Rabbi Elliott Tepperman and organizers Melina Macall and Kate McCaffrey welcome 50 members of 10 Syrian refugee families at Jewish Christmas Dinner of Chinese. (Photo: Sarah O’Leary)
Bnai Keshet welcomed 10 newly arrived Syrian Muslim refugee families with a Jewish Christmas Day Chinese dinner. More than 130 adults and children, including translators, congregants and Montclair residents, attended and got to know one another.
Conceived of to counter the anti-Muslim rhetoric of absentee NJ Governor Chris Christie, the event went beyond breaking bread. Guests eagerly asked about potential job contacts, ways to learn English as a second language and how best to advocate in the public schools.
Syrian refugee children play with Bnai Keshet’s Sam Tepperman. (Photo: Sarah O’Leary)
Bnai Keshet Rabbi Elliott Tepperman spoke, with the help of an interpreter, of the borders his grandfather had to cross at the age of 14 to be reunited with his family. “The room was packed and at every table American Jews and Syrian Refugees were smiling and trying to communicate,” Tepperman said. “Everyone had name tags in English, Hebrew and Arabic and with very few words beyond each other’s names, extraordinary warmth and gratitude was expressed.”
Many Bnai Keshet members have family histories of fleeing warfare and violence, seeking asylum in lands that were not always welcoming. The Syrian families Bnai Keshet’s welcoming were recently resettled in Elizabeth, NJ by the International Refugee Committee. More recently, an additional Syrian family was resettled in Paterson by Church World Service, amid controversy sparked by Gov. Chris Christie’s efforts to block them from entering the state.
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Seriously? Seriously? It’s all about Gov. Christie? Is there no lower point the good citizens of Montclair and their handlers in such small niche silly corners of NJ than Baristanet.com can stoop to than to blame it all on “absentee Gov. Chris Christie”? I do applaud you however on holding on to biases (and for our liberal friends, hatred…spelled HATRED) forever and ever. Isn’t that what’s gotten the middle east in its current pickle?
So …..are you as afraid of 5 year old refugees like our AWOL governor is?
brigattista, that line made me cringe as well, but let’s not pretend that Christie isn’t spewing anti-Muslim rhetoric, and isn’t absentee. He is most certainly both. More importantly, calling out bigotry is not hatred, and it baffles me how you could make that claim while looking at pictures of Muslims and Jews breaking bread.
This is the kind of news story (from Baristanet.com) that makes me even more proud than I already am – if that’s possible – to live in a community like Montclair, New Jersey: home to such souls as Rabbi Elliot Tepperman and all the fine folks at the aptly-named Congregation B’nai Keshet: “Children of the Rainbow”.
@brigattista:
I applaud you for your calling out those you oppose for “holding onto biases”!!
Surely we can all learn from the Right in this country and move forward, assuming we forget about Confederate flags, abortion rights, healthcare, global warming and, oh, just about every issue there is.
Kudos to Rabbi Tepperman et al. I saw him speak a few years ago at a movie showing at the JCC in West Orange, and was very favorably impressed. I’m even more impressed with him and Temple Bnai Keshet having read this item. I only wish I’d heard about the event before it had taken place. I only heard because someone happened to mention it to me today in passing at a party.
As for brigattista’s comment: it’s not “all about Governor Christie.” That’s your fixation, not the preoccupation of the refugees, of Rabbi Tepperman, or really anyone except Governor Christie’s dwindling band of supporters. Funny how sensitive such people can be on behalf of a governor who prides himself on his tone-deaf, bellowing insensitivity to everyone but himself. It was, after all, Christie who wanted to ban these people from our state, a ban he had no authority whatsoever to impose, but that he claimed the right to impose. But now, two sentences critical of poor Christie, and his supporters throw a fit–but as for defending his ban, or even his right to impose one…not a coherent sentence.
Why anyone should be criticized for defying an idiotic policy Christie blustered about putting in place, but failed to put in place, remains a mystery. Seriously? We’re supposed to be timid about defending Tepperman and the refugees but you’re NOT embarrassed to defend Chris Christie? Newsflash: We aren’t the ones who ought to be on the defensive. You are.
If you think Baristanet is a small niche silly corner, feel free to set up brigattista.com and make the big time. The truth is that the first thing that the average New Jerseyan thinks of on seeing your handle is… um, BRIDGEGATE. A real stroke of PR genius. Unfortunately, it’s not a move calculated to pay dividends for the Christie campaign.
Frankly, I’m glad he’s an absentee governor. Any time he spends away from the state on a losing bid for the presidency is time well spent.
Bridge & Tunnel Alert The Exclusive Bus Lane (XBL) to NY is planned to close at 9:15 am due to the low volume of traffic. (09:01 AM) (sent Fri 08/19/22)
Bridge & Tunnel Alert The Exclusive Bus Lane (XBL) to NY is planned to close at 9:15 am due to the low volume of traffic. (08:46 AM) (sent Thu 08/18/22)
PABT Delay - General Traffic - UPDATE Update on the over-height vehicle at the entrance to the 3rd floor bus terminal The over height vehicle has been cleared. Expect residual delays. (04:24 PM) (sent Wed 08/17/22)
PABT Delay - General Traffic - UPDATE The Midtown Bus Terminal Departures/Arrivals is experiencing a delay due to an overheight vehicle on the PABT 3rd Floor. Emergency response vehicles are on scene. (04:08 PM) (sent Wed 08/17/22)
MBT Delay - General Traffic The Midtown Bus Terminal Departures/Arrivals is experiencing a delay due to an over height vehicle on the PABT (3rd Floor). An update will follow. (03:54 PM) (sent Wed 08/17/22)
Bridge & Tunnel Alert The Exclusive Bus Lane (XBL) to NY is planned to close at 9:30 am due to the low volume of traffic. (09:19 AM) (sent Wed 08/17/22)
Bridge & Tunnel Alert The Exclusive Bus Lane (XBL) to NY is planned to close at 9:30 am due to the low volume of traffic. (09:14 AM) (sent Tue 08/16/22)
Bridge & Tunnel Alert The Exclusive Bus Lane (XBL) to NY is planned to close at 9:45 am due to the low volume of traffic. (09:40 AM) (sent Mon 08/15/22)
Bridge & Tunnel Alert There are 10 minute residal delays due to an earlier Disabled bus at the Executive Bus Lane (XBL) to NY. (07:27 AM) (sent Mon 08/15/22)
Bridge & Tunnel Alert The Exclusive Bus Lane (XBL) to NY is planned to close at 9:15 am due to the low volume of traffic. (08:48 AM) (sent Fri 08/12/22)
Bridge & Tunnel Alert The Exclusive Bus Lane (XBL) to NY is planned to close at 9:30 am due to the low volume of traffic. (09:03 AM) (sent Thu 08/11/22)
The bus is having trouble getting to Bellevue Plza , due to road closure, please walk to Valley to board the bus (09:01 AM) (sent Thu 08/11/22)
PABT Delay - Disabled Vehicle - UPDATE Update on bus in the Lincoln Tunnel (NJ-bound) Disabled bus cleared with residual outbound delays (07:16 PM) (sent Wed 08/10/22)
MBT Delay - Disabled Vehicle The Midtown Bus Terminal for Departures/Arrivals is experiencing a delay due to a disabled bus in the Lincoln Tunnel (NJ-bound). Additional information will be provided when available. (07:08 PM) (sent Wed 08/10/22)
Bridge & Tunnel Alert The Exclusive Bus Lane (XBL) to NY is planned to close at 9:45 am due to the low volume of traffic. (09:22 AM) (sent Wed 08/10/22)
(2 of 2) Of course there are trip planner websites and Uber/Lyft, but we compiled clevercommute.com/moboalts. Can you suggest any others? (07:03 AM) (sent Fri 08/19/22)
1 of 2 Montclair-Boonton Line rail service has resumed in both directions between Newark Broad Street and Montclai (09:21 PM) (sent Thu 08/18/22)
