A welcoming community of Jewish life, worship and learning
A welcoming community of Jewish life, worship and learning
Welcome
We are a congregation that is more than 165 years old that works together to define our own independent path. We strive daily to be faithful to the teachings of the Torah, dedicated to the acquisition of Jewish knowledge, and committed to the well-being of the Jewish people in America, Israel and around the world.
We would love to meet you.
Message from TBA President Julie A. Silbermann
Dear fellow Temple B’nai Abraham congregants,
I write to you as your newly elected president of the congregation. For those of you who know me, I am about to serve my second turn as president—having also served from 2013 to 2017. For those of you that I have yet to meet, I look forward to doing so via Zoom or, even better, soon in person. Read more>>
________________________
Mission Statement > History >
Clergy> Staff Directory>
Julie A. Silbermann, TBA President>>
Temple Profile>
Reopening Plan Update
Dear TBA friends,
It is with excitement and joy that we write to you about our newest COVID-19 policy updates, allowing us to physically return to the Temple life we’ve missed to a higher degree. Please note that these policy changes are approved by our Reopening Taskforce and in full compliance with the CDC and other COVID-19 protocols, and they are always subject to change.
Beginning May 19, 2021 (when Governor Murphy’s current round of directives go into effect),
- For indoor services (evenings and mornings),
- Sanctuary capacity will increase to 250 people.
- Masks continue to be required for everyone in the sanctuary.
- Singing is permitted with appropriate social distancing.
- Entrance to the sanctuary requires either proof of full vaccination or a negative test result from a PCR or rapid test taken within 72 hours of services.
- Proof of vaccination or testing will be required at the door.
- For B’nai Mitzvah services, each B’nai Mitzvah family is now permitted 100 people. 50 additional congregant slots are open at each B’nai Mitzvah service.For outdoor services (evenings only),
- With proof of vaccination, no mask is required.
- Proof of vaccination will have to be shown twice: once at the entrance to the building, once to the usher.
- Vaccination records and negative tests are not required to attend outdoor services.
- Masks are required by anyone not vaccinated.
- For all services,
- Sign-up protocols for indoor and outdoor services remain as they were, with online sign-up and COVID-19 questionnaires and walk-ins welcome.
- If you are vaccinated, please either carry your vaccination card with you or keep a picture available on your phone.
- For outdoor events and programs,
- Regular catering according to pre-COVID-19 temple guidelines is permitted, with the following additional guidelines:
- Appropriate PPE is required for all catering staff.
- Masks are required for all when not eating.
- Social distancing is required.
- Specific guidelines are available upon request from Gail Milchman, Executive Director.
For the summer of 2021,
- The Early School camp will be open for full days.
Beginning in the fall of 2021,
- The JLP will be open for in-person learning, with hybrid learning available.
- The Early School will be open for full days.
Additional outdoor and all indoor program information will follow, pending Governor Murphy’s directives after May 19, 2021.
High Holiday information will be forthcoming as well.
Thank you for being in sacred partnership with us as we continue to move forward.
L’shalom,
Rabbi David Z. Vaisberg
Julie A. Silbermann, President
Gail Milchman, Executive Director
Sign up Genius links for Services on May 7 & May 8
SignUpGenius Links for Services
Friday, May 7: Sign up to attend services in person
Saturday, May 8: Sign up to attend services in person
Weekly Services
Live streaming is available when Shabbat services are onsite.
