Congregation Adas Emuno

This Week at Adas Emuno—Celebrating Martin Luther King’s Legacy

January 12, 2023 9:41 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Jan. 12, 2023

Dear Friends,
Each year we celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. on the weekend of his birthday.
We will do so at our Shabbat Evening Service( 7:30 PM).

Appropriately enough, we begin reading the Book of Exodus, which so inspired King, at our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM).

Religious school is in session on Sunday, when we will also tie these themes together.

And if you are an early riser, I'm speaking tomorrow at the Rotary of the Palisades Breakfast on "Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Prophets" at the Gotham City Diner in Ridgefield (7:30 AM!).

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

This Week at Adas Emuno

January 05, 2023 8:05 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Jan. 6, 2023

Dear Friends,
What is going on in Israel?
I've been looking for an opportunity to comment on the elections there, which I listed last week as the top Jewish news story of 2022.
As the new government takes it seat, the most right-wing in Israel's history, I'll voice the concerns of many Jews about it, at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM).

I always sigh a big sigh when we reach the end of the Book of Genesis each year, and I'll explain why at our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM).

Join us for our bi-monthly Adas Emuno Book Club on Monday (7:30 PM) via Zoom, when we discuss "One Hundred Saturdays", about the small Jewish community of Rhodes as seen through the eyes of Stella Levi, a Holocaust survivor. Here is a link (thanks to the Rosens) to a program about the book: Book Presentation: "One Hundred Saturdays: Stella Levi and the Search for a Lost World" - YouTube

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

This Week at Adas Emuno—Rabbi’s Top Ten List!

December 29, 2022 8:43 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Dec. 29, 2022

Dear Friends,
Yes, it's that time of the year, and I know you have been waiting for it.
Are you ready for the "Rabbi's Top Ten Jewish News Events of 2022"?
I'll offer this highly anticipated list at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM).

We reach the most fateful moment of the epic story of Joseph this week.
Find out why everyone is crying at our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM).

Religious school remains on break... wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

This Week at Adas Emuno

December 22, 2022 8:41 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Dec. 22, 2022

Dear Friends,
We're half way through the holiday of Hanukkah, and I hope it has been filled with light and latkes!

Tomorrow, the sixth night, is our Leonia community lighting, and we'll have an oneg reception before our Shabbat-Hanukkah Evening Service (7:30 PM).
We're dedicating this lighting to the people of Ukraine, and their brave effort to keep the light shining in their ravaged homeland.
A special donation to HIAS has been made in solidarity with their struggle.
By the way, two fascinating archeological discoveries have just been announced in Israel, both relating to the Maccabees, which I'll discuss at the service.

Torah Study and Religious School are both on break this week, but we will gather at 7:00 PM on both Saturday and Sunday to kindle the final two lights of the menorah.

Shabbat shalom and Happy Hanukkah,
Rabbi Schwartz

This Week at Adas Emuno—Fifth-Grade Family Service

December 15, 2022 8:54 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Dec. 16, 2022

Dear Friends,
We welcome the 5th Grade to lead our Shabbat Evening Family Service (7:30 PM) as we get ready for Hanukkah.

It's always interesting that the holiday coincides with the epic story of Joseph (who assimilated as he rose to power in Egypt to the point that he almost forgot his heritage), which we will probe at our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM).

Hanukkah begins Sunday evening, and like every year, we will light our outdoor menorah at 7:00 PM sharp, every night of the holiday. It's fun, short, and happens rain or shine or snow- so pick a night or two or more and c'mon over.

The first night we'll have some hot chocolate and treats. The sixth night, which is our Leonia community lighting, we'll have an oneg reception before our Shabbat-Hanukkah service. Every night we'll have a different song and maybe a fun fact or joke!

Shabbat shalom and Happy Hanukkah,

Rabbi Schwartz

For Livestream Services:

Find all our recorded services on YouTube at "Adas Emuno Streaming" and use this direct link once the service has started: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCftctPu9pRG4bBQCR6RH4Dg/live

This Week at Adas Emuno

December 08, 2022 9:03 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Dec. 8, 2022

Dear Friends,
What are we to make of Kanye West, Kyrie Irving and Dave Chapelle?
We'll discuss the latest variant of the ever mutating virus of antisemitism at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM).

What are we to make of the out-of-control sons of Jacob, who are the forerunners of the twelve tribes of Israel?
We'll discuss the latest episode in the tragically dysfunctional family life of our namesake patriarch at our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM).

What are we to make for our upcoming Hanukkah family gathering? Learn a new holiday recipe from our prodigy chef Gibson Borelli, all the way from his study abroad in London. Gibby will also share in recent moving experience of visiting the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam. Our Zoom Hanukkah Cooking Class is this Sunday (4:00 PM)- rsvp for the link.