2 of 2 NJ TRANSIT rail tickets and passes continue to be cross-honored by NJ TRANSIT bus, private carriers and PAT (09:21 PM) (sent Thu 08/18/22)
Bus is indeed stopping at all train stations on the MOBO route to MSU. (05:37 PM) (sent Thu 08/18/22)
Does anyone know whats going on with the Montclair line? (05:17 PM) (sent Thu 08/18/22)
First bus from Broad quite crowded. Should stop at all train stops thru MSU. (04:59 PM) (sent Thu 08/18/22)
1 of 2 Montclair-Boonton Line service remains suspended in both directions between Newark Broad Street and Montcla (04:26 PM) (sent Thu 08/18/22)
NJTransit staff at Hoboken advising train to Newark abroad, switch to bus to Montclair (04:23 PM) (sent Thu 08/18/22)
Canceled at Hoboken. No explanation (03:42 PM) (sent Thu 08/18/22)
Update NJ TRANSIT Rail PA Speaker System has been restored system-wide. Thank you for your patience while we resolved this issue. (03:36 PM) (sent Thu 08/18/22)
NJ TRANSIT Rail PA Speaker System is experiencing technical issues system-wide. We are working to resolve this iss (02:31 PM) (sent Thu 08/18/22)
Service is suspended in both directions between Newark Broad Street and Montclair State University due to a downed (12:56 PM) (sent Thu 08/18/22)
2 of 2 NJ TRANSIT rail tickets and passes are being cross-honored by NJ TRANSIT bus, private carriers and PATH at (11:41 AM) (sent Thu 08/18/22)
1 of 2 Montclair-Boonton Line service is suspended in both directions between Newark Broad Street and Montclair St (11:41 AM) (sent Thu 08/18/22)
MOBO train #6273, the 5:31 PM departure from PSNY, is cancelled due to equipment availability resulting from mechan (05:26 PM) (sent Tue 08/16/22)
M and E train #6640, the 1:27 PM arrival into PSNY, is currently delayed due to police activity. An update will follow. (12:36 PM) (sent Fri 08/19/22)
Continuing until Friday, September 2, from 9:30AM until 3:30PM each weekday, Gladstone Branch trains will be replac (08:21 AM) (sent Fri 08/19/22)
Update M and E train #807, the 7:00 PM arrival into Lake Hopatcong, is up to 20 min. late due to an earlier late b (07:06 PM) (sent Thu 08/18/22)
M and E train #807, the 7:00 PM arrival into Lake Hopatcong, is currently delayed due to a late bus connection at D (07:01 PM) (sent Thu 08/18/22)
M and E train #6662, the 6:18 PM arrival into PSNY, is up to 20 min. late due to making additional stops for cancelled train #660. (06:16 PM) (sent Thu 08/18/22)
M and E train #432, the 5:59 PM arrival into Hoboken, is up to 20 min. late due to a speed restriction. (05:51 PM) (sent Thu 08/18/22)
Morris and Essex train #6359, the 6:50 PM departure from PSNY, is cancelled due to crew availability. Please take (05:41 PM) (sent Thu 08/18/22)
M and E train #6355, the 6:18PM from PSNY, is cancelled due to crew availability. Please take train #6655, the 6:20 (05:31 PM) (sent Thu 08/18/22)
Continuing until approx. November 2022 on Friday at 10PM through Monday at 5AM, NEC, NJCL, & M&E Line customers may (04:36 PM) (sent Thu 08/18/22)
Update NJ TRANSIT Rail PA Speaker System has been restored system-wide. Thank you for your patience while we resolved this issue. (03:36 PM) (sent Thu 08/18/22)
NJ TRANSIT Rail PA Speaker System is experiencing technical issues system-wide. We are working to resolve this iss (02:31 PM) (sent Thu 08/18/22)
M and E train #6621, the 12:13 PM arrival at Dover, is up to 35 minutes late due to earlier mechanical issues. (11:36 AM) (sent Thu 08/18/22)
M and E train #6620, the 8:55 AM arrival at PSNY, is up to 20 minutes late due to accommodating customers from cancelled train #6320. (08:51 AM) (sent Thu 08/18/22)
