Recent TSE Emails

Donations of food, monetary donations to help off-set costs, as well as helping hands to help serve a holiday lunch at the Soup Kitchen are needed to help with this annual event, during which we help to feed as many as 150 people in the Freehold area who are homeless and food insecure. If you cannot volunteer, please consider making donations of food or monetary donations - they are very much needed and greatly appreciated.

All volunteer spots are filled in the order in which they are received. You may request a particular time slot, but those requests cannot be guaranteed.  

​​​​​​​Please click here to donate your time, food, or money.


Please contact Aaron Fischer with any questions 

We are sad to share that Martin Kirshner, father of Penny Alkon, father-in-law of Michael, grandfather of Alison & Matthew and great grandfather of Cedar, Hazel & Greyson, passed away yesterday, December 5, 2018.

A graveside service for Martin is being held tomorrow, December 7, 2018 at 11:00 AM at New Montefiore Cemetery (1180 Wellwood Ave.,West Babylon, NJ 11704).

Shiva will be at Penny and Michael's home (68 Guest Drive 
Morganville) Saturday through Wednesday, with a Shiva Minyan each night at 7:30 PM.

May God console those who mourn in Zion, Jerusalem and throughout the world

We are sad to share that Irving Potasky, father of Sandra Potasky, father-in-law of Michael Jast, and grandfather of Daniel and Shayna, passed away on Tuesday, December 4, 2018.

A graveside service for Irving is being held today, December 6, 2018 at 11:00 AM at Mt. Lebanon Cemetery, Gill Lane, Iselin, NJ 08880.

Shiva will be at Sandra and Michael's home (11 Landmark Lane 
Marlboro) today following the service until 8:00 PM, Friday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Saturday from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and Sunday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

May God console those who mourn in Zion, Jerusalem and throughout the world

Second Night of Chanukah

First Night of Chanukah

We are sad to share that David Knie, father of Tina Miller, father-In-law of Howard, grandfather of Jana, Sloan and Jordan, great grandfather of Logan, Blake, Reese, Bryce and Brenner passed away on Tuesday, November 27, 2018.

The family will be sitting shiva Thursday at the home of Jana Grotas 15 Walnut Drive, Roslyn, NY 7:00-9:00 p.m.; and, again on Sunday, December 2nd from 7:00-9:00 p.m.. in the Clubhouse at Renaissance on the Ocean, 26 Riviera Drive, Long Branch, NJ. There will be a shiva minyan on Sunday at 7:30 p.m..

May God console those who mourn in Zion, Jerusalem and throughout the world

Temple Shaari Emeth participates in the Emergency Housing and Advocacy Program's winter shelter program.

Each Saturday evening from December through March volunteers are needed for the following: 

• One volunteer to provide and serve a hot meal for approximately 12 men
• At least ONE volunteer to stay overnight at the Temple (male or female)
• One volunteer to deliver food for breakfast on Sunday morning (this is delivered a few days in advance)

​​​​​​​Click for more information and to volunteer

Dear Friends:
 
As we celebrated Thanksgiving, we took the time to reflect on our blessings, to count them and give thanks for them. We are blessed with so much!! For some, the basics of food, clothing and housing are not guaranteed. Knowing this, Temple Shaari Emeth has always provided assistance to those in need through our work with Open Door and the Emergency Housing and Advocacy Program.
 
Fourteen years ago, our congregation opened its doors to shelter the homeless during the coldest months of December through March through the Emergency Housing and Advocacy Program. Once again we will join with St. Peters, St. Roberts, Hope Lutheran, Faith Evangelical, St. Veronica and St. Josephs to ensure that there is a safe place to sleep every night of the week during the winter. The miraculous part of this program is that it is all volunteer driven and you too can be part of this life saving work.
 
Let me explain how the process works:
Every Saturday night from December through March, Shaari Emeth houses the homeless and volunteers provide a hot dinner, a cold breakfast and at least one volunteer each week to host the guests and provide hospitality for them.
 
