Congregation Adath Israel of Elizabeth/Hillside (AI) kicked off a special “Welcome Back” celebration on Friday, September 8 to energize the community in ways that were fun, exciting and engaging for all. The weekend began with a Friday-night Kabbalat Shabbat run by an amazing troupe of a capella singers, who, together with the packed AI minyan, led a beautiful serenade. Friday night was not complete without a special oneg, graciously held at the home of Faith and Josh Fisch, wherein the singing and food were both tremendous.

The next day, Shacharit and Mussaf were once again led by the amazing a capella chazanim. The afternoon began with a series of shiurim for all ages—with divrei Torah, divrei Halacha, kids’ Shabbat learning and the kickoff of the Shabbat afternoon program learning Masechet Taanit.

Concluding Shabbat was a lively and hearty seudah shlishit, full of singing and featuring a dvar Torah by sixth-grader Zev Rosen, which led into Maariv and a passionate musical Havdala, uniting the whole community in the Bruriah gymnasium with song, spices and the flame of camaraderie.

The weekend did not end there, as on Sunday, Adath Israel held a carnival of epic proportions, complete with inflatables, bungee basketball, a video game truck, face painting, balloon artistry, cotton candy, hot dogs and other fun activities for all ages.

With friends and fellow community members sharing these moments in such a lively and wholesome way, it is no question that the Elizabeth/Hillside community truly embraced the feelings of welcoming and enthusiasm for AI as they celebrated the return of a new year. This was an especially dynamic way to not only prepare, as a community, to coming into the latter half of Elul in a unified way, but also to showcase the love and support that AI exudes to all.

By Jacob Savitt