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254 Broad Avenue Leonia, NJ 07605 201.592.1712

  • May 02, 2024 8:21 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    May 2, 2024

    Dear Friends,
       Soon after Pesach each year are two significant Jewish days not from the Torah but from our own day.
       The first is Yom HaShoah: Holocaust Remembrance Day.
       As the survivors themselves become fewer and fewer it is up to us to preserve their memory.
        We will do so at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM) with music and remarks appropriate for this solemn time.

      The events of modern Jewish history have led some denominations to make changes to traditional Jewish prayer, which in turn has led to debate. We'll examine some of the innovations and ensuing arguments at our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM).

      Saturday is also Leonia Day- we'll have a table at Wood Park (12-4) and will be happy to see you drop by. 

      On Sunday Joe Flaxman and Iris Karlin will be ordained as cantors at a ceremony at Temple Emanu-el in New York. Mazal tov to Joe and Iris on their richly deserved accomplishment! 

    Shabbat shalom,
    Rabbi Schwartz
  • April 25, 2024 8:52 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Apr. 25, 2024

    Dear Friends,
    Here are three nice ways to mark the end of Pesach:

    Poetry Shabbat-  Our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM) will feature members of our Poetry Garden group interspersing some of their favorite poems throughout the service.

    Pesach Stories- Our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM) will discuss the original account of the Exodus and other stories inspired by the holiday.

    Pesach Picnic- Join us on Sunday for an Earth Walk and Picnic (12:15 PM) at Overpeck Park, bringing your own lunch, with contributions to benefit Hackensack Riverkeepers. 

    Shabbat shalom and Hag Pesach Sameach,
    Rabbi Schwartz
  • April 18, 2024 1:06 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    April 18, 2024

       This Pesach will be different- it is an excruciating time for Israel, and celebrating the Festival of Freedom when so many are still being held hostage and Israel is still under attack is so challenging but necessary.
      
        Come in-person on this Sabbath to once again show your solidarity with Israel, as we all sing Am Yisrael Chai and Hatikvah. 
        
        The Sabbath before Pesach is traditionally known as Shabbat HaGadol, the Great Sabbath.
         Our K-1 class will help us enter the holiday spirit  and make it great at our Shabbat Evening Family Service (7:00* PM- note the earlier start time to accommodate our youngest students). 
       
         Our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM) will continue our discussion of prayer, including some thought provoking examples from new Haggadot.
         Yet at the same time we always find a way to talk about important current events....

         On Sunday both our Tot Passover (9:30 AM) and Religious School Pesach Program will also enhance our celebration.

          Wherever and whenever you are gathering, we wish you a joyful and meaningful holiday, even as we pray for Israel, her soldiers, citizens and captives.

    Shabbat shalom and Hag Pesach Sameach,
    Rabbi Schwartz
  • April 11, 2024 8:33 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Apr. 11, 2024

    Dear Friends,
      Evidently our student cantor is a fan of "Curb Your Enthusiasm", because he is going to speak at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM) on "Larry David as a modern day Talmudist". 
       Who knew?
       The show, by the way, ended last Sunday, after 12 seasons spread over 25 years. 

        Joe is also going to lead our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM) by examining the Haggadah with an eye toward "making a meaningful, and short, Seder".

        Thank you to Joe in advance for covering for me; I'll be leading a scholar-in-residence weekend in Las Vegas... at a congregation, not a casino!
         
    Shabbat shalom,
    Rabbi Schwartz
  • April 04, 2024 8:35 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Apr.4, 2024

    Dear Friends,
         Join us for our Volunteer Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM) when we pay special tribute to all those who serve on the many committees that contribute so richly to our congregation's life.
          As our president said recently, our volunteering spirit here at Adas Emuno began 150 years ago and has never stopped.

          Our love of learning has never stopped as well. 
          At our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM) , we'll begin a new unit that looks at how the different denominations of Judaism approach private and public prayer.
         
           And then on Sunday our volunteer spirit will be on unique display at our "Meet Our Artists" (3:00-6:00 PM), which will showcase the artistic talents of our members in a social gathering and silent auction fundraiser at the historic home of our mayor Bill Ziegler and Sue Boyd.

         Finally, a reminder from your friendly rabbi who loves all things space- don't miss the rare total eclipse of the sun (with your special eclipse glasses) which will take place on Monday, with peak viewing from 3:00-4:00 PM, with near totality in NJ at 3:23 PM. 