YOU CAN VOLUNTEER TO STAY OVERNIGHT
 
For Overnight Volunteers:     
1) Participants are screened, tested for drugs and alcohol, and given a pass that allows them to receive a ride at 6:00 pm. that leaves from St. Peter’s in Freehold and arrives at the Temple. Any person who is ill, drunk or behaving oddly will not be allowed to receive shelter. Transportation is provided by a taxi service. No more than twelve guests are allowed on any given night.

2) Someone from the Shelter Committee will be at the Temple to welcome you and our guests. There will also be a Security Guard who will sleep in the same room with the men and remain with you overnight. Shaari Emeth Volunteers sleep in the main office and air mattresses are provided. We are looking to have two volunteers from the Temple overnight. Both men and women are welcome to volunteer. Volunteers for overnight must be 13 and over with an adult.
 
3) When the guests arrive there will be other Temple volunteers who provide and serve dinner and you will have an opportunity to eat with the men and get to know them.  You may feel uncomfortable about doing this but it is really the most meaningful part of the night and it means so much to our guests to be treated with kindness.
 
4) Cots and linens are provided and the men set up their own beds. Keep in mind that the same men come once a week to the Temple and they know what to do. After dinner, the men relax, watch TV, use cell phones and typically are asleep before 10:00 p.m.
 
5) The men wake up at 6:30 and the volunteers set up the breakfast cart. All supplies for breakfast are provided by other volunteers. There is a Keurig available for guests to make coffee. The men will fold away their cots and clean up their bedding. You will make sure that breakfast is cleaned up and that the Temple kitchen is in order.
 
6) At 7:30 a.m.  taxi service comes to pick the men up and return them to downtown Freehold. And you can go sleep knowing that you have made a real difference in the life of someone in need.
 
YOU CAN VOLUNTEER TO BRING AND SERVE DINNER OR PROVIDE BREAKFAST
 
Dinner and Breakfast Volunteers:
 
1) If you are donating breakfast a suggested list of items will be sent to you the week you are volunteering. It includes typical Continental Breakfast items. We ask that you drop off the breakfast food sometime before Saturday evening.
 
2) If you are donating dinner, we ask that you prepare or purchase a meal for 15 people. You’ll need to arrive at the Temple by 6:15 on the evening you volunteer. You will set up and serve dinner and you will be finished at approximately 7:30 p.m. after cleaning up. Many people bring their children to help serve. It is a great way to teach them to help those in need.

For teens who serve dinner or stay overnight with a parent, we offer community service letters.
 
Click here to sign up for a volunteer slot

 
Michael Holzer organizes the Shelter for our congregation and if you have any questions you may reach out to him at mikeholzer322@gmail.com.
 
Please consider volunteering. We are especially in need of volunteers who can stay over night. If you have any concerns or questions please reach out to me by email  or call 732-462-7744.
 
If you would like to make a donation to support the program, you may do that by clicking here.
 
L’shalom,
 
Rabbi Melinda Panken                                      

More about the Shelter Program

Temple Shaari Emeth participates in the Emergency Housing and Advocacy Program's winter shelter program.  You can read about the program in a previous article published in the Asbury Park Press .  

You can also view this  YouTube VIDEO  from when the youth group prepared dinner for the men.

Increase the impact of your donation on Tuesday, November 27th! 

Please consider making a donation through Facebook on #GivingTuesday .
Facebook is partnering with PayPal to match a total of up to $7 million in donations made on Facebook to eligible US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits. Temple Shaari Emeth is registered on Facebook as an eligible nonprofit.

Increase the impact of your donation on Tuesday, November 27th! 

Please consider making a donation through Facebook on #GivingTuesday .
Facebook is partnering with PayPal to match a total of up to $7 million in donations made on Facebook to eligible US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits. Temple Shaari Emeth is registered on Facebook as an eligible nonprofit.

