On Sunday, March 24, the Brotherhood will honor Cindy and Mark Andrews with this year’s Person of Honor Award. Brotherhood established the annual award to recognize a Temple Beth-El member or members for his/her dedication to the temple community, their commitment to Judaism to the greater Jewish community, and their acts of tikunolam (“repairing the Continue Reading »
A small group of healthcare professionals in our Temple Beth-El community met last year to discuss how to advance the good work of the TBE Caring Network. We are pleased to update the community on two initiatives that emerged from insights they shared and our collective brainstorming. Mental Health Initiative – In his Yom Kippur Continue Reading »
Did you know that Pesach is the most-observed Jewish holiday in North America? Family and friends gather around the table to retell the ancient story of our people’s liberation from bondage and journey into freedom. We beautify our tables with ritual objects and special settings that we use just for Passover. We prepare delicious food, Continue Reading »
Shortly after I became president of Temple Beth-El, I had an opportunity to meet with one of the leading officials of the URJ to talk about visions and goals. I had never met this rabbi before, and because he is from Seattle, I assumed he knew little of a community in Hillsborough, New Jersey. But Continue Reading »
Purim is coming, with all its joy and festivity. We will dress up, sing songs, eat hamantaschen, drink wine (as tradition dictates), and celebrate with gusto. A good time will be had by all! It is important to remember, however, that the reason for all this frivolity is the story recounted in the megillah of Continue Reading »
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 »
