WASHINGTON – What is the difference between investiture and ordination?

Plenty, say officials at the Reform movement’s Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR), which for the first time since establishing its cantorial school in 1948, recently ordained its graduating class of cantors, rather than investing them.

Six graduates were ordained earlier this month in ceremonies at Temple Emanu-El in New York.

The change has been several years in the making. Reform movement officials say it both recognizes the elevated role that cantors have in modern times, and eliminates some barriers they have faced in their clergy work. For example, one cantor in California could not visit a congregant in prison because prison officials did not recognize her as a bona fide member of the clergy.

WASHINGTON – As soon as President Barack Obama wrapped up the television interview in which he endorsed same-sex marriage, he called an evangelical minister who advises him to offer a heads-up. Jack Lew, the White House chief of staff, made a similar call to the Orthodox Union.

The calls, made a week ago Wednesday before excerpts from the interview hit the Internet, demonstrated the White House’s determination to preempt any backlash that the endorsement might engender from religious groups. Obama administration officials have been careful to emphasize that the president also backs protections for religious groups that oppose same-sex marriage.

Stanlee Stahl will speak on Monday, May 21 at noon, at the Wayne Y’s Lunch and Learn program on the topic “Rescuers of Jews during the Holocaust.” Stahl is the executive vice president of the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous. The Y exhibited “Whoever Saves a Single Life….Rescuers of Jews” during April for Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Call Cheryl Wylen, (973) 595-0100 ext. 228.

Lubavitch on the Palisades in Tenafly will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for its upcoming expansion on Sunday, May 20, at 9:30 a.m. Plans include adding up to eight additional classrooms, a gym, a library, and a computer lab to enhance the preschool and elementary schools. Call (201) 871-1152 ext. 505 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

This weekend, OHEL is holding its first Community OHEL Awareness Shabbat, themed “Challenges Unwrapped, Solutions Available,” a look at the increased demands on everyday individuals and families in the community. Shuls participating include Congregations Beth Aaron, Bnai Yeshurun, Rinat Yisrael, and Young Israel of Teaneck, and Congregation Beth Abraham in Bergenfield.

Topics include protecting our children; everyday family and mental health challenges; addictive behavior — deeper than you think; aging baby boomers; and growing geriatric needs. Featured speakers include author Rabbi Paysach Krohn, David Mandel (CEO of OHEL), social worker Simcha Feuerman, director of operations, OHEL and president of Nefesh International, entertainer Shloime Dachs, OHEL board member, and marital therapist Donny Frank.

Call (718) 686-3214 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Fern and Jonathan Rome Courtesy Chabad

Valley Chabad’s Teen Tribute Gala, “Teens Make Magic,” is planned for May 10, beginning at 6 p.m., at Florentine Gardens in River Vale. The event will celebrate the teen volunteers of Chabad’s new Teen Leadership Initiative, headed by program directors Rabbi Yosef and Estie Orentstein.

Fern and Jonathan Rome of Woodcliff Lake will be recognized for their years of involvement with Chabad Teens and with Friendship Circle, which cultivates friendships between teen volunteers and children with special needs.

Fern Rome has served on various boards in educational, philanthropic, and Jewish causes. She has been active with Friendship Circle since its inception six years ago, and currently is the co-leader of its newest program, Sunday Circle.

(201) 476-0157 or www.valleychabad.org.

The Dora & Sidney Miller Early Childhood Center at the JCC of Paramus is sponsoring its second annual “Jumping Sacks for Tay-Sachs,” an in-house “jumpathon” for students, to benefit Tay-Sachs research. Last year, after a family in the school lost a child to Tay-Sachs, others at the JCC rallied to help, and raised $1,000 for the Cure Tay-Sachs Foundation at the event.

Students will jump in special child-sized hopping sacks and the number of jumps will be recorded. Parents, grandparents, and friends sponsor for a flat amount, or for a pledge per jump. The event will be held on May 16 during school time, with a rain date of May 23.

For information, call Judy Fox, preschool director, at (201) 967-1334, visit Ntsad.org, or Caringbridge.org/visit/emmarabinowitz.

Tracey and Dr. Michael Cohen

Temple Beth Sholom in Fair Lawn’s annual ad journal dinner dance will be held on Sunday, June 10, at 5 p.m., at the shul. Dr. Michael and Tracey Cohen will be honored for their many years of service. Tracey Cohen has served on the shul’s board of education and serves as a co-chair of the kiddush committee. Michael Cohen has served in numerous capacities including temple president for two terms. Call (201) 797-9321.