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

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

September 8

7:02pm

September 15

6:51pm

September 22 

6:39pm

September 29

6:28pm

Source: Chabad.org

 

Download Blessings Here

 

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. 

  • One of the most popular phrases in Jewish life is L’dor V'dor – From Generation to Generation. In our Parsha this week, Haazinu, we find a source in the Torah for this phrase.

    Moshe, our teach...

  • Since this Shabbat Table Talk will arrive in your inbox on Erev Rosh Hashanah 5784, it’s my pleasure to be one of the first to wish you and yours a happy and healthy sweet new year filled with go...

  • In the early 1970s there was a college graduate (let’s call him David) who celebrated his graduation with a backpacking trip around the world. His parents insisted that he begin his trip with a s...

  • At this time of year, there is lots of talk about keeping unity within the community. The Talmud states explicitly that G-d’s House was destroyed due to societal divisions and needless hatred. Th...

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!

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • 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 ...

  • 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...