Oct
11
8:00 PM20:00

Etz Ahaim Vigil for Israel

On Wednesday, October 11, at 8:00pm, Etz Ahaim will hold a vigil for Israel where we will recite Tehillim and other prayers for the people who are caught in the midst of war and terrorist activity in Israel.

This will be held in the main sactuary at Congregation Etz Ahaim

Refreshments will be served.

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Vaad Special Tehillim Reading For Israel
Oct
10
8:00 PM20:00

Vaad Special Tehillim Reading For Israel

The Vaad of Rartitan Valley is sponsoring a special Tehillim reading at RPRY, on Tuesday, October 10 at 8:00pm tomorrow. We will be praying for peace in Israel and the safety of all Jews.

Bring your own Tehillim.

Safaria offers free Tehillim and other Jewish works for your Android and iPhone for free

Rusty Brick offers a Tehillim App for both Android and the iPhone for $1.99

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Oct
9
5:30 PM17:30

Borough of Highland Park Candle Light Vigil in Support of Israel

In recognition of the many families in Highland Park with relatives and close friends in the State of Israel, The Borough of Highland Park invites the public to a community candlelight vigil in support of the people of Israel

Monday October 9, 2023
Starting at 5:30pm
at the flagpole in the parking lot of the Highland Park Community Center.

This non-political event will feature:

  • A moment of silence for the victims of terror, led by Mayor Foster

  • Recitation of chapters of Psalms, led by Congregational Rabbis

  • Prayer for the welfare of the people of Israel

  • Recitation of the Star Spangled Banner and the Hatikvah, led students from the Rabbi Pesach Raymon Yeshiva in Edison

Please join us.

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Sep
10
11:00 AM11:00

Mesorah-New Jersey's Hachnasat Sefer Torah

With joy and gratitude to Hashem, Mesorah-New Jersey takes great pleasure in inviting you to their

HACHNASAT SEFER TORAH

לזכר נשמת אברהם יששכר בן יוסף הלוי ז"ל​

ביום ראשון, כ“ד אלול תשפ“ג

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2023 at Congregtion Etz Ahaim, 230 Denison Avenue, Highland Park New Jersey.

  • 11:00am Letter Writing at Congregation Etz Ahaim

  • ​12:30pm Escorting the Torah to its new home

Dedicated in Loving Memory of Ladislav “Larry” Buchsbaum by his family

Mrs. Rosalyn Buchsbaum, Erica & Andrew Schultz,Tamar & Stuart Green, and Karen & Tim Bock

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The ROC of NJ Presents a Free Concert
Aug
23
7:30 PM19:30

The ROC of NJ Presents a Free Concert


Due to the limited amount of seats, only those with prior reservations made on a first come first serve basis will gain entry to attend the concert. No seats will be available without reservations. To make reservations please send an email request for a reservation form to jp@therocnj.org

Restrictions do apply. For more info and registration form please email jp@therocnj.org

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Aug
17
7:00 PM19:00

Women's Rosh Hodesh Elul Walk in the Park

Congregation Etz Ahaim Presents


Rosh Hodesh Elul
Women's Event
Majesty in the Park


Walking the Meadows Trail and
Reciting Psalm 104, in English and Hebrew
Thursday, August 17 at 7 pm
Children Welcome

Meet at the gazebo in Donaldson Park.
If it rains, wear a raincoat.
If you have a book of Tehillim, please feel free to bring it with you.

Donaldson Park with Goodkind Bridge in the background
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Aug
13
to Aug 15

Clean Up Time! Aug 13, Aug 14, Aug 15 - We Need Your Help

  • Congregation Etz Ahaim (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Come make new friends as we clean out and organize for the new,
improved Etz Ahaim facilities (this is a fancy way of saying “cleaner
and organized”).

Don't miss out on the cleaning fun!

Cleaning times are as follows:

Sunday, August 13 after Minyan (about 9 am) - 1 pm
Monday, August 14 after Minyan (about 8 pm) - 9 pm
Tuesday, August 15 after Minyan (about 8 pm) - 9 pm

Show up at any of these times, and you will be welcomed and cheered.

