About Us

The Oldest Operating Synagogue in Newark, New Jersey

145 Broadway, Newark, NJ 07104

About Us

August 25, 2009

Dear Members and Friends:

Ben Arons called this congregation, "the miracle on Broadway." But among the expanding services the Synagogue offers, who would have thought it would include matchmaking? Last May we celebrated the marriage of President Eric Freedman to Isabela Dias, a Brazilian veterinarian, with a PhD in Conservation Genetics. The wedding saw the Synagogue stuffed to the rafters with Newark government and community leaders, family members from Brazil, congregants and friends, and was led by Rabbis Scheinberg, Art Vernon and Simon Rosenbach under a chuppah embroidered by April Modlinger, followed by a party in the North Ward Center's big tent, with wedding cake baked by Dubra Shenker, photography by Eliyahu Lotzar, and Kippot crocheted by Reuben D’Avila’s mother in Peru. Truly a community celebration.

If you missed Eric and Isabela’s wedding, we have another officer’s wedding: Vice President Jeffrey Haveson will marry Rita (Ryzl) Hindin in a ceremony at the Synagogue in October. You don’t have to be a Synagogue officer to get married in the Synagogue, and you can celebrate other life cycle events. Earlier this year we celebrated two bat mitzvah: Mei Ming Cornue-Hollander, who first came to the synagogue on arrival in this country at age one; and Emily Wilson, who followed brothers Adam, Ryan and Kevin. Speaking of children, Sabbath services regularly feature Ein K’eloheinu led by our growing choir of pre-Bar Mitzvah-aged children, one of whom, Melchizedek Ben Lewi, attends Solomon Schechter thanks in part to the Ahavas Sholom Educational Fund. Look to Melech to blow the shofar with Eric again on the High Holidays. Melech's father, Yehudah Ben Lewi, inspired by Fred Grabiner and Dubra Shenker, has put together a CD of solo and group choral selections by congregants, with accompaniment, entitled "Songs of Love and Peace," that you may purchase using the enclosed form.

The Congregation's tikkun olam activities hit high stride. In early October the Newton Street School Playground, to which we had devoted five years of planning and fundraising, was dedicated by the new Newark School Superintendent, Dr. Clifford Janey, who called the playground an example of how to "turn goodwill into results." That dedication has forged a bond between Dr. Janey and Eric that has led to our involvement in the Superintendent's initiative to expand law curriculum this autumn, including mock trials, from University High School to Barringer, East Side and Weequahic high schools. Just last week the Superintendent met with Eric, school social worker Dr. Margaret O'Donoghue and Dr. Tolga Taneli, UMDNJ's Director of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, to map out a program using psychiatric medical residents to provide psychological assessment services to students and families at the Camden Middle School, with follow-up at UMDNJ for those in need. And the State Green Acres Program was so impressed with our first playground project that it has awarded us $375,000 (almost quadruple the first grant) in matching funds to build a playground/outdoor learning center at the Sussex Avenue School.

The Jewish Museum of New Jersey, located at the Synagogue with Prof. Max Herman as President, brimmed with visitors in March for its program of panel discussions, "Jews and Blacks in Conversation: The Struggle for Integration: Weequahic and Beyond," as well as musical selections by the First Tabernacle Choir of Newark. That program inaugurated the Jewish Historical Society of Metrowest's "Weequahic Memoirs" exhibition, which was shown for several months (and now is on exhibit at the Newark Public Library). The Museum also hosted the posthumous exhibition of paintings by Newark native Marcia Marx on the subject of the Holocaust, as well as serving as a venue during the Newark Arts Council's "Open Doors" art tour last autumn. The Synagogue building is used by other Newark groups: a Boy Scout Venturing Crew of more than 60 adolescent boys and girls uses it as a base for its activities, including the autumn overnight camping trip and February ski trip. The Newark Preservation and Landmarks Committee held its annual membership meeting at the building, coinciding with the "Weequahic Memoirs" exhibit.

While this was a year of much happiness, we also grieve at the loss of former members Morton Pechter and Esther and Bob Weiner. Morton Pechter was the proprietor of Pechter's Bakery, and Bob Weiner, using his ability as a Toastmaster, thunderously implored us each Yom Kippur on behalf of Israel Bonds. Morton, Bob and Esther, unbeknown to us, provided for significant bequests to the Synagogue. Their example is a reminder that each of us should engage in a process of planned giving that includes the Congregation as a beneficiary to support its vibrant activities as well as its renovation. If you are considering planned giving, please talk to Eric or me and, if necessary, we can refer you to the proper professionals to help. Also, the Congregation owns a section of burial plots at King Solomon Memorial Park in Clifton that are available for sale to members and non-members.

Rabbi Simon Rosenbach and Cantor David Greenbaum will again lead High Holiday services, which begin with Selihot on Saturday, September 12, at 8:00 p.m. Even if you attend another synagogue, consider joining us for one or more of the services. Services on Friday, September 18 will begin at 7:00 p.m., with dinner to follow, thanks again to Jeff Haveson's good work. If you are interested in dinner, please sign up ($25 per person) on the enclosed form. Morning services on Saturday and Sunday begin at 8:30. Kol Nidre will start at 6:15 p.m. on Sunday, September 27. Yom Kippur services begin at 8:30 a.m. Monday and resume at 4:15 p.m. Following N'elah, all congregants are invited to the renowned annual break fast hosted by Ceil Arons, who will be celebrating her 99th birthday on Yom Kippur!

Whether or not you can attend High Holiday services, please consider joining Ahavas Sholom. Annual dues are $250 for a family or $150 for an individual, with an additional recommended building maintenance fund contribution of $100. This vibrant congregation depends upon the support of the individual members of the larger Jewish community. We appreciate every gift. If you can afford as much as $1,000, we will inscribe your name on the plaque in the sanctuary. Please use the enclosed form to make your contribution. PRINT FORM

L'Shanah Tovah

Robert S. Steinbaum

Vice President

145 Broadway, Newark, NJ 07104 (973) 485 - 2609 Fax: (973) 485 - 2609

info@ahavassholom.org