Recent TSE Emails

Join us in the sanctuary or online for all services. All Friday night services also stream on the website,  Facebook   and  YouTube  

In person attendance for Saturday morning services is now open to to the public.

The service is streamed to:
shaariemeth.org/bmitzvahstream
Previous Bnai Mitzvah are also available on the page.

Join us in the sanctuary or online for all services. All Friday night services also stream on the website,  Facebook   and  YouTube  

Please note that the Temple office is closed on Friday, April 22nd

We are sad to share that Michael Novins, nephew of Harriet Domroe, passed away on Monday, April 11, 2022. 
 
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 19 at 11:00 am at Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapel in Manalapan, followed by interment at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, NY. 

The family will be sitting Shiva Wednesday, April 20 at the home of Craig and Margaret Novins, 6 Northwood Circle, Manalapan from 12 pm - 4 pm and again 6 pm - 9 pm. 
 
In lieu of donations in memory of Michael, the family requests that each of us take some time soon to celebrate life doing something extra special in his memory.
 

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

Presented by the George Street Playhouse Welcome to the summer of 1969, when Woodstock was a happening and men walked on the moon. Every year, Pearl Kantrowitz packs up her family for another summer in the Catskills, but in this new musical, one thing is certain: nothing will ever be the same.
 
 DATE: &
TIME:          Saturday, May 21, 2022. 2:00 PM          matinee, followed by dinner at Dusal's, in Manalapan
 
PLACE:       George Street Playhouse at the beautiful new NJ Performing Arts Center at 9 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, followed by dinner at Dusal's Italian Restaurant, 340 Union Hill Rd., Manalapan,
 
COST:         $75 pp members; $80 pp for non-members
                    
Masks, proof of Vaccinations and photo ID Required at George Street Playhouse
 
RSVP:         By April 18, 2022
Here or:     Laura at 732-446-6527 or Ruth at 732-928-0790 carlruth1@hotmail.com
                              
Pay by echeck, credit card, or charge to your account by registering and paying online or make checks payable to: Temple Shaari Emeth Renaissance Group, memo “Renaissance/Moon”
Mail to: Temple Shaari Emeth Renaissance, 400 Craig Road, Manalapan, NJ 07726
 
GOOD FRIENDS     GOOD FOOD      GOOD FUN

Join us in the sanctuary or online for all services. All Friday night services also stream on the website, Facebook  and YouTube 

In person attendance for Saturday morning services is now open to to the public.

The service is also streamed to:
shaariemeth.org/bmitzvahstream

Previous Bnai Mitzvah are also available on the page.

Ambulance Dedication for Israel

PIKUACH NEFESH / SAVING A LIFE

Throughout the pandemic we have followed the science in an effort to keep staff and members safe by practicing our Jewish values. Our sacred texts teach that we can forgo almost any commandment or prohibition in order to preserve life.  

Dear Friends,

For the last two years we have had to make difficult decisions as a community to protect the health of our members and staff. The Temple's Covid Task Force, consisting of  three physicians, one of whom is a pediatrician, lawyers, HR professionals, ELC and Religious School parents, Temple members, and the Clergy and Senior Staff, has been navigating a complicated path forward as we reopened our schools, returned to in-person services and programs, and reintroduced Friday night Onegs after services, all while increasing our capacity to provide remote options for those that could not attend programs at the Temple due to health or other concerns.

At this time, we are ready to announce that beginning on Thursday, March 31st, Temple Shaari Emeth will be "Mask-Optional" for all programs.  We are announcing this transition now to ensure that people are aware of this change before coming to the Temple. This decision reflects current health statistics which are resulting in lower hospitalization and death rates, and a decreasing infection rate, as we move from pandemic to endemic.  Moving on, we will continue to monitor these factors and make future decisions accordingly, including reinstating required mask wearing if conditions warrant.  We will continue to practice social distancing at services as we advance into this new phase.

