Category Archives: JLC (Hebrew School)

JLC Shabbaton

Posted on by

0

This past Shabbat, students in grades 5-7 had the unique opportunity to spend the weekend at the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center in Falls Village, CT. Thanks to a generous grant from the Greater MetroWest Federation, JLC students departed Montclair on Friday afternoon and enjoyed a Shabbat retreat amidst the serene beauty of the Berkshire Mountains, fully immersed in nature. Accompanied by JLC staff members Sarah Kamenetsky and Orli Pinsberg, as well as Madrichim Eva Halbfinger and Gabe Delaney, the group embarked on a memorable and enriching experience.

Continue reading →

Passover Resources For Families

Posted on by

0

Dear Shomrei Families,

I can hardly believe that Passover is a little more than a week away. As we prepare for Passover, we are reminded of the power of storytelling, tradition, and togetherness. The Seder is more than just a meal—it is an opportunity to pass down our history, values, and dreams from generation to generation. Each year, we gather around the table to retell the story of our ancestors’ journey from slavery to freedom, connecting our past to our present in meaningful ways. Passover is also a time to reflect on the traditions that make our families unique. Whether it’s a beloved family recipe, a creative way to search for the Afikomen, or a favorite song during the Seder, these customs help shape our Jewish identity and bring us closer together. Continue reading →

JLC Prayer for Our Country

Posted on by

3

Stuart Green and Jennifer Moses fly the colors on inauguration

Stuart Green and Jennifer Moses fly the colors on inauguration day.

Each week during JLC our students begin with community time led by Morah Lily. This week on Wednesday, following a historic inauguration we asked our JLC students to look towards the future and help create a prayer for our country. These are their beautiful worlds full of hope and light. Continue reading →

STOM Kids, Getting Out the Vote!

Posted on by

0

IMG_6334

Delia and Jonah

STOM (Shomrei Teens of Montclair) kids writing non-partisan get-out-the-vote letters as part of the Vote Forward Project.

Vote Forward’s mission is to empower grassroots volunteers to help register voters from under-represented demographics and encourage them to vote. We build tools to enable Americans, wherever they may be, to encourage fellow citizens to participate in our democracy.

Our STOM teens engaged in the democratic process…here’s what they wrote to Americans across the country: Continue reading →

Hanukkah Simcha Band

Posted on by

0

IMG_8301

Shomrei Emunah was bursting with happiness and fun as we welcomed Hanukkah a little early this year. The Hanukkah Band, performing for the 9th year in a row, outdid itself. So many musicians ages 7-75+ and such good music! Not only are we multi-generational, but we had two families of musicians that were multi-generational. French horn player (and
shofar blower extraorinaire) Elana was joined by her son, Natan on violin. Merrill’s son, Dan, came from NYC to play tenor sax with his mother at the piano.

Continue reading →

The Gift of Hinei Mah Tov

Posted on by

0

hmt_sing

One of the greatest gifts I was given when I came to the Shomrei community over three years ago was the opportunity to lead our family service, Hinei Mah Tov. Befitting the name of the service, we always open with the song “Hinei Mah Tov,” a song that is known by many melodies but lyrically highlights the importance of being together with our brothers and sisters; the version that we open with says, “How good it is, how sweet it is, to be with my sisters and brothers/ How good it is, how sweet it is in peace with one another.”

Continue reading →

Purim Celebration at Shomrei

Posted on by

0

IMG_4766 (1)

My favorite Jewish holiday is Sukkot. Or is it Passover? After
celebrating Purim tonight with our Shomrei community, my new favorite
holiday has to be Purim.  The spirit, the crowd, the young people, the
not-so-young people, Lily leading us with such “ruach” and teaching us
new melodies, Lily directing the JLC acting troupe with her original
shpiel, Debra Caplan accompanying these incredibly talented singers and
actors at the piano, the overflowing bags of Mishloach Manot, and of
course, the 9th Annual Purim Simcha Band all contributed to a most
joyous Purim. Continue reading →

Big in Sound and Joy – The Simcha Band!

Posted on by

0

IMG_1368-COLLAGE

We may have been small in number but we were big in sound and joy. Just ask the audience who sang, danced and clapped to the rhythm of all the melodies.

Special thanks to Conductor Mark Weinstein, and band members: Elliot Lasiter, Jerilyn Margulies, Mike Tizhgarten, Howie Erichson, Andy Silikovitz, and Merrill Silver. Joining the band for the first time were Collin Brooks and Nathan Pendola.  We look forward to watching Collin (electric guitar) and Nathan (drums) grow up with the band.  We welcome and thank Dan Silver who came from NYC to make music with us.

Continue reading →