Irving Miller, father of Vern Schwartz, grandfather of Erica Devine & great grandfather of Logan,  passed away on November 15, 2018.  The funeral was on Sunday, November 18, 2018.

May God console those who mourn in Zion, Jerusalem and throughout the world

Increase the impact of your donation on Tuesday, November 27th! 

Please consider making a donation through Facebook on #GivingTuesday .
Facebook is partnering with PayPal to match a total of up to $7 million in donations made on Facebook to eligible US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits. Temple Shaari Emeth is registered on Facebook as an eligible nonprofit.

Coming Up at Temple Shaari Emeth

Temple Shaari Emeth participates in the Emergency Housing and Advocacy Program's winter shelter program.

Each Saturday evening from December through March volunteers are needed for the following: 

• One volunteer to provide and serve a hot meal for approximately 12 men
• At least ONE volunteer to stay overnight at the Temple (male or female)
• One volunteer to deliver food for breakfast on Sunday morning (this is delivered a few days in advance)

​​​​​​​Click for more information and to volunteer

We welcome
Ava Rae Wasserman
November 6, 2018

Happy & Healthy Parents:

Lindsay and Jake Wasserman

Proud Grandparents:
Marsha and Evan Wasserman

Snowy Afternoon

Due to dangerous road conditions

All afternoon and evening meetings/lessons/activities
are cancelled today, November 15, 2018.

Be safe.

Join Us to Celebrate on Shabbat
Friday, November 16th, 7:30 PM

Leadership Recognition Shabbat

Baby Namings
Anita & Lou Miller's Grandchildren

Joel O'Brien
Ruby O'Brien
Lillian Geronimo
Annabelle Geronimo

Thank you to Anita & Lou
for sponsoring the Oneg this week

Don't forget ..... Sunday at 7:00 PM

Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
The First Baptist Church of Freehold
81 W Main St, Freehold, NJ 

Rabbi Philip E. Schechter
Honored Veteran Rabbi Schechter, who was born in the Bronx, studied at Johns Hopkins and the University of Cincinnati. He received his rabbinical ordination, bachelors and masters degrees in Hebrew Learning, and his doctorate of divinity from Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati and Jerusalem. He has served congregations in Baltimore, Atlantic City, New York City and Manalapan, New Jersey, before moving to Stamford in 2000. Rabbi Schechter served as Temple Shaari Emeth's Rabbi for 30 years.

Upon his ordination in 1960, Rabbi Schechter served as a Chaplain in the Air Force for isolated Jewish service personnel on seven Air Force bases throughout the Western United States. At the same time, he served the civilian Jewish communities of Salina, Kansas; Great Falls, Montana and Roswell, New Mexico. Since moving to Stamford, Rabbi Schechter has served as the Moderator of the Issues in Living Program at the Stamford Senior Center and has been the rabbi for Jewish Living. In 2007-2009, he was co-rabbi of a congregation in Southington with his wife, Rabbi Liz Rolle, who is currently Education Director at Congregation Beth El in Norwalk. He also has served as Rabbi in Residence at the First Presbyterian Church in Stamford since 2009 and is a member of the Stamford Clergy Association.

Elected President of the National Association of Retired Reform Rabbis in 2012, Rabbi Schechter is currently one of the Reform representatives on the JWB Jewish Chaplains Council which endorses Jewish clergy to serve as chaplains for the Department of Defense and is Chaplain of the JWV Fred Robbins Post 142. His daughter, Sarah, is the first woman Jewish Chaplain in the USAF and is currently serving as the Jewish Chaplain for the Air Force Academy in Colorado

Credit: Stamford Citizen of the Year 2013

Dear Congregant,

My family joined Temple Shaari Emeth about eight years ago when our children began attending the religious school.  I grew up in Marlboro, currently live in Manalapan and have probably driven by Shaari Emeth thousands of times over the past few decades.  After we joined, I finally had the chance to stop in the parking lot and then to walk inside.  At first I believed our primary reason for joining the temple was for our children and their religious education.  I didn’t think about anything more than that.

