The last Shabbat Shabbat Your Way before the summer is on May 31.
I want to thank everyone who participated in Shabbat Your Way this year and especially everyone who opened up their homes. We hope you’ll continue to host people over the summer and we’ll officially pick up in the fall.
And please share your Shabbat story with us at email hidden; JavaScript is required.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
I am pleased to share with you our updated COVID19 protocols. As you will see, starting immediately, we have transitioned to a mask optional policy for all non-school activities. This shift in policy comes following the successful implementation of a mask optional policy for the first floor during the High Holy Days and was approved by the board at our most recent meeting after consultation with our Medical Committee, who agreed it is time to make this adjustment. The change also brings Shomrei into alignment with other congregations in Essex County.
Editor’s Note: This speech was originally given on the first day of Rosh Hashanah (Sept 2022)
L’Shana Tovah!
It is wonderful to see so many of you in this space.
I want to speak with you about Open-Door Judaism, how Shomrei epitomizes the spirit of the open-door philosophy and how we can each engage with it, and Shomrei during this new year. Open Door Judaism at Shomrei means the active and ongoing removal of barriers to find comfort and spirituality in the Judaism each member wishes to explore.