Congregation Adas Emuno

This Week at Adas Emuno

June 26, 2025 8:17 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

June 27, 2025

Dear Friends,
Internal dissent is especially challenging at times of external threat.
That is true here and now for us, and for our ancestors.
At our monthly reading of the Torah at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM), we'll observe how an uprising against Moses from his very own tribe put the whole community in jeopardy.

Thanks to all who participated in our Annual Meeting and Gathering in the Garden. Next Friday is July 4, but also the first Shabbat of the month, so come celebrate both at our outdoor patio service (6:00 PM).

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

This Week at Adas Emuno

June 19, 2025 8:24 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

June 19, 2025

Dear Friends,
Our annual Gathering in the Garden is by all means in person; come enjoy on Sunday (4:00-6:00 PM), and bring a friend.

I had the opportunity this past week to visit two European cities with a long and rich Jewish heritage: Vienna and Prague.
I'll reflect on the past, present and future of this heritage at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM).

The crisis in Israel was very much manifest while I was there...and Israel is constantly in our thoughts and prayers during this most challenging of times.

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

This Week at Adas Emuno

June 12, 2025 8:26 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

June 12, 2025

Dear Friends,
In my absence this week Cantor Suzy will solo lead our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM), and I am sure she will value your participation.

Happy Flag Day on Saturday; Happy Father's Day on Sunday.

Our 154th Annual Meeting will be held virtually (our founders could never have dreamed of Zoom!) next Thursday the 19th (7:00 PM) so mark your calendar to attend from the comfort of your home.

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

This Week at Adas Emuno—Outdoor Service and Picnic Beginning at 6 PM

June 05, 2025 8:04 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

June 5, 2025

Dear Friends,
Welcome summer at our first-of-the-month outdoor patio Shabbat Evening Service (6:00 PM- note early time).
We're calling this "Camp Shabbat" because we're highlighting the music of Jewish summer camp, with Scott and Marissa Dennis, who happen to be camp song leaders!
Bring your own pot-luck supper for afterwards; we'll supply the drinks and deserts.
And your camp ruach!

Our congregation is proud to once again be represented at Leonia Pride Day on Saturday at Wood Park (2:00-5:00 PM).

Even if you didn't see the Israeli comedy The Wedding Plan, you might enjoy the discussion of it at our Adas Emuno Film Club on Monday (7:30 PM).
And if you just saw the new American Jewish comedy, Bad Shabbas, let me know if I should see it- the reviews I read indicate that you either love it or hate it!

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

Please note that our outdoor service will not be livestreamed.

This Week at Adas Emuno

May 29, 2025 1:11 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

May 29, 2025

Dear Friends,
The holiday of Shavuot (which arrives Sunday evening) sometimes feels like it gets lost in translation from major biblical festival to modern holiday.
We'll remark about this at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM) even as we celebrate this holiday of first fruits and the giving of the Torah.

Our first outdoor, on-the-patio summer service takes place next week (6:00 PM). We'll make it extra special by featuring camp music (Jewish summer camp favorites, that is). An optional bring-your-own picnic supper follows; we'll supply the drinks and dessert.

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

This Week at Adas Emuno

May 22, 2025 9:46 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

May 22, 2025

Dear Friends,
The Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer, and that is true at the congregation as well.
Torah study and religious school have now concluded, but our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM) continues year round (with outdoor patio services on the first Shabbat of June, July and August at 6:00 PM).

My remarks this week are spurred by a single line uttered by Elon Musk a few months ago, "The fundamental weakness of western civilization is empathy." Judaism begs to differ, and I'll explain why!

On this Shabbat and holiday weekend we pause to remember the enormous sacrifice of those who have fallen in defense of our country. For me this is always personal as I remember Jeremy Kane and Justin Major, two of my dear bar mitzvah/confirmation students in my previous congregation, who died while serving in the Marines.

Last night two young staff members of the Israeli embassy were shot and killed in Washington, DC. We mourn Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgram, who were about to be engaged.

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

This Week at Adas Emuno—Confirmation and Bar Mitzvah!

May 15, 2025 8:50 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

May 15, 2025

Dear Friends,
I look forward to Confirmation all year, and once again you will see why at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM).
From our current class of seven, two tenth graders are graduating. Mazal tov to Nora Levy and Ash Devins for completing the three year course of study, and for ably serving as madrichim teaching assistants in our school.
And if all goes well, we will be offering a blessing at the service for Kurt Roberg, upon his 101st birthday!

Jacob Herzig becomes a bar mitzvah at our Shabbat Morning Service (10:00 AM). Mazal tov to Jacob and his family.

On Sunday we conclude another fine year of religious school, and it is fitting to pay tribute to the partnership of students, parents, teachers and assistants who make it possible, under the direction of our director, religious education committee, and clergy. We may be small, but we are mighty...and very creative!

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

This Week at Adas Emuno

May 08, 2025 8:36 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

May 8, 2025

Dear Friends,
You could not ask for a more lofty, or relevant, passage for our monthly reading of the Torah at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM). The Holiness Code of Leviticus, along with the Ten Commandments, which it echoes, is the great statement of ethics in the Hebrew Bible.

Our final session of Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM) takes place this week, as we conclude an intense year on the history of antisemitism in America. Talk about relevancy- little did we know how significant this topic would be for our nation this year.

Our Book Club meets via zoom on Monday (7:30 PM), discussing the always thought-provoking short stories of Phillip Roth.

Note- next Shabbat is our annual Confirmation Service; the music and words from our teens is always inspirational.

Happy Mother's Day to all, including my mom, who turns 92 today!

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

This Week at Adas Emuno—A Bat Mitzvah and a Concert!

May 01, 2025 12:49 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

May 1, 2025

Dear Friends,
Join us in celebrating Israel's birthday, first at our festive service and then at a special concert.
Our Shabbat Evening -Yom Ha'Atzmaut Service (7:30 PM) will feature music and words appropriate for the occasion.

Then on Sunday we welcome Tavim, a multi-generational a capella group from Teaneck for a rousing performance and reception following (4:00 PM). It’s free, but we ask you to register and consider an optional donation (events@adasemuno.org).

Rayna Avidon becomes a bat mitzvah at our Shabbat Morning Service (10:00 AM).
Mazal tov to Rayna and her family!

On Saturday afternoon at Leonia Day (12-4 PM) please stop by and say hello at our table.

And a final reminder: cast your vote (by May 4) by clicking here:
World Zionist Congress Elections – American Zionist Movement
Support Reform and support Israel- it only takes 5 minutes and $5.00!

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

This Week at Adas Emuno

April 24, 2025 8:36 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

April 24, 2024

Dear Friends,
After Pesach, two important days come up on the Jewish calendar rather quickly.
The first, Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) is today,.
We will mark it tomorrow, with appropriate readings and music, at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM).

The second is Yom Ha'Atzmaut (Israel Independence Day), which we will celebrate next week at our service.
Don't forget to mark your calendar for the great concert we also have planned in this regard, on Sunday, May 4 (4:00 PM), with Tavim.- the lively Teaneck a capella group.

As we come down the home stretch of Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM), we'll consider a most timely topic- the rise of anti-Zionism in America.

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz