As I write this message I am looking forward to our Welcome Back Shabbat where we will unveil the plaque above the sanctuary entrance doors proudly proclaiming it “The Rabbi Sally J. Priesand Sanctuary”. Now that we have secured the Tinton Falls Fire Department’s blessing to re-position our EXIT sign and emergency lights, we will be adding an additional plaque on the interior of the sanctuary with the benediction that Rabbi Priesand offers at the end of her Shabbat services – “Blessed were you in your coming in. May God’s blessings be with you as you go forth from this, the house of God.”
Although the High Holy Days are several weeks later (on the local calendar) than last year, there still doesn’t seem to be enough time for all our preparations. The choir, ably led by Alice Berman, has already been hard at work practicing for the S’lichot, Erev Rosh Hashanah, and Kol Nidre services. By now you should have received your High Holy Days mailer, including your family ticket. I know that some of you are disappointed to see that we are once again requiring everyone in attendance to wear a mask. While COVID-19 has somewhat abated, the Board felt that given the expected attendance, it was the best way to be all inclusive. High Holy Day prayer books can be borrowed from our temple (more information in the Eblast and this newsletter with dates and times). As always, services will continue to be available on livestream by clicking on www.monmouthreformtemple.org. In addition to our worship services, come be part of an afternoon of study session on Yom Kippur. Please bring your young children to worship at our main service or our children’s service later in the day.
Last year in my message, I noted that “Being the president of MRT gives me the opportunity to help our Kehillah Kedosha – our holy congregation – in these very challenging times.” Little did I know how much more challenging those times would become. Over the summer we attempted to engage an Interim Rabbi. Unfortunately neither of the two applicants met our needs. Fortunately, with Cantor Clissold’s help, we were able to put together a Plan B, making use of our congregation’s member rabbis, cantor, and lay leaders, to ensure that every Shabbat, holiday, B’nai Mitzvah, other life cycle event, etc. are covered in a way responsive to your needs. We now have Rabbi Rebecca Gutterman on our team as the Confirmation class teacher for this year.
Your Rabbinic Search Committee has been hard at work under the watchful eye of its chair, Jay Feigus. We are conducting Listening Group sessions, formulating interview questions, and recently submitted our search application to the CCAR. Those of us who will be conducting interviews of the candidates will also be taking a required course on Implicit Bias. Other future sub-committees will cover candidate in-person interview scheduling (lodging, entertainment, and tours of our temple and the surrounding area) and welcoming our new rabbi to MRT.
Please read your newsletter and weekly Eblasts for important information about ways you too can engage with your MRT family. Our synagogue is filled with opportunities to grow as we work to make this year ahead a great one.
Wishing you a good year, a healthy year, L’Shana Tovah!
Wayne Hallard
President
HIGH HOLY DATES
All services will be held in person and livestreamed on the MRT website and on our Facebook page.
Selichot
Saturday, September 17th
Study, 7:00 pm
Service, 8:30 pm
Erev Rosh Hashanah
Sunday, September 25th
Service, 7:45 pm
Rosh Hashanah
Monday, September 26th
Morning Service, 10:00 am
Family (Children’s) Service, 2:00 pm
Tashlich, 3:00 pm (immediately following the Family Service)
Kol Nidre
Tuesday, October 4th
Service, 7:45 pm
Yom Kippur
Wednesday, October 5th
Morning Service, 10:00 am
Family (Children’s) Service, 2:00 pm
Afternoon Programs, 3:00 pm
Yizkor Service, 4:45 pm
Closing Service/Neilah, 5:30 pm
Did You Receive Your
High Holy Day Packet?
Envelopes containing tickets and detailed High Holy Day information have been mailed out. Please contact the office if you have not received yours.
