Sunday, May 28, 2023
10am

Free event, donations appreciated!

Get your hands dirty and plant some fancy heirloom seeds and starts. Join us and our partner farmer Nate Kleinman of Experimental Farm Network at the Alliance Historic Model Farm, our raised garden beds behind the historic Moses Bayuk House and next to the beautiful Alliance Cemetery.

Nate will talk about the Jewish history of agriculture in the Alliance Colony going back to 1882.

Bring your own natural and organic seeds and starts to share and plant!

Rain or shine, kid friendly, accessible by wheelchair if it has not rained recently.

We will have coffee.

We thank Espoma for sponsoring our Model Farm with compost and other soil amendments! Espoma have supported our garden projects since our beginning in 2016.

We thank EJF Philanthropies for their continued support.

This program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State, through the Salem County Board of County Commissioners & The Salem County Cultural & Heritage Commission.

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Monday, April 10, 2023
2pm-3pm

This year we are planting a model vineyard on our historic Jewish family farmland in Alliance, NJ, on the site of the first Jewish farm in America.

Join us at the site of our future Alliance Historic Model Vineyard to watch the grapevines being planted!

We will be joined by our partner vintner Eli Silins of Philly-based Camuna Cellars to guide us in tasting his kosher wine. We will talk about the role of wine on Passover, and learn about the winemaking process.

There will be wine to taste and wine to take home!

If it is raining or wet from rain within the last 48 hours we will still meet, but around the corner from the vineyard site on the screened porch at the Levins' house at 994 Gershal Ave, Pittsgrove, NJ 08318.

Weather permitting we will meet on Henry Ave in Alliance NJ, around the corner from the Levins' house on Gershal Ave. The exact address with instructions for parking will be emailed to you when you rsvp.

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Sunday, March 5, 2022
7pm-8pm

Online only

ACRe is pleased to host Talmudic scholar and renowned Jewish genealogist Arthur Kurzweil for an online Purim class.

Special guest and Philly-based kosher winemaker Eli Silins of Camuna Cellars and the Alliance Historic Model Vineyard will join Arthur to share his insight into wine and ritual.

This class is being offered for free! You can support our work with a donation.

Register on Zoom

Sat, Dec 24, 2022
7pm-9pm

Alliance Synagogue, 9 Shiff Ave

Join us for a relaxed gathering with friends on Christmas Eve in Tifereth Israel, Alliance Synagogue to celebrate Chanukah. We will have a Havdalah candle lighting ceremony to welcome the new week as Shabbat ends, followed by menorah lighting, singing and kosher catered food. Renowned Talmudic scholar Arthur Kurzweil will give a sampling of his Jewish inspired magic and Chanukah stories. He will share a selection of his pre-Holocaust dreidels from Eastern Europe, the world's largest collection for you to experience.

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Tues, October 4 - Weds October 5, 2022

Alliance Synagogue, 9 Shiff Ave

For Yom Kippur, we will have 3 services:

• Tuesday, October 4, 6:30-8pm - Kol Nidre

• Wednesday, October 5, 10am-12 noon - morning services

• Wednesday, October 5, 4:30 - Yiskor, Book of Jonah and Neilah, Havdalah

The synagogue will be open for additional prayer services before and after the regularly scheduled services.

We look forward to seeing all our old and new friends.

Please register for this event on Eventbrite.

Monday, September 26, 2022

10am EST

Alliance Synagogue, 9 Shiff Ave

Alliance Synagogue, Shawrith Israel Congregation of Alliance, will once again, for the 133rd year in a row, have High Holiday services. We are honored to have Debra Waldorf conduct the services. Opportunities for congregant participation in English or Hebrew will be available.

The first day of Rosh Hashanah, Monday, September 26th, we will have a service based on the Torah, from 10am-12 noon, followed by kiddush across the street on the Levins' porch and Tashlich at the Maurice River.

Please register for this event on Eventbrite!

Monday, September 26, 2022

1pm EST

Meet on the Levins' porch at 994 Gershal Ave

Join Farmers Nate Kleinman and Nick Mesiano for a talk and tour of the new Alliance Historic Model Farm. We will start on the Levins' porch at 994 Gershal Ave and walk next door to the old Bayuk Garage and gardens.

There is no charge for the tour. Your donations are greatly appreciated!

The Alliance Historic Model Farm was made possible with a grant from the Salem County Cultural & Heritage Commission through the New Jersey Historical Commission Re-Grant Program.

Monday, April 18, 2022

12pm EST

ACRe House, on the porch at 994 Gershal Ave

Join us at the ACRe House across the street from Alliance Synagogue to learn about the merger.

Shawrith Israel Congregation of Alliance (SICA) and ACRe work so closely together and share such common goals, over the years it has become apparent we should simply function as one organization.

