The Synagogue of the Suburban Torah Center

Life Long Learning & Special Events Guide 2014-2015 | 5775

Dear Friends,As we begin the new year, there is a special energy at Suburban Torah. With your enthusiasm, hard work and support, we are rolling out a new, state-of-the-art website, reaching out to and inspiring the broader Livingston Jewish community, and standing up in support of the people and State of Israel.

And we are growing! This summer, we were excited to welcome eight new families to our community. The word about Suburban Torah – a community where every individual matters – is starting to spread!

We are very excited to offer you our first Life Long Learning & Special Events Guide, which is filled with an array of special programs, Torah classes and exciting opportunities to grow and make a difference in our community. Please join us!*

May 5775 be a year of continued vitality and growth for our community, and filled with health, happiness and sweetness for all of Am Yisrael!

Yours Truly,Rabbi Elie Mischel rabbimischel@suburbantorah.org www.suburbantorah.org/rabbisblog

About Suburban Torah

Suburban Torah, the original Modern Orthodox synagogue of Livingston, NJ, is a vibrant and diverse community founded upon a commitment to Torah, Mitzvot and the State of Israel. At the same time, we are proud Americans, and are open to the best that the broader world has to offer. We are a warm and inclusive community which values every individual, wherever they might be on their Jewish journey. Together, we strive to serve God with joy, grow as Jews, and do our part to strengthen the Jewish people!

www.suburbantorah.org | 85 W. Mt. Pleasant Avenue | Livingston, NJ | 973-994-2620

Reaching Out Explanatory Shabbat ServicesJoin Rabbi Elliot Mathias for an enjoyable and educational Shabbat service in English for the whole family!Dates: Sept 13, Nov 1, Nov 22, Dec 20, Jan 17, Feb 14, March 14, April 18, May 9

Jewish Encounter Program for Youth (JEPY)Looking for a meaningful and joyous Sunday Hebrew school for your child? We welcome families from any and all backgrounds, experiences, and affiliation levels to join us for more information.

TORAH TUESDAYSTehillim and Torah for WomenTuesdays, 9:15amRabbi Elie Mischel

Digging Deeper: The Aggadic Teachings of Talmud BrachotTuesdays, 8:45 – 9:30pmRabbi Elie Mischel

Beit Midrash Learning Twice each month, join us on Tuesday evenings from 8:00 – 8:45pm for hands-on Torah study! Learn with a study partner or in small groups led by rabbinic intern Adam Friedman and Rabbi Dror Frommer. In addition, Rabbi Elliot Mathias will lead a series of sessions on Fundamentals of Jewish Thought & Practice.

Beit Midrash Learning Nights – Save the Dates!• September 16: Kickoff Beit Midrash

Learning Program – and Dessert! Sponsored by the Ellberger family in honor of Barbara’s birthday.

• September 30: Aseret Yemei Teshuva Farbrengen! Beit Midrash Learning followed by Farbrengen led by Rabbi David Schlusselberg. Sponsored by the Ellberger family in honor of Shai’s birthday.

• October 28; November 11; November 25; December 9; December 30; January 13; January 27; February 17; March 3; March 17; March 31; April 14

Torah Learning @ Suburban Torah

WEEKEND LEARNINGGreat Thinkers in Jewish HistoryShabbat afternoons, 45 minutes before MinchaRabbi Elie MischelAn historical and intellectual analysis of the great thinkers who have changed the course of modern Jewish History

Sunday Morning Breakfast and Learn ProgramsIn the weeks leading up to Chanukah and Purim, join Suburban Torah on Sunday mornings for delicious breakfasts, quality time with friends, and Divrei Torah. Shacharit begins at 8:30am, followed by breakfast and a 10 minute Dvar Torah from a variety of speakers.

• 8 Nights. 8 Weeks. November 2 – December 21

• Sundays in Shushan February 1 – February 22

Shabbat Israel September 11 – 13A weekend of unity to show solidarity with the people of Israel! The entire Jewish community of Livingston is invited to join us for a full weekend of events, including: a Mega Challah Bake on Thursday night; a special Friday night Tefillah and commu-nal meal at Suburban Torah with guest speaker Rabbi Ken Spiro; a Shabbat morning explana-tory service and special Kiddush, followed by Shabbat lunch with friends and family from all over town; a musical Havdalah and Kumzitz at Congregation Etz Chaim with singer Benny Friedman. Jointly sponsored by Suburban Torah, Congregation Etz Chaim, The Friendship Circle, Aish HaTorah, Israel Bonds and NCSY

Rebbetzin Shayndel Feuerstein z”l Memorial LectureGuest Speaker – Rabbi Menachem PennerSaturday night, November 8

Rabbi Menachem Penner is the Max and Marion Grill Dean of the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary at Yeshiva University and the Men’s

Undergraduate Torah Studies programs at Yeshiva University. Rabbi Penner also serves as the spiritual leader of the Young Israel of Holliswood in Queens, a position he has proudly held since 1996.

