Rabbi Jonathan Schwartz pauses from his demanding summer’s end schedule, including being “Rabbi/Mr. Mom” until school starts, to share the mission, the character and the vision of Congregation Adath Israel in the greater Hillside-Elizabeth community. He outlines the cornerstone mission of the shul as being a family life and life-cycle center of Torah, avodah, and gemilus chasadim. Families of varied stripes ranging from newly observant to Chasidic, Sephardic to Ashkenazic, join to create an environment of achdus and inclusion within the kehilla. Although the varied traditions are sometimes vastly divergent, everyone helps to make things work for the others, and each mesorah is sensitively honored, promoted and supported. Rabbi Schwartz describes the shul as “thriving on its committed membership that is open and inviting to all, and transcends a person’s level of observance or age,” as well as transforming the usual obstacles into opportunities for camaraderie and compatibility.
AI and Rabbi Schwartz are celebrating their 11th year as a team, and the success of this congregation in the Elizabeth community speaks beautifully and clearly for itself. Family and membership growth has been exponential, and the shul now finds itself on the brink of a monumental and exciting historical expansion—the construction of a larger building to be located in Hillside that will accommodate both its current demands and projected growth. It’s been a fair few years since a new shul was built in the community, and the reasons for a new building are the best ones—need and desire. In the words of Rabbi Schwartz, this venture “speaks volumes about the shul. Families are attracted to AI because of its inclusive attitude, a perspective of “stretching” one’s outlook, and the expansive spectrum of programming and community services that provide a social responsibility role model for children and adults in all stages of life.”
Speaking of children, the youth department at AI is known for its expansive programming, as well as ongoing Shabbos and Yom Tov activities for the younger children led by the older youth, and directed by Shayna and Raphael Karlin. Recently the youth department sponsored an Uncle Moishy concert and a field trip to the Somerset Patriots baseball game. Coming up is a flurry of great programs including an apple picking field trip, youth leadership training, sukkah decorating, the annual sukkah hop, and a pizza party in the Chabad sukkah. Additionally, the adult leadership of AI takes the development of its youth very seriously by encouraging the young adults to give shiurim and speak at the bi-weekly summer outdoor shalosh seudos program known as “Perek on the Lawn.”
Rabbi Schwartz emphasizes with passion and pride that the shul actively partners with the other main congregations in the greater Elizabeth-Hillside community. Members of AI are also active in local government, as liaisons to the MetroWest Region of the Jewish Federation, and with the community services shared with the other shuls, including the operation of the community mikvah, the eruv, programs at the YM-YWHA and Jewish Family Services. Also, there is the Circle of Life program which provides meals for families with new babies, cholim, and shiva homes.
A unique learning opportunity open to men and women is the Thursday night Cholent Chabura which meets at the shul on North Avenue following Maariv. A timely topic is presented by a member of the chabura, followed by delicious cholent prepared by a member.
Commenting again on the projected new AI building at North Avenue and Westminster, Rabbi Schwartz perceives the new building and location as an enhancement to all things good at AI. There will be a safe and sheltered playground area for the children, and also more convenient outreach options to the Jewish students at Kean University. Nachi Feit, Chairman of the Board of AI, commented, “The new AI campus will not only ensure continued growth, but it will hopefully play a key role in the growth of the entire community. The new structure will enable us to grow physically as well as spiritually by providing the space we need to daven, learn and come together to mark events and celebrate Yomim Tovim. AI will continue to be the beacon that draws people into our warm, close-knit community.”
The new location will expand the borders of the AI community to Hillside, thus further strengthening and unifying the community at large. All of this, says Rabbi Schwartz, will perpetuate and expand the focal missions of AI: Torah, avodah and gemilus chasadim.
AI and Rabbi Schwartz are particularly pleased to inform and invite the regional community to participate in their Second Annual Community-Wide Kinus Teshuva and united Mincha-Maariv on Sunday, September 20, 2015, at the JEC building, 330 Elmora Avenue in Elizabeth. Each of the four community rabbis will deliver words of chizuk and inspiration approaching the awesome Day of Yom Kippur, followed by a single united Mincha-Maariv.
For information, contact the shul at (908) 354-7318, or online at http://www.adathisraelshul.org.
By Ellie Wolf