M and E train #6320, the 8:20 AM departure from Summit, is cancelled due to mechanical issues. Please take train # (08:26 AM) (sent Thu 08/18/22)
M and E train #6670, the 8:29 PM arrival into PSNY, is up to 15 min. late due to earlier mechanical issues. (08:01 PM) (sent Wed 08/17/22)
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Seriously? Seriously? It’s all about Gov. Christie? Is there no lower point the good citizens of Montclair and their handlers in such small niche silly corners of NJ than Baristanet.com can stoop to than to blame it all on “absentee Gov. Chris Christie”? I do applaud you however on holding on to biases (and for our liberal friends, hatred…spelled HATRED) forever and ever. Isn’t that what’s gotten the middle east in its current pickle?
So …..are you as afraid of 5 year old refugees like our AWOL governor is?
brigattista, that line made me cringe as well, but let’s not pretend that Christie isn’t spewing anti-Muslim rhetoric, and isn’t absentee. He is most certainly both. More importantly, calling out bigotry is not hatred, and it baffles me how you could make that claim while looking at pictures of Muslims and Jews breaking bread.
This is the kind of news story (from Baristanet.com) that makes me even more proud than I already am – if that’s possible – to live in a community like Montclair, New Jersey: home to such souls as Rabbi Elliot Tepperman and all the fine folks at the aptly-named Congregation B’nai Keshet: “Children of the Rainbow”.
@brigattista:
I applaud you for your calling out those you oppose for “holding onto biases”!!
Surely we can all learn from the Right in this country and move forward, assuming we forget about Confederate flags, abortion rights, healthcare, global warming and, oh, just about every issue there is.
Kudos to Rabbi Tepperman et al. I saw him speak a few years ago at a movie showing at the JCC in West Orange, and was very favorably impressed. I’m even more impressed with him and Temple Bnai Keshet having read this item. I only wish I’d heard about the event before it had taken place. I only heard because someone happened to mention it to me today in passing at a party.
As for brigattista’s comment: it’s not “all about Governor Christie.” That’s your fixation, not the preoccupation of the refugees, of Rabbi Tepperman, or really anyone except Governor Christie’s dwindling band of supporters. Funny how sensitive such people can be on behalf of a governor who prides himself on his tone-deaf, bellowing insensitivity to everyone but himself. It was, after all, Christie who wanted to ban these people from our state, a ban he had no authority whatsoever to impose, but that he claimed the right to impose. But now, two sentences critical of poor Christie, and his supporters throw a fit–but as for defending his ban, or even his right to impose one…not a coherent sentence.
Why anyone should be criticized for defying an idiotic policy Christie blustered about putting in place, but failed to put in place, remains a mystery. Seriously? We’re supposed to be timid about defending Tepperman and the refugees but you’re NOT embarrassed to defend Chris Christie? Newsflash: We aren’t the ones who ought to be on the defensive. You are.
If you think Baristanet is a small niche silly corner, feel free to set up brigattista.com and make the big time. The truth is that the first thing that the average New Jerseyan thinks of on seeing your handle is… um, BRIDGEGATE. A real stroke of PR genius. Unfortunately, it’s not a move calculated to pay dividends for the Christie campaign.
Frankly, I’m glad he’s an absentee governor. Any time he spends away from the state on a losing bid for the presidency is time well spent.
Keep it up, Bnai Keshet.