Mask wearing is optional during all programs unless specified otherwise.
Saturday at 8:30am - Virtual Torah Study
Larry Westreich will lead the Torah Study
Torah Portion
Join Here
We are looking for Shabbat greeters for Friday night services. The role of the greeter is simply to be a warm and welcoming presence for members and guests coming into the lobby. You will be the first person that people see, after the security guard, when entering. The greeter will be needed about twenty minutes before the service begins; and afterwards at the oneg the greeter will engage guests and prospective members. The role of the Greeter is separate from the role of the Usher.
It is a mitzvah to welcome people into our communal home, so please SIGN UP HERE.
We are in the process of assembling a Communications Committee at TNT. The overall goal is to elevate communications strategies to create a more vibrant, efficient and engaging presence within our community and beyond.
This year we have set two primary goals, with room for brainstorming additional communication needs:
1. Revitalizing our Social Media Presence: We aim to showcase TNT's true spirit both internally and externally, sharing the warmth and vibrancy of our community.
2. Website Enhancement: Internally, we aim to make our website more timely and reliable. Externally, we want it to better reflect the unique TNT vibe.
Recognizing the demands of our busy lives, we are designing this volunteer opportunity to be flexible and enriching. It will offer a blend of individual collaboration and periodic committee meetings, all tailored to accommodate your availability and contributions.
If you have communications skills and want to be a part of this dynamic initiative, please contact Deb Alper, VP Communications DebAlper@Optimum.net.
Join the community in the Temple parking lot on Sunday, October 1st at noon for the annual TNT Welcome Back Barbecue. Kosher burgers and hot dogs, veggie burgers, homemade salads, and sides, drinks, and desserts will be served (BYO beer and wine). Music will be provided by the TNT Ramblers.
Help is needed to make salads and sides and to help with set-up. CLICK HERE to register for the barbecue and to sign up to contribute food or to help the day of.
All ages are welcome to join us for a new social group for anyone who is looking for a fun get together filled with laughter and friends and games. The new TNT Board Game Night gathers on the first Thursday of each month from 6pm-8pm at the Temple. (Upcoming dates include: Oct 5, Nov 2, Dec 7, Jan 4, Feb 1, Mar 7, Apr 4, May 2, and Jun 6). If you love board games, are looking to learn some new games, or are curious and interested in learning about what a game night looks like, please join us! If you have questions, you can email Barak Malkin or Eli Bosnick at TNTboardgamegroup@gmail.com.
Members from Bnai Keshet, Temple Sholom of West Essex, Temple Ner Tamid, and Congregation Shomrei Emunah will once again come together for a community Simchat Torah celebration on Church Street.
The evening begins at 6pm with children’s programming and music. Then, at 6:45pm, adult programming will begin including dancing, singing, and a brief service. Come be with the whole greater Montclair Jewish community!
Misha Grishashvili and his wife Keti Chikviladze and a group of committed and fiercely independent Jews founded the first liberal community in Tbilisi, Georgia in 2022. TNT has partnered with this extraordinary group of Jews, and from October 9th - 21st, we will be hosting Misha and Keti here in New Jersey for a series of events.
They will share not only their journey pioneering progressive Judaism in their very conservative country, a former Soviet satellite in the Caucuses bordering Russia, but also a little taste of Tbilisi food and culture.
Please mark your calendars to come connect and learn with Misha and Keti.
Wednesday, October 11th @ 8 - 9 pm: Teen Program (Registration Required)
Teens and their parents will have an opportunity to connect with Keti and Misha in this program tailored to their interests and needs.
Friday, October 13th @ 11 am - 1 pm: Culinary Master Class: Khinkali, Khachapuri, and More (Registration Required)
Keti and Misha will teach you how to cook traditional Georgian delicacies with the community, to be served at that evening's oneg.
Friday, October 13th @ 6:30 pm: Kabbalat Shabbat Services and Oneg (Registration not required)
What if you couldn’t practice liberal Judaism? What does it mean to start a new progressive community in a conservative former Soviet satellite where the only accepted expression of Judaism is Orthodoxy? Keti and Misha will explore with the congregation how they got started, the significant obstacles they have faced, the progress they have made so far, and what’s next.
