The Amazing Kreskin, world-renowned mentalist extraordinaire, will perform LIVE at Temple Shalom in Succasunna, NJ on Saturday February 4 at 7:30 pm.  The event is open to the public, bring your family, friends and neighbors!

With a showman’s flair, a comedian’s wit, and the capacities of a bona fide Mentalist or thought reader, The Amazing Kreskin has, for some six decades, dramatized the unique facets of the human mind…his own.  His very name has become an integral part of pop culture throughout the world, invoked in comedy clubs, comic strips, print stories, and TV shows from sitcoms on through national magazines. 

Doors will open at 7:30pm.  Light refreshments will be served at a reception prior to the live performance. 

Advance tickets are $18 for an adult and $10 for young adults ages 12-17.

Tickets will be sold on Sunday mornings during religious school or go directly to http://amazingkreskin.eventbrite.com

Mitzvah Mall


Once again, the Social Action Committee of Temple Shalom has selected non-profit organizations to be the beneficiaries of our 2011-5772 “Mitzvah Mall”. This year, we asked the selected local organizations to provide us a list of specific items or services that they need help delivering. 100% of all donations go directly to the organization. Please participate this year with three new charities to choose from or continuing to support “The Community Soup Kitchen” in Morristown. Their need is so great. In return for each donation, you can select an appropriate greeting card made from recycled paper and an insert describing the charity and the work it does. Read about the organizations below and please participate by completing the order form. The cards are a wonderful way to say thank you, wish someone a good holiday, acknowledge a good deed or just send a greeting. E- mail may be convenient, but a personal note is so special. You can use the Mitzvah Mall cards in place of store bought cards anytime and give a holiday gift that will really make a difference. To participate in this worthwhile program, donate a minimum of $2.00 for any tangible item or service to any of the organizations listed on the enclosed “Mitzvah Mall Order Form”. 

If you have any questions regarding the program contact Beth Lemler at 908-852-8246 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

You can download the order form by clicking on this link: Mitzvah Mall Donation Form.  The form can be filled in on your computer and emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
or sent via US Post Office to:
Beth Lemler
8 Shadetree Place
Long Valley, NJ  07853

Community Soup Kitchen although unable to continue to accept cooked food from the public, The CSK will continue to serve noontime meals to 300 men, women, and children a day. They also offer mental health, alcohol and substance abuse outreach; distribute coats, sleeping bags, toiletries and emergency food relief; employment counseling, health screenings; HIV/AIDS testing; ESL classes; and educational training about poverty and hunger in NJ. Their website is cskmorristown.org .

Freedom Horse Farm in Long Valley provides equine assisted services to those who have disabilities as well as those able bodied who would benefit from a working partnership with a horse. Hippotherapy is where the horse is used as a treatment tool for physical, occupational and speech therapy. Those who would benefit from Hippotherapy include Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Delay, Sensory Integration Disorders, and Traumatic Brain Injury/Strokes. They utilize the services of a physical therapist that can overlay a variety of motor tasks on the horse's movement to address the motor needs of each patient. The outcome is growth in gross motor ability such as sitting, standing, and walking. Their occupational therapists are able to combine the effects of equine movement with other interventions for working on fine motor control, sensory integration, and functional daily living skills. Their website is freedomhorsefarmllc.com

The Land Conservancy of New Jersey preserves land and water resources, conserves open space, and inspires and empowers individuals and communities to protect our natural land and environment. TLC has set a goal of preserving 26,000 acres over the next decade to help win the race for open space. The Conservancy is taking a lead role in the efforts to preserve the Highlands, a region that includes almost all of Morris County and parts of Sussex, Passaic, Warren, Hunterdon, and Somerset Counties. Other priorities include land critical to protect clean drinking water, diverse plant and wildlife habitat, scenic and historic farmland and woodlands, and important recreation areas throughout northern New Jersey. The Land Conservancy of New Jersey is currently working on 210 projects in seven counties throughout the northern part of the state. (Morris, Sussex, Warren, Passaic, Bergen, Hunterdon, and Somerset Counties).Their website is tlc-nj.org

Operation Military Kids is a program supported by the U.S. Army and America's communities. Their goal is to support the children and youth of families impacted by military deployment. New Jersey's OMK's programs create support networks for military families as well as provide recreational, social and educational opportunities for military youth. Their Hero Pack program provides backpacks filled with donated items and assembled by community volunteers. Each backpack may contain a camera, journal, stationary, small toys or other fun items. These hero packs are presented to each child at the deployment ceremony when the parent or guardian is to leave for duty. It is a wonderful item for the child to use while the parent is away to chronicle their time until reunited. The organization also provides educational programs to raise awareness about the issues facing military families and to teach adults and youth about the military culture and deployment. Their national website is ourmilitarykids.org with a link to the New Jersey offices.

