Inside Temple Ner Tamid

Laurie Schifano came to Temple Ner Tamid in September 2001. During her almost 22 years at Temple Ner Tamid, she has seen a lot of changes, but one thing that has stayed the same is her loyalty to the organization. In her role as Director of Operations and Events, Laurie is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the maintenance staff, helping to ensure all Temple functions and programs run smoothly, and giving support to all staff, lay leaders, and congregants. In her spare time, you can probably find her working in her vegetable garden, watching one of her children play sports, or walking her dog, Abby. Laurie lives in Oakland with her husband Joe and their three boys – Michael, Jonathan, and Thomas. Learn more about Temple Ner Tamid on our website, www.nertamid.org.

Marty Baum has been involved with the TNT Board of Trustees since 2016, and has been a part of the TNT Executive Committee since 2018. Marty has been involved in a number of major projects including leading the creation and development of a new Temple logo and chairing the committee that recently revised TNT’s Constitution. His family have been members for nearly 20 years with his four boys all graduates of Shoresh Pre-School, becoming Bar Mitzvah and active Religious School participants. Professionally Marty is a principal at a small consulting firm that provides Sales and Marketing support for major Food and OTC drug companies. Fun fact: Marty has visited all 50 states. Learn more about Temple Ner Tamid on our website, www.nertamid.org.

Michelle W. Malkin was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA where she earned her dual Masters in Jewish Nonprofit Management from Hebrew Union College and Public Administration from USC. After working for a variety of LA based Jewish non-profit organizations, Michelle relocated to the east coast in 2016. Michelle has been honored to serve as the inaugural Executive Director for Temple Ner Tamid since 2019. In this vibrant, musical, progressive community, Michelle is responsible for the financial health of the multimillion-dollar organization, the workplace happiness of 50+ employees, structural integrity of the entire property, effective marketing and communications, as well as resource and leadership development. Michelle serves as the President of the Garden State Network of Synagogue Executives and on various committees with the National Association of Temple Administration - NATA. She hosts the podcast It's Who You Know! and serves on the Board of Directors for Yesh Tikvah: A Jewish Fertility Community. She is an alum of Leading Edge’s Leading Executives training program and on the planning committee for the 2023 Re-Charging Reform Judaism Conference where she will be moderating a workshop on Anti-Semitism and the Reform Jewish response. Michelle lives in West Orange with her husband Barak, creator of the podcast Torah Smash!, and their preschool aged sons Gideon and Nadav. She loves gardening and yoga, tea and warm weather, reading before bed, and going on new adventures! Learn more about Temple Ner Tamid on our website, www.nertamid.org.

Learn more about Temple Ner Tamid on our website, www.nertamid.org.

Sermon by Rabbi Marc Katz and music by Cantor Meredith Greenberg from Temple Ner Tamid in Bloomfield, NJ. www.nertamid.org Learn more about Temple Ner Tamid on our website, www.nertamid.org.

Sermon by Rabbi Marc Katz and music by Cantor Meredith Greenberg from Temple Ner Tamid in Bloomfield, NJ. www.nertamid.org Learn more about Temple Ner Tamid on our website, www.nertamid.org.

Introduction by Rabbi Marc Katz Oseh Shalom by Cantor Meredith Greenberg Sermon and Discussion with Rabbi Marc Katz Gesher Tzar Me'od (Whole World is a Very Narrow Bridge) with Cantor Meredith Greenberg, Peri Smilow, and Leora Perlman Shofar Service

Welcome message from Josh Katz, TNT President, Rabbi Katz's Sermon, The Shofar Calls Closing Song with Cantor Meredith Greenberg

Sermon by Rabbi Marc Katz Sermon Closing Song with Cantor Meredith Greenberg

Yom Kippur Afternoon Self-Paced Offerings

Yom Kippur Self-Paced Offering Midrash is the art of expanding the world of a story by adding detail. Art functions in the same way. What did the whale look like that swallowed Jonah? How did Jonah feel sitting outside the walls of Nineveh? Come learn the story of Jonah and here how great artists throughout time have interpreted these details and more.

Yom Kippur Self-Paced Offerings Each Yom Kippur afternoon we commemorate those who gave their lives for a greater cause. Though traditionally we mark the day by remembering those victims of persecution, ancient and modern, this year we mark the day by acknowledging our modern day martyrs, those individuals who risked and gave their lives in the fight against COVID.

Video Available: www.nertamid.org/Forgiveness Discussion Questions: (PDF available: www.nertamid.org/ForgivenessDQ) How have you seen “cancel culture” playing out in the public square? How about your life? Rabbi Katz spoke about the fact that “canceling” can be an important tool of the less powerful. Do you agree? When should it be used? And when might it be taken too far? What would a public figure have to do to prove to you that they deserve to come back into the spotlight? Pick a figure that you have stopped paying attention to because of their politics, worldview, or public statements? When might you be ready to forgive them? How does the current climate foster or impede your own willingness to engage in debate and speak out on controversial issues?

Video Available: www.nertamid.org/AddressingRace Discussion Questions: (PDF available: www.nertamid.org/AddressingRaceDQ) When you look around at racial injustice, what specific problems give you pause? What does it mean to be an ally? When it comes to racial justice, when should we lead and when should we listen? What resources (books, movies, podcasts) have you encountered over these past months that have shaped your view on race and why? What can we do as a community to make TNT the most embracing and open to Jews of Color in and around our community? As Rabbi Katz reminds us, we own this problem. What role do you play in creating a world of justice and safety for all?

Video Available: www.nertamid.org/Voting Discussion Questions: (PDF available: www.nertamid.org/VotingDQ) What is your history with voting? When have you voted consistently and when not? If not, what stood in your way? Why are you voting this year? Why does voting matter to you? How does your Judaism inform your approach to civic engagement? What will you do to ensure that as many people who want to / are eligible can vote this year?

For those who wish to take part in the ritual of Tashlikh "to cast off" at home.

Video Available: www.nertamid.org/Friendship Discussion Questions: (PDF available www.nertamid.org/FriendshipDQ) How have you seen the nature of your friendships change during Covid? Between friendships of utility, pleasure, companionship, and virtue, which are the most represented in our life? Which are the easiest and the hardest for you to cultivate? What friendships in your life have helped you grow into a better person? When you are feeling lonely, what are the things that bring you comfort and reprieve?

Video Available: www.nertamid.org/Resiliency Discussion Questions: (PDF found at www.nertamid.org/ResiliencyDQ) What parts of your life have you felt were “on pause” over these past number of months? What does the word “resilience” mean for you? When have you felt a sense of resilience over these past number of months? Rabbi Katz wrote: “The current state of the world makes it very difficult to be optimistic. There is too much unknown to have a rosy picture of the future. But nevertheless, I have hope. I believe that however much this current moment is difficult, I have within me the answers to make it, at least, a little better.” What are your sources of hope? And what answers lie within you at this time to make things a little better? When have you been a source of strength and hope for others? When have you helped them find their own wellspring of resolve?

Elul Inspired Music for Your Soul Prayer by Shlomo Carlebach Cantor Meredith Greenberg on Vocals and Djembe Ed Alstrom, TNT Accompanist, on Piano and Guitar www.nertamid.org/HHD2020

Elul Inspired Music for Your Soul Prayer by Don Sarlin Cantor Meredith Greenberg on Vocals and Djembe Ed Alstrom, TNT Accompanist, on Piano and Guitar www.nertamid.org/HHD2020