Author name: Jessica Goldstein

Virtual Shabbat celebrations continue at many of the JSDD Group Homes. Residents, DSPs (Direct Support Professionals) and Managers look forward to gathering with their housemates and friends each week. Frequently, they are also joined by several members of the WAE Center. The …

Shabbat in November 2022 Read More

Sukkot, the seven-day holiday commanded in the Torah to celebrate the harvest and commemorate the 40 years in the desert after the Jews escaped slavery in Egypt began on Sunday October 9th. On Sukkot, many Jewish people build a Sukkah in their …

Sukkot and Shabbat Celebrations Read More

  Shabbat celebrations began this week with warm virtual welcomes to one another then a chorus of songs in both Hebrew and English.  After the Shabbat prayers, the group discussed the torah portion for the week,” Ki Tavo.” The portion for the …

Shabbat – Friday, September 16th, 2022 Read More

JSDD was thrilled to attend a beautiful Shabbat Service and dinner hosted by the Friendship Circle’s and the Fabulous Friday program. Everyone was thrilled to see each other face to face. The service began with the women of the Passaic House lighting …

Fabulous Shabbat In-Person Celebration with Friendship Circle – Friday, August 5th, 2022 Read More

The Shabbat celebration was back online this week. The gathering began with lots of singing of songs in both English and Hebrew. Todd and Daniel performed the blessings of both the challah and the grape juice.   Hagit, JSDD’s Judaic Coordinator, taught …

Virtual Shabbat – Tu Be’av – Friday, August 12th, 2022 Read More

  The residents enjoyed a fabulous in-person Shabbat celebration at LifeTown. The women residents had an opportunity to light the candles and then pray in the Friendship Circle praying room. Mark told Hagit, the JSDD Judaic Coordinator, that he enjoyed praying.   …

Shabbat Celebration – Fabulous Friday Nights with Friendship Circle at LifeTown- Friday, April 29th 2022 Read More