Calendar for the week of April 1, 2011

April 4-5
Defensive driving course
YOUNG ISRAEL OF WEST HEMPSTEAD is holding a two-day defensive driving session. This course can reduce your car insurance and teach safe driving techniques. The cost is $14, with a discount for AARP members at $12. The course will take place in the Kiddush room. For more information and reservations, contact Becky Ciment at 516-485-3021.

April 5-7
Model Matzah Bakery
CHABAD OF GREAT NECK, located at 400 East Shore Road in Great Neck, is holding its Model Matzah Bakery, where families will learn about the process of matzah making and make their own matzah. The program runs from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with an additional date on April 10. The cost is $5 per person and advance reservation is required. For more information, contact Rabbi Osher Kravitsky at 216-570-0289 or Rabbiosher@yahoo.com.

April 7
YU Cholent Cook-off
YESHIVA UNIVERSITY, located at 2495 Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan, is holding its annual Cholent cook-off contest. The event will begin at 2:45 p.m. at the Weissberg Commons of the Wilf Campus. This year’s judges are Dr. Esther Joel, wife of YU President Richard M. Joel; Josh Friedland of The Food Section blog; Elan Kornblum of Great Kosher Restaurants Magazine; Chef Avram Wiseman, of Center for Kosher Culinary Arts; Jamie Geller of Kosher.com; Alan Riesenburger of Fairway Market; Alana Newhouse of The Tablet magazine; and David Samuels, a noted food writer/critic.

Athletic Center Dedication
CHABAD OF PORT WASHINGTON, located at 80 Shore Road in Port Washington is cutting the ribbon on its new Adam Katz Athletic Center, followed by its 20th Anniversary Dinner honoring Chabad center president Adam Katz. The presentation speech will be given by Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice. The gymnasium will feature facilities for basketball, volleyball, lockers, and offices. Alongisde the high-school size gymnasium, a smaller gym is also being built for pre-school children, scheduled for completion towards the end of spring. For more information, contact Rabbi Shalom Paltiel at 516-767-8672

April 9
A Seder Primer
CONGREGATION ANSHEI SHALOM, located at 472 Hempstead Avenue in West Hempstead is holding A Seder Primer, delivered by Rabbi Moshe Meir Weiss, aiming to promote a more meaningful Seder, with step-by-step explanations on the minhagim of the meal. Rabbi Weiss is the rabbi of Agudath Israel of Staten Island. The lecture begins at 10 p.m. For more information and sponsorship, contact Glenn Ackerman at glennackerman613@yahoo.com.