Welcome to Beth El and thank you for taking the time to get to know us through our website. But, as the saying goes, “there’s nothing like the real thing”…I encourage you to come in to our synagogue and spend some time with us to really get to know us – we have a traditional, egalitarian approach to Judaism with contemporary insights. There are many ways to experience Beth El before you make the commitment of membership. Please introduce yourself to our Rabbi, our Cantor or to me, so we can answer any questions you may have.

• If you are a family with young children– join us any Shabbat morning for our very popular Young Children’s Service on the lower level. Treasure and Rich Cohen and the other talented leaders will engage your child in song, Torah stories and just the right amount prayer for his/her age. A light snack is served afterwards.
  
  
• If you have an elementary age child – join him/her in Jr. Congregation or they can go it alone while you experience Shabbat in our main sanctuary with our wonderful Rabbi, Francine Roston or our talented Cantor, Perry Fine. Jr. Congregation is prayer based with bibliodrama, movement and songs to balance out and enrich the morning.
  
  
• Interested in learning the meanings of the prayers or why we do certain rituals during the Shabbat morning service? Spend an hour or two in our Saturday morning Learners' Minyan. Questions and discussions are encouraged.
  
  
• Emptynester or Senior? Please call the Beth El office or peruse our monthly Beth El Bulletin to find the next date for our Empty Nester Shabbat Dinner or perhaps a speaker or field trip with our L’Chaim Seniors group. There’s truly something for everyone at Beth El.

Whatever stage you or your family is in, our congregration has just the right niche for you. Beth El membership encompasses a broad range of backgrounds all coming together to celebrate Judaism – educationally, spiritually or socially.

As Beth El enters its 62nd year, we are proud to celebrate the foresight of our founding members as we plan for the growth of our congregation over the next 60 years. Fortunately, we have seen an explosion of new and young families moving into the community, many of which have chosen Beth El as their spiritual home. Under the guidance of our spiritual leader, Rabbi Francine Roston, and our Cantor, Perry Fine, Beth El has never been more vibrant and active internally as well as in the greater community. I hope you attended or read about our Rally for Israel, organized by Rabbi Roston in which Governor Corzine as well as many local officials spoke up against terrorism and in support of Israel. Approximately 300 community members joined together for this common cause. We are also one of the founding synaogues of the Annual Interfaith Holocaust Memorial service and the Voices In Harmony annual concerts.

The Thelma K. Reisman Preschool led by Sandy Sachs has seen triple growth over the past 5 years and our new Jewish Learning Center, directed by Sherri Morris is experiencing phenomenal growth with new ideas and many new learners.

Please call either of these two fantastic professionals to schedule an appointment to learn more and spend some time observing each program.

Now entering our third year – Beth El's Synaplex Shabbat brings a new and different level of spiritual Shabbat experiences to our community throughout the year. Please check our website or call the office, 973-763-0111, for the Synaplex Shabbat schedule. Some of the program choices are -- Jewish Meditation, Shal(om) Yoga, Israeli Dancing, Torah Study with JTS Provost Alan Cooper, Wine Tastings and more. There's always babysitting and children's services for kids!

Rabbi Roston, Cantor Fine and a group of very talented musicians continue to bring Beth El Friday Night Live! to our Kabbalat Shabbat services once a month. Friday Night Live! is a lively, instrumental service that will have you clapping in your seat and dancing in the aisles...all the way to our Shabbat dinner afterwards. Friday Night Live! is a family-oriented service and perfect for all ages. Please join us and bring your friends and family!

These are just the some of highlights of what’s happening at Beth El. I hope to meet you in the near future as you come and experience our many offerings.

Please contact me at president@bethelnj.org or leave a message at the Beth El office (973-763-0111) for me and I will gladly answer any questions you have.

B’shalom,

Mark Brownstein
President