As we clean and organize, we will chat about the new committees we are
forming to enhance the Etz Ahaim community.

You can learn more about these new synagogue committees:
- Hospitality
- Youth
- Hesed
- House
- Programming, Publicity, and Events

Hope to see you there!

For more information, please contact Ken Anolik (hpnjdoc@gmail.com).


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Aug
10
10:00 PM22:00

August 11 — Parashat Re'eh/Shabbat Mevarchim Ḥodesh Elul

Rabbi Eliyahu Tal - Rabbi
Ray Morris - President

Visit our website for the latest news and copies of the bulletin.

Important Messages

  • Mabruk and Mazal Tov to Shalom and Rivqah Davydov and Family on the birth of their son. Mabruk and Mazal Tov also go to grandparents Richard and Liba Shakarchi and their family. The B’rit Milah will BE”H be held at Etz Ahaim on Tuesday morning, August 15, following Shaharit services.
  • Mabruk and Mazal Tov to our members David and Susan David on the birth of their son Yechiel ben David. Mazal Tov to the grandparents Yechie and Sharon David. Mazal tov also to the great uncle David and B.J. Simon, and great great uncle Ray and Gloria Morris.
  • Etz Ahaim's Ḥesed CommitteeIf anyone knows of a member or family of a member who is in a local hospital or nursing home, please contact our Ḥesed Committee at hesed@etzahaim.groups.io.
  • Rabbi Tal is be taking his three-week vacation starting Monday, July 31. All classes, except for Shabbat classes before and after minḥah, will be on break during this time.
  • Selichot begins on 3 Elul, which is Sunday, August 20
  • With the summer vacation season upon us, many of our regular minyaneers will be away the next two months. Please make every effort to attend our morning and evening minyanim.

Friday

  • Shaḥarit: 6:30am
  • Shir HaShirim: 6:45pm
  • Minḥa and Kabbalat Shabbat: 7:00pm
  • Candle Lighting: 7:42pm

Saturday -- Parashat Re'eh/Shabbat Mevarchim Ḥodesh Elul

  • Youth Groups for ages 3 to 8 in the Upper Classrooms: 9:30am to 11:00am
  • Recite Shema: 8:52am
  • Shaḥarit: 8:45am
    • Sermon by Aaron Spestein
    • Kiddush After Services (Sponsored by the Congregation)
  • Sefer Shoftim Class: 7:00pm (by Shelomo Beck)
  • Minḥa: 7:30pm — Followed by:
    • Light Se'udah Sh'lshit (Sponsored by Haim Baruh)
  • Arvit and End of Shabbat: 8:29pm

Sunday

  • Shaḥarit: 8:00am
  • Minḥa and Arvit: 7:00pm

Monday

  • Shaḥarit: 6:30am
  • Minḥa and Arvit: 7:00pm

Tuesday

  • Shaḥarit: 6:30am
  • Minḥa/Arvit: 7:00pm

Wednesday — Erev Rosh Ḥodesh Elul

  • Shaḥarit: 6:30am
  • Minḥa/Arvit: 7:00pm

Thursday — Rosh Ḥodesh Elul

  • Shaḥarit: 6:30am
  • Minḥa/Arvit: 7:00pm

Next Friday — Rosh Ḥodesh Elul (Rosh Hashana LaBehemot)

  • Shaḥarit: 6:30am
  • The Doctor Edward Nawy Memorial Talmud Class: (Indoors and Zoom) 7:30am
  • Minḥa: 7:00pm
  • Candle Lighting: 7:33pm

Bikur Ḥolim of Congregation Etz Ahaim

The Regency Nursing Home is currently closed to visitors. Drivers and coordinators needed. Call (732) 572-7181 for more information. The congregation extends refua shelema wishes to:

  • Asher ben Mazel
  • Yacov Gideon ben Miriam
  • Liba Shaindel bat Chava Sachs
  • Gershon ben Sara
  • Dvorah Shahala bat Sarah Parvin
  • Chava bat Esther
  • Lita Greenberg (Tzvia Sarah bat Golda)
  • Linda Balavram (Emmunah bat Sara)
  • Sara Shifra bat Yehudit
  • Sharona Bella bat Malka
  • Yosef Daniel ben Feige
  • Leah Chana bat Batya Chaya
  • Leah Chava bat Shayna

If you like to add someone to this list, or merely want the Rabbi to say a Mi Shaberaḥ on someone after Torah reading on Shabbat, please go to our webpage and fill out the form.

