Our Trip to Uzbekistan
We were a small group of Jews traveling in Uzbekistan, a predominantly Muslim country. Our tour group had originally included nine others who dropped out of the trip after war started between Israel and Hamas, because they did not feel comfortable being in a Muslim country. However we felt safe and entirely welcome. (All these people wanted to take picture with us!)
JLC Hear From Holocaust Survivor
On Wednesday May 1st, the JLC students in 4th-7th grade had the privilege of hearing the story of survival from Mark Schonwetter. Mark, his mother and sister, survived the holocaust by hiding in different farmers homes, in the forest and even under a pigsty. They survived because of the kindness of strangers and Polish families.
Shabbat Pesach CH”M – 4/27/24
Celebrate Israel at the Parade in New York City!
Shomrei will be marching with MetroWest in the Salute to Israel Parade on Sunday June 2nd.
To attend, all you need to do is register directly with MetroWest at the following link: https://www.jfedgmw.org/event/celebrate-israel-parade/#register
A Fun Event — and a Great Shomrei Cause
Hello, Shomrei friends,
I’m writing to tell you about a fundraiser (and fun-raiser) in support of a wonderful organization called Family Promise, which helps families with young children in Essex County who are facing homelessness. (Some of you may remember it by its previous name, the Interfaith Hospitality Network, through which we housed hundreds of homeless families and children at Shomrei for 30 years — before Covid intervened). I’m now president of the board of Family Promise of Essex and have been inspired to watch the organization expand to serve more and more families in the face of an alarming housing crisis that has hobbled young families in particular. Last year we served over 550 families in crisis. With your help, we’ll serve more this year. Continue reading
Parashat Metzora / Shabbat HaGadol – 4/20/24
Passover Reflections: Seder During Wartime
These reflections were written by participants in Rabbi Julie’s Pre-Passover workshop, Seder During Wartime, in April 2024. Continue reading
Parashat Tazria – 4/13/24
Is It Passover Yet?
We can’t ignore it any longer: Passover is less than a week away. If you are looking for a new Haggadah, check out the selection in the library. You may still be able to order one of the new family-oriented Haggadot. Or try downloading from the internet. There are many contemporary Haggadot just waiting for you. The call number on the spine of library books is 262.5.
If Passover is almost upon us, it means that soon you – or someone you know – will be cooking up a storm. As I’ve gotten older, my Passover mantra has become KISS- Keep It Simple, Stupid. No more multi-step preparation with exotic ingredients no matter how delicious the dish sounds. Continue reading