There are no words to express my heartbreak watching the tragedy unfolding in LA due to the wildfires this week. Homes, houses of worship, and business have disappeared in a matter of days, and so many people are on alert waiting to see if they will need to evacuate. At one Synagogue, the Temple building survived the fire, but three clergy and hundreds of congregants have lost their houses. It is so hard to comprehend the loss and devastation. Many of us have friends or family around LA, and we worry for their health and safety. The magnitude of this tragedy is so hard to comprehend.
It is hard to know what to do in moments like this. Below are some resources we hope can help. You will find a prayer by Rabbi Naomi Levy. Though prayer can not bring homes from the ashes, it can lend us comfort and hope in moments of challenge. I have also included links to organizations that are collecting donations to help those who need assistance. Finally, if your heart is broken by the news of the week, come join us for services tonight because being together for Shabbat can certainly bring comfort and healing. Services are tonight, Friday, January 10, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. If you need any help or extra support, the clergy are always here for you. Just reach out
Wishing you a gentle Shabbat, Rabbi Melinda Panken
God, our Rock and our Comfort Hear our prayer. Our hearts break for all those Who have lost their homes in this deadly blaze. The victims are in shock. Life as they knew it, All their treasured possessions, Beloved heirlooms, Touchstones for so many cherished memories Were swept away in an instant. Their sense of place and home Their safety and stability have been shaken. Help us, God, to anchor them, To shelter, support and steady them with love. As the numbness wears off, The enormity of the loss sets in And the work before them begins. Be with them, God, Be their strength and their comfort, Shield them from despair, Let them know You are near. Fill them with the courage they will need to begin again. Bless the firefighters and first responders, God, And watch over them As they put their own lives at risk To protect our beloved city. Work through us, God, Transform our helplessness into action, Inspire us with the determination And the perseverance we will need To bring devastated neighborhoods back to life. Fill us all with the vision of the new days that lie ahead, A dream of our city restored. Let Jeremiah’s prophecy of hope enter every heart and soul: “The city shall be rebuilt upon its ruins!” So may it be, And let us say, Amen.
With great sadness we share that Irwin Lieberman passed away yesterday. He was the husband of Jayne, father of Heather Dubnik (Jason) and Stephanie Rozakis (James), and is predeceased by Jayne and Irwin's son, Bradley. He was also the grandfather of Ryan and Jake Dubnik, and Alexander, Samantha, and Nathan Rozakis.
The funeral will be on Sunday, January 12th at 9:00 am at Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapel (4 Wilson Ave 527 N, Manalapan Township, NJ 07726) with interment following at Beth Israel Cemetery (1098 Woodbridge Center Dr, Woodbridge Township, NJ 07095).
Shiva will be at the home of Heather and Jason Dubnik (220 Round Hill Drive, Freehold) at the following times: Sunday from 4:00 pm with a Minyan at 7:30 pm Monday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, and starting again at 6:00 pm with a Minyan at 7:30 pm.
Shiva will continue at Jayne's home in Florida (12437 SW Alongshore Drive, Port St. Lucie, Florida 34987) all day on Wednesday, January 15th.
Donations can be made to Temple Shaari Emeth's Caring Community Fund or Glenn Cohen Spiritual Enhancement Fund.
May God console those who mourn in Zion, Jerusalem and throughout the world
In a world increasingly marked by division and animosity, The Table serves as a powerful antidote. This innovative program is designed to bring together individuals from diverse generations and ideologies, fostering meaningful dialogue and mutual understanding. At The Table, we believe that by sharing our stories and perspectives, we can bridge the gaps that divide us
The program encourages participants to engage in open and respectful conversations, where differing viewpoints are not just tolerated but embraced. Through structured discussions, The Table creates a safe space for dialogue, allowing participants to explore complex issues, challenge assumptions, and discover common ground. ......... Click to read more and register
The next meeting of the Table is on Friday, January 31st: How are you feeling post elections?
