🌱 How Elizabeth’s faith community helped shape a countywide call for peace
Cheers Elizabeth! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How Elizabeth’s faith community helped shape a countywide call for peace
- Which Elizabeth jumper is ranked No. 1 in New Jersey?
- How did Elizabeth earn a top spot for older residents?
Also on today's calendar: Art of Living Part 1 Program in the presence of Gurudev and 2 more events.
📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Elizabeth? Post it to Elizabeth photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️
Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Tuesday: Cold with clouds and sun, with a high of 32 and low of 25 degrees.
- Wednesday: Breezy with clouds and sun, temps: high: 45, low: 31.
- Thursday: Times of sun and clouds, with a high of 48 and low of 41 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Faith Leaders and Community Members Gather for ‘Prayers for Peace' (tapinto.net) — Faith leaders from across Union County, including representatives from the Muslim Community Center of Union County in Elizabeth, gathered in Cranford for a ‘Prayers for Peace’ service focused on unity and hope. Speakers from multiple traditions emphasized human dignity, interfaith cooperation, and caring for vulnerable neighbors. Attendees were encouraged to carry this spirit into 2026 through small, consistent acts of connection. 
2. Boys indoor track preview, 2025-26: Top jumpers & vaulters to watch (nj.com subscription) — Elizabeth High School senior jumper Jaydan Cadet is spotlighted as New Jersey’s top returning triple jumper heading into the 2025-26 indoor track season, with a personal best of 47-7.5. The statewide preview also lists Elizabeth athletes Roodkerry Barthelemy and Ezekiel Penick among other jumpers to watch, giving local fans plenty of reasons to follow this winter’s meets.
3. 9 towns, 3 counties called best for older New Jerseyans by AARP (nj1015.com) — Elizabeth ranks 25th nationwide among mid-sized cities in AARP’s new livability index for older Americans, highlighting the city as a strong option for aging residents. The ranking reflects factors like walkability, housing, health, transportation, and access to services, and comes alongside strong showings for Union County and several other New Jersey communities.
4. Court appearance for New Paltz man held by ICE rescheduled (dailyfreeman.com) — An immigration hearing for an Afghan refugee was held in Elizabeth’s federal immigration court and then rescheduled to early January, keeping the case active in the city. While he remains detained in Newark, the proceedings in Elizabeth highlight the city’s role in regional immigration cases and the ongoing support network rallying around him from New York’s Hudson Valley.
5. Jerome L. Sternstein (recorder.com) — An accomplished historian and food-loving gardener who was born in Elizabeth Jerome L. Sternstein went on to a distinguished academic career at Brooklyn College and other universities. He later retired to Hawley, Massachusetts, where he nurtured extensive gardens and cherished time with his wife, daughters, and grandchildren. A memorial service is planned in Hawley this summer.
📸 Around Elizabeth
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓
Upcoming Events in
Elizabeth
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
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Art of Living Part 1 Program in the presence of Gurudev
Hyatt Regency Jersey City on the Hudson, 2 Exchange Pl, Jersey City
6:00 pm
Friday December 19
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
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Hurden Looker Elementary School Winter Holiday Concert
Hillside High School , 1085 Liberty Ave , Hillside
6:00 pm -
5th Ward Councilman Gallman Neighborhood Watch
Elizabeth, NJ Calendar , 800 Anna Street , Elizabeth
6:00 pm -
Elizabeth Avenue Partnership: Holiday on the Square
Elizabeth, NJ Calendar Elizabeth, NJ 07201
12:00 pm -
Regular Meeting
Elizabeth, NJ Calendar , City Council Chambers Rm 307 - City Hall 50 Winfield Scott Plaza , Elizabeth
7:30 pm
Thursday December 18
Saturday December 20
Tuesday December 23
📣 Elizabeth Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
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Book Group: Esther Chehebar
JCC MetroWest , 760 Northfield Ave , West Orange
12:00 pm -
Meditation and Relaxation Workshop
JCC MetroWest , 760 Northfield Ave , West Orange
1:30 pm -
Basketball: Girls Varsity vs. Mount Saint Dominic Academy (Home)
West Orange High School , Tarnoff Gymnasium , West Orange
4:00 pm -
Concerts in the Cafe
JCC MetroWest , 760 Northfield Ave , West Orange
5:00 pm -
Basketball: Girls JV vs. Mount Saint Dominic Academy (Home)
West Orange High School , Tarnoff Gymnasium , West Orange
5:30 pm -
Basketball: Boys JV vs. North Star Academy (Away)
North Star Academy , 13 Central Ave , Newark
5:30 pm -
Board of Education Executive Session/Regular Meeting
DMK Black Box Theater @ Union Public Library , 1980 Morris Avenue , Union
6:00 pm -
Abraham Clark High School Winter Concert - 6:30PM
Abraham Clark High School , 122 E 6th Ave , Roselle
6:30 pm
Tuesday December 16
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Elizabeth PatchAM possible:
- Omega Maintenance Facilities & Janitorial Services — (908) 282-4482
Hurry - November Savings 20% Discount for All New Accounts!
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Good morning Neighbors!!!!
It's a new day, and cold outside. Let's get those boilers nd furnaces serviced. I'm running a $150 special all week long. Don't let this service pass… (Nextdoor Orchard St) - Do you want your house clean and smelling great for the end of the year, with attention to detail?
Call us at the numbers below for a free evaluation! Phone: +1 (862) 381-6548 (Nextdoor Lower Elmora)
- American Eagle Outfitters posted a job opening for Aerie - Stock Associate in Elizabeth. Apply here.
- Taco Bell posted a job opening for Team Member TB39106-ELIZABETH in Elizabeth. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Elizabeth here.
Ok Elizabeth! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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