News and Events

Community News

Rabbi Eli Reisman will be speaking to men and women at Khal Chassidim, 46 N. 8th Ave on Shabbos, Parshas Re'eh, August 12, at 6:40pm on Yayin Nesech and Stam Yeinam.

Topics will include: the basic concepts, common household problems, and industrial applications.

For more info, please contact Marsha Eiserman at 347-203-7906.

Attention Single Parents If you are in need of assistance, please WhatsApp/text: Julia 917-847-0171, Rikki 732-742-4559, Rivka 732-762-0490. We will connect you with a volunteer who is available to help out!

Ḥaverim of Middlesex County is a volunteer non-profit organization committed to helping community members in their time of need. Members respond to all non-medical emergencies including automotive help and house emergencies. Their phone number is 732-844-3577.

Emergency Contacts for Our Community

  • Hatzalah of Middlesex County: 732-456-6666
  • Chaverim of Middlesex County: 732-844-3577

The 2023/2024 Highland Park First Aid Squad Discount Cards are now available. Help support the Highland Park First Aid Squad by purḥasing its discount cards.

There are 2 cards: one for $30 or both for $50. The cards may be purḥased at Jerusalem Pizza and the Ahavas Achim office as well as from Deborah and Ari Lewitter and Yossi Bendek.

The Bikur Cholim of Raritan Valley is excited to announce a Senior Visitation Program. This program will provide weekly or biweekly visitation to members of our community. We are looking for community members who are 18 years and older to volunteer.

If you would like to volunteer or to hear more information about this program please contact Cindy Baruch at 908-309-8818 or email her at cindy.baruch@verizon.net

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Iron Faith — Stories of Faith and Sacrifice
Jul
27
6:30 PM18:30

Iron Faith — Stories of Faith and Sacrifice

Congregation Etz Ahaim presents in cooperation with Project Inspire the inspirational film Iron Faith to be shown at the synagogue on Tisha b’Av.

It is a profound story of Russian Jews who sacrificed their lives to practice Torah and Mitzvot behind the Iron Curtain, as well as those from Israel and America who risked their own lives to go behind the Iron Curtain to spread Torah and Mitzvot. It is an amazing message of faith and sacrifice that is relevant to our lives today.

The congregation would like to thank our generous sponsor Joshua haKohen for bringing us this event.

The film will be shown at Congregation Etz Ahaim, 230 Denison Street, Highland Park, NJ at 6:20 p.m. on Tisha b’Av, Thursday, July 27, 2023.

 

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Special Shabbaton Kiddush — June 24
Jun
24
11:45 AM11:45

Special Shabbaton Kiddush — June 24

Special Shabbaton Kiddush — June 24

Become a Sponsor

The Kiddush is free and open to all. However, sponsors allow us to make the kiddush special. Won’t you please help us sponsor by clicking the link below.

Go to our webpage, and click on the Become a Sponsor Button.

Become a Sponsor

  • Shabbat Services 8:45 a.m. at Congregation Etz Ahaim

  • Special Guest Comments by the Sephardic Brotherhood

  • Kiddush 11:45 a.m.

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Special Shabbaton June 23 and 24
Jun
23
6:30 PM18:30

Special Shabbaton June 23 and 24

Congregation Etz Ahaim
and
The Sephardic Brotherhood

Are pleased to present a Special Shabbaton June 23 & 24, 2023

Featuring a Tribute to the Community of Jews from Greece and Turkey

No More Reservations

  • Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat Services at Shul: 6:30 pm at Congregation Etz Ahaim, 230 Denison St, Highland Park, NJ 08904

  • Friday night Shabbat Dinner at 7:30pm at The Bridge Turkish & Mediterranean Grill, 315 Raritan Ave, Highland Park, NJ 08904 (Dietary Laws Strictly Observed)

  • Divrei Torah by Rabbi Eliyahu Tal on the Jews of Salonika

Prepaid reservations by June 15, 2023 - no walk-ins will be permitted.