-Friday evening: Kabbalat Shabbat, Siddur Hadash PDF
–Saturday morning: Shabbat Shaharit, Siddur Hadash PDF
– Shabbat Behar-Behukotai B’not Mitzvah of Marley Holland and Sadie Zwerman PDF
–Saturday afternoon Shabbat Mincha: Siddur Hadash PDF
– Shabbat Behar-Behukotai Minha Bat Mitzvah of Addison Lebersfeld PDF
-Minyan of Comfort Ma’ariv service PDF
–Weekday Shacharit Siddur Sim Shalom PDF
–Weekday, Siddur Hadash– Maariv PDF
– Shacharit Festival siddur PDF
Shabbat Services
Join Rabbi Vaisberg, Cantor Epstein and Max Edwards, Rabbinical Assistant for Shabbat Services on Facebook Live on the TBA Facebook page
Friday, May 7
6:30 PM Kabbalat Shabbat Services: Teacher Appreciation Shabbat, via Live Control or Facebook Live. Sign up to attend Services in person
Saturday, May 8
9:00 AM Parashat Hashavua: Behar-Bechukotai
10:00 AM Shabbat Morning Services, via Live Control or Facebook Live. Sign up to attend Services in person
Marley Holland, daughter of Jennifer & Seth Holland, will become a Bat Mitzvah.
Sadie Zwerman, daughter of Amy Rothenberg & Evan Zwerman, will become a Bat Mitzvah.
5:00 PM Mincha Service, via Live Control
Addison Lebersfeld, daughter of Illana & Jason Lebersfeld, will become a Bat Mitzvah.
8:45 PM Havdalah via Facebook Live
QR code Kabbalat Shabbat Siddur 2020 small
QR Kabbalat Shabbat Siddur
QR code Shabbat Shaharit Siddur small
QR code Shabbat Shaharit Siddur
Service Siddurs PDFs
Service Siddurs
-Friday evening: Kabbalat Shabbat, Siddur Hadash PDF
-Holiday: Friday evening Kabbalat Shabbat, Siddur Festival PDF
–Saturday morning: Shabbat Shaharit, Siddur Hadash PDF
-Holiday: Shacharit Festival siddur PDF
–Shabbat HaGadol Parashat Tzav PDF
-Shabbat Pesach Nissan 5781 PDF
–Saturday afternoon Shabbat Mincha: Siddur Hadash PDF
-Holiday: Erev Simchat Torah PDF
-Holiday: Simchat Torah Reading PDF
––Weekday Shacharit Siddur Sim Shalom PDF
-Evening: Havdalah PDF
-Minyan of Comfort Ma’ariv service PDF
–Hanukkah Blessings and Songs PDF ( for our Zoom candle lightings!)
Upcoming Events
Mitzvah of the Month Collection: PBJ Sandwiches & Socks
Mon, May 3, 2021 | 9:00 am
Sisterhood- The Women’s Connection General Meeting
Fri, May 7, 2021 | 10:00 am
Open Hang Out Zoom Room with Cantor Epstein
Fri, May 7, 2021 | 12:00 pm
A Cinema Series Addressing Moral Issues
Mon, May 10, 2021 | 7:30 pm
Rosh Hodesh Sivan: The Transmission of Wisdom with Morah Melissa Weiner
Tue, May 11, 2021 | 7:30 pm
Live streaming is available when Shabbat services are onsite.
May Events sponsored by the Social Action Committee
–Mitzvah of the Month for May—PBJ Sandwiches & Socks
–Ongoing PBJ Sandwich Making Mitzvah Opportunity!
–Raising Social Consciousness Through Cinema
Monday, May 10, 7:30 PM
DAVID ATTENBOROUGH: A LIFE ON OUR PLANET (2020)
Click on image for May Upcoming Events
Community Resources
__________________________
Jewish Vocational Service of MetroWest (JVS)
Ace Your Next Interview In this Zoom workshop, Jean will discuss interview challenges, how to prepare, two key skills: MAP and ZAP, strategies for handling tough questions, and the role of body language. Interactive and fun, register to make sure you have the best interviewing skills that will help you land your next job. If you’re looking for an interactive skill-building opportunity, role up your sleeves–this Workshop is for YOU!
Thursday, May 13, 10:00 AM. Guest speaker: Jean Baur, Career Coach & Author. This program is free and open to the public. Advance registration required. For more information, please contact Meryl Kanner at 862-704-2233.
