JSDD News

Shabbat Celebration via Zoom – Friday, January 22, 2021 JSDD residents continue to be hungry for the connection with friends during the weekly spiritual and moving zoom Sabbath experience with Hagit.  Engaging in Shabbat rituals is comforting and lifts their spirts.  The regular Friday night tradition to welcome Shabbat began, as always, with the blessing over the candles and Yael had the privilege this week.  The Kiddush was given by Kevin and the entire group came together blessing the bread and reciting the HaMotzi. Hagit taught the Parashat of the week “Bo”.  G-d brings the final three plagues on the Egyptians; the Israelites leave Egypt and receive the commandment to observe Passover.  Hagit said this lets you know that G-d […]

Each Shabbat Hagit Oren, JSDD’s Judaic Coordinator has the opportunity to share a Shabbat story with our residents and invited guests.  It is a favorite time of the week for all participants as they gather, through Zoom, and continue learning.  One of the joys of Shabbat is the appearance and decor of the beautiful table upon which meals are served.  Yael showed how she creatively prepared her home’s dining room table and added a splash of color with flowers as the centerpiece.   She then performed the most beautiful tradition the lighting of the Sabbath candles.  The blessing recited over wine/grape juice Kiddush was given by Daniel, and he followed with the HaMotzi (blessing over the bread). Hagit taught the week’s […]

Shabbat, like many important facets of Judaism, has its origins in the Torah.  It is celebrated with a festive meal and ceremonies.  JSDD’s Judaic Coordinator, Hagit Oren continues to bring these ceremonies to life each week for our residents and guests with a Zoom Friday afternoon get-together. The lighting of candles as sunset approaches on Friday is the traditional sign of the arrival of Shabbat.  Yael had the honor to light the candles, covered her eyes and recited the blessing in Hebrew.  The English translation is; Blessed are You G-d, Ruler of the universe, who sanctified us with the commandment of lighting the candles.  Adam and Mark together recited the Kiddush (blessing over grape juice/wine) followed by the Hamotzi (blessing […]

The December 22 edition of The Jewish Standard reports on the wonderful Open Door Minyan program hosted by Adath Shalom synagogue, Morris Plains, and attended by JSDD residents.

One constant theme in the Shabbat observance is the importance of home life with family members and guests. JSDD’s Judaic Coordinator, Hagit Oren, creates a spiritual experience each week with the illumination of a candle-lighting ceremony and this week the honor was given to Yael to recite the blessing.  Followed by the Kiddush with the blessing over the wine/grape juice by Mark.  Hagit noted that the Kiddush is not actually blessing the wine; however, you are blessing what the wine represents – holiness.  Adam made the Hamotzi (blessing over challah) while touching the bread. When asked the question “What was the best part of their week?”, the group communicated they all loved celebrating the 8 nights of Hanukkah via Zoom […]