SELICHOT STUDY
AND SERVICE
Saturday, September 17th
Study: 7:00 pm
Service: 8:30 pm
Making Prayer Real: An Exploration of How We Pray and How to Make it More Meaningful
Led by Elliott Familant
The High Holy Days provide us with ample opportunities for community prayer so now is a good time to think about prayer itself and ways to make it more real. Through a questionnaire and subsequent discussion, we will explore together what you are currently doing when you pray. Is prayer for you communication with God, an opportunity to meditate, or simply an expression of your affiliation with the Jewish Community? Do you find prayer heartfelt, intellectually stimulating, or simply boring? We will consider these questions, look at the traditional Jewish view of prayer, and then briefly experiment with some alternative prayer techniques using the Selichot prayer, The 13 Attributes of Mercy. Hone your prayer skills, as we prepare for the High Holy Days.
Elliott is a Ritual Committee Co-Chair, and longtime member at Monmouth Reform Temple. As a Ph.D. in experimental psychologist and a life long student of religion, Elliott regularly leads groups that synthesize these two perspectives through discussion, meditation, and group exercises.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sisterhood Apple Pie/ Babka & Honey Order Pickup
September 22nd, 1 pm-5 pm
September 23rd, 12 pm-4 pm
MRT Annual High Holy Day Collection
September 25th through October 9th.
More information about the HHD Collection can be found further down in this newsletter.
Outdoor Walk to Tashlich
September 26th, 3:00 pm
Tashlich will begin promptly at
3:00 pm. Immediately after the Family Service, we will walk together or meet at the river at Riverdale Ave. Bring your own bread!
Directions to the river from MRT: From Hance Avenue, passing MRT on the left, turn left onto Riverdale Avenue. Drive approximately one mile and park on the side of the road.
High Holy Day Prayer Books Available to Borrow
For those of you that will be joining us virtually for the High Holy Days, prayer book distribution will continue
10 am -4 pm on the dates below:
Monday, September 19th
Tuesday, September 20th
Wednesday, September 21st
If those dates/times are not convenient for you, please contact the office to arrange a pickup time.
Masks must be worn in the sanctuary by all attending High Holy Day services, with the exception of people on the bema.
Help Build Our Sukkah!
The Men’s Club needs your help to build the Sukkah on October 9th. Contact Dave Makow, davebones1@yahoo.com or 732-567-4139 if you are available to help.
YOM KIPPUR AFTERNOON WORSKSHOPS
OCTOBER 5th at 3 PM
OPTION 1
God Was in This Place and I Did Not Know:
Finding Transcendent Moments in
Everyday Living
Facilitated by Elliott Familant
In a world where we find ourselves in a nation divided, and at a time when our Torah calls on us to heal the breach between us, it is time to address our concerns more humanely and honestly. This Yom Kippur, we will continue a theme that has defined much of our recent community engagement: “Returning to Human,” as we face tough conversations in a non-partisan spirit. For Yom Kippur afternoon, we will host a conversation on religion and gender in the military, engagement with Veterans, and the Jewish response to what we should be doing to protect and care for those called to service.
OPTION 2
Yom Kippur, Talmud and The Minority Report. Do our Ancient Texts Reflect Contemporary Culture?
Facilitated by Educator, Magda Reyes
Our challenges dealing with our intentions, our responsibility/liability for actions and the liability for the consequences of those actions are reflected in rabbinic sources, our spiritual liturgy, and contemporary culture. We’ll connect our Yom Kippur liturgy to the Talmud and maybe even a popular movie. Join us for an afternoon of learning as we find connections between 2000 year old text and modern day.
High Holy Day Appeal 2022
Monmouth Reform Temple is committed to raising the funds needed in order to support our programs in a way that is consonant with our values as a community. Members sustain the congregation both through financial support as well as through gifts of the heart given through volunteer service.
It’s vitally important to support our synagogue throughout the year. We should be grateful that together we build a community of deep value and meaning.
More information about our High Holy Day Appeal will be forthcoming.
MRT ANNUAL HIGH HOLY DAY COLLECTION
High Holy Day Food and Supply Drive for
The Center in Asbury Park
During the High Holy Days, we at MRT do a Food and Supply Drive for The Center. MRT has supported The Center since its inception in 1992. The Center provides support services for people living with HIV/AIDS and their caregivers. The dedicated staff of mostly volunteers offers its clients a safe haven in order to instill a sense of community and stability in their lives, as well as permanent, supportive housing for 25 adults.
