Dear Members of Or Chadash,  

 

Nearly four years ago Or Chadash celebrated the dedication of our 16 stained glass windows created by local glass artist Jim Schettino. This past month Jim and I have been collaborating as he is creating a new window for our sanctuary - this time on the Bima. It will contain the Hebrew name of our synagogue, Or Chadash, as well as a contemporary rendering of its meaning for us.

The name of our congregation comes from a passage found in early prayerbooks: "Or Chadash al Zion tair, v'nizkeh chulanu m'heirah l'oro - May a new light shine upon Zion, and may we soon merit its light." One of our previous visiting students, Cantor Ross Wolman, composed music to this phrase for our congregation and my Installation, and we sing its uplifting words often. The phrase suggests our historic hope for messianic redemption, an idea that has been met with mixed support over the millennia. Many Jewish thinkers have not always support the belief in messianic redemption. Some, like early Reform Jews in the 19th century, reinterpreted this message to be one of a different kind of hope: that one day our world would be transformed into the kind of place we would wish it to be through our deeds. The New Light, these Reform Jewish thinkers explained, would emerge not from some mystical source or being shining goodness upon us, but rather we ourselves would be the source of that light, illuminating the darkness that envelopes far too many in today's world.   It is that sense of Or Chadash, the New Light that we have the ability to emanate, which will illuminate our new window.

As the holiday season fades from memory, we should not forget how much light Or Chadash shined upon our community this year. Witnessing our ability to bring light to dark places, from our response to the ravages of hurricane Sandy to our warm embrace of the kids at the Sand Hill Boys Home to the many Mitzvot each of you are performing every day, it is easy to see that the dream of Tikkun Olam, of healing our world, is brought a bit closer to realization every day. May this New Year be one filled with light for all.

 

Shalom, 

Rabbi Joseph M. Forman

 

 

 

Dear members of Or Chadash,

Before jumping full steam into 2013, I wanted to pause and have one last reflection on 2012.  While Or Chadash symbolizes many things, I believe our acts of tikkun olam make us special.   This past year, on top of our fabulous Mitzvah Day, tons of B'Nai Mitzvah projects, food collections for Flemington Food Pantry, Mitzvah Mittens at Sukkot, and our November Sandy supplies drive, we ended the year with a bang.
 
In December, we had an overwhelming turn out for Or Chadash's annual Ner Shel Tzedakkah initiative.  As you many of you know, instead of exchanging gifts on the sixth night of Hanukkah, Ner Shel Tzedakkah, Candle of Righteousness, encourages everyone to donate the cost of gifts that day to a charitable organization.

This year we are reached out to the Hunterdon Youth Services, more affectionately known as the Sand Hill Boys Home in Raritan Township.  The funds that were collected (more than double the prior year) were used to give each boy a gift card and shopping excursion as well as a hooded sweatshirt. Thanks go to Flemington Department Store and the Resnick family, owners of the Flemington Department Store,  for discounting the price of the sweatshirts for us.

Rabbi Forman dropped off handmade certificates (thank you Brianna Lifshitz and Rachel Albrecht) just before the holiday break.  Here is the email from Judy Frederick, Executive Director,  "... We did our holiday party tonight and saved your cards until the very end when the kids thought they had gotten everything. I can't tell you  how excited they were when they opened their cards (we had everyone open at the same time so not to spoil the fun for anyone). More later and pictures when they have their sweatshirts. Please tell everyone, even before we do letters, how appreciative we all are for your very very generous holiday gifts...."

To be able to assist those right here in our community, literally down the street, and bring a little a joy, should make us all very happy.  Thanks also go to Bea Abrams and Betsy Zalaznick for all their effort and support.
 
We have set the bar high for 2013 in our ability to do good in our community.  I believe we can achieve it.

Jeff Berg
President

I hope everyone had a happy (secular) New Year, and may all of your resolutions come true. As the new year begins we see a gradual lengthening of daylight, giving us hope that Spring will eventually arrive. But this time of year now brings a sense of sadness as well, for January 9th marks the second yahrzeit (anniversary) of the passing of Debbie Friedman, my teacher, friend and one of the pioneers of contemporary Jewish music. I was privileged to sit at her feet and hear the stories behind her songs, learning how to be fully present and transmit a deep love of Judaism through music to the communities I serve.  It was she who taught me that it was okay to get a little crazy with the kids, to give people permission to pray in a manner that is meaningful to them and to give a glimmer of hope in an otherwise not so friendly world.

It has been said that when you give birth to songs, you give a gift to future generations that will last long after you are gone. As this is so, she certainly has attained her immortality. Every Friday night when we sing her "Mishebeirach" she will live on, spreading healing and hope even from beyond the grave. She will continue to be a blessing each time we sing one of her countless compositions, each of them touching us as we "sing our soul to The One."

So when we are at services or religious school having a grand time "Singing unto God" we can thank her for paving the way and opening up a Judaism that is more user friendly and authentic to countless Jews, mei ata v'ad olam-from now until eternity.

Bles-sings,
Kathy

 

10th Grade Confirmation Students Trip to  

 

 

Hanukkah Celebrations  

 

Michael Harvey will become a Bar Mitzvah on January 12. He is the son of Andrea and Phil Harvey and younger brother of Matthew Harvey. Michael is in the seventh grade at Branchburg Central Middle School where his favorite subjects are math and science. He enjoys playing soccer and lacrosse as well as finding new and intriguing food. Michael's Mitzvah projects included collecting gently used soccer equipment for those less fortunate as part of the US Soccer Passback program; volunteering at the United Way processing donations for needy families and children.  At Thanksgiving, Michael participated in a program to package and deliver dinners to those without local families with whom to spend the holiday.  Michael's Torah portion, Vaeira; reveals the struggle that Moses and Aaron face in the release of the Children of Israel from enslavement to Pharaoh. Pharaoh does not believe that Moses and Aaron behold the power of God and despite all the miracles and acts of God they perform, the Pharaoh's heart remains hardened and he does not let the people of Israel go. Michael is looking forward to becoming a Jewish adult and celebrating his Bar Mitzvah with family and friends.   

Emily Christensen will become a Bat Mitzvah on January 12th.  She is the daughter of Debbie Beer- and Carl Christensen and older sister of Jamie Christensen. Jack is in the seventh grade at High Bridge Elementary. She enjoys skiing, swimming and playing the piano.  Emily gave back to the YMCA Child Care, where she was cared for through her first five years, by helping out in the classrooms taking care of the young kids.  Emily's Torah portion, Bo, covers the final plagues in the Passover story.  Emily is looking forward to celebrating becoming a Bat Mitzvah with her family and friends.