Scholars in Residence & Special Programs

Shabbaton with AIPACGuest Speaker – Jonathan Harris of AIPACShabbat Toldot, November 21 – 22Join Suburban Torah and AIPAC professionals and activists for a Shabbat focused on the important role our members can and must play in ensuring an everlasting alliance between the United States and the State of Israel.

Jonathan Harris is AIPAC’s Assistant Director of Policy and Government, serving as AIPAC’s senior policy analyst on Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, and Jordan. His charge is to develop new policy initiatives and analyses

in this region. Before AIPAC, Jonathan was a researcher and reporter for TIME magazine in Jerusalem and New York and a managing editor at the Middle East Forum in Philadelphia. He has written for the National Review Online, The Washington Times, The New York Post, and the Middle East Quarterly.

Scholar in Residence – Moshe BaneShabbat Vayishlach, December 5 – 6

Moshe Bane is a senior partner and chairman of the Business Restructuring department at the inter-national law firm of Ropes & Gray. Much of his time,

however, has been dedicated to service within the American Orthodox community. Currently the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Orthodox Union, Bane has previously served as chairman of the OU’s Institute of Public Affairs, and as national chairman of NCSY. Bane has written and lectured extensively and is a founding editor of Klal Perspectives, a journal addressing contemporary public policy issues within the American Orthodox community. He is also the founder of STAJE.ORG, which explores ways of engaging retirement age Orthodox Jews in increased Torah study and volunteerism.

Yachad Shabbaton with the Rae Kushner Yeshiva High SchoolFebruary 6 – 7Join Suburban Torah, the students of RKYHS, and the men and women of Yachad, The National Jewish Council for Disabilities, for an inspirational Shabbat.

Fine Art Auction and Wine TastingSaturday, February 21 Jointly Sponsored by Sisterhood and Men’s Club

Discover Suburban Torah Shabbaton! March 13 – 14Looking for a welcoming and dynamic Modern Orthodox community, just a short commute from NYC? Check out Livingston, and spend a Shabbat with the Suburban Torah community!

Seudas Moshiach8th day of Pesach, April 11Join us for the powerful final moments of Pesach as we sing, share words of Torah, drink four (or more) cups of wine, and yearn together for the final redemption.

Yom Hashoah Commemoration Wednesday, April 15

Communal Yom HaZikaron Observance and Yom HaAtzmaut CelebrationWednesday night, April 22

Shavuot with Scholar in Residence Rabbi Dovid BashevkinMay 23 – 25

Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin, Director of Education for International NCSY, studied in Ner Israel and completed his rabbinic ordination at Yeshiva University’s Rabbi

Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS). While in Yeshiva University, he completed a Master’s degree in Polish Hassidut under the guidance of Dr. Yaakov Elman. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in Public Policy and Management at The New School’s Milano School of International Affairs.

Suburban Scavenger HuntSaturday, December 6, 8:00pmWelcome our new members and enjoy an exciting evening together with friends!

Rabbis (and Friends) in Conversation: A Dialogue between Rabbi Greg Litcofsky and Rabbi Elie Mischel Sunday, December 14Buffet Breakfast at 9:00am, followed by the dialogue at 9:30am Temple Emanu-El of West Essex, 264 West Northfield Road, Livingston, NJ 07039

Join together as a community as Livingston Rabbis Greg Litcofsky of Temple Emanu-El (Reform) and Elie Mischel of Suburban Torah (Orthodox) discuss their personal journeys to the rabbinate, Jewish life in the 21st century, and finding meaning and balance in life.

Guest Speaker – Dr. Aaron KollerThursday, December 25, 9:15am Lecture and Breakfast, sponsored by Yael & Ephi Eisenberg

Child Sacrifice, Christian Theology, and the Bible: On Reading the Akeda

Dr. Aaron Koller is an associate professor of Near Eastern and Jewish Studies at Yeshiva University, where he studies the ancient world of the Bible and rabbinic

literature, especially language, intellectual history, and material culture. He is also currently the Assistant Dean of Yeshiva College. His most recent book is Esther in Ancient Jewish Thought (Cambridge University Press, 2014). He lives in Queens with his wife, Shira Hecht-Koller, and their children.

