Temple Emeth Committees

Temple Emeth Executive Committee

(Not in order:) Presidents: Jill Kantor and Howard Lieberman. Vice presidents (in order): Paula Dillon, Wendy Kosakoff, Amy Abrams. Treasurer, Jeffrey Etzin. Assistant Treasurer, David Fox. Financial Secretary, Marc Chelemer. Assistant Financial Secretary, Jay Levine. Secretary, Lynn Chalken. Assistant Secretary, Stephen Friedman.

To contact an Executive Committee member:

(Photo taken by Barbara Balkin)

Other Temple Emeth Committees

To send a message to a committee, please use our Committee Contact Form.

Adult Choir "Kol Emet": Kol Emet, our 4-part, 20-voice choir, rehearses on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 - 9 pm with choir director Jacqueline Guttman and accompanist James Chiappini. Kol Emet sings for High Holiday services and for several Shabbat services throughout the year and participates in the annual URJ Regional Choir Festival . No audition is necessary, although choral experience is helpful. New members are always welcome.

Adult Education: The course offerings of our extensive Adult Education program vary from year to year and may include Bible, Talmud, Hebrew, cantillation, comparative Judaism and more. Instructors include our clergy, staff and guest lecturers.

Annual Giving: This committee is responsible for organizing and implementing the Annual Giving Campaign, which is a yearly drive for donations from Temple Emeth members used to help support basic functions of the Synagogue, including building and grounds maintenance, electrical costs, custodial and administrative office supplies.

Bazaar: One of the major fundraising events at Temple Emeth, and a major shopping event for the local community, is the annual bazaar. The committee organizes donations and the event itself.

Bulletin: The monthly Bulletin and mid-month mailings inform members of news and events, and include messages from the Rabbi, Cantor, Early Childhood Center, Religious School and Temple committees. We encourage advertising to help defray the cost.

B'yachad: People of all ages and interests will find a place to socialize at Temple Emeth. B’Yachad is open to both men and women, and is one of the most important. service and social arms of the Temple.

Caring: Paul S. Lazar Caring Community. Our Caring Committee extends a hand of friendship to Temple families in times of crisis. From visiting the sick in area hospitals to helping provide transportation and meals for those in need, the Committee strives to provide warmth and caring.

Cemetery: (To be added)

Children's Worship: This committee works on the popular Tot Shabbat as well as parallel events for children on major holidays.

College Committee: This committee maintains contact with our college and grad school youth through holiday mailings during the year.

Dues Review: Considers congregant requests for special dues arrangements based upon financial limitations. An adjunct committee evaluates the procedural process.

Early Childhood Center: Established in 1985, our Early Child-hood Center (ECC) offers an opportunity for the very young to develop a positive Jewish identity and an awareness of Jewish traditions. The ECC provides programs for toddlers, preschoolers and their parents, among which are a "Mommy and Me Program" and nursery school classes for 2 to 4 year olds. Tot Shabbat, a delightful 20 minute service for 2 to 5 year olds and their parents, is conducted by the Rabbi and Cantor on the second Shabbat morning of each month at 9:30 a.m.

Emeth Temple Youth: Senior League, for our eighth through twelfth graders, takes an active role in synagogue and community life, planning and carrying out social, cultural, religious and service programs and projects. EMTY ( Emeth Temple Youth) is affiliated with the North American Federation of Temple Youth, the Reform Jewish Teen movement.

House: The House Committee is responsible for all the issues dealing with the Synagogue building --maintenance, repair and replacement of equipment and furnishings --and also oversees the care of the grounds. The Committee works closely with the office staff and custodians to identify and resolve problems. The Temple Beautification Fund, while administered by the House Committee, is supported by donations from members and allows for the addition and purchase of items not covered in the annual House Committee budget. Contributions to this fund may be made to honor or thank someone, wish them a speedy recovery or Happy Birthday or to memorialize a loved one.

Institute For Living Arts (ILA): The Albert and Mildred Otten Institute for Living Arts, endowed by the Otten family, enriches our lives by providing quality performances, lectures, recitals and children’s programs to the congregation and the community.

Israel / ARZA Committee: As American Jews we support the State of Israel by celebrating her accomplishments and showing solidarity with her people in good times and bad. Temple Emeth's Israel Committee works in partnership with ARZA, the Association of Reform Zionists of America, which advocates for religious pluralism in Israel and connects American Reform Jews to Israel. In addition the Israel/ARZA Committee will be instrumental in the planning of a congregational Israel trip in late 2010 or early 2011. The Temple is currently seeking a volunteer to serve as chair of the Israel/ARZA Committee. Please contact Rabbi Steven Sirbu for more details.

Kallah Weekend: An annual retreat weekend offers an opportunity for intensive study, camaraderie and Shabbat celebration in a lovely retreat setting.

Lazar Educational Endowment: The Lazar Educational Enrichment Endowment Allocations Committee considers all written proposals for educational grants within Temple Emeth and approves such requests as the members of the committee deem appropriate.

Library, Rabbi Joshua Trachtenberg Memorial: An adjunct to Temple Emeth’s extensive adventures in learning is our Joshua Trachtenberg Memorial Library. The library houses the most extensive Judaica collection in Bergen County, including scholarly volumes, works of fiction and materials suitable for children.

Membership: The Membership Committee serves the needs of the Temple community through Open Houses and special events during the year such as the New Member Shabbat.

Minyan: Our Minyan Committee provides services for houses of mourning during the shivah period.

Museum: Our Jewish Experiential Museum enhances the life of our members by providing exhibits, displays and lectures and co-sponsoring cultural programs.

Women of Emeth (WOE) : Calling all the wonderful women of Temple Emeth! Be part of our intergenerational sisterhood. Sisterhoods have always been the collective presence, voice and strength of Jewish women within the structure of synagogues. The Women of Emeth gives us an opportunity to come together and enjoy one another’s company. If you are a mother, wife, daughter, sister, grandmother, bright, resourceful, fun-loving, dedicated to Jewish values and ideals, and ready to make some new friends, join us!

Oneg Shabbat: “Share The Joy” of a family simcha and celebrate the special birthday, anniversary, baby naming, graduation, aufruf etc. To arrange please call Marion Schechter in the Temple office.

Personnel Committee: The purpose of our committee is to assist the temple in developing policies and procedure for its employees.

Publicity: Members desiring publicity write ups for temple events should submit information on sheets available in the temple office or in our mailbox. Please submit the information in as camera ready text as possible - preferably by email (see the form). Pictures should be sent by e mail as jpeg images or, less preferably, sent to our mailbox as hard copy with email notification to us. All pictures should be identified as to event, date and names of persons depicted. For pictures of children be sure to have parental consent.Word processing will be much appreciated. Please list your phone number or email for us to reach you, if necessary. Please indicate whether your phone number, name can be published , how interested people can make reservations, and whether the event is open to nonmembers. For desired coverage of an event, get your flyer or related material to our mailbox at temple or send by e mail. We reserve the right to edit the material if corrections are necessary. We are not responsible for changes, errors, made by the media. Material should reach us 2-3 weeks before the event. We also submit post-event pictures and outcomes to the media. Send us the appropriate material as timely as possible.

Religious School: Temple Emeth Religious School fulfills the precept of education of youth as basic to Judaism with dynamism and creativity. The school, serving grades K-7, has a diverse curriculum of Jewish religion, history, culture and the Hebrew language. Each of our 13 year-old students is encouraged to participate in a Shabbat morning service marking his or her Bar or Bat Mitzvah. We do not see this event as the end of religious instruction, but as a milestone. Our students continue religious education through tenth grade Confirmation, on Shavuot morning.

Rentals: The newly renovated Temple Emeth boasts a beautifully decorated Social Hall, Youth Lounge and Entry Foyer. Our Social Hall can accommodate a party of 200-250 people and includes a large 24' x 28' wooden dance floor. The same room can accommodate 500 guests when used as an auditorium (without tables or the dance floor). The Youth Lounge can accommodate smaller, more informal get-togethers, while the Entry Foyer is perfect for a dramatic cocktail reception. The huge kitchen boasts all new Hobart commercial appliances; including two large refrigerator units and a king size freezer, large capacity dishwasher, several large stainless steel counter and sink work areas. The kitchen is also equipped with a double size gas range including three ovens, as well as a warming oven. For more information about Temple Emeth -- "A Special Place for Your Special Occasion" -- contact Marion Schechter, Temple Administrator, at 201-833-1322.

Renaissance Group: The goal of the Renaissance Group is to meet the needs of older congregation members who are not tied to temple life through children in the religious school. It is also a way for newer congregants who are empty nesters to meet others of similar ages and interests.

Ritual: The ritual committee considers innovations and traditions while working with the rabbi and cantor on individual issues, policies, and services.

Rosh Chodesh: Rosh Chodesh is a vehicle for Jewish women to deepen their connection to Jewish life, to build bridges to each other, and to find within themselves sources of wisdom and spirituality that might have been previously untapped. Rosh Chodesh is celebrated on the new moon each month. All women are invited to join us for seven evenings of stimulating, enjoyable exploration of women’s connections with Judaism!

Security Committee: The Security Committee deals with issues involving security and safety to insure that our synagogue maintains a safe and secure environment for all our families and visitors.

Shalach Manot: Giving (and receiving!!) gifts and goodies on Purim.

Social Action: The Social Action Committee is commited to enabling Temple Emeth members to perform acts of Tikkun Olam, healing of the world. Towards this goal, we offer many opportunities for you to help the needy in our community throughout the year.

Ushering: Ushering is one of the best ways to meet other members of Temple Emeth. There are no requirements for ushering, other than the ability to smile and make people feel welcome to our sanctuary, except perhaps occasionally helping a congregant to a seat or indicating where various facilities are within the Temple. We especially invite new members or congregants looking to become more involved to usher for a Shabbat service! Meet your fellow congregants, perform a mitzvah, schmooze at the oneg afterwards. You'll be glad you did.

Youth: The Youth Committee helps coordinate and chaperone events for EMTY and the Junior Youth Group. More parents are always welcome!

To send a message to a committee, please use our Committee Contact Form. Or stop and say hello to one of the committee chairs: