August 16 — Parashat Vaetḥanan/Shabbat Naḥamu

Rabbi Eliyahu Tal - Rabbi
Ray Morris - President

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

Important Messages

  • Mazal Tov to Steven and Rebekah Lipstein for their daughter Sarah’s bat mitzvah this Shabbat. The Lipsteins will be sponsoring a special kiddish in the upstairs social hall after services.
  • Purchase Your Holiday Seats Information is on our website at <https: data-preserve-html-node="true"//www.etzahaim.org/news/high-holiday-seating-2024>. Seats must be purchased and you have your Etz Ahaim account to be up to date by August 26, 2024.
  • The Next Birthday Kiddush is Saturday, September 14th. If you have a September birthday or want to honor someone with an September birthday, go to https://www.etzahaim.org/kiddush
  • All Kiddushes must be booked through our web page. This is the only way to assure that all the necessary people receive the information.
  • New families are moving to Highland Park If you hear of any new families moving to Highland Park, please inform the Hospitality Committee.
  • Contact our Hesed Committee at hesed@etzahaim.groups.io if you know of a member or family of a member who is in a local hospital or nursing home.

Friday

  • Shaḥarit: 6:30am
    • After Services: Coffee and Halacha
  • Minḥa and Kabbalat Shabbat: 7:00pm
  • Candle Lighting: 7:35pm

Saturday — Parashat Vaetḥanan/Shabbat Naḥamu

  • Youth Groups for ages 3 to 8 in the Upper Classrooms: 9:30am to End of Shaḥarit
  • Recite Shema: by 9:00am
  • Shaḥarit: 8:45am
    • Special Kiddush After Services in the upstairs social hall (Sponsored by the Lipsteins in honor of their daughter Sarah's Bat Mitzvah)
  • Minḥa: 7:10pm
    • Followed by Se'udah Sh'lshit
  • Arvit and End of Shabbat: 8:21pm

Sunday

  • Shaḥarit: 8:00am
    • Followed by Breakfast and Torah
  • Minḥa and Arvit: 7:00pm
    • Talmud — Daf HaYomi: After Minḥa/Arvit

Monday — Tu B'Av

  • Shaḥarit: 6:30am
    • After Services: Coffee and Halacha
  • Minḥa and Arvit: 7:00pm
    • Talmud — Daf HaYomi: After Minḥa/Arvit

Tuesday

  • Shaḥarit: 6:30am
    • After Services: Coffee and Halacha
  • Minḥa/Arvit: 7:00pm
    • Talmud — Daf HaYomi: After Minḥa/Arvit

Wednesday

  • Shaḥarit: 6:30am
    • After Services: Coffee and Halacha
  • Minḥa/Arvit: 7:00pm
    • Talmud — Daf HaYomi: After Minḥa/Arvit

Thursday

  • Shaḥarit: 6:30am
    • After Services: Coffee and Halacha
  • Minḥa/Arvit: 7:00pm
    • Talmud — Daf HaYomi: After Minḥa/Arvit

Next Friday

  • Shaḥarit: 6:30am
    • After Services: Coffee and Halacha
  • Minḥa: 7:00pm
  • Candle Lighting: 7:24pm

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

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.

Community News

Dr. Rebecca Cypess will speak about antisemitism in the secular world and strategies for high school and college aged students dealing with antisemitism on campus on Sunday, August 18 at 6:30pm at Congregation Ohav Emeth.

In lieu of an admission charge, please contribute to the Rabbi's Tzedakah Fund.


Sumerset Patriots outing Sunday, September 15 at 1:05pm. The Somerset Patriots will be playing the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Children who attend will be able to run the bases after the game, and it is back to school cooler lunch bag day.

Ohav Emeth is selling tickets for $12 each (transportation and food are not included). Tickets must be purchased by Monday, August 26. Make your reservations and payment at <https: data-preserve-html-node="true"//tinyurl.com/2xrzxrpy>.


Jewish Family Services has partnered with Bridge Turkish & Mediterranean Grill for an evening of casual conversation with local Holocaust Survivors on Tuesday, September 1 at 6:00pm. Bring family and friends for this special evening. Standard Bridge menu applies; $10 donation is suggested, which goes directly to JFS Holocaust Survivor Services. Space is limited, please RSVP by Friday, September 6. Contact JFS today at 732-777-1940 or office@jfsmiddlesex.org.


Grow With ACTT Achieving Change Through Torah (ACTT) has resources for 17 different topics on its website, <https: data-preserve-html-node="true"//www.actt613.org>, including Hashgachah Pratis - Divine Providence, which could help with effectively handling and growing from some of the challenges that we face in our lives.


Tomchei Shabbos needs your help! In recent weeks, there has been a significant increase in the number of families seeking assistance from Tomchei Shabbos. They need your help to ensure that Tomchei Shabbos can continue to provide the vital support that these families in our community depend on. Please visit: http://www.tomcheimc.org to donate.


Chaverim of Middlesex County is a volunteer nonprofit organization committed to helping community members in their time of need. Members respond to all non-medical emergencies including automotive help (flat tire, dead battery, locked car) and house emergencies. Their phone number is 732-844-3577.


The JFS Women's Support Group provides a safe and welcoming space for displaced homemakers seeking community and balance during major life changes. Meetings are held on the first Monday of each month from 11:00am to 12:00pm at the Jewish Family Service's North Brunswick office, 2C Blackhorse Lane.

For more information or to join the group, call: 732-777-1940 or email womenscenter@jfsmiddlesex.org.


Jewish Family Services is seeking volunteers to deliver meals to homebound seniors in Middlesex County for their Kosher Meals-on-Wheels program. Routes are available in East Brunswick and in Edison/Metuchen. You must be over age 21 , have a reliable vehicle, and available to commit to weekly deliveries once per week.

To volunteer, email office@jfsmiddlesex.org or call 732-777-1940.


Denise Hametz Dollar-a-Day of Raritan Valley makes the mitzvah of giving tzedakkah every day easy and attainable. The funds donated to DaDRV are currently being distributed by a DaDRV to twenty-three organizations in the Highland Park, Edison East Brunswick community. Join in this great mitzvah at <https: data-preserve-html-node="true"//www.dadrv.org>. For more information, email admin@dadrv.com.


The NJ Chesed and Parnossa Network (formerly The ROC of NJ) is coordinating a community-wide effort to help provide minyanim at shiva homes. We have seen a few instances where there have not been minyanim at shiva homes for Shaḥarit and Mincha/Maariv. Therefore, we have created the Shiva Minyannaire Initiative hatsApp Group. Please email: jp@therocnj.org and they will send you a link to join the WhatsApp group.


The Ladino Lounge** takes place every Thursday at 3:30pm. Sponsored by the American Ladino League.

For more information, go to <https: data-preserve-html-node="true"//tinyurl.com/ladinolounge>.


Shnainu Shidduch Group of Edison & Highland Park is a volunteer shidduch group that works to assist Orthodox Jewish singles, of all ages and hashkafot. They would like to get to now you. Please reach out to them via email so they can set up an appointment. or more information or to submit your profile, email: shidduchedisonhp@gmail.com.


It Takes a Village of Edison/Highland Park is looking for volunteers to join our dedicated network of over 70 local members! We provide support and assistance to single moms and dads with everyday tasks such as babysitting, financial guidance, errands and more. Join us and offer your skills in support of a single parent in our community! We are particularly interested in adding handymen, plumbers, and other home maintenance professionals to our volunteer roster. Please contact Rikki Samel 732 742 4559 - no commitment needed, volunteer when and how works best for you!