During the High Holidays as we contemplate the meaning of being Jewish—individually and collectively—a number of us at Shomrei are involved in supporting immigrants in our community.  While we reflect, we face an immense challenge in Montclair and throughout Essex County regarding how to respond to the detention and deportation of our neighbors, people who include a manicurist, a pastry chef, construction workers, and restaurant service workers.

If interested, please reach out to:
Sarah Cortes,
Audrey Levitin:

WHAT DID I DO

The smell of fear hangs

over our town—how will we

respond when the gates open—   

Montclair, September 14, four men on their way to work were detained by ICE agents at an Exxon station on Elm Street and Bloomfield Avenue, one block away from Charles H. Bullock Elementary School. The vehicle’s window was smashed and the four men were manhandled while handcuffed. They are detained at Delaney.
What did I do?

Montclair, August 19, two young men walk to Raymonds on Church Street to begin their shift. These two young men were arrested at Lackawanna Plaza and detained at Delaney.
What did I do?

Montclair, August 19, Lackawanna Plaza, four more people were arrested and are currently detained at Delaney.
What did I do?

Montclair, June 1, Chef Leo of Bijoux Pastry on Church Street visits his family in Niagara Falls.

He was detained outside a shopping center in Buffalo, New York. With the community’s assistance and Latinos of Montclair raising funds, a lawyer was hired and he was released within two weeks.
Where did our ancestors come from?

Montclair, May 2026, an employee at our local nail salon was disappeared and detained at Elizabeth.
What did I do?

WHAT CAN I DO

• September 24, 6:30 PM. Gather for a Sukkot Service of Solidarity led by Rabbi James Feder and Cantor Meredith Greenberg of Temple Ner Tamid at Delaney Hall
• Buy ShopRite gift cards any time, drop in designated box in Shomrei office
• Fridays 6:00 PM. Lackawanna Plaza. Meeting to discuss how to protect Montclair residents
• Sundays 3:00–4:00 PM. Friendly protest at Church St/Bloomfield Ave
• Mondays 7:00 PM. Vigil at Delaney Hall
• October. Delaney Hall Food Drive; drop off items at Shomrei (Exact start date TBD)