On nights when we offer The Table we will hold a brief Shabbat service and then those who preregistered will be split into smaller groups to have meaningful discussions about difficult issues.
With great sadness we share that David Bronstein passed away. He was the husband of Elaine, father of Cindi Kaplin and Sheryl Pilavin. He was the father-in-law to Richard and Steven and grandfather to Daniel, Jaclyn, Scott, Dana, Jason, Spencer, Orli, Frederique, Spencer and Madison and great-grandfather to Noah Michael, Jack Lucas and Leni Ava.
The funeral will be on Wednesday, January 8th at 9:15am at Bloomfield Cooper in Manalapan with internment at Mount Ararat Cemetery, Lindenhurst, NY.
Cindi will be sitting shiva on Wednesday from 7-9pm with minyan at 7:30pm, Thursday from 1-5pm and 6-8pm with minyan at 7:30pm and Friday from 11-1pm at her and Richard's home, 25 Rockwell Circle, Marlboro.
With great sadness we share that Sandy Tankoos passed away yesterday. She was the wife of Ken, mother of Jenine, Robert and Gary and mother-in-law to Michael, Anchalee and Tina. She was the grandmother of Justin, Aaron, Samantha, Erica, Hudson and Mia.
The funeral will be tomorrow, Monday, December 23rd at 1:30pm at Star of David, 7701 Bailey Road, N. Lauderdale, Florida. Livestream will be available at the link below. Funeral Link Via Zoom
Shiva will be at Sandy and Ken's home, 17034 Newport Club Drive, Boca Raton, Fl from 4:00-8:00pm after the funeral on Monday.
Toby and Seth Hanover Youth Scholarship For Camp and Summer Programs
ATTENTION: PARENTS WITH CHILDREN IN TEMPLE SHAARI EMETH’S RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
Would you like to give your child the gift of amazing Jewish memories? Do you want to create a love of Judaism that will last a lifetime?
Jewish Camp, Jewish Teen Travel or Jewish Summer Experiences are the best way to do this and Temple Shaari Emeth is ready to help you give this gift to your children!!
Temple Shaari Emeth believes that our youth are our future, and so, we offer our Temple’s youth both merit awards and need scholarships to send children to Jewish summer programs including NFTY in Israel, Camp Harlam, and Six Points Academies. Studies have proven that children who have Jewish summer experiences have stronger Jewish identities as adults, and so we give out nearly $10,000 annually to make sure that no child is denied Jewish summer camp because of finances.
ALL THAT WE REQUIRE IS THAT YOUR CHILD:
Be enrolled and attend Temple Shaari Emeth’s Religious School.
Be registered for summer camp BEFORE you submit your Youth Scholarship Application.
AND THAT PARENTS:
Are members in good standing of Temple Shaari Emeth at the time the summer program begins.
Volunteer to help in the preparation and distribution of the Shalach Manot Fundraiser.
The completed Youth Scholarship Application must be received by ***January 17, 2025***.
We will notify you by the end of January 2025 when the decision for your child’s scholarship is determined. We look forward to receiving your completed Youth Scholarship Application.
If you are in need of greater assistance you might also want to look into the following scholarship opportunities:
Many Jewish camps have their own scholarship programs. Check with them directly.
With great sadness we share that Kenneth Diamond passed away. He was the brother of Sharon Rabinowitz and survived by his wife Laura, his son Jordan (Morgan), daughter Alexandra (Ari), Jaclyn (Craig) and grandchildren Brady, Noah, Delilah, Silas, Lennon and Dawson.
The funeral will be at Bloomfield Cooper on Sunday, December 15 @ 1:00pm.
Sharon will be sitting shiva on Sunday after the funeral, Monday and Tuesday from 2-4pm and 6-8pm at 349 Union Ave, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076.
May God console those who mourn in Zion, Jerusalem and throughout the world
With great sadness we share that Martin L. Fisher passed away. He was the husband of Helene Fisher, father of Jacqueline and Elizabeth, father-in-law to Scott and Daniel. He was the grandfather of Macie, Dylan, Jesse and Riley.
