March 31, 2022 Dear Friends,   Our past president Lance Strate can always be counted on to offer a thoughtful reflection on the Torah portion.   He will lead our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM) with the cantor in my absence this week.   Please note that Shabbat Morning Torah Study will be on a one week hiatus.    Our cantor is participating in a special fundraising concert for Ukraine March 31 (6:00 PM) in NY (with 50 other cantors!) which you can view via livestream. See the details here: https://mailchi.mp/swfs.org/ukraid?e=[UNIQID]&fbclid=IwAR08RoPqsIsCa3rqwoTnXqzj5jZi22JYVrxLAyMiI2cgBPSC_CQuBWAkRlw    Pesach is fast approaching:    You are cordially invited to a second night Zoom Pesach Celebration (7:30- 8:15 PM) in words and music, led by the cantor and myself on Saturday evening Apr. 16 (link forthcoming).    Look for a separate email with details on our  Zoom Pesach Cooking Class this Sunday evening April 3.    The Jewish Home in Rockleigh is providing free, kosher, delivered Pesach meals for senior citizens  this year- call 201-784-1414 to place your order.       Shabbat shalom, Rabbi Schwartz For Livestream Services: Use this direct link once the service has started: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCftctPu9pRG4bBQCR6RH4Dg/live

Mar. 16, 2022 Dear Friends,   I'm sending this message a day earlier than usual as a final reminder that Purim is tonight!   Our Purim Service and 150th Anniversary Spiel Spectacular gets rolling at 7:00 PM- in person.     We will have some post-Purim fun in the form of a holiday quiz at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM).    So too we'll reprise the holiday celebration at Sunday School (9:00 AM)- come in costume!    Its also the last chance to pick up your Purim basket if you haven't already.    A BIG thank you to everyone who pitched in for this holiday!    On a heavier note, this note is our last call for medical supply donations for Ukraine.    See the list below, and bring your items in by Sunday.       You've heard about Elijah, but what about Elisha? Apropos of what is happening in Ukraine, we learn about a remarkable humanitarian moment in the midst of conflict involving the latter prophet at our Zoom Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM).      Shabbat shalom, Rabbi Schwartz For Livestream Services: Use this direct link once the service has started: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCftctPu9pRG4bBQCR6RH4Dg/live Here is a list of the only items being requested for our Ukraine emergency collection: OTC meds such as bandages, vitamins, burn creams, pain relievers, first aid kits Hospital type supplies Hygiene products such as soap, toothpaste/brushes, shampoo Baby items - diapers, wipes, formula

Mar.10, 2022 Dear Friends,   Get ready for Purim!   What lessons does the Purim story have for the world's crisis right now?  We'll consider that at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM).    What lessons does the Book of Esther impart abut our history and our lives? We'll consider that at our Zoom Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM).         Our own Purim celebration, with our special 150th Anniversary Purim Spiel takes place this coming Wednesday evening, Mar. 16, at 7:00 PM, in-person!     Our bi-monthly Zoom Adas Emuno Book Club meets on Monday (7:30 PM) to discuss  the immigrant classic The Rise of David Levinsky.       And don't forget to roll those clocks forward on Saturday night, so you won't be late for Sunday school, that also includes our Tot program (9:30 AM) and Confirmation (11:00 AM).       Shabbat shalom, Rabbi Schwartz For Livestream Services: Use this direct link about 5 minutes before service is set to begin: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCftctPu9pRG4bBQCR6RH4Dg/live

Mar. 3, 2022

Feb. 24, 2022

Feb.17, 2022 Dear Friends,   What's going on with Amnesty International?   Is there any justification for calling Israel an apartheid state?   We will sort this out at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM).   What's going on with King Solomon?   Is there any justification for the wisest-of -the-wise to overstep his bounds?   We'll sort this out at our Zoom Shabbat morning Torah study (10:00 AM).    A reminder that there is no religious school this Sunday for President's Day weekend, and we happily return to in-person instruction on the 27th. Shabbat shalom, Rabbi Schwartz

Feb.10, 2022   Book censorship?  Is this something we have to talk about in our country in 2022?   Well, unfortunately the answer is yes, and we will do so at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM).   On the brighter side at the beginning of the service we will also celebrate the double naming ceremony of Anaya and Adam Goodstein, grandchildren of Paula and Mark Goodstein- mazal tov!    The Book of Kings tells the story of the Davidic dynasty that ruled ancient Israel for four hundred years. This week we begin with the story of the fabled King Solomon at our Zoom Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM).    Speaking of books, the next Adas Emuno Book Club meeting is on March 14, and there is plenty of time to read the immigrant classic, The Rise of David Levinsky by famed Yiddish editor Abraham Cahan, which can easily be accessed in the public domain at Google Books.    Last call for our Souper Bowl!  Bring your donated cans of soup to the bin on the school porch at any time this weekend. Shabbat shalom, Rabbi Schwartz

Feb. 3, 2022

Jan. 27, 2022 Dear Friends,   At our monthly Zoom Shabbat Evening Family Service (7:30 PM) we invite our b'nai mitzvah students to help lead us.    Following the service we'll reflect on the lessons to be learned from what happened the week before last at a Texas synagogue that is now classified as both a hate crime and a terrorist attack.       The story of King David is the longest and greatest story of the Hebrew Bible. We look at episodes from his epic life at our Zoom Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM).    Souper Bowl alert!  Bring your donated cans of soup to the bin on the school porch at any time. Shabbat shalom, Rabbi Schwartz