    Shabbat shalom,
    Rabbi Schwartz
  • March 28, 2024 8:29 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    March 28, 2024

    Dear Friends,
       Have you continued to think about Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer's remarks about Israel?
       They are just too significant and troubling to ignore.
       So we will take them up at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM).

       Both Torah Study and Religious School are off this week for the spring break.

       Looking ahead to next week:
       "Volunteer Shabbat" (Apr. 5) will honor all those who serve on our many committees with a special Shabbat dinner and service.
       " Meet Our Artists" (Apr. 7) will showcase the artistic talents of our congregation in a social gathering/ silent auction fundraiser at the historic home of our mayor Bill Ziegler and Sue Boyd.

    Shabbat shalom,
    Rabbi Schwartz
  • March 21, 2024 9:06 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Mar. 21, 2024

    Dear Friends,
      It's all about Purim!
      Join us for all or some of the festivities during this March Madness/Purim all-star weekend:
     
       1. Shabbat Evening Family Service (7:30 PM), led by Grade 2/3, with Purim songs.
       2. Shabbat Morning Purim Torah Study (10:00 AM), on the most provocative parts of the Book of Esther.

       Then on Purim Day, Sunday the 24th:
        3. Adas Emuno Family Purim Service (10:00 AM)- come in costume and be ready to make noise!
        4. Purim Carnival (11:00 AM)- in the social hall and on the patio.

         Also on Sunday:
         5. Purim Tot Celebration (9:30 AM), open to all pre-school age children and their parents. 
         6.Gesher Shalom full Megillah reading and morning service  (8:30-9:45 AM) in the sanctuary.  

    Shabbat shalom and Hag Purim Sameach!
    Rabbi Schwartz
  • March 14, 2024 8:21 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    March 14, 2024

    Dear Friends,
      Did you hear about the $1 Billion (no typo) donation to the Einstein School of Medicine in the Bronx?!
       I'll tell the story of this remarkable gift and how it resonates with the Torah portion and the highest rung of tzedakah at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM). 

       As we finish our unit of halakha (Jewish law) we'll look at some of the most controversial challenges to it over the last century by the Reform and Conservative movements, at our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM) 

       Purim is one week away!
       Here is what to know about our weekend celebration:
       1. Shabbat Evening Family Service (7:30 PM)
       2. Special Shabbat Morning Purim Torah Study (10:00 AM)
       Then on Purim Day, Sunday the 24th:
        3. Gesher Shalom full Megillah reading (8:30 AM) 
        4. Adas Emuno family Megillah reading (10:00 AM)
        5. Purim Carnival (11:00 AM) 

         Keep reading: Bernard Malamud, one of America's great writers, recently received the high honor of having his complete works reissued by the Library of America. For our next book club meeting in May we will read one of his masterpieces, The Assistant. Also recommended: two of his best short stories, The Magic Barrel and The Angel Levine.

    Shabbat shalom,
    Rabbi Schwartz
  • March 07, 2024 9:45 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    March 7, 2024

    Dear Friends,
      Leaving Eastern Parkway is a coming-of-age, crisis-of-faith novel in the tradition of The Chosen.
      
    It raises questions about Jewish identity and unity while offering a compelling read.
      I'll share some thoughts about this new work at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM), in preparation for a further discussion about it at our book club.

       Our discussion of differing viewpoints on Jewish law and the necessity of observing the commandments relates to these same questions- at our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM). 

       Our Adas Emuno Book Club meets Monday(7:30 PM) via Zoom; see the link in the Rabbi’s weekly message in your email.

         Purim is on the horizon!
         The gantseh megillah takes place on Sunday morning March 24 (10:00 AM)-  mark your calendar. 

    Shabbat shalom,
    Rabbi Schwartz
  • February 29, 2024 8:36 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Feb. 29, 2024

    Dear Friends,
      Happy Leap Day!

       Have you ever seen the famous statue of Moses by Michelangelo in Rome?
       It is grand, but Moses has horns! Why? The standard explanation is that this is a mistranslation of a verse in this week's Torah portion. But now some biblical scholars are not so sure....
       We'll leap into the controversy at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM).

         We continue our leap into Halakhah, Jewish Law, at our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM).

         Speaking of leaping, did you know that every few years the Jewish calendar has not a leap day, but a leap month! It's called Second Adar, and this year it begins March 11. It’s the reason the Holidays were so "early" last year and are so "late" this year. Yes, it’s complicated, but maybe I'll take a stab at explaining it next month :)

    Shabbat shalom,
    Rabbi Schwartz

Cantorial Soloist

Suzy Auriel Merritt

Religious School Director

Annette De Marco

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