Bergenfield–A hastily formed but enthusiastic committee of outreach professionals and community members from Bergenfield, New Milford and Teaneck have put together an impressive program in multiple locations to coincide with the international Shabbos Project 2014, a Shabbaton inviting fellows Jews to “keep Shabbos together,” in our community. The Bergen County Shabbaton follows last year’s runaway success with the program in South Africa, and is mirrored in many Jewish communities in America and worldwide.
With emails, phone calls and Facebook publicity, local volunteer organizers encouraged members of their shuls to contact friends, co-workers, associates and family members to invite them to take part in the festivities. Some volunteers even engaged in good old-fashioned canvassing. “I’m going to Cedar Lane to speak to the staff in the Jewish stores, to see if any of them are Jewish and want to join us,” said Julie Farkas, one of the event’s most avid proponents, who also serves as director of the Bergen County arm of the Jewish Women’s Renaissance Project.
The associated Thursday night Challah Bake event, was set to be hosted at Yeshivat Noam in Paramus and was expected to reach capacity with 300 women in attendance.
On Friday night, guests coming in to sleep in host homes have been invited, along with the entire community, to an explanatory Carlebach-style Kabbalas Shabbos service at Congregation Beth Abraham at 396 Newbridge Road in Bergenfield. An oneg at 9:15 p.m. follows dinner in host homes, with the entire community being once again invited to join, at 95 Norfolk Avenue, in Bergenfield.
At 10:00 a.m. on Shabbos morning, the Shabbos Project will host guests and community members at Rabbi Steven Weil and Yossi Zelig’s beginner’s service at Congregation Keter Torah, at 600 Roemer Avenue in Teaneck. Congregation Arzei Darom in Teaneck and Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fair Lawn are also both scheduled to provide ‘user-friendly’ Shabbos services in conjunction with the Shabbos Project.
A community lunch is scheduled for hosts and guests, also at Keter Torah, with pre-registration required. Mincha will be held at 5:30 at Keter Torah, with shalosh seudos following, with a guest speech by Miriam Peretz, a mother of two fallen IDF soldiers. Everyone is actively encouraged to attend and take part in the afternoon events.
A musical Havdalah service will also be held at Keter Torah, with singing led by Shy Krug and Carl Guzman. A post-Shabbos concert with the band Pey Daled is planned to conclude the Shabbos Project festivities. It is set to take place at the Jewish Center of Teaneck on 70 Sterling Place, at 8 p.m. on Motzei Shabbos.
For more information, see the complete listing of events on page 45 or to get involved in next year’s event, visit http://www.theshabbosproject.org.
By Elizabeth Kratz
