Nov. 23, 2023

Dear Friends,
    Happy Thanksgiving!
    And extra special wishes to Virginia Gitter, who is celebrating a big birthday today!

   It's appropriate to think about what we are grateful for, even during this troubled time, including, for example, the few who have stood up for Israel, publicly and proudly, and we'll do so at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM), 

  Please note that Torah study and Religious School are on break this holiday weekend.

   Hanukkah is early this year, so here's advance notice of fast-approaching Hanukkah events:
    Sun., Dec. 3 (11:00 AM)- Mitzvah Mall 
    Fri., Dec.8 (7:30 PM) -Hanukkah Family Service
    Sat., Dec. 9 (10:00AM)- Hanukkah Torah Study 
    Sun., Dec. 10 (2:00 PM)- Hanukkah Jazz Concert.

    And from our Book Club- our next book (for Jan. 8 meeting) will be on the lighter side, the autobiography of comedian Mel Brooks, entitled All About Me, with many copies in the library system. A new biography Mel Brooks- Disobedient Jew, will also be discussed. Brooks, who is 97, is an American original and one of the few people to win the EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar/Academy and Tony awards).

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

Nov. 16, 2023

Dear Friends,
  It's time for our first class-led service of the school year.
  The 6th Grade will step up at our Shabbat Evening Family Service (7:30 PM).
   Of course, all are invited to help support the class.

    And now let's make some room for God!
    At our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM), and over the next few sessions, we'll talk about traditional and non-traditional views.
     In this regard, my blog this week reflects on the possibility of belief during tragic times: Where is God Now? | Barry L. Schwartz | The Blogs (timesofisrael.com)

     Religious school, including Confirmation Class, is in session on Sunday.

     Our annual Leonia Community Thanksgiving Service takes place on Tuesday (7:00 PM) at All Saints Episcopal Church (150 Park Ave.), with Rev. Leah Fowler speaking.
      Recall that on very short notice Rev. Fowler, and all the Leonia clergy, participated in our Vigil for Israel.
       Especially if you live in Leonia, let's show our support. 

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

Nov. 9, 2023

Dear Friends,
  Eighty-five years ago today the Holocaust in Europe began in earnest with Kristallnacht, the "Night of Broken Glass", that saw hundreds of synagogues and Jewish businesses in Germany destroyed, scores of Jews killed, and tens of thousands deported. 

  It is sadly ironic that we have to continue our discussion of resurgent anti-Semitism on this tragic anniversary. We will do so at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM). 

  My latest blogs on the Israel-Hamas War can be found here: https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/tohar-haneshek-is-there-still-a-place-for-purity-of-arms/ .
  Each week we are now reading the names of 18 Israeli hostages, who are ever on our minds.

  Having completed the Preface, we read and discuss the Introduction to Open Judaism at our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM). 

   Another period of Jewish suffering - the Spanish and Portuguese Inquisition- is the subject of our Adas Emuno Book Club on Monday (7:30 PM- via Zoom), when we discuss the difficult but bestselling novel (based on a true story and discovered manuscript) The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon.

   This weekend we also mark Veteran's Day, and pause to express gratitude to those who have served our country. Did you know that our oldest member, Kurt Roberg (99 years old) witnessed Kristallnacht and then fought for this country in WWII? And that another member, Maren Friedman, was born in Germany, on Kristallnacht (Happy birthday, Maren).

    Congratulations to Temple member Bill Ziegler on being elected mayor of Leonia.
     The same to Temple member Kimberly Melman on her reelection to the Leonia Board of Education.

     And finally, also in the good news department, we celebrate another new birth this week- of our granddaughter Ava Liana Schwartz.
     Ava was so eager to come into the world that she was born at home, delivered by our son Nadav!

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

Nov. 2, 2023,

Dear Friends,
  As a liberal myself, I have been struggling with the reaction of the left/far left to the Israel-Hamas war.
  This includes general media (such as the New York Times), some Jewish media (such as Tikkun magazine), and what is happening on many college campuses.
   I'll talk about this at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM). 

