Orenstein Memorial Lecture focuses on Pirkei Avot

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Congregation Beth El will present the Rabbi Jehiel Orenstein Memorial Lecture, “New Eyes on Pirkei Avot,” by Rabbi Gordon Tucker, on Sunday, May 6, at 4 p.m. at the synagogue, 222 Irvington Ave. in South Orange. This event is free and open to the community; the lecture will be followed by […]

Towns remember horrors of Holocaust

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Hundreds of South Orange and Maplewood residents came together on Sunday, April 15, to remember the victims of the Holocaust and to pledge that such an atrocity will not happen again on their watch. The Holocaust is the name given to the mass murder of Jews, homosexuals, disabled people, Romani and […]

‘Can Journalism Save Democracy?’

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — On Thursday, April 26, SOMA Action will host a discussion led by a panel of prominent journalists on the role of the press in the age of President Trump; the panel had originally been scheduled for March 8, but was delayed due to snow. Panel participants are: John Cassidy, staff writer […]

Two towns to remember Holocaust in April 15 service

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The 41st annual South Orange/Maplewood Interfaith Holocaust Remembrance Service will take place on Sunday, April 15, at 3 p.m. at Congregation Beth El, 222 Irvington Ave. in South Orange. The service is preceded by a March of Remembrance at 2 p.m., which will assemble at Spiotta Park, corner of South Orange […]

Maplewood appoints six police chaplains

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The Maplewood Police Department appointed its first police chaplains this month. On March 20, the Maplewood Township Committee unanimously approved a resolution appointing six clergy members from Maplewood and South Orange and police chaplains. Resolution No. 72-18 appointed to this new position Rev. Rick Boyer of Prospect Presbyterian Church in Maplewood, Rev. […]

‘Can Journalism Save Democracy?’

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — On Thursday, March 8, SOMA Action will host a discussion led by a panel of prominent journalists on the role of the press in the age of President Trump. Panel participants are: John Cassidy, staff writer for The New Yorker; Mary Alice Williams, anchor of NJTV News; and Tara George, professor […]

Beth El to host ‘Big Quiz Thing’ event

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — On Saturday, March 3, at 8:30 p.m., Big Quiz Thing’s professional quizmaster and Beth El member Eric De Picciotto will host a night of trivia at Congregation Beth El, 222 Irvington Ave. in South Orange. The evening will begin with cocktails and light fare, followed by a live trivia competition. Trivia […]

‘Humor as Resistance in Holocaust Cinema’ at Beth El

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — On Saturday, Feb. 3, at 7:30 p.m., filmmaker Stuart Weinstock, a Beth El member, will present a special talk at Congregation Beth El, “Humor as Resistance in Holocaust Cinema.” The lecture and discussion will explore when comedy serves a higher purpose than entertainment. In the case of film as an act […]

Beth El to explore Israel and society

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Congregation Beth El has announced the next two events in its series of events commemorating Israel’s 70th anniversary. “The Fight for Religious Pluralism in Israel: Recognizing All Forms of Jewish Expression” will be Tuesday, Jan. 16, at 7:30 p.m. with Rabbi Arie Hasit. Hasit grew up in Cherry Hill and made […]

Pursuit of Harmony lights the flame of understanding and unity

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The Pursuit of Harmony helped create beautiful music and build bridges of understanding over the weekend of Dec. 15 at Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel, the Reform synagogue in South Orange. The musical duo of Jewish-American singer and songwriter Michael Ochs and award-winning Palestinian peace activist and songwriter Alaa Alshaham performed at the […]