The Synagogue of the Suburban Torah Center Programming & Speakers Guide 2017-2018 5778
Dear Friends, Our Rabbis refer to the holiday of Rosh Hashana by a lesser known name: Yom Hazikaron, the Day of Remembering. Simply understood, Rosh Hashana is a time when Hashem remembers all of our actions and choices from this past year. And that s certainly true. But I believe the Rabbis also meant to teach us that the beginning of a new year is a time for us to remember and reflect; that we too must pause from the busyness of our everyday lives to remember who we are and what we are in this world to accomplish. Every individual is brought to this world for a specific purpose; each one of us can and must bring honor to our Creator in a unique way. But it s not only we, as individuals, who must stop and remember. Kehillot, communities, must also pause to remember their shared mission! We, as a community, must pause and reflect upon the fundamental questions that are all too easy to forget. What unique role should Suburban Torah play in the cosmic drama of Am Yisrael? How should we with our diverse membership, dedication to Ahavat Yisrael and a desire to serve Hashem with joy bring more of Hashem s light to the world? This year, as we draw closer to the 50 th anniversary of the founding of Suburban Torah, we will, b ezrat Hashem, reflect on these important questions, and chart a course for our community s future. May we merit to think big, and remember what we are here in this world to accomplish! May 5778 be a year of continued vitality and spiritual growth for our community, and filled with health, happiness and sweetness for all of Am Yisrael! Yours Truly, Rabbi Elie Mischel rabbimischel@suburbantorah.org www.suburbantorah.org/rabbisblog About Suburban Torah Suburban Torah, the original Modern Orthodox synagogue of Livingston, NJ, is a vibrant and diverse community founded upon a commitment to Torah, Mitzvot and the State of Israel. At the same time, we are proud Americans, and are open to the best that the broader world has to offer. We are a warm and inclusive community which values every individual, wherever they might be on their Jewish journey. Together, we strive to serve God with joy, grow as Jews, and do our part to strengthen the Jewish people! www.suburbantorah.org 85 W. Mt. Pleasant Avenue Livingston, NJ 973-994-2620
Sustaining the Soul Join us for musical gatherings throughout the year, and help your soul come alive! Selichot Night: Preparing to Welcome the King Motzai Shabbat, September 16, 11:30pm (for men & women @ SSTC) An Evening of Song & Soul with Mel Kapustin and Rebecca Mischel Sunday, November 5, 8:00pm (for women @ the home of Rebecca & R Elie Mischel) Tu B Shvat Farbrengen! Tuesday, January 30, 8:00pm (for men & women @ SSTC) Mishenichnas Adar Marbim B Simcha! Thursday, February 15, 8:30pm (for men @ the home of Dror & Shlomit Frommer) 19 Kislev: The Rosh Hashanah of Chassidus Thursday, December 7, 8:30pm (for men @ the home of R Zalman & Toba Leah Grossbaum) Scholars in Residence & Special Programs Community Wide Challah Bake Sunday morning, September 10 Join Challah Expert Rebbetzin Rochie Pinson for a community wide challah bake as we launch Naomi s Challah Project in memory of Naomi Rosenfeld, z l. Rebbetzin Rochie Pinson is co-founder of the IYYUN Center for Jewish Spirituality in downtown Brooklyn and the author of Rising! The Book of Challah. Shemini Atzeret First Night Hakafot Wednesday night, October 11 Enjoy a hot gala Kiddush and dance together with the people of Israel as we celebrate the joy of Torah at Suburban Torah s annual First Night Hakafot! Three Part Lecture Series with Melissa Rothenberg-Kapustin, Esq. Join us for a three-part lecture series: October 17 The Birth of Torah as We Know It: The Revolution at Yavneh December 5 What are We Fighting For? Hellenism and the Battle for Israel s Soul March 13 From Rebbe Akiva s House to Maxwell House: The Development of the Haggadah through Jewish History Melissa Rothenberg-Kapustin is a partner at The Rothenberg Law Firm LLP as well as a frequent lecturer on the topics of Jewish History and Law. She has been a guest speaker in many communities across the Northeast, as well as at Yeshiva University s Midreshet Yom Rishon.
