Thank you for supporting MERCAZ USA, the voice of the Conservative/Masorti movement, during the spring voting campaign. The Mercaz votes increased from 15,000 in 2020 to 27,893 due to a strong campaign across the Conservative synagogues & institutions. The increased votes translates to more seats in the World Zionist Congress (WZC) and ultimately supports Conservative institutions in Israel (including the pluralistic prayer area of the Kotel) as well as Camp Ramah & Schechter Day Schools. (more…)
Mazel Tov to the Adult B’nai Mitzvah class of 2025!
Pictured from left to right – Front Row: Lisa Haber-Chalom, Audrey Levitin, Joyce Spiegel, Sylvia Cohn; Middle Row: Anita Vogel, Fran Legman, Amanda Gold, Katie Toledano; Back Row: June Zimmerman, Nick Levitin, Kelli Mason (more…)
We in the United States talk about the attack of October 7th. But to the residents of Kibbutz Kfar Azza, the attack lasted 2 days through the morning of October 9th, and its effects continue into the present as they struggle with the aftermath of the attack. (more…)
We’re dreaming of an improved Shomrei YAC (Youth Activity Center). (more…)
Talmud Tuesday is a gift to Shomrei from our rabbinic intern, Jacob Lipkin. From 5:30 to 6:30 pm, on alternating Tuesdays, Jacob leads a study session micro-focused on one or two paragraphs of Talmud. The class is open to all congregants, from the most knowledgeable to those who never had gazed at a page of Talmud before (that would be me).
When I arrived at last Tuesday’s session, I knew only that the Talmud applied the wisdom of our sages to parse – often excruciatingly – the ethical issues of daily Jewish life in ancient times. I assumed I’d learn a bit of what it was like to study Talmud, but I hardly expected to find relevance to my daily life in 21st Century Montclair.
How wrong I was. (more…)