Rabbi Eliyahu Tal - Rabbi
Ray Morris - President
Visit our website for the latest news and copies of the bulletin.
Important Messages
- Qiddush is Sponsored by Sponsored by Chana Bishburg in memory of the one year yahrzeit of Eli Bishburg
- Se'udah Sh'lshit is sponsored by Avi Ifrach
- RPRY's Avot U'Banim will be hosted at Etz Ahaim at 6:30pm after Shabbat.
- Thanks to the Board and the President for providing tea, coffee, milk and cakes for the learners. Everyone is welcome to come to the chavruta program.
- Thanks to Sara Tal for donating white tablecloths for the library for Shabbat in memory of her grandmother Shulamit bat Mazal.
- Thanks to the Weinstein Family for their generous donation for new Sephardic books for the library.
- The Etz Ahaim Chanukah Party will be Sunday, December 29 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. If you would like to help with the planning, please contact the rabbi to be included in the WhatsApp group.
- Ḥumash & Ḥamin will be on Thursday, January 9 at 6:30am
- The Medical Writings of the Rambam is a new class that is taking place on Sunday Mornings at 7:30am.
- The Relationship between the Yosef Story and the Ḥanukah Story will be on December 25 from 10:00am to 11:00pm
- What is the Jewish Meaning of Peace/Shalom? will be on January 1 from 10:00am to 11:00pm
- 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 Ḥesed 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.
- Ḥesed Committee is looking for Volunteers Can you cook? Can you purchase a bottle of grape juice or a bag of rolls at the bakery? The Ḥesed committee is looking for people who can cook or shop for births or sad occasions. Email hesed@etzahaim.groups.io with your name and the contact information of your choice.
Friday
- Shaḥarit: 6:30am
- After Services: Coffee and Halacha
- Def Yomi: 3:20pm
- Minḥa and Kabbalat Shabbat: 4:20pm
- Candle Lighting: 4:16pm
Saturday — Parashat Vayeshev
- Youth Groups for ages 3 to 8 in the Upper Classrooms: 9:30am to End of Shacharit
- Recite Shema: by 9:00am
- Shaḥarit: 8:45am
- Qiddush After Services (Is Is Sponsored by Chana Bishburg in memory of the one year yahrteit of Eli Bishburg)
- Navi Class: 3:05pm
- Minḥa: 3:50pm — Followed by:
- Se'udah Sh'lshit (Sponsored by Avi Ifrach)
- Arvit and End of Shabbat: 5:04pm
- End of Shabbat Rabbenu Tam: 5:46pm
- Daf Yomi: 5:50pm
Sunday
- Rambam Class: 7:30am
- Shaḥarit: 8:00am
- Followed by Breakfast and Torah
- Minḥa and Arvit: 4:20pm
- Talmud — Daf HaYomi: After Minḥa/Arvit
Monday
- Shaḥarit: 6:30am
- After Services: Coffee and Halacha
- Class: Halacha in Depth: 2:30pm
- Pre-Minḥa Class 4:00pm
- Minḥa and Arvit: 4:20pm
- Talmud — Daf HaYomi: After Minḥa/Arvit
- Winter Chavruta Program: 6:30pm
Tuesday
- Shaḥarit: 6:30am
- After Services: Coffee and Halacha
- Class: Halacha in Depth: 2:30pm
- Pre-Minḥa Class 4:00pm
- Minḥa/Arvit: 4:20pm
- Talmud — Daf HaYomi: After Minḥa/Arvit
- Winter Chavruta Program: 6:30pm
Wednesday — First Night Hanukah
- Shaḥarit: 6:30am
- After Services: Coffee and Halacha
- Class: Halacha in Depth: 2:30pm
- Pre-Minḥa Class 4:00pm
- Minḥa/Arvit: 4:20pm
- Talmud — Daf HaYomi: After Minḥa/Arvit
- Light Hanukah Candles: 5:00pm
- Winter Chavruta Program: 6:30pm
Thursday - Second Night Hanukah
- Shaḥarit: 8:00am
- After Services: Coffee and Halacha
- Class: Halacha in Depth: 2:30pm
- Insights on the Parasha: 4:00pm
- Minḥa/Arvit: 4:20pm
- Talmud — Daf HaYomi: After Minḥa/Arvit
- Light Hanukah Candles: 5:01pm
- Winter Chavruta Program: 6:30pm
Next Friday — Third Night of Hanukah
- Shaḥarit: 6:30am
- After Services: Coffee and Halacha
- Daf Yomi: 3:25pm
- Minḥa: 4:25pm
- Light Hanukah Candles: 4:15pm
- Candle Lighting: 4:20pm
Bikur Ḥolim of Congregation Etz Ahaim
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)
- Esther Gittel bat Baila (Esther Nashman)
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
Life lessons through the Chumash A unique learning series for women given by Mrs. Chedva Sarna. Motzei Shabbos 1/4 at the home of Sarah Leifer 131 N. 5th Ave Highland Park
Wednesday night 1/15 at the home of Sara Scott 22 Celler Rd. Edison Time- 8:30 PM
The 2nd Annual Shuk to the Core, Israeli Vendor Fair will be held on Motzei Shabbat, December 21 from 7:00pm to 11:00pm at Congregation Ohr Torah.