We invite you to meet the Trustees of SICA and ACRe outdoors at the Levin home across the street from the shul, where we will be tending to our emerging Alliance Historic Model Farm and answering your questions about the merger. Our Master Gardeners and Farmers will provide gardening tips and speak about how our food integrates with Passover.

This is an IN-PERSON event, NOT a virtual online event. We will try to Livestream our meeting on Facebook but it may not be possible.

Let us know you are coming, or just show up.

Monday, January 17, 2022

12pm EST

Watch on Facebook Premiere Live Video

Join ACRe Master Gardener Ahron Moeller and team on Facebook Premiere for an experiment in cultivating wild ramps, and preparing the Passover Garden for their new Alliance Historic Model Farm.

ACRe Board Member Ahron Moeller is a Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardener, mycologist and photographer, currently residing in Hamburg, Germany.

The Alliance Historic Model Farm was made possible with a grant from the Salem County Cultural & Heritage Commission through the New Jersey Historical Commission Re-Grant Program.

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Saturday, December 4, 2021

6:30pm - 8:30pm EST

Indoors at Alliance Synagogue

Jewish genealogist Arthur Kurzweil shares the story of his journey to possessing the world's largest collection of pre-Holocaust dreidels.

ACRe and Alliance Synagogue welcome you to a most interesting Chanukah celebration!

Join us after Shabbat for Havdalah ceremony, menorah candle lighting and traditional Chanukah treats.

Local genealogists will not want to miss Arthur Kurzweil who will speak about his collection of pre-Holocaust dreidels in a presentation he has named "Dreidels are NOT made of clay."

All taking place in the historic Alliance Synagogue.

Read more about Arthur Kurzweil's dreidel collection:

"A prolific Jewish writer has collected 4,000 tiny dreidels found by Eastern European treasure hunters" by Shira Hanau for Jewish Telegraphic Agency, October 2021

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Friday, November 19, 2021

12pm EST on ZOOM

Have you supported or participated in holiday celebrations, community events or meetings at Alliance Synagogue and Alliance Community Reboot (ACRe) in person or online? Are you connected to the Jewish community of Alliance?

Meet and greet, announcements and updates, vote for board nominated trustee, meet new emergency caretakers.

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Tuesday September 28, 2021

6pm - 9pm EST

A group of young Jews visiting from out of town plan to celebrate Simchat Torah with us. Join us, dance with the Torah both outdoors and inside the historic Alliance Synagogue.

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Weds and Thurs, September 15-16, 2021

Yom Kippur Services at Alliance Synagogue, volunteer lay led by a group of visiting young Jews.

Wednesday, September 15 at 7pm: Kol Nidre services

Thursday, September 16 at 10am: Yom Kippur services

Break-fast (kosher hechshered catered) will be across the street on the screened porch at the Levins' house at 994 Gershal Ave when Thursday services conclude after sundown.

NOTE: There will be NO port-a-john bathroom at the shul this year so come prepared. If you need to use the bathroom you are invited to use the bathroom in the Levins' house across the street.

Funding has been made possible in part by the Annual Campaign of Jewish Federation of Cumberland, Gloucester & Salem Counties.

Tuesday September 7, 2021

Join us for Rosh Hashanah Day 1 services, very heimish and relaxed volunteer lay-led. Hear the Torah and shofar, kiddush to follow.

Services will be indoors for all who are comfortable doing so. We will keep windows and doors open for outdoor participation. We will follow current CDC guidelines and New Jersey regulations for houses of worship. At this time masks are not required.

This will be a non-denominational service. There is a balcony level mechitza for separate seating if that is your custom.

If you'd like to volunteer to lead any part of the Rosh Hashanah service please let us know. Send an email to alliancesynagogue@gmail.com

Kiddush will follow across the street on the screened porch at the Levin house. You may park at the shul or the Levin house driveway.

Funding has been made possible in part by the Annual Campaign of Jewish Federation of Cumberland, Gloucester & Salem Counties.

Monday July 26, 2021

Join ACRe co-founders William and Malya Levin to learn more about the ACRe CSA with friend and co-host Dasi Fruchter of South Philadelphia Shtiebel.

Date: July 26, 2021
Time: 7:30pm EST

Watch the Zoom Recording

Sunday July 25, 2021, 11am EST

See photos from the event.

Join FED/Oyven and ACRe for a hands-on community pizza baking lesson!

The Oyven (Yiddish for oven) reclaims the Jewish spirit of a communal oven. For centuries in villages from Poland to Morocco, communal ovens served as gathering points for a social exchange, where recipes and stories were swapped and cooperation strengthened.

