Kol Emunah Blog – Shomrei Emunah

Rabbi Julie Roth, Sermons & Talks, Video Feature

Sermon: Bereshit

Sermon by Rabbi Julie Roth – East of Eden

If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend the new Netflix TV show, ‘East of Eden’, inspired by the 1952 novel by John Steinbeck, set in the years between the Civil War and World War I. I admit, I binge-watched the seven episodes in two days. As a rabbi, I was captivated by this midrash on the central stories of this week’s parshah, B’reisheit, and the in-depth exploration of the key themes of the story of Cain and Abel. Each character in this multi-generational family struggles with moral inheritance and the question of whether they ultimately have a choice about who they will become. (more…)

Oct 15, 2026Oct 15, 2026 by Rabbi Julie Roth

Home Page Blog Feature, News & Events, Rabbi Julie Roth, Social Action

Shomrei Honored at Family Promise Gala

Shomrei Emunah was honored last week for its 38-year commitment to supporting homeless families at the annual gala of Family Promise of Essex County. The organization began in 1988 as the Interfaith Hospitality Network (or IHN), through which religious congregations housed homeless families with young children who couldn’t find space in the county shelter system. Shomrei was the only synagogue to join the network at the outset, although numerous others joined afterwards. (more…)

Oct 15, 2026 by Dale Russakoff

Home Page Blog Feature, Social Action

Teen MESH Report, 10/12-10/13/26

We had the first Teen MESH of the year. Jordan, Sena, and Livie were our teen heroes – cooking and packing for MESH on their day off from school. A big thank you to the young women for giving up their free day.

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Oct 14, 2026Oct 14, 2026 by Fern Heinig

Home Page Blog Feature, Social Action

Project Isaiah Cereal and Soup Drive a Success!

We once again want to thank our generous Shomrei Community of Giving for the outpouring of cereal and soup collected over the High Holidays as part of Project Isaiah. This week, we took all of the items collected to the Human Needs Food Pantry in Montclair, and they were overwhelmed by the volume delivered (2 full carloads).

They have come to know Congregatioin Shomrei Emunah well, with the many drives we have done on their behalf. And they consider us a vital community partner in their mission to address food insecurity in Essex County. Personally, I feel so proud to be part of such a warm congregation that ALWAYS answers the call to do right by our neighbors.

Oct 8, 2026 by Risa Bernstein

Home Page Blog Feature, Social Action

Numbers Count

One, three, thirty-eight, fifty-five, one hundred seventeen, eleven hundred, one hundred thousand.

This is not just a list of random numbers. Each of these numbers represents a statistic that Joe Granger, executive director of MESH (Montclair Emergency Services for Hope), cited at a recent MESH meal partners’ meeting.

(more…)

Oct 6, 2026 by Aileen Grossberg

Shomrei Emunah

Sermon: Bereshit

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