About Us
Open doors have always been the hallmark of Temple Emanu-El's congregational community. Our renowned religious school was the first in the area to offer special education programs; we are the only local synagogue with a food pantry servicing the larger community; interfaith families have always been warmly welcome; New Jersey's Lesbian and Gay Havurah has made its home in our Temple as have numerous other organizations and religious communities. The front page of the Kolaynu, our monthly newsletter, announces that membership is open to persons of any race, sex, ethnic background, physical capability, sexual orientation, national origin or marital status. Many previously turned away elsewhere have found a home with us at 100 James Street.
We offer outstanding adult education programs; we collect and distribute food and funds to the needy of our community, we reach out to our members in times of need. Torah is at the center of all we do and to the best of our ability, we try to fulfill our obligations as Jews.
A synagogue is a beit k'nesset- a house of assembly. At Temple Emanu-El, the doors to our house are open wide. We welcome young and old, gay and straight, single and married, Jew and non-Jew. Pre-schoolers gather to celebrate Shabbat with songs and crafts. Teens gather to experience Judaism with their friends. We all gather as a community to engage in the sacred work of tikkun olam, the repairing of the world, through our award-winning social action programs.
A synagogue is a beit midrash- a house of study. At Temple Emanu-El, our children come to learn Hebrew and the traditions of Judaism. Adults come to study with renowned scholars and to take part in our Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah and Confirmation programs. Interfaith families come to learn how to create Jewish homes. We join together for weekly opportunities to study Torah.
A synagogue is a beit tefillah- a house of prayer. At Temple Emanu-El, we join together in worship for Erev Shabbat and Shabbat morning services, festivals and the High Holy Days. We celebrate the birth of children, and share in the joy as they become Bar or Bat Mitzvah and are confirmed. We pray for those who are ill and comfort each other at times of loss. In song, we lift our voices to God and bring holiness into our lives.
Temple Emanu-El is all of this and more. We are a warm, open, and welcoming family. We are dedicated to bringing sacredness into our lives, and into the world. Join us in this wonderful and sacred journey.
Rabbi David Z. Vaisberg
Cantor Sharon Kohn
Rabbi Alfred B. Landsberg - Rabbi Emeritus
Samantha Eichert, Temple Administrator
Jill Santoni, Educational Director
Ellen Hochman, Administrative Assistant
Colin Hogan and Barbara Shapiro, Co-Presidents
That's us - Temple Emanu-El of Edison, New Jersey. Ours is truly a house for all people and we warmly welcome all who enter.