Then we were on the email list.  As new members you have probably gotten used to the various updates about the weekly events, special occasions, etc.  It may seem like a lot of emails.  One of those emails caught my attention.  It was an email about volunteers needed for a homeless shelter - at the synagogue.  I was a little surprised to see it.  I didn’t realize that our temple was providing shelter for the homeless.  I wanted to volunteer but wondered if it was a big commitment.  The email indicated they were looking for people to sleep overnight on a Saturday at the temple.  It sounded like I might need some training or special skills and although I wanted to volunteer I was hesitant.

I hate to admit that took me a few years but finally, I responded.  I volunteered to stay overnight.  You know what, it was easy!  It was also eye opening and, it was also very rewarding.  It’s the reason I’m writing to you today.  I wanted to let you know how the program works and wanted to invite you to get involved and volunteer.

Each Saturday from December through March Temple Shaari Emeth hosts up to 12 homeless men.  The program is organized by the Emergency Housing and Advocacy Program and during the other nights of the week other participating churches house the same men.  They arrive late Saturday and are given dinner.  Then they sleep overnight and are given breakfast in the morning.

We need volunteers to provide dinners, provide breakfast and to stay overnight.  You can volunteer for one or all of those tasks.  I would be happy to meet or discuss the program on the phone if you’re interested in volunteering.   You can find more information or sign here.

There are also many other great volunteer opportunities at Shaari Emeth and you can see all of them on our website :

Please consider volunteering.  You won’t regret it!  
Michael Holzer
Cell: 732-690-6217

Additional Shelter
Program Information

Temple Shaari Emeth participates in the Emergency Housing and Advocacy Program's winter shelter program.  You can read about the program in a previous article published in the Asbury Park Press .  

You can also view this  YouTube VIDEO  from when the youth group prepared dinner for the men.

Each Saturday evening from December through March volunteers are needed for the following: 

• One volunteer to provide and serve a hot meal for approximately 12 men 
• Two volunteers to stay overnight at the Temple (male or female; there will also be a security guard with the men)
• One volunteer to deliver food for breakfast on Sunday morning (this food can be delivered a few days in advance)

Please sign up here to volunteer .  If you have questions or would like more information about what is involved, please email Michael Holzer or call him at 732-690-6217.

For 13 years Temple Shaari Emeth has been housing homeless men on Saturday nights during the coldest months of the year. The men who stay with us have been screened and vetted before they are allowed into the program. They meet at St. Peter's Church in Freehold where they are interviewed, their bags are examined and they are tested for alcohol before they are allowed to participate in the program.

We realize some people are hesitant about volunteering to stay over with our guests but those who do have found the experience extremely rewarding and enriching. We often want to make a real difference in the lives of others and this is one way to do so. If you would like to come and see the program when it begins in December please contact Michael Holzer  so that he can make arrangements.

Last year an average of 84 volunteers per week worked to provide 1,216 bed-nights to the 34 souls that were in the program seven nights a week.  In addition to shelter, the program has dedicated volunteers who work to help everyone get jobs and permanent homes. Last spring, 7 men from the program had permanent housing, 9 had transitional housing (alternative shelters) and six got jobs.  This is a truly transformative program that makes a positive difference in the lives of those in need. 

Program Details
Overnight Volunteers:
Two volunteers are needed each week to stay over at the Temple with our guests. You'll pick up the men staying at St. Peter's in Freehold and then stay overnight in the Temple office (air mattress provided). In the morning you'll serve breakfast and then take the men back to Freehold. 

Dinner Volunteers:
Prepare a hot meal and bring it to the Temple on Saturday evening, around 6:30pm, to serve the men in the shelter program. Volunteers provide all food, drinks and paper goods for 14 guests and two volunteers. Volunteers serve the meal and children are welcome to help.