  • $48 per adult

  • 13 and over, $20 per child 5-12

  • No charge for children 4 and under

Note: Our processor charges us a slight fee for credit card usage. Please help us by offering to pay this fee. To do this, choose the items that include the service fee. Thank you.

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Jun
19
8:00 PM20:00

Rosh Hodesh Tammuz — Women's Paint Night

On Monday June 19 at 8:00pm. Congregation Etz Ahaim presents a Rosh Hodesh Tammuz: Women's Paint Night.

Come out for an inspirational night with words of Torah and painting the Kotel with your instructor Leora Wenger.  

  • Refreshments will be served.

  • Opportunities for sponsorships are available.

Please contact 954-297-3782

To sign up for our mailing list, send an email to etzahaimwomen+subscribe@groups.io

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Apr
26
6:00 PM18:00

Highland Park Yom HaAtzma’ut Celebration

The Borough of Highland Park, in conjunction with The ROC of NJ, invites members of the community to an Israeli Flag Raising for Yom Ha'atzmaut/Israel Independence Day, on Wednesday April 26th at 6:00 pm.

This event will take place by the flagpole in the parking lot of the Highland Park Community Center, 220 South 6th Ave. Featured speakers include Mayor Elsie Foster, Councilman Matt Hale, Rabbi Michael Ribalt - Head of School of RPRY, The ROC Founder/President/CEO Josh Pruzansk, and others TBD. As this flag raising for Yom Ha'atzmaut is a new event in town, we hope for broad participation and support.

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Venahafoch Hu Purim Party
Mar
6
6:40 PM18:40

Venahafoch Hu Purim Party

The Daughters of Etz Ahaim
PRESENTS

Donations Welcomed. Please send a check made out to the Rabbi.

Celebrate Purim with us! Enjoy an evening of music, food, and family fun. Highlights of the event include:

  • DJ Playing the latest hits and classic Purim Tunes

  • Hot Buffet with Delicious Foods

  • Face Painting for the kids (and adults)

  • Special treats for children

  • Babysitting provided for parents

Monday, March 6 after Megillah Reading (Around 7:00pm)

Congregation Etz Ahaim
230 Denison Street
Highland Park, New Jersey 08904

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Feb
28
7:00 PM19:00

Community Meeting on Replacing Stop & Shop

  • Higland Park Community Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Mayor & Council will host a community meeting on Tuesday, February 28th at 7:00pm at the Community Center to discuss the Borough’s efforts to support replacement of the supermarket at 424 Raritan Avenue.

There will be a presentation on what’s been done to date, the key elements of the redevelopment plan that is being drafted for the site, and transportation and other initiatives to ensure food access when the store closes.

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Etz Ahaim Sunday Breakfast
Feb
26
9:00 PM21:00

Etz Ahaim Sunday Breakfast

Increase Our Joy B”H During the Month of Adar!

Etz Ahaim Sunday Breakfast

  • Sunday, February 26, 2023

  • Shaharit 8:00 am

  • Breakfast 9:00 - 10:00 am

Welcome to all and please consider a sponsorship with a donation below of $18 or $36 in advance.

Donate

RSVP  below by Wednesday, February 22 — Space is limited - please reserve today.

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Feb
20
10:30 PM22:30

Sponsor Mishloach Manot at Etz Ahaim

It is hard to believe that yet another year has passed.

Just as always, we feel that it is important to spread happiness and Purim cheer! One of the special Mitzvot we have on this holiday is giving to others, very commonly done with Mishloach Manot.

Sharing with others and bringing them happiness is so important, and that is simply what this is all about.

