Rabbi Arthur Weiner

On Sunday, the new Hebrew month of Elul begins. Elul is the unofficial start of the High Holiday season. As Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur approach, I want to share a personal and heartfelt request: I would truly love to see you and your families at the JCCP/CBT for Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur this year. Please plan to be with us in person in the building this year. This year, more than ever, I hope we can come together as one congregation — in person — to pray, reflect, and celebrate the Days of Awe. I want to see our sanctuary once again filled with familiar faces, voices joined in song and prayer, and the powerful feeling that only a full congregation can create during these sacred moments. In recent years, we’ve all had to adapt in different ways. Much thought and care went into making our High Holiday experiences meaningful while ensuring everyone felt safe and supported. I’m proud of the dedication our community showed and grateful that we remained connected, whether in perso...

Anti-Semitism, and especially antisemitic hate crimes, have reached unprecedented levels since October 7 th 2023. According to data released by the FBI earlier this month, antisemitic hate crimes in recent years have broken all previous statistical records. In 2024, even as the number of hate crimes overall actually decreased in the US, crimes committed against Jews increased by 5.8 percent, the largest total recorded in over 30 years. We are 2% of the US population, but subject to 69% of all religious based hate crimes. The problem is real. And law enforcement needs tools and resources, including a working definition of exactly what antisemitism is.   In this climate, clarity matters. Definitions matter. And leadership matters. Three weeks ago, Jason Shames, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey, testified before the State and Local Government Committee of the NJ State Assembly in support of Bill A3558. This legislation would formally adopt the International...