Business is booming for one of Temple Beth-El’s community partners, but its uptick in clients is bittersweet. In the past year, at least 100 additional families have come to rely on the Food Bank Network of Somerset County warehouse in Bridgewater each month for food, raising to 317 the number of families that depend upon Continue Reading »
After a year of many deprivations, and much fear and anxiety, we come to a teaching in the Torah that prescribes a practice of self-denial. It is the path of the Nazirite, described in Parashat Naso, and it involves a spiritual exercise based in abstinence. Any Israelite could choose to embark on this practice by Continue Reading »
When children begin to study Talmud in a traditional yeshivah, it is customary for them to start with Tractate Bava Metzia, which opens with this teaching: “Two people have taken hold of a garment… this one says, ‘It is all mine,’ and this one says, ‘It is all mine.’…” The halacha (the law) is that Continue Reading »
This Shabbat TBE officially says goodbye to Hannah Lafargue, who will be leaving us to pursue her dream of attending law school. In Hebrew when we part company from a friend we say “shalom u’l’hitraot.” “Peace to you, until we meet again.” This is a way of acknowledging that significant relationships don’t end upon separating Continue Reading »
Shalom fellow TBE congregants, I’m pleased to share this video update of our Chazon Restoration Campaign and our progress toward reopening. If you would like to make a donation to help us finish the campaign, click here (and select Chazon Campaign from the dropdown), or contact Amy Rubin in the temple office to make a Continue Reading »
At Temple Beth-El, Torah is taught not just by our professionals. From Shabbat minyans to Brotherhood and Sisterhood study gatherings, from the pulpit to our classrooms (where nearly half of our faculty are graduates of our program!), words of Torah are offered regularly by our lay members. All Temple Board, Oversight, and committee meetings begin Continue Reading »
On Tuesday April 20 our congregation hosted a virtual conversation with Senator Kip Bateman, co-sponsored by RAC-NJ. Senator Bateman shared his story of how he got into politics, why he stayed, and what he has gained from his public service. And he spoke warmly of his many ties to our Temple Beth-El community. Throughout our conversation, Continue Reading »
With this week’s parashah, Acharei Mot-K’doshim, we reach the pinnacle of the Torah’s vision for human life – that we should love our neighbor as ourselves; love the stranger and harbor no hatred; share our bread with the hungry; do justly, honor the elderly, and treat all people fairly – that we should be holy. Continue Reading »
On Israel’s 73rd Birthday: Yesterday, Israel turned 73 years young. I say “young” because in the grand scheme of history, especially Jewish history, 73 years is a relatively short span. I also say “young” because I see in Israel a youthful spirit and dynamism that is vital and exciting. And I say “young” because Israel Continue Reading »
A Message for the Shabbat After Yom HaShoah: Yesterday at 10:00 a.m. sirens blared throughout the land of Israel and everything came to a halt. For two full minutes, cars and buses stopped on the highways so drivers and passengers could get out and stand in respectful silence. Bustling marketplaces and busy office spaces fell Continue Reading »
