New Jersey Jewish News

Sean Penn raps Bolivia for jailing NY man

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:52 GMT

Actor blasts corrupt officials in testimony in Ostreicher case

Actor and movie director Sean Penn added his star power to the effort by a NJ lawmaker to free a Jewish-American businessman being held in Bolivia on what many believe are trumped-up charges. »Read More

Published in: New Jersey News

Ritual beauty

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:05 GMT

Beha’alotcha Numbers 8:1-12:16

Freud did not have our sedra specifically in mind when he wrote his treatises on religion. »Read More

Published in: Touch of Torah

Bruriah’s 50th to be marked at JEC gala

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:43 GMT

As part of its 73rd annual gala dinner, on Monday, June 3, the Jewish Educational Center of Elizabeth will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of its Bruriah High School for Girls. »Read More

Published in: Central News

Israeli urges integration of Arabs, haredim

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:37 GMT

In Whippany address, NGO head asks Jews to promote diversity

Mike Prashker believes Israel, still struggling to integrate its Arab and fervently Orthodox minorities, has a long way to go on its journey to becoming a full democracy. »Read More

Published in: Greater MetroWest News

Chant expert seeks ‘healing of the spirit’

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:33 GMT

At Montclair workshop, Renewal rabbi teaches a new approach to text

In three-part harmony, a group of more than 50 people — mostly women, mostly middle-aged and older — began chanting a verse from Leviticus: Aish tamid tukad al hamizbei’ach; lo tichbeh (“Fire always shall be kept burning on the altar; it shall not go out”). »Read More

Published in: Greater MetroWest News

NJ rabbis witness melee at the Kotel

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:22 GMT

‘Women of the Wall’ endure hostile reaction to monthly prayers

When Amy Small joined the Women of the Wall at the Kotel on May 10, she was not expecting a set of experiences that ranged from the joyous and spiritual to the scary and stomach-churning. »Read More

Published in: Greater MetroWest News

Jolie choice echoes among Jewish women

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:17 GMT

Star’s surgery reminds at-risk Ashkenazim of need for genetic testing

Actress Angelina Jolie’s revelation of her prophylactic double mastectomy is being considered a “game changer” by Jewish physicians. »Read More

Published in: New Jersey News

Menendez heading to Israel and Jordan

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:14 GMT

U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) met with 14 state Jewish leaders May 17 in preparation for his first trip to the Middle East since becoming chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. »Read More

Published in: New Jersey News

AJC members get charge out of electric car

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:09 GMT

Test-driving Teslas, and seeking a future without OPEC oil

Amy Reisen Freundlich climbed behind the wheel of an all-electric car, took it for a test drive on the JFK Parkway, and proclaimed the experience to be “unbelievably cool.” »Read More

Published in: New Jersey News

Arts and aging: A perfect combination

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:04 GMT

“There is nothing more notable in Socrates than that he found time, when he was an old man, to learn music and dancing, and thought it time well spent.” »Read More

Published in: Life & Times

Jewish Major Leaguers at the quarter mark

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:02 GMT

With about 40 games gone by — one quarter of the season — here’s a look at how the JMLs are faring. »Read More

Published in: Sports

List mania

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:45 GMT

Of making many lists there is no end. »Read More

Published in: Editor's Column

A vital incentive

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:43 GMT

Charitable giving is a time-honored American tradition that strengthens communities and sets the standard for the rest of the world. »Read More

Published in: Editorial

Much ado about an election three years away

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:32 GMT

It seems all we’re hearing from the political mavens these days is how Hillary Clinton is not only the inevitable 2016 Democratic nominee, but a shoo-in as the next president. »Read More

Published in: Op-Eds

South Orange interfaith forum promotes ‘gun safety’ measures

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:25 GMT

Activist, lawmaker urge ‘common sense’ limits on weapons, ammo

By sitting at home doing nothing and adopting a policy of passivity,” said Rabbi Mark Cooper, “we’re responsible for enabling those who are inclined to commit acts of violence to succeed.” »Read More

Published in: Greater MetroWest News

Support grows for JFS community garden

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:14 GMT

Teenage philanthropists, volunteers pitch in to plant fresh produce

In its first year, the community garden on Westfield Avenue in Elizabeth yielded around 800 pounds of fruits and vegetables; this summer its gardeners expect to harvest twice as much. »Read More

