Shomrei Emunah, Montclair NJ

Shomrei Emunah, Montclair NJ We embrace tradition and modernity — a community woven of many Jewish backgrounds and experiences. Open-Door Judaism: Voluntary Dues, Nice People.

Shomrei Emunah is the spiritual home of a warm and inviting community of Jews in and around Montclair, New Jersey, a progressive and diverse enclave just 12 miles west of Manhattan. It is a town known for its high concentration of people engaged in the arts, media, politics, and the professions, and combines an urban sensibility with the very best of suburban life. Like the place in which we live,

our synagogue embraces members from an unusually wide range of backgrounds and ways of living Jewish. With pride in our congregation’s long and proud history, we strive to build a contemporary community that welcomes individuals, couples and families of diverse backgrounds and orientations to join, grow and thrive with us. Our community weaves us all together in an intimate environment as we observe an egalitarian, vibrant Judaism, balancing openness and traditional practice in a variety of ways; renewing and sustaining our connections to our heritage through learning and ritual; celebrating and sharing the cycles of life, and seeking to nurture one another, our neighbors, Israel, and the world at large with our energy, time, and acts of loving kindness. We aspire to be a beacon of social consciousness and action. We welcome all who wish to worship or affiliate with us.

Lunchtime Learning with Rabbi JulieWednesday, May 20Lunch 12:30pm (catered, free)Class 12:45pm-2:15pmAdvanced Medical Di...
05/18/2026

Lunchtime Learning with Rabbi Julie
Wednesday, May 20
Lunch 12:30pm (catered, free)
Class 12:45pm-2:15pm

Advanced Medical Directives
What does Judaism say about removing life support, administering morphine, and organ donation? We will look at end of life issues covered in advanced directives, examining both primary sources and differing positions in Jewish law.

I was privileged to be with my mother when she was dying and in the moment she breathed her last breath. This experience, combined with conversations with congregants, hospital visits, and the bio-medical ethics seminar I taught at Princeton Hillel, remind me of the importance of talking about and planning for the end of our lives.

This is the second of three sessions about end-of-life issues. Feel free to join any or all of the sessions.
June 17 - Medical Aid in Dying
Study texts will be provided in English. No prior background or Judaic knowledge is required.

Lunch will be provided, funded by a grant from Shemayim's Synagogue Vegan Challenge.

Please remember to bring your fob to access the building.
Questions?
Contact Rabbi Julie
[email protected]

Shavuot Community TikkunThursday, May 21at Temple Ner Tamid936 Broad St, Bloomfield Our Community Shavuot Tikkun is a lo...
05/12/2026

Shavuot Community Tikkun
Thursday, May 21
at Temple Ner Tamid
936 Broad St, Bloomfield

Our Community Shavuot Tikkun is a long standing local tradition, with our local community synagogues taking turns to host each year. Bnai Keshet, Congregation Shomrei Emunah, Temple Ner Tamid, and Temple Sholom of West Essex will come together for a night of prayer, study, and Torah. In addition to our classes, taught by local clergy and congregants, we will be joined by scholar Moulie Vidas, Associate Professor of Religion at Princeton University and the author of numerous works on the Talmud including the National Book award finalist The Rise of Talmud.

Registration strongly encouraged for security reasons.
Registration: https://members.nertamid.org/form/tikkun-leil-shavuot.html

Schedule
7:00pm - Festival Service
7:30pm - Dairy Oneg
8:30pm - Keynote Address by Dr. Moulie Vidas
9:40pm - Breakout Study Sessions 1
10:50pm - Breakout Study Sessions 2
12:00am - Study Session with Dr. Moulie Vidas
12:45am - Reading of the Ten Commandments
Dr. Vidas's Sessions

Keynote Address: Who Owns Torah? Memory, Credit, and Immortality in Rabbinic Story
The passage we will study opens with a moment of tension: a rabbi is upset that his student teaches his teachings without giving him credit. The situation is resolved humorously by another ingenious student who tricks the rabbi to forgive his peer. But as the Yerushalmi stresses, there is a bigger question at stake: is Torah something we inherit together, or something individuals can meaningfully contribute to and be recognized for? If everything ultimately comes from Sinai, what does it mean to have an “original” idea—and why does it matter to say who said what? The discussion turns out to be about memory, honor, and even how human beings hope to live forever through the words they teach.

