Summertime is approaching and many have begun planning their summer road trips and vacations. Does anyone remember a Trip-Tik? How about the maps from AAA? Nowadays the only preparation necessary i...
Shalom Rabbi Epstein!
Meet Rabbi Ephraim Epstein, the Jewish Federation's Community Scholar in Residence. This new role in the Jewish Federation family serves to increase Jewish content for the Federation and our family of agencies, in line with our mission to enhance Jewish life.
Rabbi Epstein is the former senior rabbi at Congregation Sons of Israel in Cherry Hill, where he spent the last 21 years of his career. During the past two decades, Rabbi Epstein has established relationships with the organized Jewish community, the local police force, hospital leadership, and even the Governor's office, serving on the New Jersey Holocaust Commission for many years.
Shabbat
Shabbat is an opportunity to bring family and friends together, reflect on what truly matters in life, and keep the culture of Judaism alive. Here are some resources to help you observe.
Federation Community Candles
Light Up South Jersey
The Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey is offering free Shabbat candles in the lobby of the Katz JCC located at 1301 Springdale Road in Cherry Hill.
Stop by and pick up your candles from the basket in the lobby every Thursday after 4 pm through Friday. Let’s light the Shabbat candles in our own homes, but bring in the Sabbath together as one community.
Candle lighting times in
Cherry Hill, NJ for Spring 2023
|
Date |
Time to light candles |
|
June 9 |
8:09pm |
|
June 16 |
8:12pm |
|
June 23 |
8:14pm |
|
June 30 |
8:14pm |
|
July 7 |
8:13pm |
|
July 14 |
8:10pm |
|
July 21 |
8:05pm |
|
July 28 |
8pm |
|
August 4 |
7:52pm |
|
August 11 |
7:44pm |
|
August 18 |
7:34pm |
|
August 25 |
7:24pm |
|
September 1 |
7:14pm |
Source: Chabad.org
Shabbat Table Talk
Looking for ways to enhance your conversations as you gather around the Shabbat table? Read through these thought-provoking topics that dive into Torah portions and beyond as you head into the weekend.
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Leadership is so important and there is an abundance of literature and coursework on the topic. Leaders are often held to a different standard, being that they are so often in the public eye. Leade...
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During the height of the fear, anxiety, and tumult of COVID-19, we all hoped, prayed, and longed for its speedy conclusion. The loss of life, the shutting down of society as we knew it, and the fea...
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What do people count? Some count sheep, some count their money, and others count their blessings. Counting is usually done when we want to take an inventory and know clearly how much is there.
I...
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Although I usually use this space to write about the Parsha of the week, since last Friday was a lesser known holiday, I’ve pivoted to discuss the holiday instead.
Every year when the township a...
PREVIOUS SHABBAT TABLE TALK
HOLIDAY TABLE TALKS
ReJEWvination
Explore and engage in person with old and new friends about relevant and contemporary Jewish topics.
Homes will rotate in the community. Address to be shared upon registration.
Hosted by the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey
Chaired by Barbara Robbins
If interested in joining our group, contact Rabbi Ephraim Epstein, JFED Community Scholar in Residence, via email at eepstein@jfedsnj.org or call 856.751.9500 x1191.
Learn about traditions, values, and rituals from our Community Scholar in Residence. Rabbi Epstein can also serve as a resource for everyday issues, offering perspective with a Jewish lens. He will answer all questions submitted by community members, and questions will remain anonymous unless permission is provided to share with the larger community. Highlight this as a resource that he provides to the entire community as our Community Scholar in Residence.
Have a question on your mind about Jewish culture or everyday life from a Jewish perspective? Submit it to our Community Scholar in Residence, Rabbi Ephraim Epstein: AsktheScholar@jfedsnj.org
Check back soon for new Q&As!
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Q: HaShem gave us the ability to exercise freedom of will – making our own choices. Why, then, did he also give us guilt? Why, if one is committed to a decision (small or great), having implement...
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Q: My brother and his wife are moving into a new home. Aside from hanging a mezuzah, are there any other rituals for a Jewish "house-warming"?
A: Mazel Tov on the new home! Indeed, affixing a Me...
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Q: Are there any Jewish rituals for the winter solstice?
A: Since the Jewish calendar and festivals are primarily based on the Lunar Calendar, and the solstice is related to the sun, there is no ...
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Q: What types of spices (Havdalah) should be used for Havdalah?
A: Smelling sweet spices after Shabbat concludes serves to strengthen our souls that feel diminished after Shabbat goes away.
The g...