Published in: Greater MetroWest News

They’re once, twice, three times Orwellian

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:01 GMT

Plausible deniability is a term coined by the CIA in the Kennedy years to describe the withholding of information from senior officials in order to protect them from repercussions in the event that illegal or unpopular activities became public knowledge. »Read More

Published in: Op-Eds

Telling Jerusalem’s story through its many conquests

Mon, 20 May 2013 20:31 GMT

Jerusalem, a city holy to three religions, has had a tumultuous past, changing hands through numerous invasions that each transformed the city. »Read More

Published in: Middlesex News

Local basketball quartet headed for Israel

Mon, 20 May 2013 20:13 GMT

The last — and only — time Jaclyn Kates of Colts Neck visited Israel was eight years ago, when she went to see her brother Mitchell win top honors in the 17th Maccabiah Games as a member of the Junior Boys’ basketball team. This year she will be the second from her family who are members of the Monmouth County basketball contingent going for the gold, as a member of Team USA in the Open Women’s basketball division at the 19th games, set to begin July 18. »Read More

Published in: Sports

Women’s event demonstrates ‘good deeds’

Mon, 20 May 2013 20:09 GMT

Exemplifying the theme “One Good Deed Leads to Another,” 19 women from throughout Monmouth County were recognized for their service to the community at The Main Event of the Jewish Federation of Monmouth County Women’s Philanthropy, May 8 at Congregation Magen David in West Deal. »Read More

Published in: Monmouth News

Pioneer woman cantor to leave post at CBI

Mon, 20 May 2013 20:06 GMT

Marla Barugel sees ‘endless possibilities’ after 26 years at Rumson shul

When Marla Barugel was invested as a cantor in 1987, it was a milestone event; she was one of the first two women to become hazanot in the Conservative movement. Now Barugel is reaching another milestone: After 26 years at Congregation B’nai Israel, she is moving on and, at the end of June, will become cantor emerita of the Rumson synagogue. »Read More

Published in: Monmouth News

‘Comfort’ food served at hospital pantry

Mon, 20 May 2013 20:01 GMT

Kosher provisions available to visitors at CentraState

Personal need sparked Jolie Fromm to undertake a project that has provided gastronomic benefits to members of Monmouth County’s observant Jewish community at a time when “comfort food” is greatly appreciated. »Read More

Published in: Monmouth News

Preschool aims to nurture ‘artistic soul’

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:55 GMT

Anew preschool opening in West Long Branch next September aims to “discover, nurture, and develop the innate artistic soul of each child,” said Chani Schapiro, educational director at Chabad of the Shore, the sponsoring organization. »Read More

Published in: Monmouth News

Film features NJ survivors rescued as kids

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:50 GMT

Three local residents escaped the fate of the nearly 1.5 million children killed by the Nazis when they were included among 50 Jewish children rescued by a Philadelphia couple whose story was told in a recent HBO documentary. »Read More

Published in: Monmouth News

Synagogues get help in mapping the future

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:56 GMT

For Highland Park Conservative Temple-Congregation Anshe Emeth, the decision by United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism to offer a one-year guided strategic planning process could not have come at a better time. »Read More

Published in: New Jersey News

‘Sisters’ seek peace among Jews, Muslims

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:51 GMT

When Sheryl Olitzky went to Poland several years ago, she was horrified by the hatred that resulted in the deaths of so many of the country’s Jews during the Holocaust. »Read More

Published in: Middlesex News

Exhibit highlights Albanians who saved Jews

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:46 GMT

When European countries closed their doors to desperate refugees, Albania stood out as a notable exception. »Read More

Published in: Middlesex News

Congregation welcomes first new Torah

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:40 GMT

With song, dance, and a parade, about 350 members of Congregation B’nai Tikvah in North Brunswick welcomed its first new Torah scroll in its 32-year history. »Read More

Published in: Middlesex News

For shuls to flourish, rabbis need mission

Mon, 20 May 2013 17:33 GMT

I recently read a lecture delivered by Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, chancellor of Yeshiva University, delivered in 1968 at the 16th Conference of Anglo-Jewish Preachers at the South Manchester Synagogue in Manchester, England. »Read More