   Meanwhile, I have joined in a campaign to contact our NJ elected officials to advocate for Israel and the return of the hostages, and you can too, at  by clicking here: Your elected officials | USAGov.

    We'll continue reading from the introduction to my new book, Open Judaism, at our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM), which offers timely insight into why there is such conflict between secular and religious viewpoints in today's world. 

     Sad news- our heartfelt condolences to Fanny Fishbein on the untimely loss of her nephew, Peter Bojmal.

     Happy news- mazal tov to Leah Ryan and Pablo Villafane on the birth of their daughter Sasha Nicole Villafane, the newest member of our congregation!

      Reminder: set back clocks on Saturday night.
      Reminder: Vote on Tuesday!

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

Nov. 2, 2023,

Dear Friends,
  As a liberal myself, I have been struggling with the reaction of the left/far left to the Israel-Hamas war.
  This includes general media (such as the New York Times), some Jewish media (such as Tikkun magazine), and what is happening on many college campuses.
   I'll talk about this at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM). 

   Meanwhile, I have joined in a campaign to contact our NJ elected officials to advocate for Israel and the return of the hostages, and you can too, at  by clicking here: Your elected officials | USAGov.

    We'll continue reading from the introduction to my new book, Open Judaism, at our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM), which offers timely insight into why there is such conflict between secular and religious viewpoints in today's world. 

     Sad news- our heartfelt condolences to Fanny Fishbein on the untimely loss of her nephew, Peter Bojmal.

     Happy news- mazal tov to Leah Ryan and Pablo Villafane on the birth of their daughter Sasha Nicole Villafane, the newest member of our congregation!

      Reminder: set back clocks on Saturday night.
      Reminder: Vote on Tuesday!

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

Oct. 26, 2023

Dear Friends,
   As the excruciating news continues, I would like to amplify voices from Israel.
   These voices are striving to give important context to the unfolding crisis.
   I'll share some of these voices at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30  PM). 

   What is Open Judaism, and why did I spend four years writing my new book?
   We'll read from the preface and talk about that at our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM).

    And here is a repeat of links about Israel:
    Contributions to a combined Reform movement/Jewish Federations campaign can be made via this link:
     Operation Swords of Iron - Israel Crisis 2023 (jotform.com)
    My recent remarks at our Leonia Vigil for Israel can be read at https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/we-have-no-words/, and further thoughts at https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-open-judaism-blogs-3-we-are-all-zionists/ .
     Our family in Israel has created a website of stories of the survivors: https://www.october7.org/

Shabbat shalom,
Barry

Oct. 19, 2023

Dear Friends,
  In troubled times the mitzvah of remembrance is especially important.

  At our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM) we will dedicate our Memory Box, a beautiful hand-crafted box purchased by Elka Oliver during our 150th Anniversary.
   The box contains the history and photo books of our congregation, as well as prayers and notes from our religious school students.
    If you would like to add a note, please forward it to me this week or next.
    The Memory Box will serve as a time capsule for our congregation and will be re-opened in 25 years at our 175th anniversary!

  At our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM) we will continue reading the chapter on Israel in my new book.
    So too Israel will be the topic of discussion at the Confirmation Class on Sunday, as it was last week with all our grades.
     Contributions to a combined Reform movement/Jewish Federations campaign can be made via this link:
     Operation Swords of Iron - Israel Crisis 2023 (jotform.com)

    My remarks at the Leonia Vigil for Israel and at Temple Emeth last Shabbat can be viewed at our YouTube website, and read at https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/we-have-no-words/ .
     I have begun a weekly blog on topics related to my new book, and this week's entry, also related to Israel,
can be read at https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-open-judaism-blogs-3-we-are-all-zionists/ .
     And I would like to share that our family in Israel has created a website of stories of the fallen and survivors  in Israel: https://www.october7.org/

Shabbat shalom,
Barry

Oct. 12, 2023

Dear Friends,
   We stand with our brothers and sisters in Israel, who came under such vicious attack this past Shabbat-Simchat Torah.
    We mourn all the dead and pray for the recovery of all the wounded, and those held hostage.