Study Session: From Wheat to Torah: The Origins of Shavuot
A brief historical exploration of Shavuot, tracing how the holiday evolved from its biblical agricultural roots into the festival of Torah revelation. Along the way, we’ll examine the history of its interpretation in Jewish tradition and consider a provocative modern claim: that the rabbis’ association of Shavuot with the giving of Torah may reflect an early response to parallel Christian claims about revelation and sacred history.

Midday MeetUp: BlueberriesTuesday, May 1211:45am - Catered Lunch (Free)12:30pm - Programadd to your calendarJoin food hi...
05/05/2026

Midday MeetUp: Blueberries
Tuesday, May 12
11:45am - Catered Lunch (Free)
12:30pm - Program
add to your calendar

Join food historian Judith Krall-Russo for an exploration about New Jersey's wonder fruit, blueberries.

RSVP required so we know how much food to buy.
RSVP here: https://shomrei.easyshul.com/events/6967e4b6368f110026c0c460

Voluntary donations are welcome to cover the costs of the program. Suggested donation $10 per person.

Please remember to bring your fob to access the building.
About the Program

The cultivated blueberry has its roots in the Pinelands of New Jersey. Elizabeth White along with Dr. Fredrick Coville, proved that the “swamp huckleberry” could be cultivated. Learn the history of this fascinating berry and the contributions New Jersey horticulturist Elizabeth White of Whitesbog made to their cultivation in the early 1900s in Burlington County. Today the blueberry is touted as the wonder fruit with a host of healthful benefits. Learn the history, health benefits and a variety of ways to prepare and savor these berries.

About Judith Krall-Russo
Judith Krall–Russo has enjoyed a lifelong love of foods, especially embracing the rich agriculture of her home state – New Jersey. As a result of her independent studies and knowledge of the history and trends surrounding many popular New Jersey foods and beverages, Ms. Krall-Russo is a regular lecturer and seminar organizer across the state. She is a self-taught cook, supplementing her passion with classes in nutrition, ethnic and Early American cooking. She has planned menus and tea parties for various private parties and art receptions.

Questions?
Contact the Shomrei Office
[email protected]
(973) 746-5031

Join Rabbi Julie for an exploration about Humility. Feel free to attend even if you have attended previous sessions. Wed...
05/05/2026

Join Rabbi Julie for an exploration about Humility. Feel free to attend even if you have attended previous sessions.

Wednesday,May 6
7:30pm - 9:00pm in the Gallery

What is Mussar?
Mussar is a Jewish spiritual practice that provides a structured path for developing our inner character and living with greater holiness in everyday life. Through the study and practice of Mussar, we can develop awareness of our soul traits (middot) and learn practical techniques to bring them into better balance.

Our study of Mussar will be based on the book Everyday Holiness by Alan Morinis. No preparation is required for the sessions. Study texts will be provided in English. No prior background or Judaic knowledge is required.

Questions?
Contact the Shomrei office, (973) 746-5031
[email protected]

Zamru Service and DinnerFriday, May 86:00pm - Wine, Light Bites, & Kid Friendly Snacks6:30pm - Zamru Service in the Sanc...
05/04/2026

Zamru Service and Dinner
Friday, May 8
6:00pm - Wine, Light Bites, & Kid Friendly Snacks
6:30pm - Zamru Service in the Sanctuary
7:30pm (approx) - Catered Dinner in the Social Hall

Dinner sponsored by Fiona Graff & Martin Kurzweil in honor of the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Jack Kurzweil.

Please RSVP so we know how much food to purchase.
RSVP for the dinner here: https://shomrei.easyshul.com/events/69e0f79101dc7c0027255996

Sing and rejoice in our lively, participatory, Shabbat service led by Rabbi Julie and the Zamru davening team with musicians Oren Neiman (guitar) and Peter Saleh (drums).

Open to the public - bring your friends!
All ages are welcome to attend!
No Hebrew or musical skills are needed.

Can't make the service? Watch the livestream
http://shomrei.org/livestream

Questions?
Contact the Shomrei Office
[email protected]
(973) 746-5031

Thank you to Carol Katzman for her generous support of the Zamru program.

Zamru Saturday • AMSaturday, April 18 9:45am, Coffee & Schmooze10:00am, Service Begins12:15pm, KiddushA joyous blend of ...
04/14/2026

Zamru Saturday • AM
Saturday, April 18
9:45am, Coffee & Schmooze
10:00am, Service Begins
12:15pm, Kiddush

A joyous blend of our traditional Shabbat morning service, infused with the spirit of Zamru melodies.

