Shul Spiel: Chabad of West Orange

What's Happening at West Orange Synagogues?

This week's focus returns to Chabad of West Orange, 395 Pleasant Valley Way.

Friday Night Dinner Join us this Friday Night, Jan. 18 for dinner as part of ONE SHABBAT ONE WORLD! RSVP at chabadwestorange.com/fnd 4:15 p.m. Candle-lighting ceremony, followed by 6 p.m. dinner Call (973) 486-2362  |  altiekas@yahoo.com One Shabbat, One World, is a global project organized by the international Chabad-Lubavitch Headquarters. This initiative will unite Jewish participants worldwide in the observance of the Jewish Sabbath, with women and girls lighting the traditional Shabbat candles. Men, women and children will attend synagogues and enjoy a Friday night dinner, complete with classic Jewish cuisine like challah and gefilte fish and traditional melodies to warm the soul. Special Guest Speaker Rabbi Dovid Losh. Rabbi Losh, …

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Hanukkah Parade Lights Up Livingston, West Orange

Eighth night of joyous holiday marks end of Festival of Lights with car parade through townships.

Members of the West Orange and Livingston Jewish communities held their annual Hanukkah Parade Saturday night in West Orange and Livingston. The parade, which started at the Valley National Bank Building, 66 W. Mount Pleasant Ave. in Livingston, traveled part of the way down Route 10 and ended up in West Orange at the Lubavitch Center Shul, 395 Pleasant Valley Way. There were almost 25 participants this year. Each car was adorned with a fully lighted Menorah glowing with eight lights lit to represent the final day of the Jewish Festival of Lights. Were you at this year's Hanukkah Parade? Share your photos with Patch.

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Shul Spiel: Lubavitch Center of Essex County

What's Happening in West Orange Synagogues

This week's focus returns to the Lubavitch Center Shul, 395 Pleasant Valley Way.

On Dec. 8, the Lubavitch Center hosted a Chanukah party for the community and about a hundred people showed up. Everyone enjoyed pizza, latkes, French fries, falafel and salads. The kids had a lot of fun playing a "stuffed menorah" guessing game, Chanukah bingo, and "Make-a-menorah-from-whatever-is-in-a-bag" game. As part of the Smile On Seniors program, we recruited some volunteers to Brighton Gardens, Green Hill, Care One, and Canterbury Village where we celebrated Chanukah with the seniors. They were overjoyed playing Chanukah bingo, eating donuts, and singing along to the menorah lighting.  At the Livingston Mall on Sunday people gathered around as Rabbi (Mendy) Kasowitz  lit the Menorah, sang Chanukah songs, and played a guessing …

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Shul Spiel: Lubavitch Center of Essex County

What's Happening in West Orange Synagogues?

This week's focus returns to the Lubavitch Center of Essex County.

I had been looking forward to the International Conference of Chabad-Lubavitch Emissaries that began this past Wednesday in Brooklyn, N.Y., with intense anticipation. Having been focused the previous week on relief efforts and community rebuilding following Hurricane Sandy, I was thrilled to have the several days of workshops, classes and lectures more than ever. I was just one of thousands of emissaries who came to New York from points all across the globe. It gave me a chance to recharge my batteries. It’s something I look forward to all year, something that gives me a spiritual boost and a lot of energy. That was my chance to recharge, however. Please join me Monday, November 19, 7:30-9 p.m., to recharge your own spiritual batteries at …

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Elections, Homicide, Athena Top Local West Orange News

Charles, Casalino earn seats on township board of education; County prosecutor's office investigating death.

  Incumbent Michelle Casalino will join newcomer Ronald Charles on the West Orange Board of Education following Election Day wins Tuesday. Casalino was the top vote-getter in the four-person race for two seats. Charles finished second and was followed by Joseph Sorbino and Adam Kraemer. Board member Paul Petigrow dropped out of the race in September. The Essex County Prosecutor's Office is investigating the death of a West Orange woman on Oct. 31. Lelia Whatley, 22, was found unresponsive at her Washington Street residence early last Wednesday and was pronounced dead at the scene, said Katherine Carter, spokesperson for the Essex County Prosecutor's Office. Whatley's death was ruled a homicide after an autopsy Monday found she died of …

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PHOTOS: Guests Enjoy West Orange Buffet

Three West Orange synagogues provide hot meal at Congregation Ohr Torah for those without power, in need of warm place to relax.

