This Week at Adas Emuno

April 17, 2020
Dear Friends,
   Even as we struggle with the tragedy of the pandemic we strive to adapt in our homes, schools, work, and synagogue.

   I continue to offer a Special Shabbat Video Message, which you can find in the news item below.

   We resumed Torah study via Zoom last week with more than 20 participants. If you would like to join us, just let me know. We meet on Shabbat morning (10:00AM).

    Confirmation class will meet via Zoom this Sunday; students in our school are engaged in remote learning with their teachers and our b'nai mitzvah students continue with their Torah portion lessons.

     Our Board of Trustees conducted its second monthly meeting via Zoom.

     I'm also having a special Zoom service with K-2 this Shabbat since they were deprived of their family service last month (by invitation only to keep it small). 

     I guess I should own stock in Zoom!
     And I can't wait to bag it- and see you in person!

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

PS Matzah Exchange- Some of us eat matzah all year. Others can't wait to get it out of the house after Pesach. If you have unopened boxes of matzah, bring them in a bag to the porch of our school. Next week I'll let you know when I will set them out for any takers!

Please share your Shabbat and Passover reflections, stories and/or photos with us for the upcoming Kadima. Submissions should be sent to Sandy Zornek (sandzor@gmail.com) using the subject line: Kadima. We look forward to sharing as a way to keep our community connected despite our physical distance.

I'd Love to Hear From You!

I'd like to wish you all a Happy Pesach (Passover).    
In our tradition, tonight we ask, “Why is this night different from all other nights?"   Well, this year we can add, “How is this Passover seder different from all other Passover seders?"  

I am sure that many of you are preparing for this evening with a mix of emotions resulting from our inability to connect with family and friends as we typically would.  As a community we are united in our need to deviate from long standing traditions and look for new ways to connect and retell our story for the safety of those we cherish most.  

I am writing in hopes that many of you will share your Passover and Shabbat stories with me for the May/June edition of Kadima.  You can send your reflections, social distancing tips and photos to me directly via email.  Please share no later than April 20th.

Chag Sameach,
Sandy Zornek
Adas Emuno Communications

This Week at Adas Emuno

March 19, 2020
Dear Friends,
  This has been a week like no other and I pray you are finding calm and strength through the daily disruptions facing us all.

   Regretfully the NJ curfew and Leonia shutdown compels us to suspend Shabbat evening services.

    All other activities at the synagogue are already suspended. Plans are bring drawn up to continue religious school and b'nai mitzvah tutoring via distance learning.
     
     Our Board meeting will be conducted via Zoom this evening, and we will determine if and when services will be conducted on-line.

     I have personally contacted all our seniors that live alone to ensure that their essential needs are being addressed. 

    As is well known, our tradition places the imperative of pikuach nefesh, the saving of life, above all else. 

     And to quote NY Mets Pete Alonso, who put it so simply: "It's our duty to protect people who are at high risk."

     When we remind ourselves that all the disruptions we are facing are toward this goal, perhaps it makes it just a bit easier.

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz