Last week 30 young professionals from The Manhattan Jewish Experience (MJE) left the fast-paced energy of New York City to experience an unforgettable weekend in Bergen County. Hosted by BMOB (Bais Medrash of Bergenfield) and over a dozen amazing families from the neighborhood, the “Shabbat in the Burbs” turned out to be an incredible experience of spiritual growth for all those in attendance.
Founded by Rabbi Mark N. Wildes in 1998, MJE is a warm and engaging community that provides a welcoming space for millennials with limited Jewish background to explore Jewish life and make meaningful connections. MJE has successfully reconnected thousands of unaffiliated young men and women to Jewish tradition, Israel and a Torah way of life, providing a venue in which 392 couples have met and married! MJE offers a wide range of dynamic and innovative programs for Jewish 20s/30s, including Shabbat dinners, holiday events, winter and spring retreats, classes, beginner services, trips to Israel, a fellowship learning program, one-on-one learning program and more.
The shabbaton began with a lively Kabbalat Shabbat davening followed by an uplifting Shabbat meal where MJE participant Ashley Rosenberg, a third-year medical student, shared her inspirational story of her return to Judaism via MJE. On Shabbat morning, the MJE group attended Bais Medrash of Bergenfield (BMOB) for an uplifting davening, after which I addressed the packed shul with a talk on “Israel and the Awakening of Diaspora Jewry.” For Shabbat lunch each MJE participant was hosted in smaller groups by the gracious shabbaton host families. The excitement continued to build with a parsha class on relationships delivered by MJE Rabbi Pinny Rosenthal followed by the always-entertaining “Ask the Rabbi” session with Rabbi Rosenthal and me.
Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schachter spoke during seuda shlishit, sharing an inspiring dvar Torah encouraging the MJE participants to continue deepening their commitment to yiddishkeit. Shabbat concluded with a musical Havdala and dancing.
MJE extends its gratitude to MJE educator Chani Perlman for organizing the shabbaton, to the Bais Medrash of Bergenfield and all the gracious hosts including the Katz, Grossman, Baron, Felman Sklar, Davidovitch, Mechlin, Teitelman, Hochberg, Demby and Singer families for opening their hearts and homes to MJE.
For more information about MJE please contact [email protected]
Rabbi Mark Wildes is the founder of Manhattan Jewish Experience (MJE), a highly successful Jewish outreach program which engages 20s/30s in Jewish life and which has facilitated 392 marriages.
