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
- Rosh Hashana Schedule and Halacha Information is available on our
front page of webpage at https://etzahaim.org.
- 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
Shabbat and Rosh Hashana Schedule
Erev Rosh Hashanah — Friday, September 11
- Selichot and Shacharit: 6:00am
- Hatarat Nedarim: 7:10am
- Mincha and Arvit: 6:50pm
- Candle Lighting: 6:55pm
First Day Rosh Hashanah — Shabbat, September 12
Youth Program (Ages 3 to 8): 10:00am - 1:00pm
- Shacharit Korbanot: 8:30am / Hodu: 8:45am
- No Shofar Blowing on Shabbat
- Mincha and Arvit: 6:50pm
- Candle Lighting: After 7:43pm (from existing flame)
Second Day Rosh Hashanah — Sunday, September 13
Youth Program (Ages 3 to 8): 10:00am - 1:00pm
- Shacharit Korbanot: 8:30am / Hodu: 8:45 AM
- Shofar: 11:30am
- Tashlich (Donaldson Park Boat Ramp): 5:20pm
- Makeup Shofar Blowing: 6:30pm
- Mincha and Arvit: 6:50pm
- Rosh Hashanah Ends / Havdalah: 7:40pm
Fast of Gedaliah — Monday, September 14
- Fast Begins: 5:15am
- Selichot and Shacharit: 5:55am
- Mincha and Arvit: 6:45pm
- Fast Ends: 7:38pm
Schedule for the Rest of the Week
Tuesday through Thursday
- Selichot: 6:00am
- Shaḥarit: 6:30am
- Minḥa & Arvit: 7:00pm
- Second Arvit (for Winter Time): 7:00pm
Next Friday — Erev Shabbat Shuva
- Selichot: 6:00am
- Shaḥarit: 6:30am
- Minḥa and Kabbalat Shabbat: 6:45pm
- Candle Lighting: 6:44pm
Classes for the Week
- Monday: Hebrew Class: 6:00pm
- Monday - Thursday: 10 Minutes of Parasha: After Shaḥarit
- Monday - Thursday: Halaḥah and Mussar: 6:40pm
Nightly Ḥaverta Learning: 7:00pm - 8:00pm (light refreshment included)
Bikur Ḥolim of Congregation Etz Ahaim
The congregation extends refua shelema wishes to:
- Asher ben Mazel
- Baruch ben Rivkah (Baruch Sachs)
- Shaul ben Salman (Shaul Baruch)
- Cochavit bat Victoria (Cochavit Baruch)
- Dvorah Shahala bat Sarah Parvin
- Gershon ben Sara
- Haim Baruh
- Jacob Krief (Yacov Gideon ben Miriam)
- Key Silverman
- Leah Chava bat Shayna
- Lita Greenberg (Tzvia Sarah bat Golda)
- Linda Balavram (Emmunah bat Sara)
- Sharona Bella bat Malka
- Sara Shifra bat Yehudit
- Yehoshua Baruch Ben Chava Sachs
- Yosef Daniel ben Feige
- (Zita bat Golda) Zita Weinstein
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
Kittel Gemach If you — or someone you know — needs to borrow a kittel, please call Lee Ann Schein at 732-208-1862. Four sizes are available. Kittel gemach is in memory of Lazar Lipman ben Chaim Yitzhak.
Time to Buy Your Lulav and Etrogim Barry Siegel is selling Lulav and etrogim starting September 15th. Email siegeldad@gmail.com for more information.
Rabbi Shemoni's family will have a store next to Jerusalem Pizza selling lulav and etrogim next to Jerusalem Pizza. The store will be open from Septamber 14th to September 25. After Rosh Hashana, you can get more information from our webpage at <https: data-preserve-html-node="true"//etzahaim.org/news/lulav-etrog>.
Ahavas Achim Women Challah Bake 5787 Divrei Torah about this beautiful mitzvah, braiding techniques, swag and refreshments.
Tuesday, September 15th 7:30pm downstairs social hall Women and girls high school age and up $25 per person RSVP: secretary@ahavasachin.org
Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life
- Public Talk: Wednesday, September 30, 7:30 PM Ghosts of a Holy War: The Forgotten Massacre That Shaped the Arab-Israeli Conflict Award-winning journalist Yardena Schwartz discusses her bestselling book, a nuanced exploration of the 1929 Hebron massacre and its enduring impact on the region’s history and present-day realities. Click Here for Details.
- Jewish Film Festival: Thursday, November 5, through Sunday, November 15 27th Annual Rutgers Jewish Film Festival The festival features diverse, award-winning international films and discussions with filmmakers, scholars, and special guests. Click Here for Details.
- Panel Discussion: Tuesday, December 1, 12:00 Noon Rethinking Liberalism, Libertas (Freedom) and Self-Cultivation Three distinguished scholars—Susan Neiman (Einstein Forum), Helena Rosenblatt (CUNY Graduate Center) and David Sorkin (Yale University)—Join Nancy Sinkoff (Rutgers University) to reassess the values of the European Enlightenment and the Haskalah (The Jewish Enlightenment) and their relevance for our present moment. Click Here for Details.
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: September 9, October 7, October 21, November 4, November 18, December 9 and December 23
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
RPRY Lunch Volunteers Needed RPRY is seeking parents, grandparents and friends to volunteer to assist with their hot lunch program. Each time you volunteer you will earn credits towards hot lunches for the RPRY family of your choice. Volunteer Hours: Monday-Thursday, 10:45 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.
If you are interested or would like more information, please call 732-233-2339 or email lunches.rpry@gmail.com.
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 of Raritan Valley 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.
Bikur Cholim of Raritan Valley is looking for volunteers to visit local seniors who are homebound. If you can help out with this mitzvah, please contact Cindy Baruch at cindy.baruch@verizon.net or 908- 309-8818.
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!