On Motzei Shabbat, November 21, Adath Israel and the greater Elizabeth/Hillside community joined together in a melave malka and siyum on Masechet Eruvin. The event was held under the lights of our beautiful outdoor tent in Gan Yonina. Over 50 men, women and children joined together for the beautiful and momentous event. The attendees were very fortunate to have Rav Elazar Meir Teitz and Rabbanit Teitz at the siyum. Many of the participants helped in sponsoring the melave malka that was catered by Chickies. Rabbi Haim Jachter, dayan of the Beis Din of Elizabeth and rav of Congregation Shaarei Orah, took attendees on a journey through the masechet and its applications to everyday community eruvot. He discussed the eruvot in Oakland, California; Fairfax, Virginia; Scarsdale, New York, and obviously the local Elizabeth/Hillside eruv. He discussed how Rav Pinchas Teitz in 1984 applied pi tikra on the overpassing train tracks to ensure a kosher eruv. The story about the Englewood eruv and the Libyan Consulate’s home was truly fantastic. To close the shiur, he emphasized the importance of details in halacha and our dedication toward Torah in our lives.

Over 40 years ago, Rav Pinchas Teitz and Rav Elazar Meir Teitz started the Daf Hayomi in Elizabeth. Since then, the Daf chevra has grown each year and cycle. Learners have been fortunate to have many different magidei shiurim of both rabbanim and community members. The Daf HaYomi in Adath Israel has continued despite COVID-19 under the guidance and leadership of Rabbi Jonathan Schwarz, rav of Adath Israel. He has ensured that the 5:40 a.m. daf continued over Zoom during mandatory quarantine and also in person after restrictions were eased. The siyum was made by Nadav Sapeika, who has been instrumental in starting a weekly Daf HaYomi review via Zoom on Wednesday nights at 9:30 p.m. This review started after the pandemic began and has been an almost-weekly event, with only a few weeks missed. Participants have reviewed over 100 daf Gemara together.

Although the pandemic may have caused physical distance, Masechet Eruvin and the Daf HaYomi in Adath Israel continue to bring people together. The community invites everyone to join them in learning Gemara and making a siyum on Masechet Pesachim shortly before Chag HaPesach.

By Dr. Dovid Moradi

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