The Oyven is a platform for food, art, and ideas, a communal oven where everyone is fed, physically, spiritually and emotionally. We join people together in the experience of shaping, baking, and sharing challah (and pizza!) and other traditional Jewish foods, while engaging in Jewish creativity, texts, and dialogue.

We will be baking pizza with toppings fresh from the Alliance farm, and learning about the traditions of Jewish breadmaking.

Join us outdoors behind the historic Moses Bayuk House right across the street from Alliance Synagogue.

Kashrut laws observed.

Special guest Senator Michael Testa, New Jersey's 1st Legislative District will join us!

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Thursday June 10, 2021, 8pm EST

Pour yourself some wine (or herbal tea), find a comfortable spot, light a candle, and join women from the ACRe community as we welcome the new lunar month of Tammuz. We will pause to create sacred space together, connecting with the energy of the new month, each other and the Divine Feminine. Led by ACRe co-founder Malya Levin.

All experience levels are welcome.

Register in advance for this Zoom meeting.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Sunday May 16, 2021, 11am EST

On Shavuot we commemorate the gift of receiving Torah. But the Torah isn't just words on a page, it's everything in our lives. So, what does it actually mean to receive all of the gifts the world has to offer, even those that we might not want? We will learn what our tradition has to say about opening ourselves up to receiving anything that shows up, as we receive the Torah each and every day of our lives. No meditation experience is necessary. Led by ACRe board member and Alliance Colony descendant Dan Pelberg.

Set a reminder and watch the Facebook Premiere.

Tuesday May 11, 2021, 8pm EST

Our first New Moon Circle was fun and energizing! Join us as we welcome the month of Sivan, connecting with each other, the unique energy of the month ahead, and the Shechinah. (Divine Feminine)

This event is not a class but a communal ritual experience! Join us with a glass of wine, some delicious snacks, a fabulous outfit or a relaxing face mask (the beautifying kind, not the protective kind). Our intent is to connect to this moment as an exploration and celebration of femininity both ancient and modern.

All experience levels are welcome.

Register in advance for this Zoom meeting.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Sunday April 11, 2021, 9pm EST

ACRe cofounder Malya Levin has always been drawn to the mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh, celebrating the new Hebrew month.

Hebrew months are connected to the phases of the moon, and according to Jewish tradition, women are uniquely linked to the moon’s energy.

At the start of the new month of Iyyar, Malya will finally realize her dream of connecting with other women as we channel the moon’s mystical blessings for the month ahead.

All experience levels are welcome.

Register in advance for this Zoom meeting.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Sunday March 21, 2021, 11am EST

The theme of bondage and constriction is everywhere in the book of Shemot (Exodus). And this story continues to play out in each of our own lives in a very personal way. We are all constricted by something, whether it be by a difficult person, a tough life situation, or our work.

Passover comes to show us the path from our own construction to a life of freedom, no matter what the circumstance.

In this class, we will learn to see the path through our own constriction, and recognize that most of the time, we are not enslaved in the ways that we think. Through the teachings of someone who is currently incarcerated, we will explore how even the most constricted life circumstances don't have to mean a life of bondage.

Led by ACRe's Dan Pelberg, the session will begin with a talk followed by a guided meditation. Everyone is welcome regardless of your meditation experience.

Watch on Facebook

Sunday February 7, 2021, 11am EST

The past year has been a whirlwind. And even though there has been such uncertainty and despair, we can all find things in our lives to be grateful for. We will take a look at various texts to see what Judaism has to teach us about cultivating a sense of gratitude in every aspect of life. Then, we will sit together in a guided meditation to help develop our own personal sense of gratitude. Led by ACRe Board Member Dan Pelberg.

This meditation was dedicated to the memory of Rabbi Yisroel Rapoport.

Watch on Facebook

January 31, 2021

In the spirit of Tu B'Shevat, join ACRe Board Member and Master Gardener Ahron Moeller broadcasting from Alliance NJ on Facebook Live for some winter garden tips followed by interactive Q&A and meditation.

Watch on Facebook

Eventbrite.

December 13, 2020

Success! We hosted our virtual 3rd annual Chanukah celebration and fundraiser for Alliance Synagogue featuring a live performance by musician Ami Yares on the 4th night of Chanukah, and it went without a hitch. No technical difficulties—a Chanukah miracle!

Around 300 people watched the live broadcast and we raised over $500 in donations for Alliance Synagogue. Thank you everyone who joined us!

Missed the live concert? Never fear: Watch the recorded Chanukah concert on Facebook.

This event was made possible through the ROI Community Grassroots Events program.

November 27, 2020

Shawrith Israel Congregation of Alliance held its 2nd Annual Alliance Synagogue Town Hall Virtual Meeting on Black Friday, November 27, this year on Zoom!

