This year marks the 28th anniversary of the Jewish Learning Experience’s (JLE) founding as a grassroots, independent adult outreach organization in Bergen County, New Jersey. Its mission is to reacquaint Jewish adults with their religious heritage through classes demonstrating the relevance of the Torah in contemporary times, experiential programs, and Shabbat and High Holiday explanatory services. The JLE caters to individual needs, including home hospitality and one-on-one learning.
Since its inception, the JLE has touched the lives of thousands of unaffiliated families in Bergen County and beyond. As an independent, unaffiliated organization, JLE depends on the support of the community to continue providing free, excellent programming to the broader Jewish community.
This year’s annual fundraising dinner will take place on Motzoei Shabbos, January 4th, 2013, at 7:45 p.m. at Temple Beth Sholom in Fair Lawn, NJ. The evening will include an elegant meat buffet provided by PETAKS catering with musical entertainment by Jeff Wilks. Each year JLE honors volunteers and participants who exemplify what the organization stands for. This year it is delighted to pay tribute to Dr. Richard and Ellen Gertler and Mr. James Blom.
Dr. Richard and Ellen Gertler have been active volunteers for the JLE. They open their home just about every Shabbat and yom tov to JLE participants, where Richard has also been extraordinarily successful in teaching the JLE’s Crash Course in Reading Hebrew.
Ellen and Richard have been members of Congregation Beth Aaron of Teaneck since 1976. Richard is a former president of the congregation. Ellen is a past president of the sisterhood.
James and his wife Whitney moved to Teaneck, NJ, where a chance encounter with Sam Kaplan and Rabbi David Pietruszka, led James to become involved with JLE and regular chevrusa learning.
To make your reservation or donation please contact Rabbi David Pietruszka at 201-966-4498 or rabbip_jle.org. Mail a donation to 270 Grayson Place, Teaneck, NJ 07666
