Congregation Adas Emuno

This Week at Adas Emuno

September 19, 2024 9:20 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Sept.19, 2024

The installation of our newly elected board, with Marshall Jacobowitz as president, will take place at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM).
Congratulations to all our trustees, who give so generously of their time to the congregation.

The installation of George Washington as our nation's first president gave rise to an exchange of letters with the Touro synagogue of Newport, Rhode Island.
This historic correspondence is the subject of our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM) on American Jewish history.

Confirmation class and Youth Group commence this Sunday.

Two important community events to take note of regarding Oct. 7:
On this Saturday night (7:00 PM), members of Kibbutz Azza, one of the settlements that was attacked, will speak of their experience, at Temple Avodat Shalom in River Edge.
On Monday evening, Oct. 7 (7:00 PM) the Jewish community as a whole will gather in Tenafly; registration a must by Oct. 1- jfnnj.org/october7.

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

This Week at Adas Emuno

September 12, 2024 8:43 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Sept. 12, 2024

Dear Friends,
The anniversary of 9-11 felt different yesterday. In part I think that has to do with the coming elections, and in part with the coming anniversary of Oct. 7.
I'll reflect on this at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM).

We're off and running at our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM)
If you're interested in American Jewish history it’s not too late to join us.

Religious school is off and running too. Both the School Open House and Gathering in the Garden were well attended and lovely. We have room—encourage families to check out our school and shul!

Two important community events to take note of regarding Oct. 7:
On Saturday night, Sept. 21 (7:00 PM), members of Kibbutz Azza, one of the settlements that was attacked, will speak of their experience, at Temple Avodat Shalom in River Edge. Contact office@koldorot.org for more information.
On Monday evening, Oct. 7 (7:00 PM) the Jewish community as a whole will gather in Tenafly; registration a must by Oct. 1- jfnnj.org/october7.

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

This Week at Adas Emuno

September 05, 2024 8:27 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Sept. 5, 2024

Dear Friends,
September is here and we are off and running!

1. Shabbat Evening Service on Friday (7:30 PM)
2. Shabbat Morning Torah Study on Saturday (10:00 AM)
3. Religious School on Sunday (9:00 AM)
4. Open House for the school (11:00 AM)
5. Gathering in the Garden (4-6 PM)
6. Poetry Garden (6:00PM)
7. Book Club on Monday (7:30 PM)

Amidst the welcome back from summer our hearts are heavy this week, as we mourn the death of six young Israelis held hostage for so long: Hersch Goldberg-Polin (23), Eden Yerushalmi (24), Ori Danino (25), Almog Sarusi (25), Alex Lubnov (32), and Carmel Gat (40).

May their memory be for a blessing, and may we take this time to recommit to our heritage and our community.

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

This Week at Adas Emuno

August 29, 2024 8:09 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Aug. 29, 2024,

Dear Friends,
What does the Torah says about the ethical issues facing Israel in Gaza right now?
Well, it’s more complicated than you might think, as we'll explain at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM).

It’s Labor Day weekend already, believe it or not (we always say that!), and the unofficial end of summer.
So keep in mind that next week:
1.Torah Study begins on the 7th (10:00 AM)
2. Sunday School begins on the 8th (9:00 AM)
3. Open House for the school (11:00 AM)
4. Gathering in the Garden (4-6 PM)

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

This Week at Adas Emuno

August 22, 2024 8:13 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Aug. 22, 2024

Dear Friends,
It's not normal practice for me to talk about a particular politician from the bimah, unless there is a greater issue at stake.
In the case of Governor Josh Shapiro there is definitely one, and it is of great importance.
We'll bring it to the fore at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM).

Allow me to add that all summer long we have immensely enjoyed the lovely voice and melodies, some new, some old, of cantorial soloist Suzy. Come see for yourself!

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

This Week at Adas Emuno

August 15, 2024 10:21 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Aug. 15, 2024

Dear Friends,
The Sabbath after the 9th of Av (which was marked on Tuesday) has a special name, Shabbat Nachamu- Sabbath of Comfort.

I'll explain the enduring significance of this, with the help of three episodes in the life of the great sage Yochanan ben Zakkai, who was an eye witness to the destruction of the Temple, and arguably the most underappreciated leader in Jewish history.

Cantor Suzy will add special music appropriate to the occasion, at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM).

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

This Week at Adas Emuno

August 08, 2024 8:22 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Aug. 8, 2024

Dear Friends,
If you are an avid follower of the Olympics like me, you may have seen the electrifying 100 meter dash last Sunday, the winner of whom is dubbed the world's fastest man.
Did you know that 100 years ago in the same place, at the Paris Olympics of 1924, that race was won by a British Jew named Harold Abrahams?
His story was immortalized in the 1981 Academy Award winning film "Chariots of Fire".
On the centennial of this remarkable feat, we'll delve into this Jewish story of the Olympics, as well as that of two other Olympics, Berlin (1936) and Munich (1972) at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM).

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

This Week at Adas Emuno—BBQ This Sunday

August 01, 2024 9:17 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Aug. 1, 2024

Dear Friends,
Have you ever experienced a service at at a Jewish summer camp?
That's what we'll aim to recreate at our third outdoor patio Shabbat Evening Service (6:00 PM).
Cantor Suzy will feature some of the catchiest tunes that our youth are singing.
Note that this service will not be livestreamed unless the weather forces us indoors.
Bring a picnic dinner to eat afterwards, and we'll supply the drinks and desserts.

Another rite of summer is the barbeque.
We're happy to join with Gesher Shalom for a mid-summer barbecue on Sunday (2:00-4:00); it's free for members of both congregations but reservations are required by emailing office@geshershalom.org.

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

This Week at Adas Emuno

July 25, 2024 10:23 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

July 25, 2024

Dear Friends,
Does God take sides?
One might think so after viewing the Republican National Convention last week.
One might also think so after reading this week's Torah portion.
And why does this make us uncomfortable?
We should talk about this, and we will, at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM).

Mark you calendar for next week:
Our monthly outdoor patio service is at 6:00 PM.
And we join with Gesher Shalom for a mid-summer barbecue on Sunday the 4th (2:00-4:00); it's free for members of both congregations but reservations are required by emailing office@geshershalom.org.

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

This Week at Adas Emuno

July 18, 2024 1:10 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

July 19, 2024

Dear Friends,
One hundred years ago this month two things happened that changed America- and not for the better.
The consequences for the country in general, and the American Jewish community in particular, are still being felt. This includes the the tendencies toward political violence, and anti-immigration policies, that continue to challenge us.
I'll speak about this legacy of 1924 at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM).

Last week my sermon, "Joe and Moses" was also published in the Jewish Standard, which you can read here: https://jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com/joe-and-moses/

The word is out- its a pleasure to sing along with our new cantorial soloist, Suzy Merritt. Come see and hear for yourself!

For summer reading, try The Wolf Hunt, by Ayelet Gundar-Goshen, which is our next book club selection for September. Though written before Oct. 7, it captures the the angst and unease of the American-Israeli -Jewish community today.

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz