As the members of the Highland Park/Edison Jewish community demonstrated conclusively earlier this month, there is broad and warm support for “their” IDF troops and active concern for their welfare in Central New Jersey.

Community members opened their homes for 17 soldiers and two therapists who visited Highland Park/Edison for one week for activities with the community, recreational outings and group therapy sessions to address lingering combat-related stress. Scheduled activities included a bowling trip led by the Men’s Club of the Highland Park Conservative Temple-Cong. Anshe Emeth; a visit with students at the Rabbi Pesach Raymon Yeshiva (RPRY) in Edison; a dinner and a show (The Lion King) in New York City; Friday night davening at Cong. Ohr Torah; a community Friday night Shabbat dinner in the gymnasium at RPRY; and attendance at Shabbos morning services at Cong. Ahavas Achim.

The final event on the group’s visit was a performance by magician Shlomo Levinger on Motzei Shabbos, Nov. 16, at Cong. Ohav Emeth. Edison/Highland Park Peace of Mind leaders shared with The Jewish Link that 150 community members joined the soldiers for the magician’s performance and 226 people participated in the dinner at RPRY; in both instances, organizers ran out of space to fit more people.

Edison/Highland Park Peace of Mind leaders thank the community for its strong support of the soldiers’ visit and welcome donations as they plan for the next visit by an IDF unit, scheduled for fall 2026. Donate at tinyurl.com/donate2pom or send checks, payable to American Friends of Peace of Mind, to Rosanne Koenigson, 221 Washington Ave., Edison, New Jersey 08817.

Harry Glazer is the Middlesex County Editor of The Jewish Link. He can be reached at [email protected] and he welcomes reader feedback. He is grateful to Rosanne Koenigson and Jeremy Renna for their help with this news story.