The Holidays are a Time for Giving

The holidays are a time to help those in need. And, it's also the last week to make charitable contributions that can be deducted on this year's taxes. 

So here are some great local charities that deserved a check:

Congregation Etz Chaim, 343 E. Mount Pleasant Ave. The synagogue was founded in 1997 and is represented by a diverse group of all ages, various backgrounds and different levels of religious commitment. Among the many activities at Etz Chaim are a weekly beginner's service, daily learning, a Sephardi Minyan, Shabbatons, youth groups and guest speakers.

St. Philomena’s Roman Catholic Church, 386 S. Livingston Ave. The current church building was built in 1972 and includes an on-site school called Aquinas Academy, which serves students in grades K-8. 

Livingston Gospel Hall, 405 E. Mount Pleasant Ave. The congregation at the Livingston Gospel Hall is a diverse mix of nationalities and races. The church has a variety of activities such as community outreach, Vacation Bible School, mini-conferences and "cottage meetings" in which members gather at one person's house. 

Bahn Sok Korean Presbyterian Church, 304 S. Livingston Ave. This Korean congregation meets at Grace Lutheran Church on South Livingston Avenue for Sunday worship, Bible study and daily morning prayer and meditation. 

Full Gospel Church, 190 W. Northfield Ave. The congregation includes many families and is committed to serving its children and youth. Besides attending Sunday School, young members of the congregation can join the Royal Rangers and Missionettes, and take part in craft nights and recreational activities. It also offers a special teen worship service, Bible quiz games and a fine arts ministry to engage youth. 

Grace Lutheran Church, 304 S. Livingston Ave. The congregation currently has about 125 members and is growing. Many young families have joined the church in the past few years after enrolling their children in the church's recently opened early childhood education center, Little Angels Christian Montessori School. 

Northfield Baptist Church, South Livingston Avenue and East Northfield Road. Northfield Baptist Church was founded in 1786.  

Temple Beth Shalom, 193 E. Mount Pleasant Ave. Temple Beth Shalom adheres to the concepts of Conservative Judaism. It is a communal center for growth, worship and friendship with the purpose to create an atmosphere of warmth, a place for study and an environment where the best of Conservative Judaism can be practiced and experienced. 

Livingston United Methodist Church, 290 W. Hobart Gap Road. The Livingston UMC works with the local Senior Center, and it is part of the interfaith CHOW program (Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse). The United Methodist Church also does its own work with the Community Food Bank and a Methodist soup kitchen in Orange.

Synagogue of the Suburban Torah Center, 85 W. Mount Pleasant Ave. Synagogue of The Suburban Torah Center is an Orthodox congregation. It has a community eruv, early childhood center, a religious school for public school children, library, day camp and a mikva. It also offers women's study groups, the Rabbi's Tele-Shiur, Jewish learning for adults through the Livingston Community Kollel, and other evening classes. Members are welcome to join the men's, women's or youth groups for recreation and community service.

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Livingston, 94 E. Mount Pleasant Ave. The church offers its members various services, such as family fellowship, children's outreach groups, youth groups and music ministry.

Federated Church of Livingston, 6 W. Mount Pleasant Ave. The church is one of only five dually aligned American Baptist-United Church congregations in New Jersey, maintaining the traditions of both denominations and their similar heritages. Both churches are liberal, choose their own pastors, believe in social justice and cherish flexibility.

Presbyterian Church of Livingston, 271 W. Northfield Road. The church's local missions include participation in the Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse (CHOW), senior citizen outreach, Bibles for the homeless and regular donations of food and clothing to needy people in the area. Christian education opportunities include Bible study for children and adult enrichment classes.

St. Raphael’s Church, 346 E. Mount Pleasant Ave. St. Raphael's Parish is part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark. Mass is offered daily in the sunlit modernist church sanctuary. 

Christian Evangelical Church in Livingston, 71 Old Road. The church has a diverse congregation with ties to Chinese culture. Members include ethnic Chinese from the Philippines, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Malaysia; American-born Chinese; Filipinos; and people of European descent. Services are conducted in English and Mandarin. The CEC also offers Sunday School for youth and children, youth and junior high groups, Chinese Bible study and couples fellowship.

The National Council of Jewish Women, 70 South Orange Avenue, Suite 120. Founded in 1981, the NCJW Center for Women is a community outreach program located on West Mount Pleasant Avenue in Livingston. The Center acts as an umbrella for a number of programs, including teen dating violence prevention, legal advisory, computer education, financial planning, job preparation and women's support group services.

The Crossing Church, 222 Laurel Ave. The church is a Christian congregation. In addition to Sunday  worship services, the church hosts ministries including a soup kitchen, youth group, fitness program, and men's fellowship. There's a cafe featuring free wireless Internet access and live music.

Taiwanese Presbyterian Church of Northern Jersey, 343 E. Cedar St.  In addition to being a place of worship, it gives Taiwanese immigrants and Taiwanese-Americans from all over North Jersey a place to speak Taiwanese and have fellowship. The congregation begins its Sundays with worship and later returns to share lunch in the fellowship hall because many members live out of town. The church is involved in feeding the hungry, connecting with churches all over the world, such as in Haiti, and ministering to the sick.

St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church, 200 W. Mount Pleasant Ave. St. Mary parishioners have many opportunities to take part in Armenian cultural activities. In addition to a regular Sunday school, the church runs the Aratian Armenian School, which provides three levels of instruction (Pre-K/K, beginner, and intermediate) in Armenian language, history, dance and music. The church also has youth groups that emphasize Armenian heritage. Choreg (traditional Armenian bread), fresh from St. Mary's kitchen, is sold on Sundays, and Armenian food is a part of many church activities.

Temple B’nai Abraham, 300 E. Northfield Road. offers an array of programs and services such as the Early and Religious School, acknowledged to be among the finest in New Jersey. TBA’s High School and Confirmation program seek to continue the synagogue education and involvement of young people beyond the age of Bar/Bat Mitzvah. There are also programs for adults such as the Sisterhood, Men's Club and Senior Center. 

Temple Emanu-El, 264 W. Northfield Road. The congregants are a Reform Jewish community. According to the mission statement, "all ages are inspired by our rabbi and cantor to perpetuate Judaism by engaging in lifelong learning, embracing Israel, performing acts of social justice, cherishing the Torah and worshipping together." The community welcomes Jewish people of all backgrounds, including interfaith families and "Jews-by-Choice."