The list of requested items this year is extensive and so is our members’ generosity. Our High Holy Day Collection will run from Sunday, September 25th through Sunday, October 9th.
Feel free to pick up a bag and list on Rosh Hashanah and bring it back on Yom Kippur. If the Temple is open, please drop off items in the lobby or feel free to leave items outside in the bins next to the front doors.
HYGIENE SUPPLIES
Men’s razors
Laundry detergent
Women’s razors
Men’s underwear Sizes 32, 34,36,38
Shaving cream
Women’s underwear sm, med. Lg. xl.
Women’s deodorant
Men’s and Women’s t-shirts
Toilet paper
Paper Towels
Shampoo and conditioner
Reusable shopping bags
Body wash
Body lotion
FOOD FOR THE PANTRY
Canned fruit
Canned vegetables
Tomato sauce
Milk
Granola bars
Ensure
Cookies
Snacks
Black bean cans
Pasta
Mashed potatoes
Cake mix
A Note from Cantor Gabrielle Clissold
Autumn is my favorite season. It is all about new beginnings, and here at MRT, it will soon be our annual family reunion, Rosh Hashanah. This is our time of renewal and rebirth. We are guided to look inward and perform Cheshbon Hanefesh-a spiritual check-in. We are asked to question choices we have made throughout the year. To be honest with ourselves if we could have done better. I hope to see you all on the High Holy Days, and if you feel more comfortable, please avail yourself of our livestreaming. Here at Monmouth Reform Temple, there are so many ways to get involved. So many ways to meet wonderful people. So many ways to perform Tikkun Olam. So many ways to connect to Judaism. So many ways to study Judaism. So many ways, but only YOU can pick something and do it! I urge you to get involved: come to Shabbat services, volunteer in the garden, work on our Social action projects, go to a class on Tuesday mornings, and take a book out of our library; there are so many ways you can be a vital part of MRT! Wishing you and everyone you love a sweet, happy, and healthy New Year!
Membership Directory Update
Have you recently moved or has your contact information changed (email, phone number, etc.)?
If so, please notify Jordana Steinberg in the office at jordana@monmouthreformtemple.org. Our new directory will be coming out in October and we want to ensure that all of the addresses and contact information we have on file are current.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THESE UPCOMING EVENTS
SUKKOT
Everybody is welcome to pray, meditate, or eat in the MRT Sukkah. The special events in the Sukkah are:
We have an active and engaged Social Action Committee at MRT with members who participate in many social action activities individually and collectively.Social Action meets as a group on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7 pm. We have been meeting on Zoom but plan to start meeting in person in October with a hybrid model for people who want to participate online. There are lots of opportunities to volunteer and participate, from our Gan Mazon Community Garden to volunteering with our local partners on projects throughout our communities and State. Go ahead and take a look at our Social Action projects (link below). Please let us know if you are interested in getting involved and join us!!
Elizabeth”Elmo”Cohen became a Rutgers Master Gardener. She and her son, Will, applied her skills by beautifying the Synagogue entry garden. This led to the idea of planting vegetables. In 2009, along came Josh Gilstein, a religious school student, who wanted to start a PAR (Plant a Row for the Hungry Garden) for his Eagle Scout project. Elmo Cohen and fellow Master Gardener, Howard Bodner, arranged with Josh to start a 1000 sq. ft. garden to raise food to donate to local food banks.
The garden thrived for many years and then was directed and expanded to 3000 sq. ft. by Mater Gardeners Gloria Gross and David Levinsky. Next Eric Nathanson took charge and enhanced the garden. Brett Tuller built the fence and Jerry Kass built raised beds & relocated critters with have a heart traps.
A huge thank you to all who have come to assist with planting and harvesting this season. We appreciate the teenagers and young adults who have contributed time and heavy lifting. Your efforts make a difference in the lives of these families.
Whether you are a starting or a returning gardener, we look forward to having you join us. Bring your children to learn and assist with this much needed and valued project.
It is not too late to join us at the garden when available. We have lots to do including planting cold weather crops. We meet Wednesdays at 8 am and Thursdays at 5 pm.
