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Temple Profile

Temple B’nai Abraham Profile 
 
About Us
More than 165 years old, we are a congregation that takes our own independent path. We strive to be faithful to the teachings of our traditions, to be dedicated to the acquisition of Jewish knowledge, and to be committed to the well-being of the Jewish people in America, Israel, and around the world.
We are one of the largest historically independent congregations in the country. With approximately 600 families, we have innovative vibrant educational programs for people of all ages. Temple B’nai Abraham is an energetic center for Jewish life in Livingston, Short Hills, West Orange, and neighboring communities. Our membership is multi-generational, dedicated to the synagogue, and committed to the social values and actions with which Temple B’nai Abraham has historically been associated.
Religious services and practices reflect an egalitarian respect for tradition, creativity, and musicality. We offer an extensive adult education, music, and lecture programs to members and the community. We are well known as a public forum, where political candidates and other public figures from across the spectrum educate our congregation and the community on issues of current concern. Our teen and adult tikkun olam programs serve our most vulnerable populations locally as well as in the New York City area.
 
Mission Statement
We are a warm, welcoming, and inclusive community with both traditional and progressive beliefs.  We are dedicated to Jewish values, family, worship, learning, and social action for the betterment of lives here, in Israel, and throughout the world.
 
Strengths
  • Temple B’nai Abraham has benefited from strong clergy, professional staff, and lay leadership for many years, resulting in stable or growing membership and school enrollments.
  • Rabbi David Vaisberg is only our fifth senior rabbi in almost 120 years. We are proud to have enjoyed long-term rabbinic leadership.
  • We are financially strong with ample fundraising, sizable endowments, and no debt.
  • The temple’s youth education programs are vibrant, active and very successful, starting with our Early School and continuing with our Jewish Learning Program.  We also have a vibrant after school program providing after care, homework help, and Jewish connections.
  • We are located in an area with a large Jewish population that continues to attract young, Jewish families and provides us with stable membership. 
  • We have a sizable, committed congregation that is dedicated to the synagogue, with a large, hardworking group of lay leaders who bring vibrant Temple groups, including Sisterhood, Men’s Club, Prime Time, the Pulse, Social Action Committee, and others to life.
  • Our building is attractive and well-maintained and offers a variety of flexible spaces that allow us to host a range of events and religious services. 
  • We have many multi-generational member families. We value our rich history. 
  • We have sufficient resources to provide Temple membership to those individuals or families with financial need. 
  • We are independent of the various synagogue movements, which allows us to evolve as we deem appropriate and continue to meet the needs of our changing Jewish community. 
 
History
In 1853 Newark, a small group of Jewish émigrés from Poland decided to form their own congregation. They met in the home of Abraham Newman until a hall could be rented. By 1855 they acquired land for a cemetery and incorporated under New Jersey law as “Congregation of the Sons of Abraham—B’nai Abraham,” in honor of benefactor Abraham Newman and recognition of Biblical tradition’s first Jew.
 
The congregation purchased its first building, a former Newark Baptist Church, in 1861. After a series of moves over the course of three decades, the cornerstone of a new 900-seat synagogue at High Street and 13th Avenue was laid in 1897. In 1924, the congregation raised the then-huge sum of $1,250,000 to build their last Newark home, a magnificent edifice at Clinton and Shanley Avenues. Many of our current congregants grew up in the Clinton Avenue building. Recognizing the migration of Newark’s Jewish community to western Essex County in the 1960s, the congregation built a new home in Livingston, moving in 1973.
 
While the ritual practiced at Temple B’nai Abraham has evolved over the decades, the congregation has been led by only five senior rabbis in the last 122 years. Rabbi Julius Silberfeld became the rabbi of Temple B’nai Abraham in 1902. Retaining the Orthodox ritual that had been followed since 1853, he edited a new prayer book, adding English translations. In 1939, Rabbi Silberfeld retired and was succeeded by Dr. Joachim Prinz, who modernized the ritual and introduced his own prayer book. Dr. Prinz, who had escaped Nazi Germany in 1937, became a vocal civil rights leader in the United States, known globally for his moving rhetoric.
Dr. Prinz retired in 1976. Rabbi Barry Friedman, who came to the temple in 1968 as Associate Rabbi, became Senior Rabbi in 1977. Rabbi Friedman introduced further innovations in the services.  He wrote and edited the prayer book Siddur Or Chadash. He retired in 1999, having served the congregation for thirty-one years.  Rabbi Clifford Kulwin then became the synagogue’s senior rabbi, and during his 20-year tenure, strengthened Temple B’nai Abraham’s intellectual, cultural, and social programming while reinforcing our commitments to supporting those in need in Newark. Rabbi David Z. Vaisberg became Senior Rabbi in 2019. 
 
