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Articles by Josh Schwarzbaum
Bringing Simcha and Simchat Torah Home to CareOne
Simchat Torah is a holiday filled with singing, dancing and community. For residents spending Yom Tov at CareOne Teaneck, away from their homes and their own shuls, having that experience can mean even more. This past Simchat Torah, over 50 children, parents and community members came together at CareOne to celebrate with the residents, filling the room with singing, dancing and the joy of Yom Tov.
Tisha B’Av: When Bergen County Sang as One
There is a tremendous power in sitting together, sharing a space with one another and singing as one. At Bergen B’Yachad’s Tisha B’Av Unity Kumzitz this past week, there were no instruments, just our voices joining together toward Heaven. It was an emotional experience, with people singing from the depths of their hearts.
Inside Bergen B’Yachad’s Morning of Musical Tefillah at CareOne
Rabbi David Haiek leading the tefillah at CareOne. (Credit: Dr. Josh Schwarzbaum) There is something extremely powerful about children singing together and even more so when they are singing the songs of our tefilot. That was the experience we shared this past Sunday at CareOne in Teaneck.
A Musical Hallel and Davening at CareOne
Rabbi Jesse Shore leading musical Hallel. On Chol Hamoed Pesach, the community had a special opportunity to bring extra joy to the residents of CareOne at Teaneck. In partnership with the Jewish Center of Teaneck, the Jewish Learning Experience and Bergen B’Yachad, people from across Bergen County came together for a musical Hallel and Shacharit led by Rabbi Jesse Shore, executive director of the Jewish Learning Experience.
An Evening With the Folk Rock Rabbi
This past Motzei Shabbat, the Jewish Center of Teaneck and Bergen B’Yachad hosted a special melave malka with Rabbi Gedalya Sloshay, known as the Folk Rock Rabbi. The theme of the night centered on the happiness we are meant to feel on Purim not as a fleeting emotion but as something we actively cultivate. Drawing on the teachings of Rav Eliyahu Dessler in Michtav MeEliyahu, Reb Gedalya explained that Purim calls upon us to build happiness within ourselves.
Rabbi B Brings Achdut, Joy and Torah to Bergen County
There is nothing more beautiful than watching Jewish children revel in the joy of Torah. That joy filled the Jewish Center of Teaneck this past Sunday when Rabbi B came for a Jewish unity event bringing together schools and shuls from across Bergen County. The room was alive with children singing, laughing and dancing, accompanied by parents and grandparents, a clear testament to the importance of meaningful Jewish experiences that span generations.
One Community, One People: Celebrating Jewish Unity on New Year’s Day
Yallah Yallah at Temple Emeth (Credit: Josh Schwarzbaum) New Year’s Day is often experienced as a secular holiday, a day off from work, a time to make resolutions and then return back to regular life. For the third year in a row, we made it something more. This past Jan. 1, Temple Emeth in Teaneck, together with Bergen B’Yachad, hosted a community-wide Jewish unity concert featuring Yallah Yallah.
A Week of Healing, Hope and Achdut: Inside the Guardian Brothers Soldiers’ Visit to Teaneck
Melave malka. (Credit: Josh Schwarzbaum) The week flew by. What took place here in Teaneck and across the Bergen County Jewish community was nothing short of extraordinary. It was a week of healing, hope, resilience and, above all, achdut. Seventeen IDF combat soldiers arrived late Sunday night. These were men in their 20s and 30s who had spent close to 400 days in Gaza over the past two years. Men who had seen far more than anyone their age should ever have to see.
Bergen B’Yachad Torah and Tefillah Series Continues With Rabbi Daniel Fridman
This past week, Bergen B’Yachad launched another session of its Torah and Tefillah series at CareOne in Teaneck, featuring Rabbi Daniel Fridman of the Jewish Center of Teaneck. Rabbi Fridman guided the group through the hidden meaning of Yigdal, showing how this daily prayer serves as a Jewish mission statement. We learned how Yigdal reflects the beliefs of the Jewish people. From the very first line we recite, it captures the 13 principles of faith articulated by the Rambam.
Torah Thursdays at CareOne: A New Parsha Class With Rabbi Shmuel Goldstein
Last week, Bergen B’Yachad launched a new parsha class with Rabbi Shmuel Goldstein of Congregation Beth Tefillah in Paramus. Meeting on the first and third Thursday of each month at CareOne in Teaneck, the class explores the weekly parsha through the insights of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, opening hearts and minds and helping participants find deeper meaning, joy and personal relevance in Judaism and everyday life.
Music, Unity and Hope: The Bergen County Jewish Community Unites at Teaneck Bandshell
It was a beautiful late Friday afternoon as families streamed into the Teaneck Bandshell, picnic blankets spread across the grass and children running with Israeli flags in hand. Parents, grandparents and children clapped, sang, danced and joined together in Shabbat songs that filled the park with joy. The music was led by Avram Pengas, Nick Mandoukas, David Malka and Moshe Katzburg, whose masterful performance excited the crowd and created a sense of connection.