Published in: Op-Eds

One Dr. Ruth honors another at Lion lunch

Tue, 14 May 2013 17:12 GMT

Dr. Ruth Westheimer urged Jewish women philanthropists to “make believe tonight is Friday night” — and she wasn’t talking about lighting Shabbat candles. »Read More

Published in: Greater MetroWest News

Wilf family gift boosts survivor program

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:58 GMT

Even when their attention is on a singer or speaker, or they are simply absorbed in conversation with those who share their traumatic history, the Holocaust survivors who attend Cafe Europa gatherings in Elizabeth or South Orange are also the focus of attention themselves. »Read More

Published in: Greater MetroWest News

Preserving memory with new tradition

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:51 GMT

Holocaust Council creates Shoa seder as model for others

Well past the Passover season, the Holocaust Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ is planning a seder on Sunday, May 19, at the Aidekman campus in Whippany. Drawing on some of the rituals associated with the Passover Haggada, the Shoa Seder is being planned to coincide with the month that Allied forces liberated the Nazi concentration camps in 1945. »Read More

Published in: Greater MetroWest News

‘Bring what you learn wherever you are’

Tue, 14 May 2013 15:49 GMT

An NJJN conversation with six local teens, all leaders-in-training

In recent years the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ has undertaken a significant commitment to teen leadership. NJJN editor-in-chief Andrew Silow-Carroll sat down with six current participants in three programs— Diller Teen Fellows, Iris Teen Tzedekah Advisors, and Write On For Israel — for a wide-ranging discussion of pro-Israel advocacy, the Jewish future, and what teens know that adults don’t. »Read More

Published in: Greater MetroWest News

Wilfs welcome new Yad Vashem entrance

Tue, 14 May 2013 15:45 GMT

Yad Vashem has unveiled the latest contribution by a New Jersey family to the memory of Holocaust victims and for the support of survivors. »Read More

Published in: Greater MetroWest News

A ‘family business’ to serve Jewish families

Tue, 14 May 2013 15:39 GMT

In commemoration of his 18 years with Jewish Family Service of MetroWest NJ, Rothman, its executive director, will be saluted on Wednesday, June 5, at the agency’s gala dinner at Brooklake Country Club in Florham Park. »Read More

Published in: Greater MetroWest News

Girls get DIY approach to bat mitzva prep

Tue, 14 May 2013 15:33 GMT

Megan Glajchen and Irene Billinson, both 11, and Emma Lichtenberg, 12, sat around the dining room table in Ashley Jacob’s West Orange home on a recent Sunday afternoon. They munched on grapes and cookies while considering commentaries on why the biblical patriarch Jacob was angry at his wife Rachel for asking him to give her children. »Read More

Published in: Greater MetroWest News

Bus tour honors supporters of day schools

Tue, 14 May 2013 15:25 GMT

Major donors and leaders of Greater MetroWest Jewish day schools came together on May 3 for a “Day School Showcase” bus tour of three schools, followed by a luncheon featuring Yossi Prager, executive director for North America of the AVI CHAI Foundation. »Read More

Published in: Greater MetroWest News

Day school funders tout long-term giving

Tue, 14 May 2013 15:19 GMT

Local philanthropists served as role models as day school heads, development officers, community leaders, and fund-raisers gathered in Florham Park in pursuit of the brass ring: how to inspire the community to support endowment funding for Jewish day schools. »Read More

Published in: Greater MetroWest News

From Berlin to Washington

Tue, 14 May 2013 15:08 GMT

Iconic photo caps film about famed Newark rabbi

As they neared the finish line of their documentary on the iconic Rabbi Joachim Prinz, filmmakers Rachel Pasternak and Rachel Fisher had one big editorial gap to fill. »Read More

Published in: Life & Times

Haredi rabbis see the writing on the Wall

Tue, 14 May 2013 14:57 GMT

Shavuot is one of the three pilgrimage festivals when Jews travelled to Jerusalem to offer their first fruits in the Temple, a Thanksgiving for a new harvest. All Jews were required to make the trip to worship at the Temple. Unfortunately, this past week before the holiday saw events in Jerusalem that were hardly a reflection of the conviviality and joyous celebrations associated with Shavuot. »Read More

Published in: Op-Eds