Breakfast Volunteers:
Breakfast can be dropped off at the Temple office a few days before Saturday and typically consists of muffins, cold cereal, yogurt, milk and fruit (bananas, apples, etc.) for 14.

Please bring Thanksgiving food donations to the temple in the coming week so that everyone can enjoy the holiday.

Chanukah Family Service
Friday, December 7, 2018          6:30PM

Session includes all painting materials and a smock.
Bring your favorite bottle of wine or non-alcoholic drink to share.
Your votes will determine the winner in three categories: best red wine, best white wine and best non-alcoholic drink.

Prizes will be awarded!
 
 
Contact  Allyson Milbrod  with any questions

Last Chance to Buy Thanksgiving
Pies from the ELC

Start Your Chanukah Shopping Early

Support the
Temple Shaari Emeth
Religious School

Sunday, November 4th                            11am to 2pm

at Temple Shaari Emeth, 400 Craig Road, Manalapan 

Feel free to forward to your friends

Dear Friends: 
It has been a sad and tragic week for the Jewish community. Even as we confront what happened in Pittsburgh, we affirm life and we continue to celebrate Judaism. At a time when we need comfort, we invite you to join us for our Kabbalat Shabbat Service on Friday, November 2nd at 6:30 p.m. This service is one that is usually geared toward our Religious School student age congregants and their families, so we will conduct a service that focuses on life and hope while also gently remembering those who are recovering from their injuries as well as those who were murdered. We want to make it a place where we can all be together and turn our prayers towards hope. Please feel free to bring friends with you. We welcome non-Jews, unaffiliated Jews, and anyone who wants to be with community on this first Shabbat after Pittsburgh. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. We join with the URJ as Reform Congregations across the country to observe Solidarity Shabbat for the victims of Pittsburgh, as well as the AJC's #showuprforshabbat program.
​​​​​​​

We will find hope together and the will to build a future based upon peace, tolerance and understanding. Come and join us for Shabbat and enjoy a slice of pizza after the service!

L'shalom,

Rabbi Melinda Panken & Cantor Wally Schachet-Briskin

I apoligize profusely for the multiple mistakes made in the sharing the news of the loss of Craig Bender's father.  Although I have directly apologized to the family, I also apologize to the congregation. In wanting to share information quickly, careless mistakes were made. I promise to take extra steps in the future to prevent these types of errors.
Stuart Brown, Executive Director

We are sad to share that Bernard (Bernie), father of Craig Bender, father-in-law of Dana, and grandfather of Jake and Emma,  passed away yesterday, October 30 2018.

The funeral service will be at Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapels (44 Wilson Avenue, Manalapan, NJ 07726) at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 1, 2018, with interment following at Floral Park Cemetery (104 Deans Rhode Hall Rd, Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852).

Shiva will be at Craig and Dana's home (19 Elm Lane, Manalapan) at the following times:  

Thursday, after interment until 8:00 p.m.
Friday, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00p.m.
Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

There will be a Shiva Minyan at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday and Saturday nights.

May God console those who mourn in Zion, Jerusalem and throughout the world

We are sad to share that Cecilia Heller, aunt of Linda Litsky and great-aunt of Darrin, Wayne,  and Deborah,  passed away yesterday, October 30 2018.

The funeral service will be at Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapels (44 Wilson Avenue, Manalapan, NJ 07726) at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 2, 2018, with interment following at Beth Israel Cemetery (US Highway 1 North, Woodbridge Township, NJ 07095).

Shiva will be at Linda's home (4 Crenshaw Court, Monroe Township, NJ 08831) Friday following interment until 4:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

May God console those who mourn in Zion, Jerusalem and throughout the world

"Songs for All of Us: After Pittsburgh"

Hosted by the Union for Reform Judaism and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, you're invited to join us for

"Songs for All of Us: After Pittsburgh,"

a Facebook Live event featuring music, prayer, healing, and community following Saturday's attack on Tree of Life - Or L'Simcha Congregation in Pittsburgh.  