Welcome back to Monmouth Reform Temple Religious School!
We are so happy to be learning together again and we are looking forward to an exciting and rewarding year.
Click HERE for the welcome letter from Religious Education Chair, Amy Sukinik, that was sent out to all Religious School families.
Visual Worship
In Exodus Chapter 35, we read how God cares a great deal about the visuals in worship. There was intricate detail about the color, size, shape, and textures of every aspect of the ancient worship service from the Altar, to the Ark of the Covenant.
Join us at our four Visual Worship Services at MRT, and experience the beauty and images surrounding text and prayer.
DATES at 7 PM
November 18, 2022
February 17, 2023
April 28, 2023
MRT SISTERHOOD NEWS
Hindsight is 20/20 and sometimes can be funny, funny…. When I looked back at my newsletter article from last year, I wrote about it being the last year of our presidency. Well, that ship has sailed and Nancy and I were not on it. We decided to give it a go for one more term together. We adore each other and truly enjoy having this position shared between the two of us. We enjoy planning great programs and have an exceptional board that makes it so easy to do what needs to be done. If you have not given Sisterhood a try, I strongly encourage you to check it out. We are a fabulous, warm, friendly group of women who know how to accomplish things together and do it well. We also know how to have fun!
We hope you have had a wonderful summer. We sure did! We want to thank Brook Coppola and Nancy Zaslowe for being incredible hosts again! Once again we had a delightful luncheon at Nancy’s beautiful home in Long Branch. Several women went to the beach and were very happy to lounge for a while together in the sun. Brook held our annual pool party at her lovely home in Little Silver for the second year. We had great turnouts at both of these events.
Our final event of the summer was the annual book swap and potluck gathering at the Shrewsbury Sailing and Yacht Club (SSYC) in Oceanport. This event is in a beautiful location and always well attended. As always, we were together for fun, laughs, discussions, and food.
Mahjong continued over the summer in the temple. Although the group was much smaller, it was nice to see each other weekly. We are back to our weekly games on Wednesdays from 2-4 in the lounge at MRT. Feel free to come and join us!
For Rosh Hashanah, we are having another successful apple pie and honey or chocolate babka and honey fundraiser. We really appreciate all the women who chip in to help wrap and label all the packages, for a quick turn around. A special thank you to Marci Rachlin who is picking up the pies and babka. Last year, everyone raved about the tasty treats, so we are using the same bakers this year. Thank you to all the temple members who support the Sisterhood fundraiser.
Coming up:
No Limits Cafe dinner – Sunday, Sept 18
Wrapping and order pick up of apple pie/chocolate babka with honey on Thursday, September 22 from 11-5
Pickup apple pie/chocolate babka with honey orders at MRT also on Friday, September 23 from 12-4
Sisterhood Member dinner for Sukkot will be held on Thursday, October 13
Our annual walk to end breast cancer will be on October 16.
Our next Book Club is on October 17 at 7PM. Anyone is welcome to join us and you don’t even need to read the book!
Mahjong every Wednesday 2-4
Monthly Book Club
Save the date: White elephant Bingo and Potluck lunch at MRT – Sunday, Jan 29, 2023
Reminder – All MRT women are welcome to be Sisterhood members. If this is your first year as a temple member, you do not need to pay dues. We will be continuing activities both indoors and outdoors, and some of our activities might remain online. We understand that some people feel more compromised than others, and we don’t want that to stop any woman from participating in Sisterhood events. Stay well and continue to be safe! Please reach out to us with any comments, questions, suggestions, or ideas.
MRT Sisterhood Co-presidents
Nancy Zaslowe and Ellen Goldberg
MRT MEN’S CLUB ACTIVITIES
The MRT Men’s Club held a social meeting at MJs in Tinton Falls on August 29, 2022.
We have the current activities lined up:
Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur – Usher support
Sunday, October 9 – Building of the Sukkah.
Volunteers needed to help with the building of the Sukkah. Please contact Dave Makow (contact info below) if you can help.
Monday, October 10 – Men’s Club dinner in the Sukkah