Tisha B’Av Unity Kumzitz Unites Over 200 Jews
The kumzitz had attendees from 23 Bergen and Hudson County shuls and schools. A little over a year ago, Ari Greene came to me with an idea: a community-wide Tisha B’Av kumzitz. This spark would ultimately bring over 200 Jews from across Bergen and Hudson counties together, regardless of background or practice. The heart of the event was simple: pure Jewish unity. No questions asked. No labels. Just Jews coming together as one.
A Night of Achdut and Hoda’ah: Teaneck Shuls Join in Tehillim for Israel
This past Sunday evening, close to 100 people from across the Teaneck Jewish community gathered at the Jewish Center of Teaneck for a powerful evening of unity, gratitude and heartfelt tefillah. The event, “Southern Teaneck Unity Tehillim for Israel: A Time of Hoda’ah and Bakasha,” brought together members and leadership from Arzei Darom, Beth Aaron, Jewish Center of Teaneck, Netivot Shalom, Ohr Saadya, Shaarei Tefilla and Young Israel of Teaneck.
Jewish Music Across the Mediterranean: A Night of Unity, Song and Support
This past Thursday night, something special happened at the Jewish Center of Teaneck. It wasn’t just a concert, it was a celebration of Jewish unity, an evening filled with joy, connection and purpose. Bergen B’Yachad’s Jewish Music Across the Mediterranean brought together Jews from across Bergen County to experience the musical traditions of Jewish communities from Israel, Greece, Turkey, Spain, Egypt, Morocco and beyond.
New Year’s Day Concert Brings 350 People Together Across Bergen County
On Jan. 1, Bergen B’Yachad hosted its second annual New Year’s Day Jewish Unity Concert, featuring the renowned band Soulfarm. The event brought 350 people together to Temple Emeth in Teaneck, representing 22 shuls across Bergen County. With the mission of strengthening community ties and bringing Jews together, the concert created a joyful and meaningful experience for attendees of all ages. Soulfarm, featuring Noah Solomon, C.
One Light, One People: Rabbi B Heading to Teaneck for a Pre-Chanukah Unity Event
Rabbi B, a renowned children’s entertainer, musician and educator, is making his way to Teaneck for a special pre-Chanukah event hosted by Bergen B’Yachad and the Jewish Center of Teaneck’s Youth Department. This event will be made even more special through a partnership with 14 schools and shuls from across Bergen County, truly embodying the spirit of unity and connection that Chanukah represents. This year’s event, scheduled for Sunday, Dec.
Hundreds Attend Screening of ‘Crazy Diamond: The Story of Yaron Shai’
The Jewish Center of Teaneck and Bergen B’Yachad unite hundreds across Bergen County. This past Sunday night, hundreds of Jews from across Bergen County gathered at the Jewish Center of Teaneck for the premiere screening of “Crazy Diamond: The Story of Yaron Shai.” Organized by the Jewish Center of Teaneck in partnership with Bergen B’Yachad, the event was an evening of inspiration, reflection and unity.
Bergen B’Yachad’s Carlebach Yahrzeit Kumzitz: A Night of Music, Unity and Inspiration
This past Sunday night, Bergen B’Yachad organized a meaningful Carlebach yahrzeit kumzitz in under 24 hours. It all began with a call from Daniel Zucker asking if we could put something together in memory of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach’s 30th yahrzeit. While nothing was planned, it felt like an important opportunity to bring the community together. Rabbi Carlebach was known for helping people reconnect to Judaism, Hashem and themselves, and the event was to honor his legacy.
Sukkot, the holiday of unity, calls us to gather together as one. As it says in Parshat Emor, בסכת תשבו שבעת ימים כל האזרח בישראל ישבו בסכת — “You shall dwell in sukkot for seven days; every citizen in Israel shall dwell in Sukkot.” This commandment reminds us that each individual is integral to the unity of our nation, and every one of us plays a role in building our community.
Bergen County to Unite for High Holiday Musical Journey With Four World-Renowned Chazzanim
The High Holidays are a time for introspection, reflection and deep connection. The ancient melodies that have been passed down for generations help us to turn inward, reaching our souls and connecting with the source of all creation. Music, especially during this sacred period, has the power to transport us, allowing us to experience Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and the Aseret Yemei Teshuva in a more profound and personal way.
A Hidden Gem in Teaneck: The CareOne Minyan for Physical and Spiritual Healing
In the heart of Teaneck lies a special place that many people may not be aware of — a place where spiritual healing and the mitzvah of bikur cholim come together every Shabbat. This place is the Shabbat minyan at CareOne, a hidden gem that offers both physical and spiritual rejuvenation for its residents and the greater community. It’s not often that you have the opportunity to fulfill multiple mitzvot at once, but the CareOne minyan provides just that.
First-Ever Tisha B’Av Unity Kumzitz Will Bring Together Bergen County
In a recent conversation, a school leader remarked, “We often claim to be united, yet our actions and beliefs suggest otherwise.” This was surprising to hear from a community leader, but it got me thinking: What does it really mean to be united as a community? Are we aligned in our ideas, actions and beliefs, or are we merely acknowledging togetherness on a superficial level? As Tisha B’Av approaches, a profound opportunity for unity and communal reflection arises in Bergen County.
Building Up Israel $1 Million at a Time
This past Monday evening, the Jewish community of Bergen County gathered for a powerful fundraising and unity event at the Jewish Center of Teaneck.
Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut Program Unites Bergen County Community
This past week, the Jewish community of Bergen County gathered in Teaneck to commemorate Yom HaZikaron and celebrate Yom Ha’Atzmaut. The event drew people from all over the county, coming together in a profound display of solidarity and unity with our brothers and sisters in Israel. The program was especially poignant this year, given the tragic events since October 7, underscoring the deep connection and empathy we feel for those affected.
Jewish Center of Teaneck to Host ‘Insights Into the Haggadah’
In the heart of Bergen County, a unique opportunity awaits the community—a three-part series led by Rabbi Aviram Biton, rabbi of the Sephardic Center of Paramus, exploring the profound teachings within the Pesach Haggadah. This series, conducted in Hebrew, is not just about delving into the Passover narrative, it’s about coming together as a community to uncover the divine spark within each of us.
Purim Carnival Brings Community Together at Jewish Center of Teaneck
Last Sunday, families from across Bergen County gathered at the Jewish Center of Teaneck for its annual Purim carnival, kicking off the festive week with joy and togetherness. The event, open to all, provided a delightful morning of fun-filled activities for attendees of all ages. Children’s laughter filled the air as they bounced in the castle, their faces lit up with excitement as they engaged in mask decorating, hamentashen making, and other Purim-themed crafts.
Teaneck Together to Host Rosh Chodesh Adar Concert
Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokenu Hashem Echad. In the sacred words of the Shema, we affirm not only the oneness of God but also the profound interconnectedness of all existence. God is not merely a distant deity; He is the essence of everything, the divine thread that runs through every aspect of our lives. When we truly understand this, we come to realize that we are all part of a greater whole, bound together by our shared humanity and our shared connection to the Divine.
From Tsfat to Teaneck: A Kumzitz and Musical Adar Experience
This past Sunday, the Teaneck community experienced a truly special evening and unforgettable event, “From Tsfat to Teaneck: A Kumzitz and Musical Adar Experience.” Organized by Teaneck Together and Ohr Saadya, this gathering transcended geographical boundaries drawing participants from near and far, including places like Monsey, Kiryas Joel and Boston. Under the warm glow of candlelight, voices harmonized in song, filling the air with melodies that echoed through the hearts of all present.
TeaneckTogether: A Harmony of Community and Connection
It was a cold day outside but warm within. On January 1, Jewish Center of Teaneck hosted the first TeaneckTogether Community Kumzitz and brought together the diverse threads of our community in a harmonious symphony. Over 12 shuls from the greater Teaneck area were represented, each contributing its unique note to the collective melody. The Jewish Center, with its spacious hall, became a melting pot where individuals from all walks of life found common ground through the language of music.
Community Harmony: Ohr Saadya Event Strikes a Chord of Unity
It was a cold night but warm inside. On November 30, the walls or Ohr Saadya reverberated with song. It was a night of unity and coming together for people of all backgrounds at the event entitled “Finding Inner Peace in a Time of Chaos.” “We were supposed to have our annual Simchat Torah barbecue, but given the circumstances this year, it was canceled,” said Eli Feldblum. “Since then we have been thinking about how to bring our community together despite the recent atrocities we’ve experienced.
We all make mistakes. Don't let them define you.
We are human and we all make mistakes. It’s an inherent part of our nature. It’s easy to get caught up in the belief that our mistakes define us or determine our worth; however, this couldn’t be further from the truth. As physicians, mistakes often serve as the uninvited guests in our otherwise meticulously planned professional lives. Yet, it is crucial to recognize that these errors are not stamps of incompetence but rather intricate threads woven into the fabric of our growth and wisdom.
How COVID accelerates change: Bridging business principles with emergency medicine
Over the past year, we have experienced massive organizational change at an unprecedented pace. Traditionally, we could spend weeks planning how to best make a change in our workplaces, but COVID-19 was anything but traditional. Our emergency department at Saint Barnabas Health System in Bronx, NY, needed to pivot on a daily and even hourly basis, and to do so took planning and effort. In general, change is difficult, and we like routine as human beings.
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