Hosting the URJ Biennial

AEMT had the privilege of hosting the Union for Reform Judaism's regional biennial on January 31. The gathering brought together leaders of the national Reform movement with members of the 55 congregations of the New Jersey-West Hudson Valley region of the Union. Biennial attendees were invited to begin their day by joining the Shabbat morning Torah study classes which occur every week at Anshe Emeth.

After Torah study, 300 people gathered for morning services led by Rabbi Miller, Cantor Ott, Makhelat Anshe Emeth, and members of our Awesome Family Band.

High school participants, including many members of AETY, led the Birkat Hamazon after a delicious lunch in Reitman Hall.

Rabbi Marcus Burstein, the Assistant Regional Director, presented Rabbi Miller and AEMT President Susan Kohn a plaque thanking AEMT for hosting the Biennial.

Members of Anshe Emeth helped our guests find their way around the building before joining the other attendees at a series of afternoon workshops, which covered subjects ranging from the nature of God to techniques for making a congregation more welcoming. The day was a huge success and those who were there were most complimentary regarding the beauty of our Temple, the excitement of morning services, and the hospitality offered by our members.

AEMT's Junior Choir Performs

On February 22, Anshe Emeth's Junior Choir, led by Cantor Anna West Ott, participated in a concert at Congregation B'nai Tikva. The concert, called "We Stand With Israel: Give a Child the Freedom to Play", was held to benefit the children of Sederot, who have been traumatized by years of missile attacks from Gaza. The local Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County has been raising money to send children out of Israel's embattled southern area for a day of relaxed play. The song the choir is singing in the first video was written by Anshe Emeth's very own Mark Szachara. [Videos by Lisa Levine]