Congregation Adas Emuno

This Week at Adas Emuno

February 16, 2023 8:04 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Feb.16, 2023

Dear Friends,
There is so much happening in Israel right now that it feels like I could talk about it all the time.
For this week, I just want to pay quiet tribute to a genuine Israeli hero, Ilan Ramon, on the 20th anniversary of his death in the Columbia space shuttle tragedy.
I'll do so at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM).

The weekly Torah portion moves into legal territory this week, and at our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM), we will look at the the always vexing question of capital punishment.

Note that religious school does not meet this week in honor of President's Day weekend.

Ready to read our next book for the Adas Emuno Book Club meeting on March 13? The Women of Rothschild: The Untold Story of the World's Most Famous Dynasty by Natalie Livingstone, promises to tell all!

Shabbat shalom
Rabbi Schwartz

This Week at Adas Emuno

February 10, 2023 8:53 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Feb. 9, 2023

Dear Friends,
I am grateful to our student cantor Joe Flaxman for leading services and study while I am away.

The Ten Commandments make their appearance in this week's Torah portion.
If you haven't heard them chanted you will have the opportunity to do so at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM), where the fourth of the ten, to observe the Sabbath, will be discussed.

The place of the Ten Commandments in Jewish life will be considered at our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM).

I look forward to returning on Sunday for religious school, including Confirmation Class.

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz and student cantor Flaxman.

This Week at Adas Emuno—Chanting of the Song of the Sea and a Seder

February 02, 2023 8:11 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Feb. 2, 2023

Dear Friends,
I am grateful to our student cantor Joe Flaxman for leading service and study while I am away.

The Song of the Sea from the book of Exodus is probably the oldest text of the Hebrew Bible.
At our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM) the power of this poem will be experienced through chanting and discussion.

The message of this ancient song of liberation will be considered at our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM).

And then join us for a Seder Tu Bishvat (11:00 AM)—an hour long celebration of the new year of trees, sampling the fruits and juices, music and poetry of this holiday. No reservation required!

The minor but fun holiday will also be marked on Sunday, at our Tot program (9:30 AM) and school-wide celebration.

Shabbat shalom and Happy Tu Bishvat,
Rabbi Schwartz and student cantor Flaxman

This Week at Adas Emuno

January 26, 2023 8:27 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Jan. 26, 2023

Dear Friends,
I am very grateful to our student cantor Joe Flaxman for leading services and study while I am away.

At our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM) the topic is theological: “Everything I do is in service to G-d, even when I do not believe in G-d.” What does it means to be a religious Jew as well as questioning Jew who believes in the power of myth?

Our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM) considers the plague of darkness. that culminates the ten plagues of the Exodus. We will explore different ways to interpret darkness in our lives (physical, spiritual…) and how we are called to be a light unto the nations.

***Advance notice: next week a Seder Tu Bishvat to celebrate the new year of trees will be held after Torah study (11:00-12:00). All are welcome!

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz and Student Cantor Flaxman

This Week at Adas Emuno

January 19, 2023 12:11 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Jan. 19, 2023
Dear Friends,
Has George Santos, the newly elected congressman who "embellished" his resume given us a new word?
What is the difference between Jewish and Jew-ish?
Santos claims he is not the former but is the latter.
It’s worth discussing...and we will do so at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM).

What is the new word, and new reality, that describes the Israelites in Egypt?
That too is worth discussing...at our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM).

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

This Week at Adas Emuno—Celebrating Martin Luther King’s Legacy

January 12, 2023 9:41 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Jan. 12, 2023

Dear Friends,
Each year we celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. on the weekend of his birthday.
We will do so at our Shabbat Evening Service( 7:30 PM).

Appropriately enough, we begin reading the Book of Exodus, which so inspired King, at our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM).

Religious school is in session on Sunday, when we will also tie these themes together.

And if you are an early riser, I'm speaking tomorrow at the Rotary of the Palisades Breakfast on "Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Prophets" at the Gotham City Diner in Ridgefield (7:30 AM!).

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

This Week at Adas Emuno

January 05, 2023 8:05 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Jan. 6, 2023

Dear Friends,
What is going on in Israel?
I've been looking for an opportunity to comment on the elections there, which I listed last week as the top Jewish news story of 2022.
As the new government takes it seat, the most right-wing in Israel's history, I'll voice the concerns of many Jews about it, at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM).

I always sigh a big sigh when we reach the end of the Book of Genesis each year, and I'll explain why at our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM).

Join us for our bi-monthly Adas Emuno Book Club on Monday (7:30 PM) via Zoom, when we discuss "One Hundred Saturdays", about the small Jewish community of Rhodes as seen through the eyes of Stella Levi, a Holocaust survivor. Here is a link (thanks to the Rosens) to a program about the book: Book Presentation: "One Hundred Saturdays: Stella Levi and the Search for a Lost World" - YouTube

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

This Week at Adas Emuno—Rabbi’s Top Ten List!

December 29, 2022 8:43 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Dec. 29, 2022

Dear Friends,
Yes, it's that time of the year, and I know you have been waiting for it.
Are you ready for the "Rabbi's Top Ten Jewish News Events of 2022"?
I'll offer this highly anticipated list at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM).

We reach the most fateful moment of the epic story of Joseph this week.
Find out why everyone is crying at our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM).

Religious school remains on break... wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

This Week at Adas Emuno

December 22, 2022 8:41 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Dec. 22, 2022

Dear Friends,
We're half way through the holiday of Hanukkah, and I hope it has been filled with light and latkes!

Tomorrow, the sixth night, is our Leonia community lighting, and we'll have an oneg reception before our Shabbat-Hanukkah Evening Service (7:30 PM).
We're dedicating this lighting to the people of Ukraine, and their brave effort to keep the light shining in their ravaged homeland.
A special donation to HIAS has been made in solidarity with their struggle.
By the way, two fascinating archeological discoveries have just been announced in Israel, both relating to the Maccabees, which I'll discuss at the service.

Torah Study and Religious School are both on break this week, but we will gather at 7:00 PM on both Saturday and Sunday to kindle the final two lights of the menorah.

Shabbat shalom and Happy Hanukkah,
Rabbi Schwartz

This Week at Adas Emuno—Fifth-Grade Family Service

December 15, 2022 8:54 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Dec. 16, 2022

Dear Friends,
We welcome the 5th Grade to lead our Shabbat Evening Family Service (7:30 PM) as we get ready for Hanukkah.

It's always interesting that the holiday coincides with the epic story of Joseph (who assimilated as he rose to power in Egypt to the point that he almost forgot his heritage), which we will probe at our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (10:00 AM).

Hanukkah begins Sunday evening, and like every year, we will light our outdoor menorah at 7:00 PM sharp, every night of the holiday. It's fun, short, and happens rain or shine or snow- so pick a night or two or more and c'mon over.

The first night we'll have some hot chocolate and treats. The sixth night, which is our Leonia community lighting, we'll have an oneg reception before our Shabbat-Hanukkah service. Every night we'll have a different song and maybe a fun fact or joke!

Shabbat shalom and Happy Hanukkah,

Rabbi Schwartz

For Livestream Services:

Find all our recorded services on YouTube at "Adas Emuno Streaming" and use this direct link once the service has started: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCftctPu9pRG4bBQCR6RH4Dg/live