Daughters of Etz Ahaim will be delivering a Mishloach Manot package to each family of Etz Ahaim on Purim day as a collective gift from all of the Etz Ahaim community through your generous donations. We hope to continue to help each of us fulfill this wonderful Mitzvah in the same beautiful way we have the last few years.

With this, we ask for those who are able and interested to help sponsor this effort and make it possible.  Please feel free to make your donation online at Etzahaim.org or mail your donation checks payable to Daughters of Etz Ahaim, and note for Mishloach Manot on your check.  Please fill out the form and send it with your check to 230 Denison Street, Highland Park NJ 08904.

Sincerely,

Gloria Morris and Rachel Yarmush
Co-Chairs

Sponsor Mishloach Manot
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Feb
19
to Feb 26

16th Annual Purim Costume Gemache — Chaya Freidman A"H Memorial

  • Congregation Ohav Emeth (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

CHAYA FRIEDMAN A"H MEMORIAL

1,000 + Costumes for all ages

  • Sun Feb 19 10am-3pm

  • Thur Feb 23 6pm-9pm

  • Sun Feb 26 10am-3pm

Pick a "New to You" Purim Costume.

Suggested donation of $5 per costume borrowed.

The OE Purim Costume GEMACH is open to benefit the whole community. Proceeds will help support OE's Youth Department programs.

Email ecostumegemach@gmail.com with any questions and to donate your old costumes

Congregation Ohav Emeth, 415 Raritan Ave., Highland Park, NJ

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Jan
13
to Feb 13

Support Our Eruv!

  • Congregation Etz Ahaim (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS
Support Our Eruv

When Mrs. Irwin Asher moved to nearby Edison a little more than a year ago, she found it difficult to make friends.

The primary time for socializing was Saturday, and for the last seven years Mrs. Asher had spent her Saturdays at home with her children. It wasn't just that Mrs. Asher was a doting mother; she simply was observing the restrictions of the Jewish Sabbath.

This is a story from the New York Times for December 17, 1978. You can find the entire article on the Highland Park Eruv’s website. The article is about the very first eruv in New Jersey right here in our community.

Without an eruv, Mts. Asher was stuck in the house since she couldn’t use a stroller to take her kids out. With the eruv, Mrs. Asher was able to visit friends, go to the park with her kids, and come to the synagogue for services. Families could bring a bottle of wine with them when they were invited somewhere else for Shabbat. Men could bring their tallits to services and take sefers to their chavrutas for Shabbat study.

The eruv has gone a long way from 1975. It has expanded as more people move to our community. In the old days, you would have to call Rabbi Pesach Raymond himself to find out if the eruv is up for the week. Now, you can get an automatic notification of the eruv’s status via email or Twitter. You can see the status by going to the Eruv’s webpage, or its Facebook page. You can even call the automated eruv hotline.

Each and every week, over a dozen volunteers roam Highland Park, Edison, and New Brunswick to check the eruv. If they find a problem, they report it. The problem is fixed quickly, so the eruv will be up for the coming Shabbat.

The eruv helps this community grow. Every month, dozens of people from outside of the Highland Park check out the eruv’s website. These are Jewish families who are thinking of moving to Highland Park and checking to see if our community has an eruv. Most Jews say they wouldn’t think of moving to a community without an eruv.

It takes the time of the dedicated volunteers, but it also takes money to maintain the physical eruv and the technical infrastructure that keeps us inform of its status. The Highland Park/New Brunswick Eruv organization asks each synagogue whose members depend upon the eruv to ask each of their members to donate $36 for the maintenance of the eruv.

For the next thirty days, Congregation Etz Ahaim will be asking its members to help support the eruv. If you use the eruv please donate. Even if you don’t carry on Shabbat, you still benefit from the eruv because it helps our community to grow, so again, please donate.

The optional recommended donation is $36, but you may donate any amount you like. Click on the button below to donate.

NOTE: When you donate $36, our credit card processor takes out a small transaction charge. We would appreciate if you donate $37.39 to pay the transaction fees and guarantee the eruv gets your full $36 donation.

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