Below is a brief description of many of the programs happening and groups that meet annually or on an ongoing basis at Temple Ner Tamid. Check our Calendar for up to date information on dates and times of program. If you are not yet a member, please contact our office to inquire about attending an event - 973-338-1500 or hello@nertamid.org.
Purim Spiel
One of TNT's most exciting community events is our annual Purim Spiel!
A tradition spanning over 25 years now, temple members work months and months on creating an original production including hilarious song parodies and an often satirical, but always fun, re-telling of the story of our heroic Queen Esther, the brave Uncle Mordechai, and the evil Haman.
The TNT Purim Spiel involves over 40 congregants including adults and kids of all ages. The Spielers are always looking for performers willing to get out there and sing, dance and have fun. New members are encouraged to get involved!
TNT Ramblers
The TNT Ramblers are a Temple folk band open to any/all congregants who care to join in and play for our beloved TNT community. The band performs at most Temple community events including the BBQ, Holiday Pop-Up Market, Membership Shabbat, and others!
This band has also played for the local food pantry and other community events around town. Grab your instrument and come jam with us!
Deep Listening Group
Karen Frank, TNT’s congregational nurse, has for many years helped facilitate what she calls Listening Groups.
Together these groups create an intimate space where each person experiments with what it means to listen contemplatively, non-judgmentally and in pure presence. Once experienced together, participants will find opportunities to utilize the skills learned in their daily lives.
Now Cantor Greenberg is helping bring this rich experience to your life and help cultivate spiritual companionship here at Temple Ner Tamid. The commitment is simple - 1x monthly 2-hour in-person group meeting and daily practice of new skills learned.
Mishloach Manot
These baskets are customary to give to friends and family for Purim. The mitzvah of giving mishloach manot derives from the Book of Esther. It is meant to ensure that everyone has enough food for the Purim feast held later in the day, and to increase love and friendship among Jews and their neighbors.
This community-wide Purim basket fundraiser involves selecting the contents of the bags, assembling the baskets, and distributing 700 baskets to Temple members, Shoresh families, and staff members.
TNT Choir
The Interfaith Choir meets multiple times a year when our community joins with members of the wider Bloomfield, Glenridge, Montclair area to sing at communal events such as Holocaust Memorial Service, Thanksgiving Service, Martin Luther King Day Service, and others.
Each high holy days season our Temple Ner Tamid High Holidays Choir is featured throughout our main service and helps in creating a warm and welcoming way to participate for the whole community. Music is rehearsed for several weeks leading up to the start of the fall holidays. Led by Edward Alstrom and Cantor Greenberg.
Everyone in our community is always welcome to use their voices to bring out the light inside of them. We have several opportunities to come together in song each month.
Jewish Yoga
With so many members practicing yoga on a regular basis, this group's goal is to share Jewish traditions that relate to this eastern practice to blend one's Jewish identity and values with their physical yoga practice.
Participants will get together to discuss aspects of yoga that relate to Judaism and practice together.
Grandparents Group
Monthly discussions on themes on topics to help us be better grandparents:
Caregiving Aging Parents
Join other TNT adults who are providing care for their parents, whether local or long distance. Each of our monthly meetings centers on a theme that include:
Mindfulness
On a regular basis, Temple Ner Tamid provides many opportunities outside of regular learning cohorts to practice mindfulness. Cantor Meredith Greenberg offers chanting and drum circle experiences to assist our member in finding deeper stillness in community. Throughout the year, we also offer a Jewish yoga experience with a seasoned teacher.
Artist In Residence
Each year our community celebrates Shabbat Shira, the Shabbat where we experience again our passage from narrowness to freedom, by elevating the place of music and the creative arts. Past guest artists have included Ben Sidran, Nefesh Mountain, Billy Jonas, Lisa Gutkin, the Stonewall Choral, and many more…. It is an amazing Shabbat experience not to be missed. For this year’s schedule of events please contact Laurie Schifano
Scholar In Residence
Each year our congregation brings in a scholar of note to teach us throughout a weekend. These scholars ranging from historians to cultural icons to teachers of Torah. Last year, thanks to the generosity of Tamar Weiss, we were able to learn from Rabbi Jonathan Crane, Emory professors and foremost Jewish ethicists. This year, thanks to the generosity of Steve and Vicki Fox we will learn from Rabbi Leon Morris, President of Pardes in Jerusalem. Mark your calendars for the weekend of May 2nd!
TNT Film Festival
Our TNT film festival explores a yearly theme through the medium of cinema. Past topics have included immigration and Israel. Beginning with a short documentary on Friday night after services, our program climaxes on Saturday night with a large dinner and movie program following Havdallah.
The 2021 Laugh Out Loud Film Festival included screenings of: Land of Milk and Funny, If You're Not In The Obit, Eat Breakfast, and A Really Lapsed Catholic.
The 2020 Film Festival included secreenings of:
Montclair Israeli Dance Project
Israeli folk dancing is a form of dance usually performed to songs in Hebrew, or to other songs which have been popular in Israel, with dances choreographed for specific songs. Israeli dances include circle, partner, line, and individual dances. As almost all dances are intentionally choreographed, and the choreographers are known and attributed. The recent trend of dances becoming much more complex and "professional" has led some to use the alternative term "Recreational Israeli Dancing". See more about Israeli Dancing and Israeli Dancing Choreographers.
All are welcome at for Israeli Dancing through the Montclair Israeli Dance Project on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at Bnai Keshet, 99 S. Fullerton Avenue, Montclair. The cost is $10 per session. For more information, contact Craig Levine.
Temple Ner Tamid