Saturday, October 14th @ 8 pm: Havdalah with Keti and Misha (Registration Required)
Why do we need a sibling congregation halfway around the world? Information session for those considering joining our next traveling program to Tbilisi in June 2024 with Finding North.
Thursday, October 12th, 7:00pm at Temple Ner Tamid.
All current members, and interested new members, are welcome!
Please RSVP to Morty Bernstein - (646) 330-7979 or mz.bernstein@gmail.com
An Invitation from Cantor Meredith Greenberg & Leora Perlman
The Perlman-Greenberg family invites you to help celebrate their son Eyal as he is called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on Thursday November 9th at 9:45am at Temple Ner Tamid. Luncheon to follow service. Please RSVP by following this link.
Want To Learn More About Israel and J Street?
Following up on the visit of J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami to Temple Ner Tamid last April 23rd, the organization is offering to update us on the political situation in Israel now, as well as their continued support for justice and a two-state solution. J Street is a pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy American Jewish organization. If you’d like to learn more let us know: contact Larry Westreich (Larrywestreich@gmail.com) or Sherri Neuwirth (sherri1953@yahoo.com) and we’ll send information your way!
Mark your calendar! Our popular Lunch With the Rabbi class will start this year on Tuesday, October 17th. This year the class will discuss the book "Jewish Priorities" Sixty-Five Proposals for the Future of Our People" edited by David Hazony. The book asks the same question to over 60 of the most important leaders in the Jewish world, "what is the most important thing that Jews should be thinking about." This symposium is the result and we will read select essays from the book over the year.
Join Rabbi at the temple with your lunch at noon and participate from anywhere starting at 12:30pm as this will be a hybrid program! Since the book comes out after our first class, Rabbi Katz will have print-outs of the first few essays for anyone who signs up.
The TNT Short Story Group will start up again beginning in October. For the past 3 and 1/2 years the sessions have been virtual on Thursdays at 1pm with more than 100 Jewish stories discussed. This year we are adding an in-person session at the Temple once a month on Thursday evenings. All sessions are free and no registration is required. Please get all the information in the upcoming weekly E-gerets (newsletter).
The schedule for virtual Thursday sessions on Zoom will be once a month on the THIRD Thursday of each month. Here is the schedule: October 19, November 16, December 21, January 18, February 15, March 21, April 18, May 16.
To join the ZOOM meeting on the day of the discussion:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83485037976
The schedule for the in-person Short Story Group (at the Temple) will be on the first Thursday of each month at 8:00pm. Here is the schedule: October 5, November 2, December 7, January 4, February 1, March 7, April 4, May 2.
If you have any questions, please Norman Pollack at Norman@unsoft.com.
Tai Chi is an ancient art that encompasses movement, exercise, meditation, and a delightful way to enhance health. Originating over 2000 years ago, it is often attributed to Lao Tzu, who is also credited with the book Tao Te Ching.
Tai Chi serves as a form of movement meditation, skillfully designed to enhance balance and mobility.
With over 20 years of dedicated learning and practice, Ray Wolfson and Irene Sherman are passionate Tai Chi practitioners. According to them, 'Our growth within this art continues through both teaching and personal practice.'
Ray and Irene employ a teaching method known as '3, 3, 3.' This approach involves demonstrating the move three times, practicing it alongside the students three times, and then observing the students as they perform it three times. They provide any necessary corrections. Their classes offer a nonjudgmental and enjoyable environment, understanding that progress takes time and consistent practice.
These weekly classes will take place on Thursday evenings at 7 pm at Temple Ner Tamid, starting on September 28.
If you are interested in deepening your connection to Judaism through a supportive practice of character development using Jewish texts and mindfulness, we invite you to join our newest Tikkun Middot Va’ad.
The introductory year consists of nine sessions facilitated by Cantor Meredith Greenberg. Additionally, there will be weekly 30-minute partner check-ins and a daily mindfulness practice to support your journey. The group, referred to as a Va’ad, will convene once a month on the first Wednesday at 7 pm beginning on October 4.
For any questions or inquiries, please feel free to reach out to Cantor Greenberg at cantor@nertamid.org.
Rabbi Katz is looking for 10 or so lawyers in the congregation who are looking to study a little Talmud together. Meeting one Friday a month before work, Rabbi Katz will prepare a study sheet on topics close to the legal areas of those in the group. Additionally, each person in the group will be matched up with a study partner to study one additional text together between sessions.