     A Leonia Vigil for Peace will be held here at the Temple on Sunday evening (7:00 PM).
     Mayor Judah Zeigler and  Leonia clergy participating. 

     Contributions to a combined Reform movement/Jewish Federations campaign can be made via this link:
     Operation Swords of Iron - Israel Crisis 2023 (jotform.com)
    
  The holidays ended so tragically in Israel, but this Shabbat is extra-special as we affirm life in the midst of such travail.
   We're having a combined Shabbat Evening Service with Temple Emeth in Teaneck (8:00 PM).
   Both our students cantors Joe and Iris will be on-site for wonderful music, and of course we will also express our solidarity with Israel.
   I've been asked to deliver the annual Rabbi Joshua Trachtenberg lecture immediately following the service on my new book, which I will do, but with a personal prelude that reflects on the unspeakable horror we have witnessed in Israel.
    We hope to see you in-person but livestream links to the service are below. 

   Speaking of my new book, we will begin discussion of Open Judaism: A Guide for Believers, Atheists and Agnostics, at our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM), which will occupy us most of the year. 
    The frank and honest exploration of our personal beliefs and theology will be new territory, and you are welcome to join our collective spiritual exploration, even if you have never been part of Torah study before. Our session this Shabbat will focus on chapter seven  in the book: About Israel. 

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz
 
Three livestream platforms for this Friday:
Temple Emeth website: https://www.emeth.org/livestream
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmfiGCYw4D4oSmKpMogpHxg/featured
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/templeemeth

Oct. 5, 2023

Dear Friends,
  One more holiday to go...and it is a fun one!

   Join us for our Shabbat-Simchat Torah- Welcome Back to School Family Service  (7:00 PM***- note earlier time).
   What do we do at this service?
   We celebrate the Torah and read from its end and beginning, with everyone called up according to your birthday month!
   We consecrate our new students!
   We welcome our new members!
    And every grade has a part in our back-to-school service.
    New this year- reading of the Torah outside on the patio- weather permitting!

   Our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM) will look at the way the Torah ends and the Prophets begin.

    A final nod to the holiday takes place at Religious School on Sunday morning. 

    And mazal tov to Joan and Norman Rosen, whose granddaughter celebrates her wedding at our synagogue on Sunday afternoon!

Shabbat shalom and Hag Sameach,
Rabbi Schwartz

Sept. 28, 2023

Dear Friends,
  While the New Year and Day of Atonement are behind us the holidays are only half over!

  Come celebrate Sukkot in four ways:
   Pizza-in-the-Hut, this Friday (6:30 PM) before our service- free pizza and salad; no reservation needed.
   Shabbat-Sukkot Evening Service (7:30 PM on the patio weather permitting)- with student cantors Joe and Iris! 
     Shabbat-Sukkot Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM), reading the provocative Book of Ecclesiastes.
     Saturday Night Sukkot Havdalah (8:00 PM on the patio weather permitting), and a great sing-along with the Dennis Family, and desserts!

     Thanks to our sturdy crew who set up the Sukkah again this year, and to our religious school students who helped decorate it, and will visit the Sukkah during school hours this Sunday.

    And looking forward to the end of the holiday season, our Shabbat-Simchat Torah Family Service takes place next Friday Oct.6 (7:00 PM- note earlier time), and includes welcome of our new members and consecration of our new students. 

    Finally, by popular request (and thanks to Lance as always), below you can find links to my High Holiday sermons on our website.

Shabbat shalom and Hag Sameach,
Rabbi Schwartz

For Livestream Services:
Find all our recorded services on YouTube at "Adas Emuno Streaming".

Links to sermons:
Rosh Hashanah: https://adasemuno.org/page-18091/13259856
Kol Nidre: https://adasemuno.org/page-18091/13259871
Yom Kippur Morning: https://adasemuno.org/page-18091/13259877