_______________________
-Career Counseling Workshops
HAVE YOU LOST YOUR JOB DUE TO COVID-19? Jewish Vocational Service of MetroWest Can Help!
The COVID-19 health pandemic has affected the employment of MILLIONS of Americans. If you’re one of them, Jewish Vocational Service of MetroWest is here to give you the tools, training, and support you need to be successful in your job search. For more information about how JVS of MetroWest can help YOU, contact Meryl Kanner at 862-704-2233, or mkanner@jvsnj.org
Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest of New Jersey > Resources
Passport to Israel Grant
All Jewish high school students (grade 8 – gap year) who reside in the Greater MetroWest community are eligible to receive a grant from Federation for travel to Israel on an educational peer group trip. Qualified programs include those organized by a synagogue, school, youth group, or organization for a minimum of 10 days. Many programs qualify. Guidelines apply. Additional need-based funding may be available. Information on Jewish travel is available here or contact Justine Reuben at jreuben@jfedgmw.org or (973) 929-3054.
Keeping the Stories Alive and Other Assistance
Federation’s Holocaust Council provides assistance to survivors in times of need, including help obtaining the vaccine. We are also eager to connect with survivors – and 2nd and 3rd generation survivors – to help keep their stories alive through educational programs. With their permission, please provide the contact information of survivors and their families to Jamie Carus at jcarus@jfedgmw.org or (973) 929-3067.
Free Dental Assistance for Survivors
Federation is excited to share news about a new pro-bono dental program for Holocaust survivors established in partnership with the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. Click here to read about how the need for affordable dental care for Holocaust survivors was prioritized and is now being met through this amazing program. For more information, contact the Rutgers Dental program navigator at (973) 972-5304.
________________________________
NCJW —Contagious Conspiracies: When Disinformation Spreads Hate, Anti-Semitism and White Supremacy.
Thursday, May 13, 1:00 PM, via Zoom
Conspiracy theories and the human tendency to believe whatever satisfies our preconceptions is not new. But today’s disinformation is being spread at an unprecedented scale — encouraged by politicians, accelerated by social media, and weaponized in a way never seen before in American history. The attack on the U.S. Capitol made clear the dangerous link between these lies and violence. Join us as we discuss the threat of this new “infodemic” — from QAnon to the Jewish space laser – why people believe conspiracy theories, and what we can do now to flatten the curve of hate. Featuring our distinguished speakers: Scott Richman, Anti-Defamation League Director for the NY/NJ Region Joseph Uscinski, University of Miami Professor and author of American Conspiracy Theories
Register
_______________________________
2021 Scholarships & One Happy Camper Grants Now Available!
1- Apply now for a $1,000 One Happy Camper incentive grant! Click here!
2- Rocker Family Scholarships can help make camp affordable! Click here for details and to apply.
Contact us for free summer consultations! Click here to request a free consultation and receive a free Family Fun Kit ($50 value) of camp-inspired games and accessories. Questions, call 973.929.2972.
__________________________
Jewish Family Services – https://www.jfsmetrowest.org/
_________________________
Jewish Job Network (JJN)
In an effort to assist individuals who are in need of job search support during this economic downturn, the Livingston and West Orange communities have revived the Jewish Job Network (JJN). JJN is an informal volunteer organization serving the Jewish community in our local area. http://jewishjobnetwork.com.
______________________________
______________________________
Hebrew Free Loan of NJ http://hebrewfreeloanofnj.org/
____________________________________
NJ State COVID-19 Information Hub website https://covid19.nj.gov/
Department of Health | Communicable Disease Service | COVID-19 (nj.gov)
TBA Podcasts
Robert Atlas : Hidden Child Testimony Link>
Robert Atlas, father in law of teacher Emmy Atlas, took time to speak about his “Five First Names” and his experience as a Hidden Child in Poland during the Holocaust.
Women’s Interfaith Forum video link, January 20, 2021>
Link to all Hebrew Line by Line classes