Life Long Learning 5770 /2009-2010

Temple Shalom’s Life Long Learning Program allows adults to explore Judaism on many levels.  Be it an opportunity for text study, Jewish book reviews, Learners’ minyans, lectures by experts in their fields or Judaism through theater and music, one can engage and be challenged in a variety of ways.

KOLOT-VOICES
Subsidized by a grant from the Irving Laurie Foundation, Kolot allows Temple Shalom to bring in special educational programs.

Shabbat Morning, November 14, 2009 at 10:00 am.
Join the StorahTeller at Shabbat morning worship.   He will provide a theatrical experience based on the Torah portion.  Following services there will be a Kiddush luncheon.  Shabbat afternoon will include a workshop led by our guest lecturer.

April 16-18, 2010  
Arnie Davidson will be Temple Shalom’s Musician & Songwriter in Residence.  On Friday evening Arnie will lead a unique service, starting at 8:00 pm.  On Shabbat morning he will do a program at Moadon Shabbat.  A special Havdalah and Adult program will be offered at 7:00 pm Saturday evening for adults.  On Sunday morning the Religious School will benefit from interaction with Mr. Davidson. 

Conscience:  The Duty to Obey and the Duty to Disobey
Join Rabbi Joel Soffin on Wednesday, November 4 at 7:30 pm. He will  discuss how and when we decide to “draw the line,” using Rabbi Schulweis’ book as a starting point of discussion.  To order the book no later than October 5, contact Phylis Sapherstein at 973-584-5666 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  The book costs $19.99. 

Sunday Torah Study
Join Rabi Levy at 9:00 am in the Upper Lobby.
2009:   November 1 and December 6. 
In 2010 the class will be held on February 7,
March 7 and May 2.

Talking Torah
Text study sessions on the first Tuesday of the month from noon-1:30 pm.  Bring a brown bag lunch.  Dr. Dev Smith will be the facilitator.

Rabbi’s Book Reviews
Thursday, December 10, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Rabbi Levy will lead a discussion based on
Mitch Albom’s Have A Little Faith.
RSVP to Phylis Sapherstein, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 973-584-5666 by December 3.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 7:00 pm
Book TBA

Learners’ Minyans (Services)
Gain a greater appreciation of the Friday evening or Shabbat morning service.  Knowledge of Hebrew not required.  The Learners’ Minyan takes place in
The Soffin Chapel while the congregational minyan is being held. The Learners’ Minyan is facilitated by Dr. Dev Smith.  Friday evening:  December 11, 2009 and March 5, 2010.  Saturday mornings:  Otober 17, 2009, November 14, 2009 and April 17, 2010.

Tu B’Shevat Seder-Sunday, January 31 at 6:00 pm
Join in this annual Temple Shalom event.  Celebrate the Birthday of the Trees.  There will be a special seder, including four cups of wine and four types of fruit. 

Israel Trip 2010 Informational Meeting
Sunday, December 13, 2009 at 9:30 am

How Others See us, How We See Ourselves: 
A Dialogue led by Rabbi Levy
The changing roles of Jews in American society.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 7:30 pm.

Watch the weekly e-blasts and The Menorah
 for more information about Temple Shalom’s
educational opportunities.

Goldberg Judaic Study Center

For this instruction which I enjoin upon you this day, is not too baffling for you, nor is it Beyond reach. It is not in the heavens, that you should say, "Who shall go up for us to the heavens and bring it to us, that we may understand it?"… No, the Torah is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you learn from it and live by it.
Devarim Chapter 30

2011-2012 Goldberg Judaic Study Center Program Preview

Adult Jewish Learning is a priority of our Reform Movement, part of the lifelong pursuit of Jewish literacy and intellectual growth that our tradition commands of us.  With the addition of the Goldberg Judaic Study Center (GJSC), we are renewing our commitment to this strongly held value and look forward to a renaissance of the practice of this mitzvah throughout our Temple Family.  Following are many of the programs, speakers and minisessions that we have planned for the coming year.  Some already have dates set, others will be announced as they are scheduled.  

Click here to download a pdf copy of the preview.