Nov. 30, 2023

Dear Friends,
The naming of a baby is both a celebration of new life and of entering into the covenant of the Jewish people.

At our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM) we bestow a Hebrew name upon Sasha Nicole Villafane, daughter of Leah and Pablo, and formally welcome her into our community.

Have you ever wondered about alternative ideas about God for those who question traditional belief? There is actually an array of provocative thought, which we will explore at our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM).

 Hanukkah is around the corner. Come to the Mitzvah Mall this Sunday (11:00 AM) to learn about some wonderful charities helping Israel. Donate, and you will receive a lovely card, that makes for an especially meaningful holiday gift. 

While Hanukkah has a strong home component, we invite you to enhance your celebration by joining us next week, for:

1. Fri. (12-8) Shabbat/Hanukkah Family Service, lighting of our 123-year-old menorah, and festive oneg 
2. Sat.(12-9) Shabbat/Hanukkah Torah Study on the Book of Maccabees
3. Sun.(12-10) Swinging Hanukkah Jazz Concert (2:00 PM), with a wine and cheese reception!

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

The Social Action committee will, once again, be sponsoring its annual "Mitzvah Mall".  And this year it is personal!!  All of the organizations being represented have a direct line to Israel and each one has a vital role in the war going on in Israel right now.

When: Sunday, December 3 at 11 am
Where: Social hall

What is a "Mitvah Mall"?
An opportunity to purchase blank cards which include an insert describing the organization you've supported in honor of someone.  These cards can be presented as gifts to the special people in your life. Cards will be $2 each for students and adults are asked to give what they can.

The participating organizations:

• Magen David Adom
• Friends of IDF
• Israel Guide Dog Center

So, please meet us at the mall!  If you can't be there but want to buy some cards, please send a check to the temple (to the attention of Annette/Social Action) or donations can be made through the AE website.  Let me know if you've made a donation and I can make sure you get the cards and the inserts for the organization(s) you choose to support. 

Thank you,
Annette & the Social Action committee

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