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Ongoing Programs at MRT (partial list)
| Program | Description | Contact |
| The Center in Asbury Park | Provide support via High Holy Days food drive, preparing and serving meals for residents. |
Cheryl Gaudette |
| Lunch Break | Provide support by periodically donating food and meals. | |
| Assisted Living | Provide monthly Shabbat Services and collections from High Holy Day Food drive |
Judy Raybon |
| Gan Mazon | Garden of Plenty! MRT’s organic vegetable garden, food donated to Lunch Break. |
David Levinsky |
| Habitat for Humanity | Labor and support to renovate affordable housing. | |
| Family Promise of Monmouth County | Member of support network of faith-based congregations providing temporary housing for homeless families. |
Kay Wiesenfeld |
| Central Jersey Blood Bank | Several annual blood dirves |
Dean Ross |
| Monmouth County Park System | Trail maintenance for Henry Hudson Trail and other parks |
Mark Gruensfelder |
| Shine-a-Light | Initiated partnership with St. Anthony’s to provide and ensure bicycles in Red Bank and other areas have lights. |
Dean Ross |
| Mitzvah Day | Annual MRT social action day |
Kerry Krachman Kerrykrachman1956@gmail.com |
What’s going on in the Negev?
It is common knowledge that the Negev, the huge triangle forming the southern part of Israel is 60% of the land mass of the country and is home to barely 20% of the population. The Negev is an arid desert where , for thousands of years, it was inhabited by nomadic tribes of Bedouins, and others living on sheep and goats. Because of the hot dry , sand swept topography, with little water source, nomadic tribes had to keep moving to find new grazing grounds for their flocks. Little vegetation could be grown for lack of water and compatible soil.
Today, 68 years after the establishment of the State, water sources have been developed so that vegetable farms and fish farms are big business . Young men and women are moving out of the crowded and more expensive north and central cities to raise their families in the burgeoning new communities in the Negev where they can enjoy the beauty and peaceful landscape of the desert and bring their children up in small towns with good schools, fresh air and centers of culture.
In order to encourage movement to the south, public transportation has been growing so that folks who work in the central or north can reasonably travel to and from work. For those who wish to establish new business in the Negev, loan funds have been set up to encourage entrepreneurship even for those whose credit is not yet worthy of regular bank loans. A recent report of one of the loan funds, supported, by the way, by Jewish Federations in the United States, is an example of what is going on in the Negev. Business men and women present their plans and strategies for establishing a new business or increasing a standing business as they request loans of a certain amount. These are loans, not gifts and they are usually granted without interest fees, but with required payback schedules.
Here are some of the types of businesses that those living in the Negev, generally from Beer Sheva to Eilat, are engaged in. A young man wants to open another “Wine in the City” store where he will sell kosher wines in Eilat. A Bedouin woman wants to open a bridal shop where gowns will be purchased as part of the inventory and they will be rented, not purchased, for use again. Someone wants to open a pasta restaurant in a small town. A unique request came recently for a loan to increase a hot air balloon business. The young business owner has balloons that accommodate 5 people but wants to purchase larger balloons so as to accommodate a larger party.
There was a request for a loan to open a gourmet restaurant that was denied for a variety of reasons. Dress designers, interior designers , farmers who need to purchase new equipment, a young couple who want to open a toy shop, an experienced carpenter who wants to develop his own construction company.
While the brilliant scientists create miracles in this “Start up Nation” the pioneers, the dreamers and visionaries are enriching lives in the south. This is what’s going on in the Negev.
Acknowledgements
Handbook Developers:
Beverly Gruensfelder
Brenda Tuller
Marketing and Publicity:
Semmes Brightman
Rituals Advisor:
Rabbi Marc Kline
Ritual Resource:
URJ
Webmaster:
Mark Gruensfelder
Recorded Blessings
This year we have undertaken a Hebrew experience that focuses on each child’s individual growth. In order to ensure each child is getting the most out of the experience we are providing below the opportunity for each child to listen as often and as closely as necessary for their individual prayer mastery. Cantor Clissold has recorded, spoken, and chanted blessings for each grade to be learned and practiced throughout the school year. Her wonderful voice not only inspires our students to learn but is a joy for all ages who wish to listen.
