Tzeddakah

Shabbat and Holiday 

Service Schedule

If you or someone you know is over 60, homebound or has a disability, Meals on Wheels in Hunterdon can deliver a hot noontime meal Monday through Friday with weekend coverage if needed. Participants are also invited to join Meals on Wheels at one of its Congregate Dining Nutrition Sites around Hunterdon County. Delicious meals delivered and served by warm and caring neighbors - what could be better?

If you or someone you know would benefit from the security and support of home delivered meals or congregate dining, contact Meals on Wheels today. Call (908) 284-0735 for more information.

Yarns and Midrash-- Knit, Crochet, Storytelling Circle

General Contribution Fund

Estelle Katcher, In memory of Avrum Katcher

Yahrzeit Fund

Hilda Suchow, In memory of David Suchow

Educational Enrichment Fund

John & Jane Griffith, In honor of Samantha Tracey's Bat Mitzvah

Chris & Leslie Hann, In honor of Zack Hann and fellow confirmation students, Rabbi Forman and Betsy Zalaznick

Yevette Hendler & Russ Lazarek, In honor of Betsy Zalaznick for a great year of learning

Darren & Elizabeth Loew, In honor of Betsy, Liz and Yevette

Rabbi's Discretionary Fund

Yevette Hendler & Russ Lazarek, In appreciation for a great year of learning

Oneg Fund

Liz & Gerard Tracey, In honor of Samantha's Bat Mitzvah

Upcoming Yahrzeits

Click here to see the online summer edition of Reform Judaism. 

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven :  A time to be born , and a time to die; a time to plant, and to pluck up that which is planted" . You may recognize this passage, as it comes from the book of Ecclesiastes. These words were set to music by Pete Seeger in 1959, and made popular by the Byrds in 1968 with their song "Turn, Turn, Turn". I look back to when I first joined Or Chadash, around 1996; and so many things have happened in my family's life that parallels my temple family's life. Our family has experienced  weddings, births, b'nai mitzvah, graduations, retirement, and  unfortunately  loss of life,  as has my temple family.  These shared experiences, in my eyes, lie at the heart of what Or Chadash is all about; we are not alone, we have shared experiences.

Summer is quickly approaching, my term as president will be ending, and we are very fortunate to have competent, confident and eager individuals that will assume the leadership of our temple.  Much like the organic garden that's been planted on our property, new blood will be planted on our board, and  some of the old guard will move on, or be plucked,  as it is said in Ecclesiastes.  I am happy that we have  such  strong volunteerism and  if it strikes a chord, I encourage you to work on a committee or seek board membership.

It has been an honor to work with Rabbi Forman and my fellow board members.  I know our future is in good hands, and our accomplishments have been many;   we have a thriving religious school, wonderful programming, traditional Shabbat Services and "Shabbat Experiences".  We have taken, and continue to take, wonderful trips to:  New York, Philadelphia, surrounding farms in bucolic Hunterdon County. We have forged bonds with neighboring temples, churches, and the Islamic Society of Somerset and Hunterdon. We have had book signings by authors who are members of our own congregation, and visiting authors as well. Our children love our holiday programs; Purim  plays, and carnivals have been a major success through the years . Our High Holiday services are extremely moving, and well attended.  Within our walls Judaism is nurtured, tradition is carried on with an understanding that we live in the twenty first century and needs to fit in our contemporary lives.  We are all moving, working, building, creating. We seek things that comfort us, that are steadfast in our lives, as much as we seek change. Here at Or Chadash we have all of these things. Take a moment when you see an old face or a new one ; stop and say hello.  Continue to make this house one of worship, kinship, and friendship; I know you already have.

Ross Weinick

It's not often that one sees Joplin, Missouri, in the news.  I knew of Joplin from the Bobby Troup song recorded in 1946 by Nat King Cole: "(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66".  I c

ame to really know it when I served as the student rabbi in Joplin at the United Hebrew Congregation (UHC).  When you walk out the door of the synagogue and turn south, in a few minutes you will find yourself on that familiar route!    

