Shul Spiel: What's Happening at Local West Orange Synagogues

JLI Graduation
The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) will conclude the winter course Money Matters: Jewish Business Ethics; on Monday night, Feb. 27.

Rabbi Mendy Kasowitz will conduct the final lesson of the six-week course from 7:30-9 p.m. at Lubavitch Center Shul, 395 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange.

"The recent failures in the financial industry have drastically changed the way we think about business," Kasowitz said. “At JLI, we deeply believe that business should be a force for good, and that's why we're presenting students with timeless Talmudic insights into real-world ethical dilemmas,” he added.

"Markets need morals, and morals are not made by markets. They are made by schools, the media, custom, tradition, religious leaders, moral role models and the influence of people," said British Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks, "Jewish ethics has a long past and a massive resource of wisdom. That is why courses such as JLI’s Money Matters: Jewish Business Ethics are so important."

Like all JLI programs, Money Matters is designed to appeal to people at all levels of Jewish knowledge, including those without any prior experience or background in Jewish learning. All JLI courses are open to the public, and attendees need not be affiliated with a particular synagogue, temple or other house of worship.

Graduation certificates will be awarded to all JLI students who have completed the Money Matters course. The general public is welcome to attend this final lesson for free.

Yeshiva Night final session of semester, Tuesday, Feb. 28
Yeshiva Night - Study “yeshiva style” with Bochurim from the Rabbinical College of America, Morristown.

The Lubavitch Center of Essex County presents “Yeshiva Night”, an opportunity to study an array of Jewish subjects with real Yeshiva students.

Aspiring Rabbis from the Rabbinical College of America in Morristown will come to West Orange to share their knowledge of the Torah.

“We are very lucky to have the Rabbinical College nearby so that we can take advantage of this wonderful opportunity,” Kasowitz, the director of the Lubavitch Center of Essex County said. “The Yeshiva students study a wide variety of Jewish topics and will share their knowledge with us. This is what we hope to accomplish with this unique educational offering,” he added.

Sessions will be held from 8-9 p.m.at the Lubavitch Center Shul, 395 Pleasant Valley Way in West Orange.

Spanning a wide range of subjects, Yeshiva Night offers participants the opportunity to learn Gemara/Talmud, Halacha, and Chassidus/Kabbalah.

Like all Lubavitch Center programs, Yeshiva Night is designed to appeal to people at all levels of Jewish knowledge, including those without any prior experience or background in Jewish learning.

Interested students may register by calling (973) 486-2362 or emailing rabbimkas@gmail.com.

Special Shabbat Event - Friday, March 2
Join us as we welcome students from the Rabbinical College of America for a fun-filled Shabbat of singing and enjoyment and a traditional meal complete with challah, gefilte fish and matzah ball soup.

This Shabbat is scheduled in the Jewish month of Adar, the month in which Purim falls in. Our sages tell us when Adar enters we increase in joy. The goal of this Shabbat is to bring joy and happiness to all participants through stories, song and camaraderie. 

A candle lighting ceremony will start the event with women and girls lighting the traditional Shabbat candles. Men, women and children alike will mark their participation by attending services and enjoying the time-honored Friday night dinner.

The dinner is scheduled for Friday night, March 2. Visiting students will entertain with age-old Shabbat and Chassidic melodies. The cost for the evening is $30 for adults and $15 per child. The cost for paid members is $25 adult and $12 per child.

The candle lighting ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by evening services led by one of the students. Dinner will begin after services at 7 p.m. 

To RSVP please visit chabadessex.com/rsvp.

For more information please contact Rabbi Kasowitz at (973) 486-2362 or email rabbimkas@gmail.com.

Grand Purim Ball
The Grand Purim Ball — An Annual Celebration of fun and festivities

Come join Lubavitch Center Shul and Congregation Ohr Torah for the Annual Grand Purim Ball with live music, Megillah readings, masquerade contest, entertainment a buffet dinner and more. Children and adults should come in costume to participate in our annual Masquerade Contest.

George and Friends, a ventriloquist magic show, will perform.

The event will take place on Wednesday, March 7, at the beautiful ballroom at Ohr Torah, 270 Pleasant Valley Way in West Orange and will begin after Megillah reading in your shul. Additional Megillah readings will be held throughout the evening.

Purim is a very joyous occasion, commemorating a story of intrigue and adventure; the story of Mordechai and Queen Esther unifying the Jewish people through fasting and prayer, overturning the evil decrees of Haman and King Achashverosh and saving the Jewish nation. It’s a time for the whole family to celebrate the joy of our heritage. Purim begins Wednesday evening, March 7 and continues all day Thursday, March 8. 

The entrance fee is $12 adults and $8 per child and $180 sponsorship. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Kindly RSVP by March 5 with Altie (973) 486-2362 or Karen (973) 518-2720 or email us at grandpurimball@gmail please specify the amount of adults and children.

Visit ChabadEssex.com/purim for the story of Purim, Holiday guide, customs, games and videos.

Shabbos Terumah
Friday, Feb. 24, 1 Adar
Light Candles: 5:23 p.m.
Evening Services: 5:30 p.m.

Shabbos, Feb. 25, 2 Adar
Rabbi Herson’s Class 8:30 a.m.
Morning Services 9:30 a.m.
Rabbi’s Sermon 11:30 a.m. 
Hot n’ spicy Kiddush: Sponsored by Rabbi Boruch and Devorah Klar and Yaacov and Ita Leaf in honor of the third birthday of Mendel Leaf. Also sponsored in part by Jacky Grossberg Latzman in memory of her mother’s Yarzheit. Also sponsored in part by Larry Zalman Leib Miller in memory of his mother, Yehudit bas Ya'akov's upcoming Yahrzeit.

Mincha  5:15 p.m.
Shabbos ends 6:24 p.m.

Thursday, Mar. 1, 7 Adar
Birthday and Yahrzeit of Moshe Rabbeinu