Dear Friends, Lubavitch Center along with Congregations AABJ&D and Ohr Torah invite those without power to a hot dinner buffet at Congregation Ohr Torah, 270 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, this evening (Sunday) beginning at 4:30. We know how stressful it is during this difficult time in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Our goal is to provide a warm and friendly atmosphere to help you through the day. We understand you are not starving and that many of you have gone to stay with family or friends. However, moving out of your home with children or staying home with no lights/heat can be tough. I encourage you to come tonight relax and enjoy a hot meal together. If you plan to join us, please e-mail your name and number of people in your …

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Shul Spiel: Lubavitch Center of Essex County

What's Happening in West Orange Synagogues?

This week's focus returns to the Lubavitch Center of Essex County.

  At the Lubavitch Center we had an amazing High Holiday season starting with a renovation that opened up space in the Shul. We were able to comfortably sit close to 180 people for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Sukkos was fantastic, the first two days of holiday we enjoyed a Sukkah Hop around town, and on Saturday night, Oct. 6, we took a bus to Crown Heights where we danced in the streets to live music celebrating the festival of our joy. Simchas Torah was great. We enjoyed a delicious dinner buffet and we danced around the bima with the Torahs late into the night. As we close out the holiday season with the completion of the Torah and immediately begin reading it anew, let us carry over the inspiration from the High Holidays to the rest …

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Shul Spiel: Lubavitch Center of Essex County

What's Going on at West Orange Synagogues?

This week's focus returns to the Lubavitch Center Shul.

As July ended and August began, in came the Jewish month of Av in which they say, “When Av enters we decrease in joy.” However, we can’t help but note the many exciting events that took place.  Our dear friends, Mikey and Yana Frohlinger, will be making Aliyah to the Holy Land of Israel. To bid them farewell, the Lubavitch Center Shul hosted a major Kiddush in their honor. It was sponsored by many different people, all who have been touched by this caring family at some point in their lives. Over 150 people showed up and enjoyed a hot luncheon, which included delicious, meaty cholent with kishke (an old Jewish Shabbat tradition), kugel, herring, salads, pastas, meat lasagna, and drinks.  That Saturday evening, July 28, Tisha B’Av was …

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Shul Spiel: Lubavitch Center of Essex County

What's Happening in Local West Orange Synagogues?

This week, the focus returns to the Lubavitch Center Shul on Pleasant Valley Way.

This past month at the Lubavitch Center Shul has been jam-packed with programs, classes, softball games, and much more!  We recently completed our six-week Jewish Learning Institute course titled, “The Art of Marriage.” All of the participants gained a wealth of knowledge in addition to practical tips to enhance their relationships. Last Shabbos we hosted the girl counselors from Camp Gan Israel Morristown. Shabbos afternoon all the local campers enjoyed a special Shabbos party with the camp staff, including snacks, stories,and lots of singing.  Smile On Seniors took place this past Tuesday at the JCC MetroWest in West Orange, where Rabbi Kasowitz taught his weekly Parsha class.  Come join us this Shabbos as we host two guest rabbis, Rabbi…

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Lubavitch Center Shul Hosts Community Seder

41 guests take part in service to commemorate exodus.

Director of the Lubavitch Center Rabbi Mendy Kasowitz recently hosted a Community Seder to commemorate Passover. The Seder, which was held on April 6, included 41 guests and was held at the Lubavitch Center Shul, 395 Pleasant Valley Way in West Orange. The Lubavitch Center is a Chabad organization and is an affiliate of the Rabbinical College of America based in Morristown. For information on Chabad-Lubavitch of Essex County, click here or call (973) 486-2362.

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