If you are new to the Parsippany, NJ area or you are just visiting, we thought you might be interested in learning about the local Jewish community. Permit us to introduce Congregation Shaya Ahavat Torah. We are a modern orthodox congregation affiliated with O-U, the Orthodox Union.
Congregation Shaya Ahavat Torah was founded in 1975 by a group of four families who wanted to establish a modern congregation based on traditional Jewish values. The group first met in homes. Quickly outgrowing that space, it relocated first to a rented area on Rte 46 West and finally to its present location at 113 Hawkins Avenue, Parsippany.
We have evolved into a close knit group of 25 family units coming to modern Orthodoxy from twenty- three different places in our spiritual journey. Some members have their roots in the Eastern European (Ashkenazic) tradition and some from Sephardic tradition. We come from different parts of the country and the world. And we come from diverse experiences in observance and religious education. We come from traditional or Orthodox backgrounds, from Conservative backgrounds, from Reform backgrounds, from secular backgrounds, and some are Jews by choice. This diversity has created a climate of respect and cooperation. But we are united in our commitment and dedication to Torah, both written and oral. We are united in our concern for our members. We celebrate together and we grieve together. Congregation Shaya Ahavat Torah is the place where we come to gain spiritual strength and understanding of how Torah can guide us through difficult and confusing times.
We gain this strength through our celebration of Shabbos and holidays. And we gain strength in other activities such as Talmud classes, Rosh Chodesh study groups, Friday night dinners, holiday parties and in helping each other in times of need.
Sabbath services are held Friday evenings, Saturday mornings and Saturday afternoons. All holidays are marked by their special services. It is difficult to convey the feeling of Shabbos in words. The best way to experience this is to join us on a Shabbos and sample the warmth and joy of the occasion. Should you need Shabbos hospitality, please contact Rabbi Lubin.
If you are interested in finding our more about the Jewish community
in Parsippany and surrounding areas, we have developed a brochure, Shalom
Parsippany, which is a guide to selected Jewish resources in the area. This
can be obtained by sending a message to nbrotter@optonline.net. Please
be sure to include your name and mailing address in the body of the message.
Born and raised in Chicago, Rabbi Lubin came to Shaya Ahavat Torah in
the Fall of 2002 after receiving his Rabbinic Ordination from both the Central
Lubavitch Beth Din and the former Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu.
He has been a Scholar in Residence at the Lubavitch Center in West Orange but
has served as guest rabbi in a wide variety of locations including at Microsoft
Headquarters in Belleview, WA, at the Canberra Jewish Community Center in Canberra,
Australia, at Fort Dix and Edison in New Jersey, in Yorba Linda, CA and in Belarus.
Rabbi Lubin’s current regional efforts in awakening Jews to their religious
heritage include working as a volunteer chaplain at two local nursing homes. Each
Passover, he holds seders at Baldwin Oaks, which not only attract residents,
but their families as well. He has been instrumental in working with the
congregation to create successful programs for the synagogue such as Shabbatons
and the new Torah dedication. Rabbi Lubin is now our congregation's fourth rabbi
since its inception in 1974. He is joined by his wife, Rebbetzin Aharona
Lubin, and their children, Chaya Mushka, Rivka, Mendel and David
Mrs. Aharona Lubin was raised in Sherman Oaks, CA and holds a Judaic Teaching
Diploma from the Ohel Chana Women's College in Melbourne, Australia. She is
active in developing and implementing regular Shabbat afternoon discussions
and tehillim (psalms) readings for women as well Rosh Chodesh programs. Her
wonderful cholent is the center of the Shabbat kiddish at our shul.
Rabbi Lubin is easily reached at 973-896-6577 (cell) or shalomlubin@hotmail.com
Gershon Goldberg, President
Louis Goodman, Rosh Gabbai
Lewis Golovin, Treasurer
Linda Golovin, Secretary