Rabbi Eliyahu Tal - Rabbi
Ray Morris - President
Visit our website for the latest news and copies of the bulletin.
Important Messages
- This Week's Qiddush is sponsored by David and Henri Setton in memory of their Father’s 26th Yahrtzeit, Eliyahu Ben Mazal
- Se'udah Sh'lshit is sponsored by Shalom Cohen and Yitzhak Tal in honor of Yitzhak's 14th birthday
- Selichot Services starting on Tuesday at 5:55am.
- High Holiday Seats are available from our website at <https: data-preserve-html-node="true"//EtzAhaim.org/seats>. We have both paper forms and you can purchace your seats directly from our webpage.
- Cake Club Every Tuesday at 6:30pm. A sweet way to learn Torah
- 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 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.
If you have any announcements you'd like to see in the weekly bulletin, email it to news@etzahaim.org
Schedule
Friday
- Shaḥarit: 6:30am
- After Services: Coffee and Halacha
- Minḥa and Kabbalat Shabbat: 7:00pm
- Candle Lighting: 7:27pm
Saturday — Parashat Re’eh/Mevarchim Chodesh Elul
- Youth Groups for ages 3 to 8 in the Upper Classrooms: 9:30am to End of Shacharit
- Recite Shema: by 8:54am
- Shaḥarit: 8:45am
- Qiddush After Services (Sponsored by by David and Henri Setton in memory of their Father’s 26th Yahrtzeit, Eliyahu Ben Mazal)
- Avot U'batim: 6:15pm
- Navi Class: 6:15pm
- Minḥa: 7:00pm — Followed by:
- Se’udah Sh’lshit (Sponsored by Shalom Cohen and Yitzhak Tal in honor of Yitzhak's 14th birthday)
- Arvit and End of Shabbat: 8:13pm
- Shabbat Ends (Rabbenu Tam): 8:55pm
Sunday — Rosh Chodesh Elul
- Shaḥarit: 8:00am
- Followed by Breakfast and Torah
- Minḥa and Arvit: 7:00pm
Monday — Rosh Chodesh Elul/Rosh Hashana LaBehemot
- Shaḥarit: 6:30am
- After Services: Coffee and Halacha
- Pre-Minḥa Class 6:40pm
- Minḥa and Arvit: 7:00pm
Tuesday
- Selichot: 5:55am
- Shaḥarit: 6:30am
- After Services: Coffee and Halacha
- Cake Club: Torah Class and Dessert: 6:30pm
- Minḥa/Arvit: 7:00pm
Wednesday
- Selichot: 5:55am
- Shaḥarit: 6:30am
- After Services: Coffee and Halacha
- Pre-Minḥa Class 6:40pm
- Minḥa/Arvit: 7:00pm
Thursday
- Selichot: 5:55am
- Shaḥarit: 6:30am
- After Services: Coffee and Halacha
- Ḥumash and Ḥamin: 6:30pm
- Minḥa/Arvit: 7:00pm
Next Friday
- Selichot: 5:55am
- Shaḥarit: 6:30am
- After Services: Coffee and Halacha
- Minḥa: 7:00pm
- Candle Lighting: 7:16pm
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
- 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)
- Yehoshua Baruch Ben Chava 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
Pre-Yom Tov Boutique at Congregation Ohav Emeth at 415 Raritan Avenue, Highland Park NJ 08904.
Sunday, September 7 from 11:30am to 5:30pm
Rabbi Eli Reisman will be speaking to men and women on Shidduchim, Shadchanim, and Shadchanus on ugust 23rd, Parshas Re'eh, at 6:50pm at Khal Chassidim, 46 N. 8th Avenue. Topics will include: Should shidduchim be a profession, is it a mitzvah to pay a shadchun, disputes - broken engagements, multiple shadchanim, etc.
For more information contact Marsha Eiserman at 347-203-7906.
Navigating Medicare Changes in 2026 by Raritan Valley Hadassah Sunday, September 7, 2025, 7:00pm at River Ridge Terrace, Community Room, 30 S. Adelaide Ave., Highland Park.
The presentation will be made by Deborah Bonfante, Medicare Specialist. Advance registration is preferred; walk-ins welcome. For more information, please email: raritanvalleyhadassah@gmail.com or call 908-227-4869.
Chai Lifeline invites you to learn to knit hats at Ohav Emeth on September 9 & 16 from 7:30pm to 9:00pm. Hats are in memory of Ricki Stern z"l. Cost: $20 (includes loom and yarn). RSVP to Deena Klavan at 732-485-6824 or Allison Wiesel at 732-841-0541.
Bakers for Rosh Hashanah Looking for bakers for our Rosh Hashanah bake sale for Israel! The bake sale will take place on Thursday, September 18 at Ohav Emeth. All proceeds will go to Widows of Warriors. For questions, please call/text Cindy Baruch at 908-309-8818.
Lunch & Learn will take place on Wednesday, August 27 at 12:00 p.m. at Ohr Torah. Enjoy a parve/dairy buffet lunch, a D'var Torah and the film Body & Soul-The State of the Jewish Nation. This film presents a comprehensive examination of the broad and deep connections between the Jewish people and the land of Israel.
Please reserve your spot by Monday, August 25. Admissions are by advance and paid reservations only: $20 per person (assisting aides are free)
- Send checks to: Congregation Ohr Torah, 48 Edgemount Road, Edison, NJ 08817.
- Pay online at: https://www.ohrtorah.net/lunch-learn
- Zelle: payohrtorah@gmail.com
Kittel Gemach Available If you or someone you know needs to borrow a kittel, please call Jeff or Lee Ann Schein at 732-545-9353. Four sizes are available. Kittel gemach is in memory of Lazar Lipman ben Chaim Yitzhak.
Support the Highland Park First Aid Squad by purchasing its discount cards. The cards provide discounts to many local businesses including Grill House, Bridge, Dunkin Donuts, Dairy Deluxe, China Lee, Orchid and Giddy's Pizzeria. There are 2 cards this year: one for $30 or both for $50. The cards may be purchased at the Ahavas Achim office, or by contacting any Squad member including: Ari and Deborah Lewitter, Yossi Benedek.
Kosher Meals on Wheels need volunteers this summer! Help Jewish Family Services cover vacations and last-minute cancellations during this busy season. Volunteers will fill in on an as-needed basis on routes in northern Middlesex County.
Deliveries are Monday/Wednesday/Friday, with pick-up of meals in Metuchen at 10:00 a.m. Please plan on devoting approximately two hours for deliveries. Email office@jfsmiddleses.org or call 732-777-1940 for more information or to volunteer.
The Women's Center at Jewish Family Services is having their annual School Supply Drive. They are calling you to donate backpacks, notebooks, pens, pencils & more for tools that will be gifted to children in JFS programs.
Donate online: <https: data-preserve-html-node="true"//tinyurl.com/crwtph98>. For more information on how you can help, please contact JFS at 732-777-1940 or womenscenter@jfsmiddlesex.org
Shatnez Testing by Rabbi Yosef Sayagh will no longer be testing shatnez every week. Please contact Rabbi Yosef Sayagh by texting 732-330-4103 to find out when he'll be in Highland Park.
Israeli Dancing is open to all women of the community in Ohr Torah's social hall on alternating Wednesday nights from 8-9PM. This is a free session for all dance enthusiasts where multiple participants teach and anyone can request dances they know. Our next classes will be on September 3, September 17 and October 22
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: data-preserve-html-node="true"//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.
They are currently looking for volunteers. Go to https://www.chaverimmc.org/volunteer-today to volunteer today!
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.
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!