Tu B’shvat FarbrengenTuesday, February 3, 8:00pmJoin us for an evening of inspiring Torah, exotic fruit and live music!

Women’s Programming

SISTERHOODMembership Dinner Monday, October 27Featuring June Hersh, author of Recipes Remembered: A Celebration of Survival

Mini Holiday BoutiqueWednesday, November 19 In conjunction with Congregation Etz ChaimFeaturing jewelry, housewares, makeup & more!

Women’s Night Out!Saturday, January 10

Spring Cleaning Garage SaleSunday, March 15

Cooking Class > April, Date TBD

Women’s Night Out! > June, Date TBD

Family Photo Shoot Sessions > Date TBD

SIMCHAT TORAH WOMEN’S LEARNING PROGRAMEnhance your Simchat Torah experience by joining together with the women of Suburban Torah for a delicious breakfast Kiddush and inspirational learning program.

SHABBAT AFTERNOON WOMEN’S STUDY GROUPJoin the women of Suburban Torah every Shabbat afternoon for stimulating study of Torah texts.

A NEW RESOURCE FOR WOMEN!Suburban Torah is excited to welcome Nechama Price, a highly regarded speaker and educator at Yeshiva University, to the Livingston and West Orange community for the

coming year, to serve as a resource for women on issues related to niddah and family purity. Women in the community are encouraged to reach out to Mrs. Price at asknechama@gmail.com or 201-888-6999.

Mrs. Price will also be giving a four-part lecture series for women:

• In the Bedroom and Beyond: Your Questions Answered (Monday, September 8, AABJ&D)

• Intimacy Behind Closed Doors (Tuesday, November 4, Ohr Torah)

• 10 Mistakes Keeping You From the Mikvah (Tuesday, February 10, Etz Chaim)

• What to Expect After You’re Done Expecting: From Birth Control to Menopause (Tuesday, May 5, Suburban Torah)

DorotOur Dorot group was founded to provide a social & educational outlet for the “senior” members of the Synagogue. Participants enjoy the opportunity to attend musical events, movies, out of town tours to museums & areas of Jewish historical significance, as well as hear guest speakers.

Volunteering at St. Barnabas HospitalWednesday, December 24

Lunch and LearnThursday, March 26

3rd Annual “Kick Off the Summer” BBQSunday, June 28

Men’s ClubSchwarma and Learn @ Yeshiva UniversityThursday, September 11

Beer Tasting in the SukkahMonday, October 13

Men’s Club Paid-Up Membership DinnerThursday, November 20

Friday Night OnegFriday, January 9

Fine Art AuctionSaturday night, February 21Jointly sponsored by the Men’s Club & Sisterhood

3 on 3 Basketball TournamentSunday, March 8

Mishaloch Manot project > March TBD

Clothing Drive > April TBD

Golf Outing > May TBD

Iris Berman Early Childhood CenterEstablished in 1991, The Iris Berman Early Childhood Center (IBECC) is a modern Orthodox nursery school for two, three, and four-year old children. We provide integrated general and

Judaic education and activities in a relaxed and nurturing small class environment, infusing Jewish and humanitarian values with creative, manipulative, experiential and imaginative activities.

Join the 2’s, 3’s & 4’s at IBECC for an exciting year of learning and fun! Our nursery programs are a great way for younger parents to get to know each other.

Meet and Greet for Moms • 2’s Class – Friday, October 31, 9:15am

• 3’s Class – Friday, November 7, 9:15am

• 4’s Class – Friday, November 14, 9:15am

Family Havdalah Program Saturday night, January 10

Coffee Break for MomsFriday, February 27, 9:15am

2’s Family Shabbat ProgramFriday, June 5, 9:15am

3’s Candlestick/ Tzitzit Ceremony Tuesday, June 9, 9:15am

4 Year-Old Graduation Thursday, June 11, 9:15am

YouthThroughout the year, the youth department offers a large variety of events for children of all ages, including holiday themed programs, Shabbat onegs, learning programs, arts and crafts events and sports/game nights. Weekly Shabbat morning groups are for children aged 3 through 12, and include davening, parsha, snacks and games. The Youth Department also provides a teen minyan on Shabbat morning for children over Bar and Bat Mitzvah age.

Chanukah ChagigahTuesday night, December 23

Purim CarnivalPurim night, March 4

Spaghetti and Meatballs FundraiserSunday evening, April 19

The Synagogue of the Suburban Torah Centerwww.suburbantorah.org 85 W. Mt. Pleasant Avenue | Livingston, NJ | 973-994-2620

Join Us!

*Dates subject to change; please confirm dates as events approach.