If you are interested, please email Rabbi Katz (rabbi@nertamid.org). This group will begin after Yom Kippur.
Don't believe in God? Don't know what you think about Jewish law? Wondering whether you are actually a Reform Jew? There is a place for you in this group. Judaism is all about questioning, and we will do a lot of it in this once a month discussion group at 8:45am, one Friday a month. Over the course of the year, we will be reading the book Open Judaism by Barry Schwartz, which explores how to be Jewish whether you are a believer, an atheist, or an agnostic. We'll use the book to help you hone in on what you do and don't believe. And you will build community in the process.
If you are interested, please email Rabbi Katz (rabbi@nertamid.org). This group will begin after Yom Kippur.
Wellness Offerings
Karen Frank, TNT’s Congregational Nurse, has a variety of offerings to the community, all of them having to do with enhancing wellness. Her practice integrates physical, emotional, and spiritual health. She works with individuals, families, and groups.
Karen leads two groups at TNT:
- Grandparents’ Group, which meets on the third Tuesday of the month on Zoom at 5:00pm. Topics have been grand-parenting at a distance, when values clash, the blended family, and grandchildren with special needs.
You can join the meeting here. - Caregiving Aging Parents, which focuses on providing care whether local or long-distance. They meet monthly, the first Tuesday of the month on Zoom at 7:30pm. Topics include dealing with parent’s physical or mental health, when to consider a move and what are the options, how to find help, and assisting the parent with dementia.
You can join the meeting here.
No registration necessary for either group.
Karen is also available for individual consults on health, caregiving, and coping. Call her at 862-485-9062 or email to nursekarenfrank@gmail.com to make arrangements for a home or synagogue visit or a call.
Temple Ner Tamid's Older Adult Group is Back in Full Swing!
Our very active 70 plus community meets twice monthly on Tuesdays from 11:15am-1:15pm for stimulating conversations, guest speakers, cultural programming, holiday celebrations and much more.
Congregational Nurse Karen Frank attends monthly for office hours and blood pressure screening.
The group is open to Temple Ner Tamid members and parents and friends of members. If you or anyone you know is interested in meeting new people and conquering Covid isolation, come try us out!
For further information, please contact TNT Board Member Dianna Chipkin at diannachipkin@gmail.com or call
973-202-2497.
TNT / ShopRite Food Drive
TNT monthly FOOD DRIVE scheduled for Sundays October 15th, and December 3rd!
HOW THIS WORKS: On the scheduled Sunday mornings, congregant volunteers stand outside of ShopRite in Bloomfield, handing out flyers that ask those entering the store to buy an extra canned good or box of food. These donations are collected as customers leave, and then driven to the Human Need Food Pantry on Label St. in Montclair. Multiple 2 hour shifts are available each of the Sundays.
Each month we are there, we collect hundreds of cans and boxes of food making it the largest ongoing food donation program in Montclair!
To volunteer please use this link for sign-up: https://www.nertamid.org/form/shopritefoodcollection (children are welcome to volunteer)
If you have any questions about this please feel free to contact TNT’s Director of Operations and Events, Laurie Schifano, or the current Food Drive organizers, Amy Strickler and Mark Dodd (973.464.1542).
We are looking forward to another robust year of this very rewarding hugely important service.
News from the Human Needs Food Pantry
The Human Needs Food Pantry, located at 9 Label Street in Montclair, provides food and services to people and families in need from Bloomfield, Montclair and surrounding neighboring Essex County communities. Currently, the Food Pantry provides over 2,500 bags of groceries each month, along with hundres of deliveries for homebound clients. The Pantry is great and it continues to grow. The Food Pantry is very appreciative of the partnership with Temple Ner Tamid.
As you shop for your family each week, please pick up a few extra items for those in need. Drop off canned or boxed food (no glass or outdated items) to the Mazon Box, which is located at TNT in the hallway near the main office entrance. The Food Pantry requests cereal, peanut butter, jelly, crackers and other breakfast food, as well as tuna fish, pasta and beans. As soon as the Mazon box is full it will be delivered to the Food Pantry. Temple Ner Tamid continues to be a strong supporter of the Human Needs Food Pantry.
The Chesed Committee is Here for You!
