenue, Pelham Manor) will host its annual Charitable Christmas Tree Sale and Alternative Christmas Market from 7 a.m.- 1 p.m. There will be trees for sale, music and more. Visit huguenotchurch.org for more information.
  • Winston Wolfe will perform at Growlers Beer Bistro (25 Main Street, Tuckahoe) at 9:30 p.m. Visit growlersbeerbistro.com for more information.
  • Barnes & Noble (680 Post Road, Scarsdale) will host its first annual Tree Lighting and Season’s Readings event at 7 p.m. Nature’s Cradle of Eastchester donated five trees and they will be covered in decorations inspired by a book. There will also be entertainment. Visit https://stores.barnesandnoble.com/store/3304?view= for more information.
  • Concordia College (171 White Plains Road, Bronxville) will present “Searching For Christmas”, its annual holiday community musical, at 4:30 and 7 p.m. in the Schoenfeld Campus Center. There will also be a 3:30-p.m. performance on Sunday. Visit www. http://conservatory.concordia-ny.edu/annual-holida-community-musical for more information.
  • Sarah Lawrence College (1 Mead Way, Bronxville) will continue its Art of Teaching Saturday Seminar Series at 9 a.m. with a presentation entitled “Dewey, Democracy, and Experience in Education: A Paradigmatic Shift”. Visit sarahlawrence.edu for more information.
  • The Tuckahoe Winterfest will take place from 5-9 p.m. in Depot Square and on Sunday from noon-5 p.m. There will be a tree-lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. on Saturday and pictures with Santa beginning at noon on Sunday. Visit tuckahoe.com for more information.
  • The Greenwich Ballet Academy will be performing “The Nutcracker” at the White Plains Performing Arts Center (11 City Place, White Plains) at 1 and 6 p.m. and at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Visit greenwichballetacademy.org for more information.
  • The Temple Israel Center of New Rochelle (1000 Pinebrook Boulevard, New Rochelle) will host “Rock Night” at 7:30 p.m. “Drive All Night NYC” and “Blue Roadhouse Orchestra-BRO” are scheduled to perform. Visit tinr.org for more information.
  • The Temple Israel Center (280 Old Mamaroneck Road, White Plains) will host “Latke Vodka”, presented by The Young Couples Group, at 8 p.m. Visit templeisraelcenter.org for more information.
  • Chanique and Youniqueversal Music will perform at Alvin & Friends Restaurant (14 Memorial Highway, New Rochelle) from 8-10 p.m. Visit alvinandfriendsrestaurant.com for more information.
  • The Pelham Art Center (155 Fifth Avenue, Pelham) will host a hands-on workshop as part of the “Diwali, Hindu Festival of Lights: Folk-Art Series” at 1:30 p.m. Visit pelhamartcenter.org for more information.
  • Comedian Aaron Ward will perform at Rockwells (105 Wolfs Lane, Pelham) at 9:30 p.m. Visit rockwellsusa.net for more information.
  • The Bet Am Shalom Synagogue will host its annual Judaica Craft Show from 8-11 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Visit betamshalom.org for more information.
  • The 9th annual Hot Cocoa Run/Walk and Dog Walk to benefit MAC Angels and ALS will take place at 8:30 a.m. at Flowers Park (491 5th Ave, New Rochelle). Visit https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/NewRochelle/HotCocoaRun for more information.
  • The Hudson River Potters Functional and Sculptural Pottery Show and Sale will take place at the Eastchester Library (1 Oakridge Place, Eastchester) from 9:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m. and on Sunday from 1-4 p.m. Visit hudsonriverpotters.net for more information.
  • The Friends of Hoff-Barthelson Music School (25 School Lane, Scarsdale) will host their Annual Holiday Music Festival and Holiday Boutique from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Visit hbms.org for more information.
  • The New Rochelle Library (1 Library Plaza, New Rochelle) will host the 54th annual Westchester Musicians Guild Young Artists Concert at 2 p.m. Visit nrpl.org for more information.
  • Boy Scout Troop 1 Bronxville will hold a firewood sale from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Bronxville Boy Scout Cabin (Scout Field, 1820 Midland Avenue, Bronxville). Visit scoutcabin.org for more information.

 SUNDAY

  • The Westchester Reform Temple (255 Mamaroneck Road, Scarsdale) will conclude its Aging Well lecture series at 10 a.m. This week’s installment will cover Memory Care for Yourself and Your Loved Ones. Visit wrtemple.org for more information.
  • The Soop Theatre Company will present “A Year With Frog and Toad” at The Manor Club (1023 Esplanade, Pelham) at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. There will also be a 10 a.m. show on Monday. Visit sooptheatre.org for more information.
  • Author Linda Fairstein will be at Barnes & Noble (680 Post Road, Scarsdale) at 2 p.m. to discuss “Digging For Trouble”, which is part of her first children’s youth series. Visit https://stores.barnesandnoble.com/store/3304?view= for more information.
  • Sarah Lawrence College (1 Mead Way, Bronxville) will host “The Wall to Wall Chamber Music Concert” at 4 p.m. Visit sarahlawrence.edu for more information.
  • The Eastchester Historical Society will host “Christmas in Eastchester: A Day to Party Hop” beginning at 1 p.m. The day kicks off with the annual Victorian Christmas Party from 1-4 p.m. at The Marble Schoolhouse (the corner of California and New Rochelle Roads in Eastchester). Santa’s Workshop will take place from 2-4 p.m. in Gazebo Park. The day ends with a Tree Lighting/Holiday Lights Celebration in Memorial Park, which will be hosted by the Eastchester Beautification Committee, at 4:30 p.m. Visit eastchesterhistoricalsociety.org for more information.
  • The City of White Plains will host “City Lights, Bright Holiday Nights Tree Lighting” at 4 p.m. in Tibbetts Park (1 North Broadway, White Plains). Visit cityofwhiteplains.com for more information.
  • The Temple Israel Center of New Rochelle (1000 Pinebrook Boulevard, New Rochelle) will host a breakfast and discussion with Edward Poliandro from the office of diversity and community affairs at Mount Sinai Hospital at 9:30 a.m. Visit tinr.org for more information.
  • The ADL in Westchester Securing Justice Awards Dinner will take place at Metropolis County Club (289 Dobbs Ferry Road, White Plains) from 5-8 p.m. Honorees Linda Riefberg and Lee Perlman will receive the Philanthropic Leadership Award, Lawrence W. Bahr will be recognized with the Making a Difference Award and Oren Segal, ADL Director of the Center on Extremism, will be the keynote speaker. Visit adl.org/westchester2017 for more information.
  • The Congregation Kol Ami (252 Soundview Avenue, White Plains) will host The Sisterhood Holiday Shopping Spree from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. There will be jewelry, clothing, handbags and much more. Visit nykolami.org for more information.
  • The Eastchester Recreation Department Gingerbread House Decorating Contest will take place at 10 a.m. at The Haindl Field Rec Room (100 Gabriel Rescigno Drive, Scarsdale). Visit eastchester.org for more information.

 Please visit www.burbio.com/lists/district-88-events for more information about these and other area events.