Rabbi Eliyahu Tal - Rabbi
Ray Morris — President Emeritus
Shelomo Beck - President
Visit our website for the latest news and copies of the bulletin.
Important Messages
Qiddush is sponsored by the Congregation
Se’udah Sh’lshit is sponsored by the Congregation
Support the Eruv In the past month, the eruv had been down twice. Once when the trees in Donaldson Park that had been used by the eruv were taken down, and another after a storm took down 1500 feet of eruv boundry. You never noticed it because we check the eruv every week and get it repaired before Shabbat. Our eruv has been up every Shabbat for almost a decade.
We all depend upon the eruv. It brings people into our community. It allows us to visit friends and bring over food to friends on Shabbat. Please go to https://etzahaim.org/eruv to donate.
We Need You Congregation Etz Ahaim isn't the building. It's the people who are our members. They make our congregation a lively place. They help us make our community. Please volunteer for the various committees we are currently setting up to help us make Congregation Etz Ahaim a home for Judaism and Learning https://etzahaim.org/volunteer
New Families are moving to Highland Park. If you hear of any new families moving to Highland Park, please inform the Hospitality Committee.
The Ḥesed Committee Contact the at 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. They are also looking for volunteers who can cook of shop for births or other needs.
If you have any announcements you'd like to see in the weekly bulletin, email it to news@etzahaim.org
If you have any announcements you'd like to see in the weekly bulletin, email it to news@etzahaim.org
Shabbat Schedule
Friday
- Shaḥarit: 6:30am
- Minḥa and Kabbalat Shabbat: 7:00pm
- Candle Lighting: 8:02pm
Saturday — Parashat Vaetchanan/Shabbat Nachamu
- Youth Groups (ages 3-8): 9:30am - End of Shaḥarit
- Recite Shema: by 8:36am
- Shaḥarit: 8:45am Followed by
- Qiddush — Sponsored by the Congregation
- Navi Class: No Navi Class This Week
- Minḥa: 7:50pm Followed by
- Se’udah Sh’lshit — Sponsored by the Congregation
- Arvit: 8:55pm
- Shabbat Ends: 8:54pm
- Shabbat Ends According to Rabbenu Tam: 9:32pm
Schedule for the Rest of the Week
Sunday
- Shaḥarit: 8:00am
- Followed by Breakfast
- Minḥa: 7:00pm
Monday through Thursday
- Shaḥarit: 6:30am
- Minḥa & Arvit: 7:00pm
Next Friday:
- Shaḥarit: 6:30am
- Minḥa and Kabbalat Shabbat: 7:00pm
- Candle Lighting: 7:55pm
Classes for the Week
- Thursday: Ḥamin and Ḥumash: 6:30pm
- Monday - Thursday: 10 Minutes of Parasha: After Shaḥarit
- Monday - Wednesday Halaḥah and Mussar: 6:40pm
Nightly Ḥaverta Learning: 7:00pm - 8:00pm (light refreshment included)
The congregation extends refua shelema wishes to:
- Asher ben Mazel
- Gershon ben Sara
- Dvorah Shahala bat Sarah Parvin
- Key Silverman
- 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
- Haim Baruh
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
Chug Ivrit for Intermediate to Advanced Hebrew Speakers will be held on Sunday, July 26 at 11:00am. We will chat in Hebrew and read a short Hebrew story. We’d love to have you join us. For location, please contact Rachel at rachel@weintraubworld.net or 732-819-9298.
Hadassah will be going as a group to see Driving Miss Daisy on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at the Bell Theater at BellWorks in Holmdel NJ. The show starts at 3:00pm. Bell Theater at BellWorks. Tickets are $85
To order a ticket, call or text Rosey Bell at 848-248-7060 or Ruth Fineberg at 908-930-8019.
We need at least 10 participants to have this program. Tickets must be ordered by August 2.
Optional: Join us for dinner after the show! Dinner at Miznon, also located at Bell Works under the supervision of the OU. Everyone will pay for their own meal.
Chicks With Sticks Join local women in knitting, crocheting, needlepointing, punch stitching, cross stitching and more! The next meeting will be Wednesday, August 5 at 8:30pm at a local Highland Park home. All levels are welcome from never learned to expert. We’re happy to teach you.
Email RaritanValleyHadassah@gmail.com or text 908-227-4869 for address, along with information, and what basic supplies to bring with you (limited supplies available to borrow with advance notice). Please reach out if you can’t attend but still want to donate hats or knitting/crocheting supplies.
The Hidden Side of the War: Inside Agent Recruitment & Terrorist Interrogation will offer an inside look at how Israeli intelligence operations have saved countless lives and helped shape key battles in the Gaza Strip. This is a unique opportunity to hear firsthand insights into the ongoing war on terror from someone who has lived it on the front lines.
Canceled until the fall due to the war with Iran
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! Help Jewish Family Services cover vacations and last-minute cancellations during this 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 at Rutgers Hillel in New Brunswick at 10:00am. Please plan on devoting approximately two hours for deliveries. Email office@jfsmiddleses.org or call 732-777-1940 for more information or to volunteer.
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.
The next class dates are: August 12, August 26, and September 9
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.
JFS Annual School Supply Drive This month, the Women's Center at Jewish Family Services is kicking off their Annual School Supply Drive. Help a child start the school year strong! Please donate new (unused & unopened) backpacks, notebooks, pens, pencils & more-essential tools that will be gifted to children in JFS programs.
Visit https://www.jfsmiddlesex.org/donate to donate online. For more information on how you can help, contact JFS at womenscenter@jfsmiddlesex.org or 732-777-1940.
Amit's Holiday Celebrations at Amit Kfar Blatt Donate to the Legacy Fund in memory of Bernice & Mel Chefitz, z"l. Your generous support of holiday programming helps cover essential costs that allow AMIT's residential programs to recreate meaningful family holiday experiences that many of these children would otherwise miss. This includes holiday programming that provides festive meals, traditional holiday foods, creative activities, decorations, entertainment, and safe, structured celebrations that allow students to experience joy, belonging and community.
To donate please visit: https://amitchildren.org/Chefitz
Discover the Joy of Being a Hospice Volunteer The simplest gifts are often the most profound. If you've got time, empathy, and compassion, you have the ability to support those nearing end of life, you are invited to explore the role of hospice volunteer with VNA Health Group.
Companionship visits in patient's homes or facilities in Middlesex, Union or Somerset Counties, administrative projects, or comforting phone calls, are just some of the ways in which volunteers support patients and their families. A Specialized 16-hour Training will be provided by members of the VNA Hospice Team, over the course of 3 weeks.
For more information please contact: Pauline De Palma, BSW Director Volunteer Services Pauline.DePalma@vnahg.org or 732-224-6933.
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.
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 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 Minḥa/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!
Jewish Family Services is excited to announce their newest initiative, The Pet Food Pantry! JFS believes pets are members of the family, too. They strive to promote the joy and dignity of the families who visit them for help, so this is one more service that improves the quality of life for neighbors in need-and their fur babies! To make a donation, please email office@jfsmiddlesex.org to schedule a drop off. Thank you!