Laura was born to a very loving family in New York City, a long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. At least it seemed that way when, in 1968, she moved from New York City to Raritan, New Jersey and attended Raritan High School. On her first day of high school, she Continue Reading »
NFTY is steeped in a rich history of social activism. We are commanded by our faith and urged by tradition to continuously seek to improve our world. The values of tikkun olam and tzedek are some of the fundamental pillars of our organization. The great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stressed the extraordinary power that Continue Reading »
This month, we celebrate Tu BiShvat, Jewish Arbor Day, also known as chag ha-ilanot, the Birthday of the Trees, or New Year of the Trees. Tu BiShvat falls on January 21 this year, and our joyful TBE celebration will be held on Saturday, January 26. Because Tu BiShvat falls in the middle of our winter Continue Reading »
The unpredictable weather pattern engulfing the Hillsborough metropolitan area has everyone wondering what’s coming next. We went from a “one day tee shirt, next day parka” autumn to a November blizzard to a 65-degree first day of winter. The Old Farmer’s Almanac is predicting heavier than normal snowfall. And who knows what Punxsutawney Phil will Continue Reading »
Toward the end of the 19th century, some Jewish musicians who had been trained in the classical, European tradition discovered artistic possibilities in the folk-song of their people. They were of eastern European origin, had been educated in a Jewish atmosphere, and had grown up with Jewish folk-song. In parallel with the nationalist movements arising Continue Reading »
Among the many revolutionary ideas of the Torah is the practice of the sabbatical year — an extrapolation of the weekly Sabbath day as a time for renewal and rejuvenation. The Torah’s vision of the sabbatical is a year in which the land is allowed to lie fallow so that it can regain its vitality Continue Reading »
Temple Beth-El’s new Ladles of Love initiative to bring comfort and good noshing to those in need is underway, with its next community cook-a-thon set for Sunday, November 28. The first cooking session, held on Oct. 21, produced 15 mini loaves of pumpkin bread and lemon cake, as well as 23 quarts of butternut squash Continue Reading »
This week we participated in a program to help us learn about privilege. In the program, we were asked questions regarding certain privileges we may have and depending on how we answered the questions, we took a step forward or backwards. I found this program very impactful, as it made us more aware of privileges Continue Reading »
Chanukah, the Festival of Lights (chag ha-urim), comes to illumine our homes and give us a spiritual and emotional lift during the dark days of winter. Chanukah celebrations include lighting the chanukiah, the special eight-branchmenorah, each night; eating foods fried in oil, such as latkes (l’vivot) and jelly doughnuts (sufganiyot); singing songs; playing games, especially Continue Reading »
We gather tonight with hearts that are broken for the tragic loss of 11 precious souls, men and women who were murdered for the simple fact that they were Jews. It was the deadliest attack on Jews in the history of our nation, but it was not an isolated event. It is only the latest Continue Reading »
