Tuesday Morning Torah – March 4, 2014 | Congregation Torat El - Monmouth County Conservative Synagogue

Tuesday Morning Torah – March 4, 2014

Good morning! Before today’s message, I want to tell you how proud I am of our community, and how grateful I am to all who have been working on the Assistant Rabbi/Educator search process. Our first weekend was a huge success and we are looking forward to seeing the next three candidates on the weekends of 3/14-16, 3/22-24, and 3/28-30. Stay tuned for more information about the search process and upcoming weekends! 

 
 

In other news- don’t forget that Purim is less than two weeks away! Click here for all of the details. ___________________________________________________________

 
 

This morning I wanted to tell you about a wonderful program happening within our community- the Sandy Teen Fellows program happening through the Jewish Federation of Greater Monmouth County. This is a volunteer service program that is currently being offered to teens in our community who are looking to gain leadership skills, make a difference in their community, and learn about Jewish social justice work in a “hands on” atmosphere. There are still thousands of people out of their homes due to the effects of Super Storm Sandy. These teens are working directly with Rabbi Michelle Pearlman, Director of Community Engagement, and the community of Sea Bright to help individuals return to their homes as soon as possible. I am delighted to tell you that our congregation has among the highest number of teen participants in the program! We are so proud of all of the holy work that these teens are doing and hope to provide opportunities for our teens to reflect upon their experience with us in the coming months.

 
 

While I am on the subject, the Sandy Teens program is just one of the many wonderful things that the Jewish Federation has been doing over these past few years. Under the leadership of Executive Director Keith Krivitzky, the Federation staff, board and lay leadership have been working tirelessly to fulfill their mission of supporting Jews in need, strengthening the Jewish community and ensuring a bright Jewish future. Whether they are supporting synagogues and other Jewish organizations, providing updates on the situation in the Ukraine, organizing Birthright Israel trips, planning for the upcoming Mega Mission to Israel, sponsoring the Women’s Philanthropy Main event, or planning for the first ever LGBT Jersey Shore Progressive Shabbat Meetup (happening at the Hotel Tides on Friday March 28th at 6:30PM and open to all in our community) – the Federation is doing wonderful work! Check out their website to consider making a donation and explore all of the wonderful things that they are doing on a local, national, and international level.