Our Affiliation
We are affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, the association of Conservative congregations in North America.
Life-Long Learning
Temple Emanu-El offers formal courses, single lectures and Shabbat morning parashah discussions.
Our fall courses for 2010 includes:
Sundays: 11 AM: “G-dcast” short animated films on the parashah and discussion, led by Andy Platizky. Oct 3, 10, 17, 24, 31. Classes are preceded by 10:30 AM services. Mr. Platizky teaches at New Jersey City University, where his strength is in facilitating high-level discussions. For a sample of the animated films, visit http://www.g-dcast.com/lech-lecha
Sundays, 11 AM: Hebrew across America: Hebrew literacy, taught by Varda Wendroff. Nov. 7, 14, 21. Ms. Wendroff is an expert on teaching foreign languages, having both taught in the Bayonne Public Schools, and having headed the foreign language department. Classes are preceded by 10:30 AM services.
Classes and materials are free, however we are required to receive registration information in advance. Please call the temple office: (201) 436-4499.
Sundays, 11 AM: Learn to Chant Haftarah! Taught by Rabbi Clifford B. Miller or Dr. Deborah Miller: Dates to be announced. This course is appropriate for anyone who can read Hebrew accurately. This course will begin the week after Hebrew Across America culminates.
Film Series
Sunday mornings Jan. 2, Feb. 6, Mar. 6, Apr. 3. Charlene and Andy Platizky coordinate this popular event, choosing captivating, stimulating films. Andy is considering serving mimosas! (for details, see Events Page)
Joint Book Club
The joint book club meets once a month, together with members of Temple Beth Am. We will read and discuss the hottest new books of Jewish interest. The next discussion will be on April 27, 2011, at Temple Beth Am. We will discuss “Sarah’s Key”. Our leader is Joyce Nestle, a cantorial soloist at Temple Beth Am, and a noted guide to literature.
Shavuot Scholars
Shavuot Scholars for the past three years have been Nina Reidl, a doctoral student in Jewish philosophy at the Jewish Theological Seminary; and Rabbi Randall Koenigsberg of Boca Raton, Florida who spoke about revelation. In 2010, our former cantor, Marshall Wise, gave a singing presentation on the history of Jewish music. Our local teachers have included Rabbi Gordon Gladstone of Temple Beth Am, and Rabbi Miller, Irwin Rothblatt and Dr. Deborah Miller, of Temple Emanu-El.
Shabbat Mornings
Rabbi Miller shares from his vast storehouse of knowledge as he introduces the Torah and Haftarah readings. This year, we will experiment with Torah discussions around the Kiddush luncheon table, instead of sermonic remarks.
In previous years, we have offered courses in Torah, bio-medical ethics, Israel’s issues, and Kabbalah.