Funeral will be on Sunday, December 15th @ 11am at Bloomfield Cooper Jewish Chapels, 44 Wilson Ave, Manalapan. Interment will follow at Beth Israel Cemetery in Woodbridge.
Shiva will take place on Sunday from 2:30-5:30 at The Villas, 289 Gordons Corner Road, Manalapan and on Monday at Jacqui and Scott's home in Connecticut.
With great sadness we share that Neil Rabinowitz passed away. He was the husband to Sharon and the father to Randi and Eric. He was the father-in-law to David and Alexa and the grandfather of Sam, Andrew, Zoe and Mia.
The funeral will be tomorrow at 11am at Bloomfield Cooper followed by interment at Mount Sinai Cemetery.
Shiva will be at Sharon's home, 292 Union Hill Road, Manalapan on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 2-4pm and 6-9pm with minyan at 7pm daily.
With great sadness we share that Lenore Kaufman passed away on Thursday. Lenore was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Kaufman, who she lovingly referred to as her “Part 1.” She is survived by her daughter, Perri Richman (Chad), and granddaughter Amy.
She is also survived by her long-term partner, Edmund Meyers (who she referred to as her “Part 2”), and her “Part 2 family,” Douglas Meyers (Jane), Jennifer Goldberg (Sam), Natalie Belcher (Tom), Dana Meyers-Evron (Shy), and grandchildren, Riley, Oliver, Emily, Sydney, Maddie, Lucy, Rhett, and Alex.
Funeral is on Monday, December 2 at 12:30 PM at the Cedar Park Cemetery Chapel in Paramus, NJ followed by a graveside service. Shiva will be at Lenore’s house: 80 Yates Road, Manalapan on Tuesday and Wednesday from 1:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:30 PM on both days, with shiva minyan on Wednesday at 7:30 PM.
Klezmer Concert at the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County: Join TSE at the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County for a special Klezmer performance by the Hester Street Troupe at 2pm! With Alan Sweifach on clarinet, Jay Sweifach on keyboard, and Jim Bazewicz on drums, it’s sure to be a great time. This ensemble’s dynamic performance is a must-see event that promises to be both entertaining and culturally enriching. Tickets are $25 and spaces are limited. - Wednesday, December 25 2:00pm-3:30pm Click for tickets
Introducing Temple Shaari Emeth on the Road, an exciting initiative designed to bring the warmth and richness of our Jewish experiences directly into the homes and communities of our congregants. This program aims to foster deeper connections, celebrate our shared traditions, and create vibrant communal bonds beyond the walls of the synagogue.
As a host, you’ll have the opportunity to create an inviting atmosphere for an engaging Jewish gathering. Simply sign up to host an event, invite five Temple families to join you, and feel free to welcome additional non-member friends or neighbors as well! All we ask is that you provide the setting and refreshments or Shabbat dinner, making it a true community experience.
Our clergy will come to your home, bringing a thoughtfully crafted program or Shabbat experience tailored to your gathering. Whether it’s a meaningful discussion, a joyful Shabbat celebration, or an opportunity to study and grow together, Temple Shaari Emeth on the Road is designed to deepen our connections to each other and to our faith.
Join us in taking Jewish life off the beaten path and into the heart of our community. Together, let’s share the beauty of our traditions, strengthen our bonds, and create lasting memories in a warm and welcoming environment. When you sign up for a date, we will be in touch to let you know which of our clergy will be joining you and we will work together to coordinate the event and logistics. When providing food please make sure it is allergy free, no pork or shellfish and no mixed milk and meat.
It is with great sadness we share that Mildred Podnos passed away. She was the mother of Rona Shukovsky and Arthur Podnos, the grandmother of Alan Shukovsky, Jason (Jody) Shukovsky, Cara Serra, Jared Podnos and Daniel Podnos and the great-grandmother of Gabriella, Miles, Max, Jack, Grayson, Vivi, Spencer and Sloan.
