For Jewish community members in Middlesex County, there are a few attractive options in local shuls or schools for venues for family simchas or organizational dinners. Only one of them, however, has been recently renovated for the express purpose of hosting outside events. This site is conveniently located near major roadways in the county and offers a large parking lot that can accommodate dozens of vehicles.
That venue is the new catering hall of the Young Israel of East Brunswick.
As synagogue president Jeff Perlman told The Jewish Link: “This is a new, bright and modern catering venue with nothing like it in the area. We can comfortably host bar and bat mitzvahs, weddings, brissim and sheva brachot. We recently got a call to host a shul dinner. Our new, state- of-the-art lobby, ballroom, kitchen, restrooms and more make this conducive for a beautiful and memorable event close to home.”
The shul’s catering facility can seat 200 people comfortably and now features a cutting edge A/V system, upgraded lighting to enhance parties and photography, a large coatroom, new washing stations, a spacious and modern sanctuary with comfortable seating, an attractive beit midrash that can seat dozens of people, and more. The facility offers both a grand ballroom and a lobby area that can hold cocktail and dessert receptions.
Perlman stated that the renovation took place between May and October 2024 and was funded predominantly by synagogue members who supported the shul leadership’s vision to upgrade the shul and its entire catering facilities. The renovation was coordinated by shul member Carey Taijfel, whose family company, TFE Properties, owns and operates hotels and other real estate holdings throughout central New Jersey and elsewhere.
Taijfel stated: “The shul anticipates that the Horowitz Ballroom will serve shul membership and the larger Jewish community for all of life’s special milestone events, including bar and bat mitzvahs, brissim, engagement parties, weddings and beyond, against a modern and elegant backdrop.”
One shul member who already used the newly renovated catering areas raved about it.
“We recently had an engagement party at YIEB’s newly renovated hall for the engagement of our daughter, Eden, to her fiance, Zach,” said Barry Schechter. “We originally booked it months before, but after all the work was done, we were overwhelmed at how beautiful the space was. Our guests came from all over and many had been here previously. They all told us how great it looked and we — and the happy couple — were so happy with the end result.”
Young Israel of East Brunswick is currently offering introductory discounted pricing for rentals of the catering hall of the shul for all events booked before Saturday, March 15. For more information on the venue and rental costs, email [email protected].
Harry Glazer is the Middlesex County Editor of The Jewish Link. He can be reached at [email protected] and he welcomes reader feedback.
