What’s Going On at Local West Orange Synagogues

The Dynamic Duo

Some people spend their Monday nights watching football.  Others pass those hours crocheting.  There are those hunched over a computer keyboard doing work that never seems to end.  But Bernie Zimmerman and Rabbi Menachem Scheiner are anything but typical.  They spend each Monday night wrestling.
No, not that kind of wrestling.  There are no body slams, capes and tights or overblown personas.  Not even a gold championship belt.  But Bernie and Rabbi Scheiner do wrestle with each other.  And they do it “no holds barred.”
For over two years, this Talmudic tag team has spent Monday nights grappling with the complexities of the Gemorrah, the Talmud.  Through rain, snow, sleet, hail and beautiful summer evenings, they have met for their weekly hour and a half sessions of intense study.  They read.  They discuss.  They question.  They argue.  They lift concepts and ideas that are thousands of years old and toss them at each other with abandon.  It is a Babylonian battle royal.
And, in the end, they accomplish. Unlike the other type of wrestling, where its win, lose or draw, this religious wrestling match leaves both of them winners.  Both come out of the sessions excited, fulfilled and invigorated.  Since they began learning together, they have finished one mesechta (tractate) and are half way through finishing another.
In the beginning, it was one of those weird coincidences that, as we know, are not really coincidences at all.  Bernie had always been a regular shul-goer at AABJ&D, but never had any experience with the kind of learning that is done in Kollel.  One on one. manna a mano. But he was intrigued.  And one day, he decided to inquire as to whether a person without an extensive resumé of Torah learning could also study in that more personal, one-on-one manner.  And, of course, he was directed to Kollel B’nei Torah, whose mission is to provide, foster and cultivate an environment where the Torah is studied with vigor, excitement and fulfillment.  So Bernie approached Rabbi Stone to see if he could do a one-night, one-time trial.  To see what Torah study is really like.
Enter, out of nowhere, Rabbi Scheiner.  A native of Far Rockaway now living and learning in Lakewood, Rabbi Scheiner decided, at just about that time, that he would like to share the excitement he finds in Torah with people who may have never experienced it.  He had heard for many years from friends about the excitement generated by all the Torah learning being done at B’nei Torah/the West Orange Kollel, and he wanted to be a part of it. 
As they say, the rest was history.  A match was made.  Not just any match, but the kind of match that you would find on pay per view.  And, on that fateful first Monday night, they began.  And they continue to this day.  Not just on Mondays, but also on every other Wednesday.
More on their accomplishments later.

Mazel Tov

The I-95 corridor from New Jersey to Baltimore was filled with great simcha recently with the news of the birth and bris of Shalom Tzvi Frankel, the son of Brachie and Gedaliya Frankel of Park Heights, Md.  Mazel tov to the new parents and also to grandparents Rabbi Avrohom and Frada Stone and Rabbi Shimon and Shirley Frankel and their families.  Details on the upcoming pidyon haben are expected to be announced next week.

Who We Are

Torah study continues to be the focus of Congregation and Kollel B’nei Torah of West Orange.  The Kollel will meet this week, as every week, on Monday through Wednesday nights, from 8:15 to 9:45.  On Thursday night, it will be from 8:30 to 10 p.m  Maariv follows each night. The Kollel is held in the Sefardic Minyan at AABJD.  All are welcome to come and experience the thrill and fulfillment of studying Torah one to one.  B’nei Torah, with its minyan and Kollel, is dedicated to uplifting and enriching the lives of every Jew through Torah study, serious tefillah and atmosphere that stresses and encourages personal growth.  No experience necessary – everyone is welcome to come and grow along with us.

Davening Times for Shabbos Parshas Korach

Friday June 24

Mincha Erev Shabbos: 6 p.m.

Maariv: 7:20 p.m.

Shabbos Day, June 25

Brochos: 8:10 a.m.

Shochen Ad: 8:45 a.m.

2^nd Zman Krias Shma: 9:13 a.m.

Kiddush following davening

Learning Seder: 6 p.m.

Mincha: 8:10 p.m.

Maariv Motzei Shabbos: 9:20 p.m.

 Weeknight Maariv - Week of March 6

Maariv (M,T,W): 9:45
(Th): 10 p.m (following Kollel; at AABJD Sephardic Wing)