145 Broadway, Newark, NJ 07104
Phone: 973-485-2609 | Email: cahavassholom@optimum.net
August 7, 2026
Dear Members and Friends,
Picture the view from the bimah on February 21. Our rabbi, Eliyahu Collins, was joined by his mentor Israelite rabbis Yeshurun Ben Levy of New York’s Beth Shalom and Baruch Yehudah of New York’s B’Nai Adath Kol Beth Yisrael, and colleague Rabbi Azriel Devine of Columbia, Maryland’s Beth Tephilah. They looked out over a sanctuary whose pews were filled with African-American Israelite and Caucasian congregants. All prayed from the traditional Siddur Sim Shalom and chanted prayers with joyous melodies from both cultures. One could not help but be moved that something new was being created. This was our fourth Unity Shabbat.
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz recognized the significance with its full-length feature article, At This Small Conservative New Jersey Synagogue, a Hebrew Israelite Rabbi Runs the Show. It pointed out that Rabbi Collins expanded Shabbat morning services with a monthly Kabalat Shabbat, followed by dinner prepared by a team of balaboost congregants organized by Jeff Haveson. This year Rabbi Collins commenced Wednesday evening Zoom Hebrew language lessons for beginners and Sunday classes in Shulchan Aruch (the laws of daily life). There is also Thursday evening Torah study, as well as a monthly Jewish short-story book club. The Rabbi’s son, Shatemiyah, often leads the Torah service, and, in May, a packed house celebrated the bat mitzvah of his charming and learned daughter, Gavriella. The New York Board of Rabbis’ admission of Rabbi Collins this year endorses President and CEO Eric Freedman’s vision for a new kind of congregation in which Jews worship together, regardless of the branch of Judaism in which they were brought up.
Our pursuit of social justice permeated many activities. In May, close to 100 people gathered at Ahavas Sholom for our third annual Tikkun Olam awards. These celebrate and honor individuals and organizations working to repair our corner of the world: Michelle Bobrow (civic activist), Dr. Kevin Bott (prison workshop originator) and Ari Fox (urban space innovator). We also honored three organizations; the Diller Teen Fellows & Iris Teen Advisors (providers of hands-on service learning), Project HEART (Help End All Racist Thinking) (anti-bias educators in Newark Public Schools), and Clinton Hill Community Action (resident-led community revitalization). We recognized the life and legacy of Rabbi Samuel Landa, the Congregation’s rabbi in the 1950’s, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of his arrival.
In conjunction with Passover’s story of the Exodus, our Board approved a resolution in support of a New Jersey Reparations Task Force, which was published in the New Jersey Jewish News. During Hanukkah, the Greater MetroWest Diller Teen Fellows explored Newark’s Jewish History and packed food bags for those in need. The synagogue participated in last autumn’s Newark Arts Festival by showcasing self-portraits of nine high school seniors in our Jewish Museum of New Jersey. The opera company “Trilogy” rehearsed its production, “Paul Robeson: the Opera” in our social hall. Temple B’Nai Abraham of Livingston hosted the exhibition, “The Synagogues of Newark” researched and compiled by our congregants Harold Kravis, Phil Yourish, Max Herman, and Tim Lee. Several weeks ago, we, along with our neighbor Clinton Hill Memorial AME Zion Church, which owns the parking lot, teamed up to sponsor the third annual “We Are Better Together—Community Day” where governmental and social service organizations provided food, medical screenings, and information to North Ward neighbors.
After many years of fundraising and consultations with vendors, we are at the very last step in the process of installing an air conditioning system for the entire building. This last step may require us to structurally “sure up” our roof infrastructure ahead of the actual installation of the A/C units on the roof. No longer will our die-hard minyan schvitz through the summer. The modern system will also replace our 103-year-old steam heating system, freeing up the furnace room and eliminating radiators and steam pipes. Thanks go to Eric Freedman and congregant Alan Zwiebel, a retired engineer who also planned and installed the sanctuary lighting during the pandemic. Several congregants stepped up with major gifts towards this historic capital improvement. On a smaller scale—but no less important to our very young members—Emily Manz applied for and received a grant from the Iris Teen Tzedakah cohort to remove the stage in the social hall and create a new “Children’s Corner” along part of the rear wall.
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High Holiday services will be led by Rabbi Collins. Cantorial portions will be led by Larry Feintuth. After many years, we salute Fred Grabiner on his retirement as High Holiday cantor. Thanks to a grant administered by the NJ Office of Homeland Security, we, like other synagogues, have installed security measures. Even if you attend another synagogue, consider joining us for one or more of our services. Erev Rosh Hashanah services on Friday, Sept. 11 begin at 7:00 p.m. and will be followed by a dinner prepared by the balaboost team (please register on the enclosed form). Morning services on Sept. 12-13 begin at 8:30 am. Tashlich will immediately follow Sunday’s service. Kol Nidre will be Sunday, Sept. 20, at 6:20 p.m., and Yom Kippur day services begin on Monday, Sept. 21, at 8:30 a.m., with Yizkor at 11:30 am. Mincha begins at 4:20 p.m, with our sumptuous break fast, (in memory of towering congregants Ciel and Ben Arons) immediately following shofar blowing at 7:36 p.m. We are scheduling our annual Chinese dinner in the sukkah on Friday, Sept. 25 after services. The Congregation’s trustees raised our modest annual dues by $100 this year, to $475 for a family and $350 for a single congregant. Each adult is also responsible for purchasing a High Holiday ticket, which is $150 for a member and $300 for a non-member (students free).
As you contemplate the New Year, it is a good time to think about your own life cycle. We can offer the good counsel of the MetroWest Jewish Community Foundation (which invests the lion’s share of the Congregation’s capital funds) to assist you with giving through your estate, IRA, or charitable gift annuities, appropriate to your situation. The Congregation also has a block of reasonably-priced burial plots at King Solomon Memorial Park in Clifton.
This active and committed 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 $1,800, including tickets, dues and other contributions, we will inscribe your name on the plaque in the sanctuary. In addition, three years ago we instituted a “Sustaining Membership” for those who are in a position to consider a pledge of $3,600 for 5 years, totaling $18,000. We encourage you to use our Paypal account: http://ahavassholom.org/home/membership, or you can continue to mail in this form with payment. Please attend our annual congregational business meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 7:00 p.m. at the synagogue.
L’shanah tovah,
Robert Steinbaum, Vice President