This year the Latke Crew baked 720 (gluten free) latkes for the Hanukkah party! Thanks and “yasher koach” to the entire hardworking Latke Crew: Charlie and Alan Breslin, Adrienne Shulman and Michael Sag. A number of people asked me for my recipe, so here it is:
A very large crowd gathered at Shomrei’s annual Hanukkah Party. A beautiful golden night! Continue reading
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.
As you know, Rabbi Greenstein will be away from Shomrei from January 1st through May 31st of this upcoming year. He has been awarded the Daniel Jeremy Silver Fellowship at the Center for Jewish Studies at Harvard University.
For much of this year, a Rabbi Sabbatical Committee, led by Shomrei members Geoff Sadow and Dan Winter, have been working to ensure that our congregation will operate smoothly during our rabbi’s absence. This includes the hiring of guest rabbis to join us for many Shabbatot and to provide rabbinic coverage. This also includes the scheduling of academic and musical scholars-in-residence who will bring to Shomrei some exciting programs.
About 250 people gathered at Shomrei for the second annual “Concert for Eric” a tribute to Eric Singer z”l. This year’s concert entitled “Bountiful Brass – From Bach to Bernstein” featured Montclair Chamber Brass: Don Batchelder,
Chuck Bumcrot,
Anthony Mazzocchi,
Jeff Scott and
Kyle Turner.
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Rabbis Ariann Weitzman, David Greenstein, Marc Katz, and Elliott Tepperman lead 200 members of the religious, political and social Montclair community at B’nai Keshet to mourn the victims of the Tree of Life massacre at a vigil of prayers, song and support, Sat. night, Oct. 27. Photo © Adam Anik
This past Shabbat the worst attack on Jews in American history took place. Many of us were stunned, horrified, angered and grief stricken. What does one do in such a circumstance?
One answer was provided by our rabbi and our community: Congregation Shomrei Emunah co-sponsored a vigil along with congregations Bnai Keshet and Temple Ner Tamid.
Unfortunately, due to the late hour of the email notice that went out to the congregation about the vigil (it could not be sent out earlier because of Shabbat) there were few Shomrei members in attendance. How I wished our congregants could have been there for this special evening – a chance to come together to share our pain and find comfort in one another’s embrace. Having spoken to a number of our congregants, I know many wished they could have attended.
Editor’s Note: This message was originally sent out on Sunday, Oct.28, the day after the tragedy in Pittsburgh.
Oh, if only my head were a spring of water and my eye a fountain of tears! I would weep all day and night for the slain of my dear people.
Jeremiah 8:23
Our grief is overwhelming as we process the tragedy that has befallen the worshipers at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. This tragedy has swept over the entire Jewish community everywhere and has spread to affect all decent people in our country and beyond.
The news on Shabbat arrived as we were in the midst of celebrating a Bar Mitzvah with one of our cherished families. Our sanctuary was filled. We sang together that out Torah is a “tree of life to all who hold it tight.” The dissonance between our own prayers – identical to those offered at Tree of Life Synagogue – and the murderous violence inflicted there could not be more extreme.
There was a little purring, some excited barking, some energetic wrestling, and a little bit of growling. On a brisk Sunday afternoon, some of Shomrei’s 4-legged members and their 2-legged friends showed up for Shomrei’s “Pets Are a Blessing” event on the lawn. Conducted and organized by Morah Lily and Rabbi Greenstein, activities included photos in front of a “step and repeat” wall, art projects, cookies, juice and some discussions about the way in which our pets are a blessing in our lives.
The Shomrei Preschool PTO (Parent/Teacher Organization) ran a fundraiser at Cyclebar as part of a series of upcoming events in support of the new playground. Cyclebar, a cycling studio in Montclair, let us fill a private class with our fundraising parents, alumni and staff. We also sold 60 custom t-shirts prior to the ride that raised additional funds.
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Our friends at Bnai Keshet (Reconstructionist Synagogue in Montclair) will host a weekend of activities, for National Refugee Shabbat, part of a nationwide effort by the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, (HIAS), to educate and train participants on issues and ways to help detained immigrants and asylum seekers. All events will be held at Bnai Keshet, 99 So. Fullerton Ave. in Montclair.
Friday, October 19: Shabbat Dinner and Educational Forum on Refugee Issues Continue reading