Category Archives: From the President

Announcing Our 2025 Honorees

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From President Delaney:

It is my privilege to announce Nancy and Charlie Breslin, two of our extraordinary members and volunteers, will be the Honorees at our annual event celebrating Shomrei members for their service to our community. I am also thrilled to share that Romy Rost will be our Rising Star honoree this year for her tireless efforts as a Board member and in building a thriving and dynamic community among our young families.

Save the Date! Please join us to celebrate our Honorees at Cirque du Shomrei, Saturday, February 1, 7:30pm.

Please also place an ad honoring Nancy, Charlie and Romy for all they bring to our community in our annual Shomrei Directory and Ad Journal. 

Ticket and Ad Journal

purchase tickets

purchase an ad in the Journal

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We Exceeded the Israel Medicycle Goal, Together!

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Dear Shomrei Community,
It is with gratitude that we share that we exceeded our ambitious fundraising goal of $36,000 to send a Medicycle to Israel, which enables first responders to arrive within minutes of an emergency. With the continued conflict in Israel, we know that efforts to support the IDF and first responders will be much needed and appreciated. We look forward to ‘sending off’ the Shomrei-branded Medicycle to Israel in the new year.

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Message From the President: Gathering as a Community

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Hi everyone,

This weekend’s horrific and murderous actions by Hamas against the Israeli people affects us all deeply. So many of us have friends and family in Israel and I cannot imagine what they are going through at this moment.

It is an incredibly complicated time for us all. If you are anything like me, this week has been full of emotion. Trying to unpack those emotions on our own is a huge challenge, and when faced with issues like this, it is always my instinct to gather as our community, hear from each other, and to share space for healing.

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Kol Nidre, President’s Address: Upgrading Shomrei

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President’s State of the Synagogue Speech on Kol Nidre, 9/24/2023

L’Shana Tova Everyone!

I get to share with you some of the great news of how things have gone here at Shomrei and how I expect the new year to go. Continue reading →

President’s Message, Rosh Hashanah Day 1 – Changing Our Mindset

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President’s Remarks on Rosh Hashanah Day 1, 9/16/23

L’Shana Tovah! It is wonderful to see so many of you in this space.

I want to speak with you today about abundance. When the COVID pandemic started, we were all so full of uncertainty. Nothing could be predicted or taken for granted. We collectively perceived ourselves in the same way I think conservative Judaism is perceived across the country – out of sync with modern Judaism, low-energy with a detached congregation. In addition, I believe the greater Jewish community in our region saw Shomrei as declining – congregants aging and new families looking for something different than what we have to offer. I can tell you after a year of incredible work and growth with the team that collectively makes Shomrei the great institution it is, WE DON’T FIT THAT DESCRIPTION!

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Message From the President: Living Our Values

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Dear Congregation Shomrei Emunah,

I hope everyone is having a great summer and finding ways to stay cool.

Over the past few weeks, we have been monitoring a situation that came up recently where it was reported that the owner of the West Orange Bake Shop had cancelled an order for Pride themed baked goods for B’Nai Israel. We didn’t react immediately to give space for the owner to respond to the claim that the cancellation was anti-LGBTQ+ related. However, after hearing more directly from the owner, we feel his response runs counter to Shomrei’s values and are compelled to move away from doing business with the Bake Shop. This shift will be implemented immediately.

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Fern Heinig to be Honored by Shomrei!

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Dear Friends,

I am thrilled to announce that Fern Heinig will be honored this year at Art Mazel Tov!, an annual event which celebrates Shomrei’s Preschool community combined this year with an honors celebration of Shomrei’s past-president, the wonderful Fern Heinig. Our Ad Journal will be dedicated to Fern, this year’s honoree, for all she brings to our congregation.

Each year we honor a congregant who has had a significant impact on our community and there is no one I can think of that has contributed to our community like Fern.

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Masking Recommendation

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Dear Congregation Shomrei Emunah,

As we are all about to embark on end of the year celebrations and many of us plan travel, I wanted to take a minute to remind you that while there is no vaccine requirement and mask wearing at Shomrei remains optional, both the Medical Committee and I are becoming very concerned about the rise of COVID/FLU/RSV transmission, which, if the last two years are a guide, tends to peak in early January.

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