The funeral will be on Tuesday, November 19 at 11am at Beth David Cemetery, 300 Elmont Road, Elmont, NY.
Shiva will be at the home of Cara Serra at 35 Kentucky Way, Freehold on Tuesday from 4pm-8:30pm, Wednesday and Thursday from 1pm-3pm & 5pm-8:30pm with minyan each night at 7pm.
May God console those who mourn in Zion, Jerusalem and throughout the world
It is with great sadness we share that Mildred Podnos passed away. She was the mother of Rona Shukovsky and Arthur Podnos, the grandmother of Alan Shukovsky, Jason (Jody) Shukovsky, Cara Serra, Jared Podnos and Daniel Podnos and the great-grandmother of Gabriella, Miles, Max, Jack, Grayson, Vivi, Spencer and Sloan.
The funeral will be on Tuesday, November 18 at 11am at Beth David Cemetery, 300 Elmont Road, Elmont, NY.
Shiva will be at the home of Cara Serra at 35 Kentucky Way, Freehold on Tuesday from 4pm-8:30pm, Wednesday and Thursday from 1pm-3pm & 5pm-8:30pm.
May God console those who mourn in Zion, Jerusalem and throughout the world
It is with great sadness we share that Norman Herling passed away on September 14, 2024. He was the father of Shari McNicholas and Marc Herling, father-in-Law of Paul and Michele, grandfather of Michael, Alison, Daniel, Mara, Matthew, Brian and Meryl and great-grandfather of Jenna and Eli.
Funeral is on Sunday, November 17 at 11am at Beth Israel in Woodbridge, NJ.
Shiva will be at Marc’s House: 21 Peasley Drive, Marlboro on the following days/times: Sunday from 3-5pm and 7-9pm, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 2-5pm and 7-9pm with minyan daily at 7:30pm.
In a world increasingly marked by division and animosity, The Table serves as a powerful antidote. This innovative program is designed to bring together individuals from diverse generations and ideologies, fostering meaningful dialogue and mutual understanding. At The Table, we believe that by sharing our stories and perspectives, we can bridge the gaps that divide us
The program encourages participants to engage in open and respectful conversations, where differing viewpoints are not just tolerated but embraced. Through structured discussions, The Table creates a safe space for dialogue, allowing participants to explore complex issues, challenge assumptions, and discover common ground. ......... Click to read more and register
The first meeting of the Table is on Friday, November 22nd: What are your thoughts on the War in Gaza?
On nights when we offer The Table we will hold a brief Shabbat service and then those who preregistered will be split into smaller groups to have meaningful discussions about difficult issues.
Don't Miss this Opportunity for a Great Klezmer Concert on Christmas Day
Join TSE at the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County for a special Klezmer performance by the Hester Street Troupe at 2pm! With Alan Sweifach on clarinet, Jay Sweifach on keyboard, and Jim Bazewicz on drums, it’s sure to be a great time. This ensemble’s dynamic performance is a must-see event that promises to be both entertaining and culturally enriching. Tickets are $25 and spaces are limited.
With great sadness we share that Winifred Joseph passed away on Saturday. She was the wife of Edwin (z''l), mother of Paul (z''l) (Susan), Dave (Karen) and Charlie (Anne). She was the grandmother to Benjamin, Jeremy, Michelle, Sarah, Jack, Caroline and Maggie. She was the great-grandmother to Miles, Elle, Henry and Olive.
The funeral will be held in Florida.
Dave and Karen will be having a memorial gathering at their home, Saturday, November 16 from 6:30-9:30 pm at 11 Mercer Lane, Manalapan.
With great sadness we share that Winifred Joseph passed away on Saturday. She was the mother of Paul (z''l) (Susan), Dave (Karen) and Charlie (Anne). She was the grandmother to Benjamin, Jeremy, Michelle, Sarah, Jack, Caroline and Maggie. She was the great-grandmother to Miles, Elle, Henry and Olive.