What: A musical service of prayer and healing 
When: Tuesday, Oct. 30, at 8:30pm EDT
Where:  ReformJudaism.org's Facebook page

Jewish Resources for Coping with Acts of Terror , including resources for parents and educators

2nd Annual Craft & Vendor Show

Sunday, November 4th
11:00A - 2:00P

Support the
Temple Shaari Emeth
Religious School

at Temple Shaari Emeth, 400 Craig Road, Manalapan 

Start your Chanukah Shopping Early

Your content here!

So many of us have felt deep pain and concern as a result of the horrific shooting in Pittsburgh this Shabbat. It is so hard to conceive of the hate that drives someone to enter a house of worship and kill people as they pray. Sadly, our country has seen this too many times in the past few years, and it certainly feels much closer since this time it happened at a Synagogue.

We as a community have always been committed to building bridges of tolerance and understanding within our local community through our work with the Freehold Clergy Association as well as our participation in MOSAIC, a program that brings teens together in an interfaith community. Sunday, October 28th from 5:15-5:45 p.m., our MOSAIC community will end its afternoon program with a remembrance of those who were killed and a moment of silence. We welcome you to come join us. Rabbi Panken and Cantor Wally will remain after the program for those who would like to process the events of the weekend.

We must never let hate overcome love. We must never allow fear to overcome tolerance and understanding. And we must never let terror win. I hope you will join us tomorrow so that we can bring strength and comfort to one another.

L'shalom,
Rabbi Melinda Panken 
Cantor Wally Schachet-Briskin

Session includes all painting materials and a smock.
Bring your favorite bottle of wine or non-alcoholic drink to share.
Your votes will determine the winner in three categories: best red wine, best white wine and best non-alcoholic drink.

Prizes will be awarded!
 
 
Contact  Allyson Milbrod  with any questions

This Shabbat morning was one of sadness and shock as we all heard about the shooting at the the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.  The Jewish community has been victimized by senseless acts of violence and terror throughout our history.  Today, we stand united with the Jewish community and all law-abiding citizens in America denouncing this horrific act. Our thoughts are focused on the victims and we send our most profound condolences to the families of those whose lives were lost. We must honor and respect freedom of religion and the ability to worship in peace, upon which our country is founded.

We have already been in close contact with the Manalapan Police Department and have full faith and confidence that our law enforcement at the local, state and federal levels will do all they can to protect us. We have also reached out to the Deputy Mayor of Manalapan so that we may work in partnership locally to maintain a safe community. The leadership and clergy of Temple Shaari Emeth will review current security protocols because ensuring your security is of the utmost and critical importance.

At this time, we have not been made aware of any threats to our local Jewish community. However, in the aftermath of this morning’s attack in Pittsburgh, we ask that everyone remain vigilant and alert staff and/or authorities about any suspicious activity you witness.  Simply put, if you see something, say something. Working together we will do what is necessary to make sure that we can pray, learn, and meet in the safety of our synagogue.

It is imperative now, more than ever, that while we work to secure our Synagogue, we continue to build bridges of understanding and tolerance. There is no place for hate in this world. After having come literally face-to-face with Nazis and Anti-Semitism, Rabbi Joachim Prinz taught, “The most urgent, the most disgraceful, the most shameful and the most tragic problem is silence.” We will not be silent in the face of hate.

We will be in touch shortly with opportunities to pray and to remember the victims of this terrible act of hate. We are here if we can offer support in any way.

May God who makes peace in the heavens, make peace here for us, for all of Israel and for all of humanity.

L’shalom,
Rabbi Melinda Panken  

​​Cantor Wally Schachet-Briskin  

Joan Fischer, President     

Stuart Brown, Executive Director