Services will be led by Rabbi Julie Roth and the Zamru davening team, with accompaniment by Music Director Oren Neiman on guitar and Nadav Snir-Zelniker on drums.

Transliterations and Translations are available.

One important note
There is a musical arc to the service from beginning to end—so we'd love to see you at 10am! The spiritual reward will be worth it.

Free Babysitting Available
10am - 12:15pm, email Aviva Arad, [email protected]

Thank you to Carol Katzman for her generous support of the Zamru program.

Questions? Contact the Shomrei Office
[email protected]
(973) 746-5031

Talmud Thursdays Shma LiShma – A Deep Dive into the Shma PrayerApril 16, 5:30pm - 7:00pm, in the GalleryDinner 5:30pmCla...
04/13/2026

Talmud Thursdays
Shma LiShma – A Deep Dive into the Shma Prayer
April 16, 5:30pm - 7:00pm, in the Gallery
Dinner 5:30pm
Class will start at 5:45pm
Led by Rabbinic Intern Jacob Lipkin

There is a unique plethora of textual and archaeological evidence pointing to daily Jewish recitation of the shma for at least two thousand years! The Mishnah and Talmud famously begin with laws regarding the shma, but the discussion really gets heated later on as every aspect of its recitation is debated. What happens if you lose focus during the shma? When can a person interrupt the shma? The shma consists of three unrelated paragraphs from the Torah, so how did they come to be integrated in our prayer par excellence? We’ll explore all these and more, including the surprising degree of Rabbinic inclusivity toward the many Jews who may not be comfortable reciting Shma in Hebrew.

The series is drop-in style, so everyone is welcome to come for whichever sessions they can make.

Dinner will be provided, funded by a generous grant to Shomrei for Adult Learning programs.

Please remember to bring your fob to access the building.

Questions?
Contact Jacob Lipkin
[email protected]

Lunchtime Learning with Rabbi Julie: Wednesday, April 15Note the later start time.Lunch 12:30pm (catered, free)Class 12...
04/13/2026

Lunchtime Learning with Rabbi Julie: Wednesday, April 15
Note the later start time.
Lunch 12:30pm (catered, free)
Class 12:45pm-2:15pm

What Happens After We Die?
I was privileged to be with my mother when she was dying and in the moment she breathed her last breath. This experience, combined with conversations with congregants, hospital visits, and the bio-medical ethics seminar I taught at Princeton Hillel, remind me of the importance of talking about and planning for the end of our lives.

This will be the first of three sessions about end-of-life issues. Feel free to join any or all of the sessions.
May 20 - Advanced Medical Directives
June 17 - Medical Aid in Dying
Study texts will be provided in English. No prior background or Judaic knowledge is required.

Lunch will be provided, funded by a generous grant to Shomrei for Adult Learning programs.

Please remember to bring your fob to access the building.
Questions?
Contact Rabbi Julie
[email protected]

Midday MeetUp - Jews and Baseball: A Love AffairTuesday, April 14, in the Social Hall11:45am - Catered Lunch (Free)12:30...
04/13/2026

Midday MeetUp - Jews and Baseball: A Love Affair
Tuesday, April 14, in the Social Hall
11:45am - Catered Lunch (Free)
12:30pm - Program

Join baseball historian Sam Bernstein for a lively survey of Jewish involvement in America’s National Pastime.

RSVP required so we know how much food to buy.
RSVP here: https://shomrei.easyshul.com/events/6967e303368f110026c0c410

Lunch will be provided, funded by a grant from Shemayim's Synagogue Vegan Challenge.

Please remember to bring your fob to access the building.

Questions?
Contact the Shomrei Office
[email protected]
(973) 746-5031

Join us on Sun aft, Apr 26 as Sarah Hurwitz, award-winning author ("As a Jew") and former speechwriter for the Obamas, j...
04/12/2026

Join us on Sun aft, Apr 26 as Sarah Hurwitz, award-winning author ("As a Jew") and former speechwriter for the Obamas, joins Rabbi Julie Roth for a candid conversation about rediscovering Judaism as an adult and why its depth and clarity feel strikingly relevant to modern life. From finding meaning in chaos to standing tall against rising antisemitism, Sarah has explored why embracing Jewish wisdom isn’t just about honoring the past -- it’s about sanctifying the present and elevating our shared humanity.

This event is FREE, though RSVP is required. Books will be available for purchase, and Ms. Hurwitz will be signing copies afterwards.

To reserve your spot, visit the link in comments.

Address

67 Park Street
Montclair, NJ
07042

Telephone

+19737465031

Website

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