Do you need a ride to the doctor or a medical appointment? If so, the Chesed committee may be able to help you! Reach out to Morty Bernstein at mz.bernstein@gmail.com or Susan Goldstein at sgolds4727@aol.com, with as much notice as possible, and we will see if we can be of help to you!
Bloomfield Cafe Needs Your Help!
For many years, TNT has partnered with Park Methodist Church in Bloomfield to provide a warm and healthy meal to the food insecure on the fourth Sunday of every month. We desperately need chefs and volunteers to help prep, serve and clean up. This is a great opportunity to partner with TNT members to provide a greatly needed service. If you are interested in learning more and/or volunteering, please contact Sharyn Mandell at sharynmandell@gmail.com.
The Following Dedications Have Been Made This Week:
In Honor Of
In honor of Madeline Roston from Stuart & Jane Yourish
In Honor of Beth & Richard Klein for their hospitality and continuing family traditions!
The marriage of Emily Claman and Josh Kleinman from Scott & Amy Claman
In Memory Of
Lora Tucker from Deborah & Jeffrey Gussoff
Rochelle Rubin from Edith Novack
Lora Tucker from Edith Novack
Rita LaRoy from Edith Novack
Ada Perwien from Edith Novack
Lora Tucker from Robert & Mana Levine
Solomon Leyzerov from Asya Yugina
Jody Meyer Ransome and Gertrude Hogg from Crystal Van Horn
Bonnie Friedman from Chris & Cindy Kramer
Paul Rosenfield from Michael Luft & Johanna Rosenfield
Bonnie Horowitz from Diane Horowitz & Joe Wojak
Marilyn Gross from Linda Gross
Ruth Tennen from Steven & Jane Tennen
With Best Wishes for a Speedy Recovery
Marge & Paul Grayson from Celia Zeisel
Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund
From Dr. Stanley & Claire Keyles
From Rich & Nina Tucker in memory of Lora Tucker
Cantor’s Music Fund
From Rich & Nina Tucker in memory of Lora Tucker
Clergy Associate Discretionary Fund
From Rich & Nina Tucker in memory of Lora Tucker
If you would like to make a donation in honor of someone or an event, you can do so on our donation page: www.nertamid.org/donate
Religious School Resources Can Be Found Here: www.nertamid.org/rsresources
Registration Can Be Done Here: www.nertamid.org/school_enrollment
Montclair Swap
Recent financial stresses are having a harsh impact on many in our community and the surrounding communities. One important step toward addressing this problem is giving away things we do not need. The Montclair Swap does this head-on by collecting clothing, household goods, toys and games, and giving them away for free. Past swaps have received thousands of donations. And, by promoting reuse and reduction, the Swaps have a large environmental impact.
The next Free Community-Wide Montclair Swap is coming up on September 29th and 30th. Donations and volunteers are always needed. Donations can be dropped off at the Montclair Women's Club at 82 Union Street, Montclair from 4-6:30pm on Friday, September 29th. And items can be taken on Saturday, September 30th, from 9-11am. We are only accepting clothing, footwear, household items, toys and games. If you are able to volunteer to help with the Swap or for more information, especially about what can be donated, please contact Jane at montclairswap@gmail.com.
This event furthers Temple Ner Tamid's goals to protect the environment (keep it out of landfills!) and support those without means to buy it all new.
The Art of Giving - Family Promise of Essex County's 35th Anniversary Celebration
October 5, 7:00 - 10:00 pm
Montclair Art Museum, South Mountain Avenue, Montclair, NJ
Now that summer has come to a close and everyone is back to school, it's time to make plans on your Fall social calendar! It has been several years since FPE has planned a gala evening such as this one and we hope that you will attend!
We are working hard to keep the promise of our mission and we need your support to help us raise vital funds. Not only is this our largest fundraiser of the year, but it's also a chance for us to gather and share stories of success about families that you helped with your support. Our hope is that you will bring a friend or neighbor along to learn more about FPE's mission and the critical work we are doing in every community throughout Essex County.
Click here to see event details and to purchase tickets. We also welcome donations of gift cards or other items that can be part of our silent auction. Please contact events@fpessexnj.org if you would like to contribute an auction item.
To make a contribution for a yahrzeit, simcha, or to discretionary funds, please visit nertamid.org/donate.
Temple Ner Tamid