Trustees Helene Grin, Howard Jaffe, William Levin and Gail Reichman were in attendance, among many friends and members of the broad Jewish community. The meeting was moderated by ACRe cofounder Malya Levin.

• Howard described repairs and upgrades to the synagogue conducted in 2020.

• Gail gave special thanks to friend and neighbor Arthur Ogren of Ogren Construction who donated the new doors, shomer Shabbat mechanical locks and keypads and repairs to the entranceways.

• William republished the bylaws enacted a year ago with the addition of Alliance Synagogue policies and reformatted for Google Docs online publishing platform.

The Zoom meeting was a great opportunity for old and new friends to reconnect after so many months of COVID isolation. We were pleased to welcome and hear from a few new young community members who safely celebrated recent holidays at Alliance Synagogue while camping across the street at the ACRe house.

October 28, 2020

Sari and Bassie are back with their 2nd Annual Sukkot at ACRe. Young Jewish professionals came from afar to camp outdoors, dine and celebrate under the stars in the spacious sukkah and huge screened porch. In the middle of a pandemic, this safe socially distant Sukkot and Simchat Torah did not feel distant for those who attended!

September 18, 2020

ACRe cohosted a Virtual Mincha Service on the front lawn of Alliance Synagogue, in lieu of traditional High Holiday services. Thank you everyone who joined us in person, watched our Premiere video broadcast online and supported us with donations!

If you haven't watched the videos yet, here they are:

FULL SERVICE: Alliance Synagogue Tour and Erev Rosh Hashanah Virtual Mincha (51 minutes)

This event was made possible through ROI Community's Coronavirus Response Micro Grant Program.

May 28, 2020

With new COVID-19 restrictions on religious gatherings mandated in New Jersey, we changed course and hosted a small, private gathering on erev Shavuot for ACRe board members and Alliance Synagogue Trustees. We did not make recordings or take photographs on the chag, but before sundown we did snap a photo of the cheesecakes we brought down from Patis Bakery in Lindhurst, NJ. ACRe co-founder Malya Levin led a class on Astrology in Rabbinic Judaism. Nine of us sat on the screend porch, six feet apart from each other, taking down our masks only to eat dessert.

You can download Malya's source sheet on Sefaria.org.

August 1-5, 2020

Former Resident Shochet Yadidya Greenberg held his 2nd Shechita Intensive workshop at the historic Moses Bayuk property to teach ritual slaughter of poultry.

Read more about Yadidya's initiative The Kosher Cut.

December 28, 2019

Ami Yares and band return for our 2nd Chanukah Party in Alliance Synagogue. We served hot latkes and soufganiyot, and held Havdalah services along with the lighting of the menorah. We were honored to receive a visit from longtime friend and newly elected New Jersey State Senator Michael Testa Jr., Legistative District One.

This event was made possible through the ROI Community Grassroots Events program.

November 29, 2019

Black Friday, ACRe joined members of Shawrith Israel Congregation of Alliance (SICA) and voted in new Trustees and enacted new bylaws. The meeting and elections were the first held in decades.

The newly elected Trustees were Helene Grin, Howard Jaffe, William Levin and Gail Reichman.

Read the minutes from the meeting.

Read the newly enacted bylaws.

Download a PDF of the bylaws.

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October 18-20, 2020

New friends Sari and Bassie hosted their first Sukkot event at the ACRe House. Over 30 Jewish young professionals drove to Alliance from out of state to camp on the property and dine under the sukkah. Many stayed through Simchat Torah and led services in Alliance Synagogue.

October 20, 2019

Guests joined ACRe on a rainy afternoon with South Jersey native and chicken farmer descendant Ami Yares and his band for a sit-down concert inside the historic Alliance Synagogue, featuring a selection of traditional and original songs.

Eventbrite

This event was made possible through the ROI Community Grassroots Events program.

June 23, 2019

The Kosher Cut founder and shochet Yadidya Greenberg gave Friends of ACRe a shechita demonstration in the humane and kosher slaughter of chickens. The family friendly event was held on the historic Moses Bayuk property.

May 17-19, 2019

Jewish community incubator Hakhel sponsored this intercommunity Shabbaton. ACRe hosted special guests from fellow Hakhel communities Living Tree Alliance in Vermont, Shtiebel in Brooklyn and Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center in Connecticut.

May 19, 2019

ACRe co-founders William and Malya Levin were accompanied by fellow member Howard Jaffe and farming partner Nate Kleinman of Experimental Farm Network in a brunch and chat with the neighboring Temple Beth Hillel - Beth Abraham Men's Club.

March 15-17, 2019

ACRe hosted a special weekend for Jewish artists, drawing inspiration from a cozy Shabbat at the farm.

March 29, 2019

William Levin, Howard Jaffe and Ahron Moeller represented ACRe for the JICC, a meeting of international Jewish communities at Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center.