Looking Ahead
We are seeking a Cantor who will bring passion, creativity, and spiritual leadership through music, teaching, and community engagement. Our Cantor will work collaboratively with clergy, staff, and lay leaders to inspire and nurture a dynamic, multi-generational congregation. We are excited to welcome a new Cantor who will be an integral part of our synagogue’s journey, strengthening our traditions while embracing opportunities for growth and creativity.
 
We expect our cantor to:
  • Foster a strong sense of community for the congregation as a whole and for peer groups through music and prayer
  • Offer participatory religious services that draw growing levels of attendance.
  • Supply pastoral care and congregational counseling as needed. 
  • Infuse services with a variety of musical styles, blending tradition and innovation to deepen the spiritual experience.
  • Provide cantorial contributions at all levels of educational activity within the congregation.
  • Unambiguously and affirmatively welcome all who see to share, explore, establish or maintain Jewish experiences.
  • Be a part of a cohesive professional team at all staff levels implementing shared goals and objectives. 
  • Oversee and support all aspects of B’nai Mitzvah preparation, including tutoring and supervision of Hebrew tutors. The exceptions to this are the Divrei Torah and Mitzvah projects, which are typically handled by the Senior Rabbi and the Mitzvah Project coordinator, respectively.
  • Develop and oversee the synagogue’s music program, including instrumentalists, choirs, and special performances, as needed.
 
Snapshot:
 
300 East Northfield Road
Livingston, NJ 07039
973-994-2290
 
Our synagogue at a glance, with links for further information.
 
Cantor Position
Date position is available: July 1, 2025
 
Who’s Who
President: Jay Kooper
Chair of Cantorial Search Committee: Tara Heyderman
Email: TBAsearch@tbanj.org
Senior Rabbi: David Z. Vaisberg
Associate Rabbi: Max Edwards
Current Cantor: Jessica Fox
Executive Director: Mara Suskauer
 
 
 
Congregation
Member units today: Approximately 600
Congregation founded: 1853
Current building constructed: 1973
 
Worship  http://tbanj.org/weekly-services/
Kabbalat Shabbat (regular services every week, periodic family services)
Tot Shabbat (monthly)
Shabbat Shacharit and Musaf (regular services every week, monthly family minyan)
Mincha and Havadalah-twice a month        
Two days of hag are observed, typically with services on the first day. 
 
Lifelong Learning
JStart
Director: Michelle Nulman
Ages: 18 months to 5 years
 
Jewish Learning Program 
Director: Melissa Weiner
Grades: kindergarten to 7th grade
http://tbanj.org/jewish-learning-program/
 
JPlay (after care)
Director: Alyssa Campbell
Grades: kindergarten to 7th grade
 
B’nai Mitzvah: we have 30-40 B’nai Mitzvah most years. Most are on Shabbat mornings, some during Mincha, and a few on Rosh Hodesh or other times that Torah would be read.
Makom: our active high school program with social components, learning components, and tikkun olam components. 
BBYO meets at our temple once or twice a month.
Israel Scouts meet three Sundays a month 
  • Regular ongoing classes:
    • Parashat HaShavua
    • Hebrew Bible Line by Line
    • Lunch N Learn
    • Book Club
  • We offer different courses from the different clergy every year as well.
 
Congregational Trips:
  • Regular family trips to Israel
  • Adult missions to Israel
  • Annual teen trip
  • Periodic trips through the US and Jewish world.
 
Get Involved  
Early School Parents’ Council
Jewish Learning Program PTA
Sisterhood
Men’s Club
Prime Time
The Pulse
 
Facilities
We currently host over 1,000 congregants for the High Holidays.
The social hall can accommodate events for more than 300 people.
The Conservatory is a meeting and event space for approximately 150 people. 
Our beautiful newly enlarged patio and gardens are used for services and celebrations.
 
B’nai Abraham Memorial Park 
Located on Route 22, Union, NJ.
http://tbanj.org/memorial-park/  

Additional information is available on our website, https://tbanj.shulcloud.com/ or by contacting us directly at 973-994-2290.
Thu, May 1 2025 3 Iyyar 5785