Letter from the President

September 2015 / Elul 5775
 

Shaarei Orah is a vibrant and growing Sephardic congregation. In fact, it’s the only ‘full-service’ Sephardic congregation in Teaneck offering minyanim seven days per week. Our kehilla includes Sephardic members from over 20 different countries around the world as well as Yemenites and Ashkenazim. Though we are diverse in ethnic origin, we all come together to pray, learn and enjoy festive occasions under the roof of Shaarei Orah. We take extraordinary effort to make sure that every Jew feels comfortable in our kehilla.

A relatively young synagogue, we have a wonderful opportunity to educate and nurture our children in our deep culture. It is each of our responsibility as individuals and as a kahal to create a warm and inviting environment, participatory in nature that can inspire our children with our Sephardic Tefilla, Halacha and Minhagim.

To accomplish this goal, the kehilla educates and nurtures our children through the extensive children’s programming, rich in Sephardic culture. The children’s programming is a key component of Shaarei Orah, and extremely important to us. Our Junior Tefilla for children between ages 8 - 12 is led by our Youth Group Director and is highly participatory, including a rotation of Divrei Torah. Shabbat Youth Groups for children ages 3 - 11 are led by youth group leaders who coordinate discussion and games centered on Sephardic learning and practices. We also have a strong Parent-Child Learning program throughout the year.

Our adult programming is equally important and we have a variety of offerings from scholar-in -residence programs to more social activities so adults can mingle with each other in a more relaxed environment. Take a look at some of the recent events and programming on our website at http://www.sephardicteaneck.org/special-events.html and our photo gallery at http://www.sephardicteaneck.org/photo_gallery.php 

If you are visiting friends or family in Teaneck, we invite you to join us for a memorable Tefilla. We look forward to meeting you soon and welcoming you to the family of Shaarei Orah.