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.
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
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
This Passover will certainly be different from all other Passovers in recent memory! The Education Team at Shomrei put together a list of resources to help families create a meaningful holiday this year. Enjoy!
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.
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.”
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
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.
Seven years ago we needed a name for our newly formed band. “The Shomrei Emunah Multi-Generational Band” was too long. The Chanuka or Purim Band? Too dry! THE SIMCHA BAND! Yes, the Chanuka Simcha Band; the Purim Simcha Band. We have lived up to this name ever since. Continue reading
It is difficult to believe that Purim is just around the corner. The Megillah reading will be WEDNESDAY EVENING FEBRUARY 28 which means the Chanuka Simcha Band morphs into the PURIM SIMCHA BAND that evening.
We are scheduling one rehearsal on SUNDAY FEB. 11 beginning at 10:00 and ending at approximately 11:00. If we need a second rehearsal (due to snow, building problems, sickness, or just because we really need more practice), we will meet again on SUNDAY FEB. 25 at 10-11:00. (We are keeping the holiday weekend free – NO rehearsal Presidents’ weekend).
Continue reading