During this new phase of Covid-19 please respect the health and personal decisions of others by reserving any judgements you may have. We all have different health needs and personal comfort levels that must be respected.  Jewish values teach us kindness and the importance of respect for differences within the community. Also, please avoid coming into the building if you have any cold symptoms. If you must enter the building when ill, please wear a mask to protect others.  Masks will continue to be available at the Temple and we anticipate that everyone will be responsible and respectful of others.  Also, please remember that proper hand washing is always recommended. We have hand sanitizer dispensers throughout the building.

Understanding that after living with Covid-19 for over two years it may take some extra time for people to feel comfortable coming into the building, we will continue to livestream services and include online participation for programs when possible.  One good thing One good thing that we have discovered during the pandemic is that there were changes that created new ways for people to connect.  

To remind everyone about measures we have implemented since the beginning of the pandemic, we have:

• installed air cleaners in the HVAC system serving the Sanctuary and Social Hall that clean the air (including viruses) every 30 minutes;
• ​​​​​​​placed medical-grade HEPA air cleaners in every office and classroom that clean the air every 20 minutes;
• ​​​​​​​reviewed and made changes to our building cleaning chemicals and methods to assure that we are doing all we can to protect everyone from the transfer of viruses and germs.

“You grace humans with wisdom and teach humanity perception. Bestow upon us Your knowledge, insight and understanding. Blessed are You, the grantor of wisdom.”

Sponsored by TSE Men's Club
Seats are in Section 105 behind 1st base dugout
Contact Rich Cobin  732 462 9006 or crashcobin@yahoo.com with any questions

It is with great sadness we share that Edward Ezer, father of Mayer Ezer (Melissa) and Gay Reynolds (Dave) and grandfather to Josh and Talia Ezer and Jennifer and Steven Reynolds, passed away on March 13, 2022.

The funeral and shiva were on Long Island yesterday. 

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

We are sad to share that our member Gerald Stanley “Jerry” Bursey passed away yesterday, March 8, 2022.

Jerry is survived by his wife Laura; children Lois and Kenneth (Luisa); grandchildren Scott (Megan), Heather (Daniel), Danielle, and Gabriella; and great-grandchildren Isabella and Jacob.

Funeral services will be on Friday, March 11 at 11:00 am at Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapels, 44 Wilson Avenue, Manalapan, NJ, followed by graveside services at Beth Israel Cemetery in Woodbridge, NJ. Instructions for watching the funeral service on Facebook Live will be available on the Bloomfield-Cooper website.

Shiva will be held at Laura's home, 18 Bunker Hill Drive in Manalapan, NJ Saturday, March 12, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm (Minyan service at 7:30 pm); Sunday, March 13, 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm (Minyan service at 7:00 pm); and Monday, March 14, 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm (Minyan service at 7:00 pm).

Contributions in Jerry’s memory may be made to a charity of your choice.

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

Join us in the sanctuary or online for this week's service. All Friday night services also stream on the website, Facebook  and YouTube 

Purim
Two Events 
One for little ones and those that like less commotion
One full of commotion 
Both lots of fun!

In person attendance for Saturday morning services is currently limited to family and guests of the Bnai Mitzvah family.

The services are streamed to:
shaariemeth.org/bmitzvahstream

Previous Bnai Mitzvah are also available on the page.

We are sad to share that our member Betsy Millman passed away suddenly on March 3, 2022.

Betsy is survived by her daughters Carin (Scott) Friedman and Judy (David) Rosen; by her grandchildren Ariel, Talia (Sean), Noa, Mitchell, Samantha, Gabriel, and Molly; and by her great-granddaughter Ella.

Funeral services will be on Sunday, March 6 at 9:00 am, followed by graveside services, in Florida and on  Zoom. Shiva will be in person Sunday and Monday in Florida. 

Click here to view the funeral service on Zoom. 
(Meeting ID 826 4580 8659; Passcode 424072)

​​​​​​​Donations in memory of Betsy may be made to the 
Jewish Association of Residential Care of Florida or to Temple Shaari Emeth.

