What’s Going On at Local West Orange Synagogues

There is always something going on here at Congregation Ahawas Achim Bnei Jacob and David (AABJ&D).

 4^th Annual Discover West Orange Shabbat

This weekend we are having our 4^th Annual Discover West Orange Shabbat. This is a special Shabbat for couples and families who are thinking about moving to a new community. We have invited them to join us here in West Orange so they can see for themselves all that our community has to offer! The weekend will include Shabbat hospitality, Shabbat dinner at various homes, organized activities for children and a community Shabbat lunch.

Youth Department

The drawing for our Youth Department raffle is coming up this Sunday, May 22. It’s not too late to purchase tickets for some fabulous prizes: 1 ticket for $36 or 3 for $100 buys you a chance to win an airfare/travel voucher ($1,500 value), an Apple iPad 2 ($500 value), vouchers to several local establishments ($425 value) and a Cannon digital camera ($210 value.) Great odds-no more than 350 tickets will be sold. Contact Barry Dattelkramer at nbkramer@gmail.com or (973) 324-9080 to purchase tickets.

 The Youth Dept. had two fun baking events this month. Children from preschool through 5^th grade came out on Mother’s Day to make cards and bake cookies for their special moms. They also enjoyed springtime challah baking, personalizing each challah with their own combination of sweet toppings.

 Sisterhood Donor Dinner

Our annual Sisterhood Donor Dinner took place on May 18^th. This year we were proud to honor Robin Amster. The garden party themed dinner featured an interactive flower arranging demonstration, boutique, and raffles. It was a truly enjoyable evening for all guests in attendance.

Special Days

On May 1 we welcomed Fran Laufer as our guest speaker for our Yom HaShoa program. As we gathered to remember those who perished in the Holocaust, Laufer spoke of her experiences. She is the author of A Vow Fulfilled, a Holocaust survivor, a cofounder of the Rivka Laufer Bikur Cholim, and a renowned speaker on Jewish causes.

 On May 9 our community gathered for a Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut program. We remembered Israel’s fallen soldiers and celebrated Israel’s 63^rd year of independence. We had a screening of the film Crossing the Line: the Intifada Comes to Campus” with a discussion led by Rabbi Elliot Mathias from Hasbara Fellowships, a project of Aish International. A festive celebration including food, music and dancing followed to celebrate Israel’s birthday.

 For information on all of our events and programs, including youth, seniors, Bat Mitzvah club, adult education, Men’s Club, Sisterhood and more, please visit our website at www.aabjd.org.

 For insights to the weekly Torah portion, check out Rabbi Zwickler's YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/ezwickler?feature=mhum

 Candle Lighting/Service Times

This Shabbat, the Torah reading is Parshat Bechukotai.

Service times are as follows:

Friday, May 20:

Early Mincha: 5 p.m.

Light Shabbat Candles: 7 or 7:54 p.m.

Evening Services: 7 or 8 p.m.

 Shabbat, May 21:

Morning Services: 8, 9, and 9:15 a.m.

Rabbi Zwickler’s Shiur: 6:40 p.m.

Afternoon Services: 7:40 p.m.

Shabbat Ends: 9:01 p.m.

 Weekday Services:

Sunday Mornings: 7, 7:30, 8 and 9 a.m.

Monday and Thursday Mornings: 6:35 and 7:25 a.m.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday Mornings: 6:50 and 7:30 a.m.

Afternoons: 8 p.m.

Evenings: 9:45 p.m.

For a complete listing of our prayer times please visit our website at www.aabjd.org.