Scholars in Residence & Special Programs continued A Shabbat with Aish HaTorah Shabbat, October 21 Join Rabbi Chaim Sampson of Aish HaTorah s Project Inspire for a Shabbat filled with inspiration, meaning and a deeper understanding of how to reach out to our fellow Jews and share the beauty of Judaism. Guest Speaker Russell F. Robinson November 18 Russell F. Robinson has been the Chief Executive Officer at the Jewish National Fund since 1998. A Livingston resident, Russell was recently included by the Jerusalem Post on its international list of 50 Most Influential Jews and has been hailed for bringing JNF to new levels, ensuring JNF s vision is more relevant and meaningful today than ever before. REBBETZIN SHAYNDEL FEUERSTEIN Z L MEMORIAL LECTURE Elana Stein Hain Saturday night, November 18 Elana Stein Hain is the Director of Leadership Education at the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America. A widely well-regarded teacher and scholar, Elana earned her doctorate in Religion from Columbia University with a dissertation on the topic of legal loopholes in rabbinic literature sponsored by Professor David Weiss Halivni. A graduate of the Yeshiva University Graduate Program in Advanced Talmudic Studies and the Cardozo Interdisciplinary Fellowship in Jewish Law and Legal Theory, Elana has taught across the country and in Israel, including as a member of Wexner Institute faculty. Shabbat with Rabbi Ari Rockoff Shabbat, December 2 Rabbi Ari Rockoff serves as the Director of Leadership Development at the Orthodox Union (OU), where he has developed a comprehensive development training platform that enables its professional team to become accomplished and sought-after Jewish leaders both within the OU and in the broader Jewish community. Prior to joining the Orthodox Union, Rabbi Rockoff spent over a dozen years at Yeshiva University, where he was a founding director of the Center for the Jewish Future and also served as the Associate Dean of Institutional Advancement at the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies. Israel Chesed Chanukah Celebration December 14-18 Join us in welcoming boys & girls from Israeli music schools to the Suburban Torah community for a Chanukah celebration, community Shabbat dinner, Israel fair & concert! Shabbat with Rabbanit Chana Henkin Shabbat, January 6 Rabbanit Chana Henkin, founder and Dean of NISHMAT, the Jeanie Schottenstein Center for Advanced Torah Study for Women in Jerusalem, is one of today s most acclaimed Jewish educators and a leader in redrawing the landscape of higher Torah learning and leadership for women. Together with her husband, noted halachic authority Rabbi Yehuda Henkin, Rabbanit Henkin created Jewish history s first Yoatzot Halacha, experts in women s health and halacha, who have since addressed more than 200,000 halachic questions from across the world. Seudas Moshiach 8 th day of Pesach, April 7 Join us for the powerful final moments of Pesach as we sing, share words of Torah, drink four (or more) cups of wine, and yearn together for the final redemption. Yom Hashoah Commemoration Tuesday evening, April 10
Scholars in Residence & Special Programs continued Communal Yom HaZikaron / Yom Ha atzmaut Celebration Wednesday evening, April 18 Join us for a community-wide Yom HaZikaron observance and Yom Ha atzmaut Celebration at Congregation AABJ&D, in partnership with local synagogues and the Jewish Federation of Greater Metrowest. Discover Suburban Torah Shabbaton! Shabbat, April 28 Looking for a welcoming and dynamic Modern Orthodox community, just a short commute from NYC? Check out Livingston, and spend a Shabbat with the Suburban Torah community! Reaching Out Explanatory Shabbat Services Shabbat Mornings, 10:30am Join Rabbi Elliot Mathias for a welcoming No Hebrew Necessary Shabbat morning prayer service! Shavuot with Rabbi Daniel & Rivka Alter May 19 21 Rabbi Daniel Alter is the Head of School at the Moriah School in Englewood. Previously he was the founding Rabbi of the DAT Minyan, the largest Orthodox Shul in Colorado, and Head of School of the Denver Academy of Torah. Rivka Alter has taught Judaic studie to elementary and high school students for over twenty years, and was recently certified as a Yoetzet Halacha. She is currently working towards a doctorate in Jewish Education. Sponsored in Memory of Mr. Morris Stadtmauer, z l, Moshe Rafael ben Yehoshua, z l Naomi s Challah Project Fridays Inspired by Naomi Rosenfeld, z l, this weekly program brings Livingston Jews of every age and background together through the baking and delivery of Challah before Shabbat. Contact Yonna Rosenberg at yonnarosenberg@gmail.com for more information. Torah Learning @ Suburban Torah TORAH TUESDAYS @ SSTC! Tehillim and Torah for Women Tuesdays, 9:15am Rabbi Elie Mischel Beit Midrash Learning Beginning October 17, join us on Tuesday evenings from 8:00 8:45pm for hands-on Torah study! Learn with a study partner or in small groups led by R Dror Frommer (the Book of Shoftim) and Rabbi Elliot Mathias (Pirkei Avot). Work & Wealth in Jewish Thought Tuesdays, 8:45 9:30pm Rabbi Elie Mischel SHABBAT LEARNING Great Thinkers in Jewish History Shabbat afternoons, 45 minutes before Mincha Join Rabbi Elie Mischel for an historical and intellectual analysis of the great thinkers who have changed the course of modern Jewish History!