The funeral will be held in Florida.
Dave and Karen will be having a memorial gathering at their home, Saturday, November 16 from 6:30-9:30 pm at 11 Mercer Lane, Manalapan.
With great sadness we share that Joyce Anghelone passed away. She was the sister of Larry Goldstein, the sister-in-law of Karen Goldstein, and the aunt of Jay Goldstein.
Dear Friends, I am writing to provide you with exciting news for TSE.
As some of you may know, Stuart Brown, our Executive Director, informed us earlier this year that he intends to begin his next chapter as a public school teacher after June 2025. This is bittersweet, as Stuart has professionalized the operation of TSE and made more contributions to our community over the last five years than many of you will ever know or that I can possibly list here. We are grateful to Stuart beyond words, but we must look forward to the opportunity this offers TSE to welcome a new professional leader to our family with fresh ideas, new approaches, and a vision as to what our next chapter will be.
After I took office in July 2024, I formed an Executive Director Search Committee. The Committee is chaired by Marian Castner and is comprised of key stakeholders – including clergy, lay leadership, and members. The Committee has been meeting over the last several months to identify:
Key criteria for our ideal candidate;
The means by which we will attract them to our community, and;
How we will compensate them in line with requirements for the position, while being fiscally responsible with your money.
Now that the High Holidays are past, our search will become public and we will be actively recruiting candidates going forward and presenting them for consideration by the Board of Trustees in the months ahead. While certain aspects of the Committee’s work will necessarily be confidential, I encourage you to reach out to me with any ideas, questions, or concerns you may have regarding this process as we move forward together. During this time, Stuart will continue performing all of his duties to us, and even when he moves on from the Executive Director position, Stuart will be no stranger to TSE. Stuart will continue to be an active volunteer in temple operations, a teacher in our classrooms, and – most importantly – a valued member of our community and dear friend.
I look forward to partnering with the Committee and all of you in what comes next. L’shalom, Dan Schleifstein
With great sadness we share that Robyn Gandelman, wife of Howard Gandelman, passed away. She was a devoted mother, wife,daughter, aunt, friend, sister & RN.
Shiva will be held at the residence of Howard Gandelman & Family 15 Barnswallow Blvd. Marlboro, NJ 07746. Friday, 11am-4pm. Sunday, 10am-2pm & 4pm-8pm Monday, 12pm-6pm Tuesday, 12pm-6pm Wednesday, 12pm-4pm Shiva will also be held at the residence of Evelyn Snyder 5210 Falston Circle, Old Bridge, NJ 08857 Saturday, 6:30pm-10pm Sunday, 2pm-8pm
May God console those who mourn in Zion, Jerusalem and throughout the world
In a world increasingly marked by division and animosity, The Table serves as a powerful antidote. This innovative program is designed to bring together individuals from diverse generations and ideologies, fostering meaningful dialogue and mutual understanding. At The Table, we believe that by sharing our stories and perspectives, we can bridge the gaps that divide us
The program encourages participants to engage in open and respectful conversations, where differing viewpoints are not just tolerated but embraced. Through structured discussions, The Table creates a safe space for dialogue, allowing participants to explore complex issues, challenge assumptions, and discover common ground. ......... Click to read more and register
The first meeting of the Table is on Friday, November 22nd: What are your thoughts on the War in Gaza?
On nights when we offer The Table we will hold a brief Shabbat service and then those who preregistered will be split into smaller groups to have meaningful discussions about difficult issues.
With great sadness we share that Sharon Friedman passed away. She was the sister of Vivian Aronow, the sister-in-law of Stuart Aronow, and the aunt of Elliot Aronow. She was the mother of Jaimie Burkett and the grandmother of Max and Henry.
The funeral will be graveside on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at 11:00 am at Washington Cemetery in South Brunswick (104 Deans Hall Rhode, South Brunswick, NJ 08852).
A celebration of life will be held at a future date.
May God console those who mourn in Zion, Jerusalem and throughout the world
