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Congregation B’nai Israel announces the upcoming events in March. Congregation B’nai Israel is a conservative temple located at 53 Palisade Ave. in Emerson, down the road from the Emerson Public Library.
For additional information or directions, contact the temple office at (201) 265-2272 or office@bisrael.com, or visit the temple website: www.bisrael.com.
Conversation at Hillsdale Starbucks – March 2
Rabbi Debra Orenstein of Congregation B’nai Israel in Emerson is holding “office hours” at different friendly locations in the community throughout the year, providing time to meet, ask questions, or simply share a beverage and conversation. This month she will be available on Friday, March 2 from 2:30-3:45 p.m. at the Starbucks located at 126 Broadway in Hillsdale. Adults and the after-school Starbucks crowd are invited to say hello or sit for a visit and conversation. For anyone who does not know what Rabbi Orenstein looks like, they will find her wearing a kippah (yarmulke head covering) and a smile.
“Torah Town Hall” service – March 2
Congregation B’nai Israel in Emerson will host a “Torah Town Hall” Shabbat Service on Friday, March 2 from 8-9:30 p.m. that will include a discussion of a current event “ripped from the headlines” from a Jewish perspective. As part of the synagogue’s ongoing commitment to both heritage and relevance, the temple hosts not only the “Torah Town Hall” service series, but a weekly Shabbat morning discussion and “talk back” with Rabbi Debra Orenstein about the Torah portion and how it applies in everyday life.
Services for the entire family – March 3
Congregation B’nai Israel in Emerson will offer Shabbat services for all ages on Saturday, March 3. For adults and children ages 12 and up, there is a Learning Service in the sanctuary at 10 a.m. For families with children ages 8-11, there is an age-appropriate “8-11 Club” service from 10:30-11:30 a.m. And for families with children 7 and under, there will be a “Family Shabbat program” celebrating Shabbat with song, prayer, puppets, movement, stories, and more from 10:30-11:30 a.m.
An informal lunch of pizza, salads, ice cream, and cookies will follow all services. There is no charge for any program or lunch; however, RSVP’s are appreciated, especially if any children have March, April or May birthdays, so they may be honored during the family services.
“Shabbat Across America” dinner and service – March 9
Congregation B’nai Israel in Emerson hosts its annual “Shabbat Across America” dinner on Friday, March 9 from 6:30-8 p.m. As thousands of Jews at hundreds of synagogues across America and Canada come together to eat and celebrate Shabbat, the temple will host its Shabbat dinner, with rituals, songs, and prayers around the table, led by Rabbi Debra Orenstein and Cantor Lenny Mandel. Children attending will have the opportunity to play Shabbat games. The abbreviated service, including Kaddish, will be completed in the sanctuary, until approximately 8 p.m., followed by the oneg with refreshments. The cost for the dinner is adults $17; and children (12 and under) $10 with a family cap of $45 and a grandparents cap of $60.
This program is open to the public and RSVPs are required. For additional information or to RSVP, contact the temple office.
Explore Israeli cuisine at “One Book One Community” event – March 18
Congregation B’nai Israel in Emerson, in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey, will host a “One Book One Community Event” titled “‘A Delicious Exploration of Israeli Cuisine” on Sunday, March 18 from 2-4 p.m. Recipes from this year’s book, “ZAHAV, A World of Israeli Cooking” by Michael Solomonov and Steven Cook, along with a variety of typical Israeli snacks and sweets, will be prepared and shared with the event participants. Additionally, Rabbi Debra Orenstein and her family, who recently spent six months living, studying, and eating in Israel, will share their experiences and welcome questions and conversation.
This program is free and open to the public; however, RSVPs are appreciated. For additional information or to RSVP, contact the temple office.
Special morning service – March 30
The “Fast of the First Born” will be honored at Congregation B’nai Israel in Emerson on Thursday morning, March 30, from 7:30-8:15 a.m. To commemorate being spared in Egypt, it is customary for first-born children to fast on this day. However, those who attend this service are freed of that obligation, and instead can enjoy food in celebration of achieving a milestone in Jewish learning. Rabbi Debra Orenstein will be completing Makkot, a section of the Talmud that deals with criminal law and perjury, and also includes Rabbinic stories of hope. Adults of any birth order are invited to come alone or with a first-born child they know and love.
Mega food drive through March 23
Congregation B’nai Israel in Emerson is among the participating synagogues and area agencies collecting food for the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey’s March Mega Food Drive. Nonperishable foods, including canned tuna, shelf-stable milk, beans, pasta, cereal, baby food, mac and cheese, meaty soups, peanut butter, jelly, and canned fruits and vegetables, as well as toilet paper and diapers, are among the most needed items. For more information, visit www.jfnnj.org/fooddrive.
Donations may be dropped off during temple office hours at Congregation B’nai Israel.