We’re dreaming of an improved Shomrei YAC (Youth Activity Center). Continue reading
Category Archives: News & Events
Klinger Korner – December 2024
Friends,
Over the Thanksgiving break, my family and I went to Israel for a short visit with family. It has been over a year since I’ve last been, so I didn’t know what to expect. I found a very complicated country, conflicted between daily grief and the want/need to keep the daily routine. I checked in on our Medicycle and am happy to report that it is already making a difference in Tel Aviv. Next time, I will try to visit it. I am very appreciative of this community, its generosity, and its commitment to Israel.
Lost and Found
Talmud Tuesday is a gift to Shomrei from our rabbinic intern, Jacob Lipkin. From 5:30 to 6:30 pm, on alternating Tuesdays, Jacob leads a study session micro-focused on one or two paragraphs of Talmud. The class is open to all congregants, from the most knowledgeable to those who never had gazed at a page of Talmud before (that would be me).
When I arrived at last Tuesday’s session, I knew only that the Talmud applied the wisdom of our sages to parse – often excruciatingly – the ethical issues of daily Jewish life in ancient times. I assumed I’d learn a bit of what it was like to study Talmud, but I hardly expected to find relevance to my daily life in 21st Century Montclair.
How wrong I was. Continue reading
Klinger Korner – November 2024
It’s been a couple of very busy months here at Shomrei. We had a very successful High Holiday period with record attendance and participation. Yashar koach to all who helped make the holidays very meaningful.
High Holy Days Service Leaders 2024
Meet our Prayer Leaders for the High Holy Days: Rabbi Julie Roth, Talia Lakritz, Jacob Lipkin, Rabbi Justus Baird, Dr. Craig Eicher, Sarah Kamenetsky, and Shira Farbman Lipkin. Continue reading
The Power of Selichot: A Call to Community and Reflection
As the Jewish New Year approaches, the air is filled with a sense of anticipation and hope. One of the most profound traditions during this time is Selichot, a series of prayers that prepare us for the High Holidays. Attending Selichot is an opportunity for individuals and communities to come together for reflection and connecting to each other. Continue reading
Mindfulness Amidst Conflict: Connecting To Our Inner Peace
How do you cope with the stress and anxiety brought on by global events that seem far away yet hit close to home? The wars in Israel and Ukraine have had profound global implications, and their impact is felt acutely in the United States.
For many, the emotional toll of these conflicts leads to heightened anxiety as we grapple with the uncertainty and fear that such global instability generates. Whether due to personal or cultural ties to these regions, or the intensified divisions within American society election, this sense of unease is growing. Continue reading
Shomrei Welcomes Jacob Kaplan-Lipkin, 4th Year JTS Student
Jacob Kaplan-Lipkin is a rising 4th year rabbinical student at the Jewish Theological Seminary, where he is also pursuing a masters degree in Hebrew Bible. He is returning from an emotional and enriching year in Israel as a visiting student at the Schechter Rabbinical Seminary in Jerusalem. He enjoyed mentoring and learning with gap year students this past year as the Rabbinic Intern/Spiritual Advisor for the 43rd cohort of Nativ. While in Israel, Jacob also was privileged to participate in a variety of programs with Pardes, the Shalom Hartman Institute, and Hadar Israel. During his first two years of JTS rabbinical school, Jacob worked at Cornell Hillel as the Rabbinic Intern. Continue reading
Klinger Korner – August 2024
I hope everyone is having a great summer. Here at Shomrei, we celebrated the last day of camp on Friday with the Kona Ice Truck! Thank you to Aylah, Lesley, and Vanessa for another year of a wonderful summer camp. While I’ll be enjoying the quiet for the next two weeks, I will miss greeting the kids in the morning.
Meet Mustafa Laboo, Kitchen Coordinator
One of five children born in Newark, Mustafa Laboo has joined the Shomrei staff as our Kitchen Coordinator. Having lived in multiple NJ cities, he participated in a wide range of sports activities and was introduced to several different cultures. Over the years, Mustafa has worked for several NJ & NY area caterers in a variety of roles. Continue reading