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

Dear Congregants:

As we move into the spring and the Omicron surge wanes, we are heartened by the news that COVID-19 infection rates and hospitalizations have been decreasing rapidly in New Jersey.  With new orders being issued from the Governor's Office around masks, our Covid Task Force met recently to consider the Temple’s next steps.  Our Task Force includes three physicians, one of whom is a pediatrician, lawyers, HR professionals, ELC and Religious School parents, Temple members, and the Clergy and Senior Staff.  With careful consideration and noting the latest guidelines being issued by the CDC and the State of NJ at this time, the Task Force recommended that we continue to require masks for all activities in the building; however, limits on activities because of social distancing restrictions will be relaxed.

We are all anxious to move past the restrictions on our activities that we’ve had in place for two years.  A range of actions were considered, from removing the mask requirement to requiring vaccinations to limiting activities inside the building.  Ultimately, it was decided that our priority should be to maximize a return to “normal” activities.  The best way to do this is to continue our mask requirements and to monitor conditions closely.  This will allow us to have school assemblies, in-person meetings and Lifelong Learning/Adult Education classes, and generally let us meet and engage in activities that we have been away from for far too long.
In the coming weeks, we will re-engage with our Youth and Adult Choirs, have a spectacular Purim Family Service featuring the Billy Jonas Band, offer new Adult Education classes, and return to some of the types of programs that we have had to limit in the ELC and Religious School, like larger gatherings and family programs.

Our Covid Task Force will continue to meet over the next few months to evaluate the current conditions and make recommendations about how we can continue to move forward safely.  Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we continue down the road of hopefully leaving COVID-19 in our rearview mirror.

L’Shalom,

Jennifer Fessler, President
Rabbi Melinda Panken
Cantor Wally Schachet-Briskin
Stuart Brown, Executive Director
Melissa Pescatore, Director of Religious Education
Sheryn Cohen, Director of Early Learning Center
David Gronlund-Jacob, Religious Educator

PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A DONATION FOR MIDNIGHT RUN!

Donations due by Friday, March 4th!
THANK YOU!!

YOSHE SENIORS are heading into NYC to donate food, toiletries and clothing to the
homeless of NYC.

Save the Date
Wednesday, March 16th
Two Purim Celebrations

Attention Grandparents:

Believe it or not, Temple Shaari Emeth is gearing up to celebrate Purim. You can help make the holiday sweet by sending PURIMGRAMS to others. Sending a PURIMGRAM to a friend, family member, or neighbor is a sweet way to show you care.

Proceeds from each PURIMGRAM help fund the Toby and Seth Hanover Youth Scholarship Fund, which provides over $10,000 of scholarship each year to support sending our children to Jewish camps and educational programs. The importance of Jewish summer experiences in developing strong Jewish identities as adults is well-documented and a goal of the synagogue. It also helps our students make lasting memories and friends. What a deal!

By sending a special Shalach Manot box filled with hamentaschen
and other treats you can help give a child the summer experience of a lifetime!

You can send treat filled boxes to members of the TSE community. An initial donation of $18 includes up to 6 PURIMGRAMS, with each additional PURIMGRAM costing only $3. The PURIMGRAM will include a letter explaining that a gift was made to the Seth and Toby Hanover Youth Scholarship Fund in their honor.  The letter will list each person/family who sent them a PURIMGRAM.  In addition to sending a PURIMGRAM to an individual, you can choose to do one or more of the following:

$36 – Send a PURIMGRAM to all TSE office staff and clergy
$36 – Send a PURIMGRAM to all ELC teachers and staff
$36 – Send a PURIMGRAM to all Religious School teachers              and staff
$36 – Send a PURIMGRAM to all TSE Board of Trustee                    members
$180 – Send a PURIMGRAM to the entire congregation

Finally, you can also chose to send a PURIMGRAM to everyone who sends one to you (and be billed by the synagogue) or pay how you paid for your initial order.

Orders are due no later than March 1, 2022.
PURIMGRAMS will be delivered to recipients prior to Purim.

Those who live out of the area will receive their PURIMGRAM in the mail. This year, you can also send PURIMGRAMS to friends and family who are not members of Temple Shaari Emeth for $18 each (United States addresses only).

Thank you for helping to give our children the gift of Jewish Camp! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Temple office.
​​​​​​​
Happy Purim,
Naomi Bressler, Chair of the Seth and Toby Hanover Youth Scholarship Committee