(Courtesy of MJE) This Shabbat, a group of young professionals from The Manhattan Jewish Experience (MJE) will leave the hustle and bustle of New York City to experience a “Shabbat in the Suburbs.” Founded by Rabbi Mark N. Wildes in 1998, MJE is a warm and open community where millennials with limited Jewish background can explore Jewish life and meet new people. MJE has reconnected thousands of young men and women to Jewish tradition, Israel and a Torah way of life as well as providing a venue in which 377 couples have met and married! They run a wide range of inclusive, engaging and innovative programs for Jewish professionals including Shabbat dinners, holiday events, winter and spring retreats, classes, beginner services, trips to Israel, a one-on-one learning program and much more.

There will be a chance to hear Rabbi Wildes in person this upcoming Shabbat in the Teaneck community. Rabbi Mark and Jill Wildes, Rabbi Pinny and Marie Rosenthal, Chani and Alan Perlman will bring their students, many who are in the MJE Fellowship program, to the Teaneck community for a Shabbat experience outside of NYC. The MJE Fellowships, now in its 14th year, with over 200 graduates to date, is a select cadre of MJE participants with little or no prior Jewish education who have expressed a desire to move their Jewish learning to the next level. The program seeks to educate and helps to produce knowledgeable and passionate leaders for the future. This year’s class includes 40 students who meet each week to engage in three hours of learning.

Although the fellows are leaving the noisy city for a “relaxing” Shabbat in the suburbs, there will be classes and an “Ask the Rabbi session” that will engage them with the greater Jewish community of Teaneck. On Friday night MJE will be joining Congregation Keter Torah for davening and having a group dinner at a local host family. On Shabbat morning, Rabbi Wildes will give the sermon at Congregation Keter Torah at the 9 a.m. Main Sanctuary minyan. For Shabbat lunch, visitors will join their host families and will attend sessions and classes with Rabbi Baum and Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter. Participants of the shabbaton will take part in a beautiful third meal and musical Havdalah. MJE thanks Congregation Keter Torah, Rabbi Baum and all the gracious hosts for their partnership.

For more information about this Shabbaton or MJE in general, contact
[email protected].