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

For Livestream Services:
Find all our recorded services on YouTube at "Adas Emuno Streaming" and use this direct link once the service has started: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCftctPu9pRG4bBQCR6RH4Dg/live

This Week at Adas Emuno—Family Service

December 01, 2022 9:45 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Dec. 1, 2022

Dear Friends,
The 7th grade is a great group of kids.
You will enjoy seeing them lead our Shabbat Evening Family Service (7:30 PM- rescheduled from Nov. 4).
That includes a slightly irreverent skit about Abraham and Sarah!

We begin our discussion of the epic story of Jacob and family at our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM).

Religious school resumes on Sunday, and with it our annual Mitzvah Mall (11:15 AM). Come learn about several worthy service organizations. Make a contribution to any one of them and receive a card that makes for a nice Hanukkah gift. In the past we have had some furry visitors, including service dogs and a rescue owl. Will we have a surprise visitor this year?

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

For Livestream Services:
Find all our recorded services on YouTube at "Adas Emuno Streaming" and use this direct link once the service has started: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCftctPu9pRG4bBQCR6RH4Dg/live

This Week at Adas Emuno

November 24, 2022 8:51 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Nov. 24, 2022

Dear Friends,
We wish you a Happy Thanksgiving in the company of family and friends.

I'll reflect on the surprising origins of this national holiday (it’s not what you were taught) and its particular relevance to today at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM).

Isaac is sometimes called the forgotten patriarch. Yet the brief account of his life is vivid and complicated, as we will discuss at our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM).

Ready to read the next book for our January book club meeting? Called One Hundred Saturdays, it's a fascinating profile of the vanished community of Jews of the island of Rhodes through one of its last survivors: https://www.amazon.com/One-Hundred-Saturdays-Stella-Search/dp/198216722X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=21E1M5I6V0J4B&keywords=100+saturdays+by+michael+frank&qid=1668474641&sprefix=100+saturdays%2Caps%2C110&sr=8-1

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

For Livestream Services:
Find all our recorded services on YouTube at "Adas Emuno Streaming" and use this direct link once the service has started: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCftctPu9pRG4bBQCR6RH4Dg/live

This Week at Adas Emuno—Student Cantor Flaxman Solos!

November 17, 2022 8:44 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Nov. 17, 2022

Dear Friends,
The Society for Biblical Literature (SBL) hosts the largest academic Bible conference in the world (5000+ scholars!). In my capacity as head of The Jewish Publication Society (JPS) I'll be attending again this year, where we host an exhibit of our books. It's always a rewarding but exhausting experience.

In my absence I am grateful that student cantor Joe Flaxman will lead our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM).
Cantor Joe will also lead our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM), as we read and discuss the last years of Abraham's life- the loss of his wife Sarah and the worries about his son Isaac.

The Cantor adds, "Please join me this Friday night as I lead my first solo service!. We welcome Shabbat in song and explore the blessings that stay with us for our lives: the blessings bestowed upon us as we leave.
I anticipate a lively discussion this week at Torah study! While love strikes Rebekah so hard that she falls off her camel, what is the state of Jewish love in America today? While Abraham wanted Isaac to marry a Jewish girl, today in America intermarriage is increasingly common (since 2010, 61% of all American Jewish marriages have been interfaith)."

Both the cantor and I will participate in the Leonia Community Thanksgiving Service on Tuesday evening (7:00 PM) at the Leonia Methodist Church on Broad Avenue. We appreciate your support of this annual ecumenical gathering of our faith communities.

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz and Student Cantor Joe Flaxman

For Livestream Services:
Find all our recorded services on YouTube at "Adas Emuno Streaming" and use this direct link once the service has started: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCftctPu9pRG4bBQCR6RH4Dg/live

This Week at Adas Emuno

November 10, 2022 8:35 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Nov. 10, 2022

Dear Friends,
Tonight I will have the opportunity to hear two past presidents of the United States, Clinton and Bush, speak at a synagogue- Temple Emanu-el in New York.

I'll reflect on their words, as we also reckon with the mid-term election results.

Tomorrow is Veteran's Day and we will honor those who have served. And we will also remember the 84th anniversary of Kristallnacht yesterday and today, all at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM).

The remarkable saga of Abraham and Sarah yields bountiful lessons for our own lives, the subject of our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM).

Religious school is in session this Sunday, including both Tot and Confirmation classes.

Poetry Garden meets Sunday evening (7:00 PM) and Book Club on Monday (7:30 PM).

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

For Livestream Services:
Find all our recorded services on YouTube at "Adas Emuno Streaming" and use this direct link once the service has started: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCftctPu9pRG4bBQCR6RH4Dg/live