Iris Berman Early Childhood Center Join the 2 s & 3 s for an exciting year of learning and fun at IBECC! Our nursery programs are a great way for younger parents to get to know each other. The IBECC Philosophy Our Reggio Emilia inspired school welcomes children age 1 through 4 years. Our philosophy has encourages our students to explore ducational possibilities. Using exploration-based learning, our students engage in authentic experiences with many opportunities to strengthen skills through real life activities. We are proud to give them the time and space to explore their world in a safe place. SSTC Youth! Suburban Torah is very excited to welcome newlyweds Naama and Josh Gurin, our new youth directors, to Livingston! Naama, from Wesley Hills, NY, studied at MMY in Israel and is working towards a degree in nursing at Dominican college. Josh, from New Rochelle, NY, is in his final semester at Yeshiva University and also works at a sports media company, SportsBiz Media Group. Whether it s snowboarding, basketball, baking (Naama is first class!) or grilling (Josh is a Picasso with tongs), the Gurins bring an array of talents to Suburban Torah. Most importantly, they love working with youth of all ages and are very excited to be a part of the community! Stay tuned to find out about all the fun activities coming your way this year! Bar / Bat Mitzvah Bagels and Learn with the Mischels! Are you becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah this school year? Join Rabbi Elie and Rebecca Mischel at their home on Sunday mornings for a good breakfast and even better learning! October 22, 9:15am December 24, 9:15am February 18, 9:15am April 22, 9:15am Mommy & Me Join us for our variety of wonderful Mommy & Me options throughout the week including Yoga, BabyBOP Shabbat, and Babyccino, all for children ages 0 2 years. Our programs encourage growth through play, music and movement, using your child s innate creativity to stretch body and mind. Mommy & Me is a fantastic way to bond with your child while both of you make new friends. To learn more, email RachelleZ@SuburbanTorah.org Public Speaking Training for Bar / Bat Mitzvah Children! Is your child nervous about speaking in public at their Bar or Bat Mitzvah? Our own Peter Berkowsky offers public speaking tutorials, free of charge! Contact Peter at peterberkowsky@ gmail.com for more information. Metrowest NCSY Hey teens! Join Jennifer Romanoff and Metro West NCSY / JSU for a full slate of exciting events. For more information, contact Jen at Romanoffj@ncsy.org. September 28 Welcoming the New Year October 9 Sukkot Bond fire & BBQ October 19 Challah Bake at the Romanoffs November 3-4 JSU Shabbaton December 27-31 Yarchei Kallah January 31 Tu Bshvat Teen Seder February 11 Local Chessed Event February 21-25 Chessed Mission to Nashville, TN March 18 Pre-Pesach Party
Women s Programming SISTERHOOD Rosh Hashanah project Clothing Drive Supergirl Family Event Match-up Meal Paid Up Membership Dinner Family Trip to Thomas Edison Museum Joint Event with the Men s Club Make your own Sushi Family Picnic at South Mountain Reservation Men s Club Fall Grill & Chill BBQ Sunday in the Sukkah with George: Sukkah building and breakfast ETC Steakhouse Couples Chanukah Dinner Annual Paid Up Dinner Annual Mike Ramos z l Bowling Night Mishloach Manot Packing & Breakfast March Madness Ping Pong Tournament Spring Grill & Chill BBQ Dinner & Learn Family Picnic at South Mountain Reservation Dorot Dinner with Rabbi Herb Cohen, Kosher Movies: A Film Critic Discovers Life Lessons at the Cinema Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Mischel Kick Off the Summer BBQ! SIMCHAT TORAH WOMEN S LEARNING PROGRAM Enhance your Simchat Torah experience by joining together with the women of Suburban Torah for a delicious Kiddush and inspirational learning program. SHABBAT AFTERNOON WOMEN S STUDY GROUP Join the women of Suburban Torah every Shabbat afternoon for stimulating study of Torah texts. MRS. NECHAMA PRICE Suburban Torah is once again excited to welcome Nechama Price, a highly regarded speaker and educator at Yeshiva University, to the Livingston and West Orange communities for the coming year as Yoetzet Halacha, to serve as a resource for women on issues related to niddah and family purity. Women in the community are encouraged to reach out to Mrs. Price at asknechama@gmail.com or 201-888-6999. Mrs. Price will also be giving a four-part lecture series for women: My Mother s Favorite: A Tanach Perspective on Favoritism (for women & teen girls, October 25, 8:15pm, home of Shira Waldstreicher, 91 Carteret Street, West Orange) Lies Your Mother Told You (December 6, 8:15pm, Congregation Ohr Torah) Easier Than You Think: Things You Thought Were Forbidden But Aren t (February 21, 8:15pm private home in Suburban Torah community) Ask, Eat and Schmooze: Nechama s Favorite Questions and Answers (May 9, 8:15pm, private home in Etz Chaim community)
Join Us! The Synagogue of the Suburban Torah Center www.suburbantorah.org 85 W. Mt. Pleasant Avenue Livingston, NJ 973-994-2620 Dates subject to change; please confirm dates as events approach.