Come to show your support for artists and vendors from all over Israel. Discover an array of products, including jewelry, clothing, Judaica, handcrafted goods, artisanal woodwork, sculptures, toys and games and artwork in various mediums. You'll also find kippot, designer clothing, and fragrance items.
Suggested entrance fee: $10 per person. Your contribution goes directly to the vendors.
For more information, call 516-636-1618 or visit: <https: data-preserve-html-node="true"//shuktothecore.com>.
Renowned Speaker Rabbi Moshe Hauer Executive Director of the OU is speaking at Congregation Ohev Emeth on Sunday, December 22 at 7:00pm The topic will be Then and Now: The War for Truth
Ahavas Achim Mitzvah Fair is on Sunday, December 22nd. Over a dozen activities. Tickets are $10 per person and $35 per family in advance or $15 per person and $50 family at the door. Go to https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/mitzvah/2024 to buy tickets.
The Ultimate Chanukah Chagigah sponsored by Congregation Ahavas Achim and RPRY will take place at Rutgers Chabad on December 28th at 7:30pm. The event will include a full hot dairy buffet, a make your own sundae bar, a concert, dancing, and kumit left by Dovid Perlman and the Avi Maza Orchestra. Tickets are $36 for individual and $125 for families. Go to https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/mitzvah/chanukah to purchase tickets.
Torah Links of Middlesex Country's Chanukah Extravaganza will take place on Monday, December 30 at 6:00pm. This will include a hot dairy buffet, menorah lighting, donut stuffing and decorating, a ventriloquist, and Dreeidel drop. $10.00 per person. Tickets and RSVP at <https: data-preserve-html-node="true"//www.middlesextorahlinks.org/chanukah>.
A Jewish Agenda for New Jersey Join The Jewish Community Forum of Raritan Valley on Saturday night, January 4 at 8:30pm with Rabbi and New Jersey Assemblyman Avi Schnall. Light refreshment will be served.
An Evening of Inspriation with Rabbi Josh Strum on Motzi Shabbat, January 4 at 8:00pm at the home of Michie and Sari Clerer to support Reneal. Learn all their is to know about kidney donation.
Email RN25885@renewal.org for more information
The Edison-Highland Park Shabbaton is meeting January 10 to January 11 for frum professionals ages 28 to 45 interested in meeting other people, relax and have fun.
Shabbaton is $180. Contact Shidduchprojects@gmail.com to RSVP
Israeli Folk Dance is open to all women of the community in Ohr Torah's social hall on alternating Wednesdays from 8:00pm to 9:00pm. This is a free session for all dance enthusiasts where anyone can teach and request dances they know.
Please email: naomi.caplan@gmail.com for more information.
Caregiver Support Group is sponsored by Bikur Cholim of Raritan Valley. This groups meets twice each month and is facilitated by a licensed social worker. For more information, contact Sharon Glaser at 732-887-3653 or email sharonnglaser@gmail.com.
Bereavement Support Group facilitated by Marnie Kean, LCSW. Advanced registration is required to attend. If you plan to attend a session please contact Esther Fendrick, Director of Adult Enrichment & Engagement, at 732-593-5969 or email efendrick@jccmc.org, by 6:00pm on the Monday before the session.
For more information, please contact Esther Fendrick. This program is co-sponsored by The Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey.
Highland Park's Lunch with Friends program urgently needs volunteers to assist with serving meals and engaging with senior attendees. Your presence on Mondays & Wednesdays can brighten their day and foster a sense of community. Visit: https://tinyurl.com/3457wkwz for more information.
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.
The ROC of New Jersey's Jersey Employment Assistance Initiative can assist you by offering resumé coaching, interview coaching, LinkedIn networking coaching, and finding a mentor in your field. Over 100 of your neighbors have already received assistance with their job search from The ROC of NJ absolutely free.
For more information, please visit: <https: data-preserve-html-node="true"//www.therocnj.org/employment>.
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.
Bikur Cholim is looking for volunteer drivers to help people get to and from their medical appointments. They also need volunteers to stock the St. Peter's locker on Thursday nights. If you can help with either of these mitzvot, please call Cindy Baruch at 908- 309-8818 for more information.
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 WhatsApp Group. Please email: jp@therocnj.org and they will send you a link to join the WhatsApp group.
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!