WELCOME TO BARNERT TEMPLE!

We are glad you are here! The Nathan Barnert Memorial Temple (Congregation B'nai Jeshurun) is a Reform congregation located in Franklin Lakes, NJ. We are proud of being the oldest Reform Jewish Congregation in New Jersey.  Barnert Temple is affiliated with the Union of Reform Judaism (URJ) and is proud to participate in and support the great traditions and purposes of the URJ.  Today, as it has been through our 160-year history, our mission is to be a sacred community committed to offering Reform Jewish experiences that are relevant, accessible, and meaningful for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Under the leadership of Rabbi Elyse Frishman and Cantor Leon Sher, we are a spiritual center for approximately 480 member families from more than 36 surrounding communities in northern NJ and the New York suburbs. We are large enough to serve the diverse needs of our congregants, but small enough to provide an inclusive, comfortable and nurturing environment.

We hope you will take the time to learn more about us. Learn about our various events, our preschool and religious school, our adult education offerings and all that Barnert Temple has to offer. To schedule a tour or learn about membership, contact our Membership Liaison at (201) 848-1800.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
For a complete list of events, visit our online calendar.

Shabbat Services: Friday, Feb. 5, at 7:30 pm
Join us for Shabbat services led by BarTY. Joining our own youth group will be over 150 teens from the NFTY-GER region who are spending Shabbat at Barnert Temple. Help our guests celebrate Shabbat at Barnert!

Caring for Our Caregivers Support Group: Next Meeting Thursday, Feb. 11 at 7 pm
This support group is intended to help those who are caring for aging or infirm parents or relatives. We hope to provide a caring environment to help us learn from and support one another. If you plan on attending our next meeting (or are interested but can't attend this meeting), send your name and phone number to Roberta Hong.

Special Screening and Discussion with Director of "Menachem & Fred": Saturday, Feb. 20
Join us for a special screening of the 2009 Cinema for Peace award recipient, Menachem & Fred. This touching documentary tells the story of two brothers separated as young children during the Holocaust and reunited 60 years later in Europe. Israeli dinner will be served at 7:15 pm and the film begins at 8 pm. An exclusive discussion with the film's director will follow. Click the above link for RSVP details.

Celebrate Purim at Barnert!  Saturday, Feb. 27 and Sunday, Feb. 28
Join us on Feb. 27 at 7:30 pm for our always creative and entertaining Purim Shpiel! This year's rendition is based on "Bye, Bye Birdie" and will be sure to have you rockin' and rollin' in the aisles! All are welcome to join us on Sunday, Feb. 28 from 9-11 am for a special Yom Kehillah and Purim Carnival event.

Support the URJ's Efforts to Help Earthquake Victims in Haiti
The Reform Jewish community has a long history of generosity when natural disasters devastate communities around the world. Your generosity at this critical time enables us to play a role in recovery efforts and bring healing and hope to those whose lives have been affected. Click the above link for details on how you can make a donation to help this important effort.

Check Us Out on YouTube!
In our ongoing quest to connect with members, personally and virtually, our leaders are now using YouTube to share their insights and messages with you. Check out Rabbi Frishman and Sara Losch's first set of monthly video messages to the congregation. There are also additional video messages about our Preschool and Religious School. Take a look and let us know what you think!

Prizes Wanted for the Mitzvah Mall and Casino Night!
Two significant events at Barnert Temple are rapidly approaching - Mitzvah Mall on March, 14 and Casino Night on March, 20. For both events we are looking for donations to make up prize baskets and silent auction items. We need the big ones – sporting event and show tickets, empty vacation houses or the services that you or your business specialize in. We also need the smaller ones – the extra, unused stuff that we all collect without trying. If you can help, please contact Marian Filan or Patricia Cantor.

Barnert at its Best on MyBergen.com
Our "Peace Through Music" Concert for Darfur was a huge success. We're so proud of our concert organizers, Amanda Kroll and Amanda Lomega, our entire BarTY group and BarTY advisors, Zack and Melissa Kolstein, all those who supported and mentored our young teens who acted to help change the world and help others. This special program is being featured on MyBergen.com. To see the video, go to www.mybergen.com and watch the video at the top of the page. (Note: it takes a few seconds to load and has a short commercial at the beginning. Be patient and you will see something very special!)

Preschool Open Registration is Now Underway!  Secure Your Spot Today!
Register for our top-notch preschool program is now open to the general public. Don't miss your opportunity to secure your spot for the 2010-11 school year. Click the above link to learn more about our programs and access registration forms online.Secure your spot today!

Keep Your Unused Items Out of Landfills - Donate to CUMAC in Paterson
If you have gently used clothing, furniture, house wares, etc., that you are discarding, the CUMAC organization, located in Paterson, will take your donations. CUMAC (formerly CUMAC/ECHO) has been a vital resource to the Paterson community for over 30 years. They are primarily a food pantry that feeds roughly 2,000 people monthly, but they also assist their community with donated clothing, furniture, and other items as needed. These items are either sold in their thrift store, with proceeds going to further CUMAC's good work, or they are given to families in need. CUMAC can usually pick-up your items, although drop-offs are always appreciated. For more info, contact CUMAC at (973)742-5518.

Barnert's Africa Initiatives Receive Press Coverage
Barnert Temple launched its Africa Initiative on Oct. 18. Projects include a youth program to raise relief funds and awareness for victims in Darfur as well as projects linking Barnert with schools in Uganda and helping nascent women’s cooperatives expand their effectiveness in Rwanda. Learn more about these efforts and the press coverage Barnert is receiving for its commitment to and work in Africa.

Support the Call for the State of Israel to Officially Recognize Rabbi Miri Gold
As you know, we continue to participate in the legal struggle for equal religious rights in Israel. Through the Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC) website, we are offered an important opportunity to participate. When you click on the Israel RAC link, and sign the online petition, you will be supporting a pending case before the Supreme Court to recognize Rabbi Miri Gold as a Rabbi in Israel. This will open yet another door to affirming our rights as Reform Jews, and as egalitarian Jews, in Israel.

Act Now to Free Gilad Shalit!
As many of you know, the issue to free Gilad Shalit is very important to the Jewish community. We invite you to participate in an international letter-writing campaign targeting President Obama, Secretary of State Clinton, and Special Envoy George Mitchell, asking them to make Gilad's freedom an international priority. Click on the above link to learn more.