Services and events this week
Friday October 16, 12 pm
Online Parashah Class - click  here to access the class

Friday, October 16, 8 pm
Friday Night Services - Unity with the People of Israel Shabbat
Join our community as we stand in solidarity with the people of Israel who are on the frontlines against Palestinian terrorism. We will be joining countless congregations across denominations and around the world for a SPECIAL Shabbat of Unity with the People of Israel. Please join us for this VERY important Shabbat service. 
We are open to all!
Contact Jeremy Strauss (straussjer@gmail.com) to sponsor the Oneg Shabbat.

Saturday, October 17
Tot Shabbat, 10 am
A FREE program run by Nessa Madison, an accredited teacher, and Rabbi Saks, designed for children ages 2-5 years old, with siblings and children of all ages welcome. Celebrate Shabbat through this fun and interactive service with songs, story time, an activity or craft (Shabbat friendly of course!), and a kiddie kiddush.

This month at Tot Shabbat, we will be learning about Sukkot and Simchat Torah! We will read fun books about the two holidays, as well as play our 3 of these things game. We will also be creating our own individualized, play torahs to take home, as well as edible sukkahs. This exciting holiday themed Tot Shabbat will be fun for children and parents too!

A Schtickale of Schnapps, Shabbes and Yiddishkeit, 11 am
A monthly program to learn more about Jewish tradition, religion, and history while having an early morning sip of schnapps (optional). The hour long (beginning at 11 am) program runs in lieu of services when preceded by Tot Shabbat (beginning at 10 am). WThis month we'll be focused on inspiring teachings from Israel as part of our Unity the People of Israel Shabbat. We'll wrap up with a DELICIOUS kiddush lunch.

This program is designed for ALL members of Beth Mordecai, but especially for those who are more interested in learning and talking about all things Jewish.

Contact Rabbi Saks (ari.saks@gmail.com) to sponsor the Kiddush lunch.

Sunday, October 18, 12:30-1:30 pm
Faithful Families, Session 1
St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Perth Amboy
A monthly support group to help couples negotiate issues related to faith, tradition & family that stem from having different faith backgrounds & religious traditions. Co-facilitated by Rabbi Saks (Beth Mordecai) & Reverend Anne-Marie Jeffery (St. Peter's). Contact Rabbi Saks ( ari.saks@gmail.com) if you're interested in attending.

Wednesday, October 21, 12 pm
Ask the Rabbi
Menlo Park Mall, between Chik-Fil-A and Panera
Have a question?? Have a seat! Bring your lunch and ask the rabbi ANY question you'd like...seriously :) First person to come will get a FREE drink from the rabbi.

Wednesday, October 21, 7 pm
Meeting for Cuba Trip
Interested in going to Cuba? Please join us for an important informational meeting about our May 2-10 synagogue trip! For more information about Cuba, please check out our Cuba page on our the Cuba page on our website.  Please RSVP to Anita Krentar (neatsea.ak@gmail.com) or Felice Gruber (908-753-5259)

If you have a COMMUNITY PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT that is relevant to the Beth Mordecai community and you'd like us to share it in our weekly announcements , please email Rabbi Saks at ari.saks@gmail.com. We will limit these announcements to  one  per week.

Thursday, October 22, 2015 10:00 am - 2:30 pm
Creating a Caring Community Together Workshop
Wilf Campus at Wilentz Residence, 360 DeMott Lane,Somerset, New Jersey
Our goal is to provide training for faith community lay leaders and non-clergy professionals to enable them to be present for congregational and community members who would welcome and benefit from additional spiritual and emotional support during difficult times. These trained lay visitors, in collaboration with their own clergy, where applicable will provide appropriate support to congregational and community members suffering from a wide variety of problems including chronic illness, recent discharge from a hospital or rehabilitation facility, grief, and other life-changing circumstances.

To Register: Please contact Ms. Gail Herman at: GHerman@jfedgmw.org or at 973-929-3069 by Thursday October 15th

Sponsored by The Joint Chaplaincy Committee, Wilf Campus for Senior Living, Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey, Jewish Family Service of Somerset, Warren, and Hunterdon Counties, Atlantic Health System, and Barnabas Health


Upcoming events
Friday October 23, 12 pm
Online Parashah Class - click here to access the class

Friday, October 23, 8-9 pm
White out Friday Night
A one-hour contemporary update on the spiritually resonant Friday night service, "White Out Friday Night" is sure to leave you dancing and singing in the street. Come dressed in white to reflect the snow of the forthcoming winter and the purity in our hearts, and get ready for a service like none you've ever seen with plenty of singing, learning, music, and dancing. A light kiddush to follow.

Saturday, October 24
Saturday morning services with Current Events Sermon, 10 am
Traditional, egalitarian, and informative services will connect participants to our tradition while engaging them actively in the service. We are open to all.  Topic for Current Events Sermon will be shared in next week's announcements.  
Contact Betty Fertik (bettymf@me.com) to sponsor the Kiddush lunch.

Wednesday, October 28, 9:30-10:30 am
Bible Study with the Rabbi
Panera Woodbridge (across from Wegmans)
A non-sectarian, non-denominatio nal, open-to-all Jewish learning experience. Come and join us!

Wednesday, October 28, 12 pm
Ask the Rabbi - The Latest on Israel
Menlo Park Mall, between Chik-Fil-A and Panera
Have a question?? Have a seat! Bring your lunch and ask the rabbi ANY question you'd like...seriously :) First person to come will get a FREE drink from the rabbi. This week we will focus our conversation on the latest current events happening in Israel.



Save the date!
Thursday, October 29, 7:30-8:30 pm
Parlour Meetup: Tradition- Stories of Judaica
Home of Fran and Joel Ryzoff
Every piece of Judaica has a story to tell. How it got passed down to us? Where we found it? What it means to us? These stories reveal some of the most important values we have about the meaning ofJudaism in our lives. So bring your Judaica (or pictures of them) as we share and hear some of the stories that our Judaica has to tell us about our Jewish traditions. Light refreshments will be served.

"Parlour Meetups" are intimate gatherings in people's homes for people affiliated with and interested in Beth Mordecai to have some important conversations regarding our community. 

RSVP today to Rabbi Ari Saks ( ari.saks@gmail.com )

Sunday, November 1, 2-5 pm
Israel Movie Event- The Other Son
Temple Emanu-El Reform, 100 James Street, Edison

The Jewish Community of Northern Middlesex, Congregation Beth Mordecai, Congregation Neve Shalom, Temple Emanu-El and the JCC of Middlesex County invite you to a free showing of the recent theatrical Israeli film, "The Other Son" No admission charge.   

As he prepares to join the Israeli army for his national service, Joseph discovers he is not his parents' biological son, but that he was inadvertently switched at birth with Yassin, the son of a Palestinian family from the West Bank. This revelation turns the lives of these two families upside-down, forcing them to reassess their respective identities, their values and their beliefs. 

Discussion will follow the film and refreshments will be served. 105 minutes, French with Subtitles 

We are seeking Sponsors of $36 to help cover the costs. Please contact Rabbi Saks at 732-442-2431 or ari.saks@gmail.com on how to be a sponsor. Contributions are tax deductible. 

Also, p lease contact Rabbi Saks as well if you plan on attending OR you can RSVP on our Facebook event page: