Ahavas Sholom – an Historic Landmark and Sacred Space

Newark's Last Remaining Synagogue born of the Great European Migration at the turn of the 20th Century

145 Broadway, Newark, NJ 07104
Phone: 973-485-2609 | Email: cahavassholom@optimum.net

Welcome to Ahavas Sholom – an Historic Landmark and Sacred Space

 

January 12, 2020

 

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration

 

at

 

Ahavas Sholom

 

and

 

The Jewish Museum of NJ

 

145 Broadway, Newark, NJ  07104

 

Admission is Free

 

Keynote Speaker: MaNishtana
(aka Rabbi Shais Rishon)  

MaNishtana (aka Rabbi Shais Rishon) a blogger, playwright, and novelist, in addition to being a congregational rabbi. The Forward has described him as an “Orthodox polymath” and “a deft and acerbic observer of the intersections of race and faith,” who “will make you both laugh and think deeply.” MaNishtana describes himself as 100% Black, 100% Jewish, 0% Safe.

12 noon: Newark artist Joanne Leone will conduct a Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Art Workshop, a collaborative, hands-on paint and weaving project, inspired by MLK’s speeches, civil rights music, and poems.

2:00 pm: MaNishtana will give his keynote, followed by an NJPAC Jazz for Teens performance of a new musical work about Newark native Sarah Vaughn, and a panel discussion on civil rights in which Rabbi Rishon will participate.

To read the Forward’s article on MaNishtana click here.

If you have any questions call Jeff at 973-207-3095.

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration is part of the NJPAC TD James Moody Jazz Festival and “Celebrating WBGO 40 Years of Jazz in Newark and Beyond.” It is the closing event of the latest exhibit at the Jewish Museum of New Jersey, Ed Berger: Jazz Photographer.

 

 

Ed Berger: Jazz Photographer

Ed Berger: Jazz Photographer spotlights the photographic work of Ed Berger, (1951-2017), the former Associate Director of the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University, who was an author, jazz record producer and label owner, discographer, editor, historian, photographer, educator, and WBGO radio host.

One of Ed’s biggest passions, starting from in his mid-teens, was photography. His Flickr stream contains over 9,000 photos. Many of these are of jazz musicians, including Benny Carter, Joe Wilder, Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Warren Vaché, Benny Powell, Harry “Sweets” Edison, Phil Woods, Ruby Braff, and Cootie Williams.

The photographs were taken on stage, in offices and classrooms, and at homes, representing an extensive range of venues associated with a life in jazz. – [Summary, Ed Berger Photographic Collection, 1928-2016 and undated, Oberlin College Conservatory Library]

Since 2017, Ed’s photos have comprised the Ed Berger Photographic Collection at the Oberlin College Conservatory Library in Oberlin, Ohio. The 30 photos in our exhibit represent only a tip of the iceberg of Ed’s magnificent talent.

This exhibit is the product of a joint effort among the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), WBGO Radio Jazz Radio 88.3, the Rutgers University Institute of Jazz Studies, Congregation Ahavas Sholom and the Jewish Museum of New Jersey.

It is part of the NJPAC TD James Moody Jazz Festival and “Celebrating WBGO 40 Years of Jazz in Newark and Beyond.” 

Congregation Ahavas Sholom and the Jewish Museum of New Jersey are located at 145 Broadway, Newark 07104.

There is free off street parking

For further information about Congregation Ahavas Sholom visit the synagogue’s website.

For further information about the Jewish Museum of New Jersey visit the museum’s website.

If you have any questions call Jeff at 973-207-3095.

Mission Statement

As the oldest continuously operating synagogue in the City of Newark, Congregation Ahavas Sholom is an Egalitarian Conservative Synagogue with a traditional service that welcomes all Jews, fulfills their spiritual needs, provides educational and cultural experiences.

The synagogue’s mission states that Ahavas Sholom is passionately committed to the pursuit of Tikun Olam (repair of the world) and Tzedakah (social justice). Ahavas Sholom recognizes as part of Tikun Olam that it has an obligation to the environment, physical space and activities of the community. We therefore consider support for the conservation of open space, the creation of both passive and active recreation in Newark and among communities within its metropolitan area to be part of our mission.

Ahavas Sholom is characteristic of other religious institutions in Newark. Just as many inner-city churches draw the greater part of their members from outside the city itself, Ahavas Sholom now has relatively few congregants who live in Newark.

American cities are redeveloping in part as their unsurpassed cultural and religious institutions attract suburbanites to meaningful experiences. Ahavas Sholom is holy ground. It inspires those who step through its doors to pray, think, and learn, and to care about each other’s lives and the life of the community.

We Celebrated Eight Adult B’nei Mitzvah

 Bottom Row:  Tim Bezalel Lee of Newark, Rabbi Simon Rosenbach, and Daviyd Hawkins of Newark.  Top Row:  Wanda Rubinstein Gohler of Newark, Flora Sonners of Parsippany, Alla Eicheldinger of Newark, Marianne Moy of Roselle Park, Joan Podnos of West Orange and Linda Bloom of Bloomfield.

On Saturday, March 16, 2019, the Ahavas Sholom community celebrated eight of our members who were called up to the Torah as adult B’nei Mitzvah. 

For many weeks the group studied and prepared for this day, under the leadership of Rabbi Simon Rosenbach.

They are men and women, mostly in their 60’s, from many differet Jewish backgrounds, who have been waiting a lifetime for this opportunity. 

Some were born outside the United States, some were born into another religion, and some were just never given this opportunity as a 12 or 13 year old. 

To read the New Jersey Jewish News article about our eight adult B’nei Mitzvah click here.

If you have any questions please call Jeff at 973-207-3095.

#newark #newarkevents #ahavassholom #Jewsofnewark 

Directions

Congregation Ahavas Sholom meets every Shabbat morning, starting at 9:00 a.m. for services and Kiddush lunch.

On periodic Friday evenings we hold Friday night services followed by a communal Shabbat dinner.

We also come together for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Succot, Shemini Atzeret, Simchat Torah, Chanukah, Tu B’Shvat, Purim, Pesach, Shavuot, and Tisha B’Av.

Please join us for Shabbat or the holidays if you are coming into Newark for business or pleasure.

If you need information on hotels, motels, restaurants, and Jewish life in the greater Newark area call Jeff at 973-207-3095. 

 

 
 

Directions

 

From Downtown Newark

  • Take Broad Street north. Instead of turning left onto Bloomfield Place, continue straight.
  • One block later turn left onto Gouvernor Street, and then right onto Broadway.
  • Drive 1 long block. You’ll see the Synagogue on the right and immediately
  • turn right into the parking lot between the Synagogue and Clinton Memorial AME Zion Church.

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From Essex County

  • Bloomfield Avenue east into Newark.
  • One mile beyond Branch Brook Park, near the bottom of the hill,
  • turn left onto Crittenden Street, marked by a Verizon building on the near left and “Lou Caputo Florist” on the

   far left corner.    

  • Two short blocks on Crittenden. Turn right where Crittenden ends onto Broadway, and
  • immediately •turn left into the parking lot between Clinton Memorial AME Zion Church and the Synagogue.

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From Garden State Parkway or Route 280

  • Garden State Parkway to exit 145 (Route 280 east).
  • Route 280 east to “First Street, Newark” left –hand exit.
  • Left onto First Street—one-half mile to its end at Park Avenue.
  • Right on Park Avenue. Cross Branch Brook Park and continue one-half mile down the hill.
  • Park Avenue. ends at Bloomfield Avenue. Cross Bloomfield Avenue.                            
  • Onto Crittenden Street—two short blocks on Crittenden.
  • Turn right where Crittenden ends onto Broadway, and
  • Immediately turn left into the parking lot (between Clinton Memorial AME Zion Church and the Synagogue).

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From New York City or New Jersey Turnpike

  • George Washington Bridge or Lincoln Tunnel to NJ Turnpike (Route 95).
  • Exit 15W (Route 280). 280 west for three miles.
  • Immediately after the Passaic River drawbridge, take Exit 15A (Route 21 South). Keep straight.
  • DO NOT take left turn for 21 South. Proceed straight to North Broad Street, where take a right
  • Follow North Broad Street. for 1/2 mile and take the left just after Bloomfield Place take
  • Left onto Gouverneur Street. to its end. Right onto Broadway.
  • Drive one long block You’ll see the Synagogue on the right and immediately
  • Turn right into the parking lot between the Synagogue and Clinton Memorial AME Zion Church.

Events Calendar