Mitzvah Academy Grades 7 – 9
We understand that our children transform from pre-teens to teenagers and so does our curriculum and program. Sunday mornings for 7th-9th grades includes bagels, chugim (similar to electives), and a core curriculum that covers from Creation until today mashed with the 60 core Jewish values that underlie our school. The informal learning environment is designed to focus our teens on the ways he or she might live a Jewish life. They participate in a handful of off-site social action days and have a weekend getaway where we spend Shabbat together and discuss meeting life’s challenges in a Jewish way.
Our 7th graders continue to attend on Sundays as we round out the formal Hebrew curriculum and they craft the Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Israel Independence Day) fair for our Kindergartners – 4th graders.
7th-9th Grade Classes are held weekly on Sundays from 9:30 am – noon.
B’Nai Mitzvah
At MRT we see the celebration of the Bar or Bat Mitzvah as merely one milestone in a Jewish life. That said, we recognize it as a significant accomplishment and seek to ensure your child feels confident and prepared for his or her special day. Approximately twelve months prior to your child’s simcha, he or she will begin weekly lessons with Cantor Clissold. The focus of these lessons will be mastery of the Hebrew prayers and melodies, Torah and Haftarah portions. Incorporated throughout are also monthly meetings with Rabbi Edelman to discuss and prepare for your child’s D’var Torah and Mitzvah Projects. Families are encouraged to participate throughout the whole process of B’nai Mitzvah, including the service. To that end, we understand many of our families are interfaith and look for opportunities to engage all parents and family, who have supported and encouraged their Jewish student.
Grades 3 – 6
During 3th through 6th grade, your child will acquire the skills and knowledge that will provide a foundation of reading and decoding Hebrew. By the end of 3rd grade our students are decoding Hebrew, blending basic words, and reading a few prayers. Once they have a basis of the Hebrew letters and vowels they move to a twice a week program in 4th-6th grades. In our twice a week program Hebrew and Judaics are both part and parcel of the program.
Our Judaics curriculum continues its spiral from Bagels and Blocks through the years. In 3rd grade children are exposed deeper to the “god” conversation, bible stories, and mitzvot. In 4th grade our children dive into lifecycle events and learning the ins and outs of each holiday. 5th grade brings them back around to learning more about the modern State of Israel, mitzvot, and more bible stories. 6th grade has an introduction to the Holocaust as well as a deep conversation on Immigration.
Our program at this age is designed to encorporate all of their senses through relevent interactions and experiences. Our program is designed to prepare your student to take his or her place in the world as an informed, committed Reform Jew. Because we believe that joyful learning is the best path toward understanding, our teachers employ a wide variety of techniques and approaches to engage your child in Hebrew, prayers, and the stories and traditions of our people.
3rd Grade Classes are held weekly on Sundays from 9:30 am – noon.
4th-6th Grade Classes are held twice weekly: Sundays from 9:30 am – noon, and Wednesday afternoons from 4 pm – 6 pm.
Grades K-6 Curriculum
Grades K – 2:
Our developmentally appropriate program provides your child with an introduction to the symbols, holidays, ethics, stories, and values of our religion. Our children are introduced to Hebrew and gain a basic understanding of the modern State of Israel. Through crafts, songs, readings, and dance your child will discover the foundations of Judaism.
Weekly classes are held on Sundays from 9:30 am – noon.
Grades 3 – 6:
During 3th through 6th grade, your child will acquire the skills and knowledge that will provide a foundation of reading and decoding Hebrew. By the end of 3rd grade our students are decoding Hebrew, blending basic words, and reading a few prayers. Once they have a basis of the Hebrew letters and vowels they move to a twice a week program in 4th-6th grades. In our twice a week program Hebrew and Judaics are both part and parcel of the program.
Our Judaics curriculum continues its spiral from Bagels and Blocks through the years. In 3rd grade children are exposed deeper to the “god” conversation, bible stories, and mitzvot. In 4th grade our children dive into lifecycle events and learning the ins and outs of each holiday. 5th grade brings them back around to learning more about the modern State of Israel, mitzvot, and more bible stories. 6th grade has an introduction to the Holocaust as well as a deep conversation on Immigration.
Our program at this age is designed to encorporate all of their senses through relevent interactions and experiences. Our program is designed to prepare your student to take his or her place in the world as an informed, committed Reform Jew. Because we believe that joyful learning is the best path toward understanding, our teachers employ a wide variety of techniques and approaches to engage your child in Hebrew, prayers, and the stories and traditions of our people.
3rd Grade Classes are held weekly on Sundays from 9:30 am – noon.
4th-6th Grade Classes are held twice weekly: Sundays from 9:30 am – noon, and Wednesday afternoons from 4 pm – 6 pm.