Today, sections of that road are hardly familiar. Wiped clean of houses, trees,  signs and practically any indication that people lived or worked here - save for the piles of debris scattered about - a swath of Joplin is missing.  Over a hundred people have died in the worst tornado disaster in recent history.

I'm sure that many of you have seen photos and watched reports on the news.  Here is a link to learn more from the current student rabbi in Joplin.  Her story is profoundly moving. I have been in touch with the past-president and, what you might not hear reported is that the synagogue and its members are safe (though some are homeless) and the UHC has become a center of assistance to the entire Joplin community with aid arriving from Jewish communities all over country and even internationally.

When help is needed in any area of the globe, we can take pride that the Jewish community has always been at the forefront of support.  

Heeding the words from the Jerusalem Talmud (Pe'ah 1:1) "Tzeddakah and acts of kindness are the equivalent of all the mitzvot of the Torah," our 7th graders have donated this year's Tzeddakah to the URJ Fund for Disaster relief. We who are blessed to live in safety and health are called upon to help wherever there is a need -- and there is always more that we can do.   I encourage you to share these words with your family and to share your blessings with those who need your help.

Rabbi Joseph M. Forman

Rachel Harrison has been our student cantor for the past year and the weekend of June 17 will be her last weekend at Or Chadash. 

Please join us that Friday evening, June 17 at 7:30 PM, as we say goodbye to her and wish her well as continues here studies.

We are collecting wishes, notes and memories that you would like to share with her.  We will be putting together a collection of all of these in a booklet for her to remember this past year at Or Chadash.

Or Chadash has been invited to participate in the first annual BOX CITY, sponsored by the Interfaith Hospitality Network.  It is a special night under the stars to raise funds and awareness for homelessness. The event kicks off on Saturday, June 4th, 2011, at 6:00 pm at a field at Hunterdon Central High School . Everyone is encouraged to solicit multiple sponsor pledges for a total of at least $100 for their "rent" at BOX CITY. Participants will spend the night in a cardboard box- or in a sleeping bag, lawn chair or other insufficient "housing" to draw attention to the lack of affordable housing in Hunterdon County and the necessary work of IHN which assists families and inviduals who are temporarily displaced.

This event is perfect for youth groups, students, service groups, school groups, individuals and friends and anyone who would like to learn how to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate. This event will be held rain or shine. For more information www.ihnhunterdon.org

I was surprised to learn that many of us think that we are not supposed to attend a shivah minyan or even a funeral unless we have a direct connection with the family.  Furthermore, even if we do know the mourners, some of us thought we should only attend one minyan so as not to be an imposition.  I am very grateful to the congregants who asked me about what is and is not appropriate when consoling the bereaved, and would like to share with you how our tradition answers their concerns.  First of all, whether you know them or not, it is a great mitzvah to attend a funeral.  The same holds true for making shivah calls, and even for returning more than once.  The reality is that shivah presents us with an opportunity to help each other when we are feeling lost.  All that matters when we attend a shivah minyan is our presence.  It assures the family that they are not alone, that they are in the loving embrace of our Temple community.  It assures them that they are not strangers in our midst, even when 'strangers' come up to them in their home to introduce themselves as fellow congregants and offer their condolences.  So the next time (may it be far in the future) that a member of our congregation suffers a loss, don't hold back and don't be timid.  You have what it takes and they will need you, even if you have never formally met.  Don't be a "perfect stranger," be a member of a congregation that takes the welfare of every one of its
families to heart.   - Rabbi Gary Pokras

When our community encounters a loss, I enourage each of you to extend yourselves to one another.  The simple gift of our presence is all we need offer.

Rabbi Joe Forman

Look for OC in the news in your local paper!

Friday, June 17, 7:30 PM - Rachel Harrison Farewell

Tuesday, June 21, 7:00 PM - Annual Meeting 

Check out the OC Calendar for all upcoming events.