MONTVILLE, NJ – About 75 people gathered for the interfaith Iftar dinner that the Montville United Methodist Church hosted on March 20, sponsored by Peace Islands Institute, its fourth time holding the event.
“We had representation from the two churches I serve (Montville UMC & Boonton UMC), Peace Islands Institute, and many others from the surrounding community,” said Pastor Donald Kirschner of the event. “We had 75 people who gathered with us to learn together, grow in our understanding of one another, and share in meaningful dialogue over a delicious meal.”
During the first half of the evening, before the meal, Kirschner spoke from the Christian perspective on fasting and about the season of Lent, which overlaps with Ramadan this year.
Adam Ozdemir, executive director of PII, shared about the mission of Peace Islands Institute and what they have been doing and continue to do.
Rabbi Mark Finkel from the Pine Brook Jewish Center spoke from the Jewish perspective and closed with a chant from his tradition.
Aishe Kaplan, a representative from PII, spoke from the Muslim perspective on fasting and about Ramadan.
Imam Mesut led the call to prayer in Arabic.
Following that, for the second half of the evening, attendees enjoyed a tasty meal and had good conversation together. At each person's seat was a slip of paper with quotes related to the topic of peace to spark conversation:
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9) – Jesus
"The people of the world are like the different colored flowers of one meadow. All are beautiful. As children of the same Creator, they must live together in harmony." - Umar ibn Al-Khattab
On the slips of paper, there were also questions to spark dialogue, including the following:
1) What does peace mean to you personally? How can we work together to promote peace in our world?
2) How can we address misunderstandings/negative stereotypes that exist between different religious groups?
3) How has your family or faith community been impacted by the current wars happening in our world, and what would you like to share with those who have a different faith tradition or perspective from your own?
4) How do you think our shared values of compassion, empathy, and kindness can help bridge the gaps between different faith traditions?
Peace Islands will have done over 30 of these types of gatherings at different faith communities over the course of Ramadan; Montville UMC was just one of them. More info about them can be found at the following link: https://peaceislands.org/about-us
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]]>Newark documentary filmmakers Jerome and Marylou Bongiorno approached their new project, entitled American Women Saints, with the same artistic rigor they deploy in all their work. But their new film, which is a look at the lives of Roman Catholic saints Frances Xavier Cabrini and Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton, is also a sense of spiritual calling.
"We wanted to know why the Catholic Church thought these women should be declared saints," said Marylou Bongiorno, speaking on behalf of the couple. "What was it about their lives that makes them examples for the rest of us to follow?"
The series about Seton and Cabrini, which rolls out nationally on PBS starting 8 p.m. Thursday, March 28, examines two Catholic women who are venerated by their globe-spanning church within a distinctly American context.
Seton (1774-1821), who was married with five children, converted to Catholicism after her husband died. A founder of America's parochial school system as the religion spread throughout the country, she also helped establish the Sisters of Charity religious congregation, whose work focuses on education, nursing, and service to the poor. Several schools are named after her, including Seton Hall University, an institution whose main campus in South Orange borders Newark, with its law school downtown. Seton is the first Catholic saint to be wholly American; she was born in what would become the United States and ultimately canonized in 1975.
Cabrini (1850-1917) was the first U.S. citizen to be canonized, in 1946. But like many living in America, the Italian-born Cabrini's path to citizenship came through immigration. She devoted her life to helping immigrants, establishing schools, orphanages, and hospitals as she served the sick and poor through the religious institute she founded, known as the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. A statue of Cabrini, also known as Mother Cabrini, can be found in Newark's Ironbound, not far from the former site of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, which served Italian immigrants in the neighborhood.
When telling the lives of these saints, the Bongiornos use a first-person, speaking-beyond-the-grave perspective, using contemporary language.
"We wanted these women saints to have a non-stop chat with the audience in their own voices to describe in great detail how they used their lives to serve others," Bongiorno said. "And, after all, they're women. What they achieved in a patriarchal church is incredible."
Those looking for divine inspiration in Newark don't need to look far. The Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart is a soaring testament to people's faith. The effect of the work of the Benedictine monks of Newark Abbey, who run St. Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, lasts a lifetime. For Bongiorno, the experiences of Seton and Cabrini show that any place can be a holy place.
"The goal of these films is to be a reminder to serve others. How are you living your life so that it's not just about yourself?" said Bongiorno, whose work with her husband has touched on poverty, education, and civil strife in Newark. "Whatever your vocation is, people should think about the greater good. Throughout their lives, Seton and Cabrini served God."
The air dates for the Seton segment of American Women Saints airs on NJ PBS Thursday, March 28 at 8 p.m. and on Saturday, March 30 at 2 a.m.
The air dates for the Cabrini segment of American Women Saints airs on NJ PBS Thursday, April 4 at 8 p.m. and on Saturday, April 6 at 2 a.m.
Additional screenings will be announced.
For more on the Bongiornos's body of work, click here.
]]>BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ - Join the Eternal Bond evening at Church of the Little Flower for an evening of profound reflection and resilience as Gregory Floyd, acclaimed author of "A Grief Unveiled: One Father's Journey Through the Death of a Child" and "Unforgettable: How Remembering God's Presence in Our Past Brings Hope to Our Future," shares his heartfelt story.
The event, hosted by Eternal Bonds at the Church of the Little Flower in Berkeley Heights, promises to be an enlightening experience for all. Gregory Floyd will delve into the depths of his personal journey, offering insights and perspectives on coping with grief and finding solace in the face of unimaginable loss.
Date: April 11, 2024 Time: 7:00 PM Location: Parish Center Albergue Room, 290 Plainfield Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ
For inquiries and registration, please contact 908.464.1585. Register by clicking link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054EABA722A1FB6-48560545-agrief#/
Don't miss this opportunity to gain wisdom and find comfort in shared experiences. Join Eternal Bonds as they navigate the path of healing together.
]]>PISCATAWAY, NJ – Hundreds of people gathered at the Muslim Center of Middlesex County (MCMC) on Saturday evening for one of Piscataway's most anticipated events of Ramadan, the annual Interfaith Community Iftar Dinner hosted by the center.
Muslims fast throughout the day during the month of Ramadan, and Iftar marks the end of each day's fast and can bring communities together for celebration.
The new Imam for the center, Imam Abdullah Smith, sees this annual event as one of many ways the mosque's members connect to the community at large.
"We, as the Muslim community, would like to make sure we are well-connected with the community at large because we want to be involved," Smith said. “We are going to have some great food, you'll be able to witness our prayers and see some of the things that we do culturally and, hopefully, this will be a wonderful experience. We hope to see you again and again and again and again."
This year's event included a Mosque tour, a Henna booth, a Hijab booth, a calligraphy table, and other family-friendly activities.
During the celebration, guests had the opportunity to learn about Ramadan, listen to a live musical performance, hear how to find compassion through fasting, participate in a Q&A panel, witness a prayer ceremony, and break the fast over dinner.
TAP here to read MCMC’s Director of Outreach, Ahmed Iqbal's presentation on Ramadan, or click the video below to learn more..
One of the most engaging moments of the night was during the Q&A session, to see what attendees remembered from earlier in the night with some prizes to win.
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LIVINGSTON, NJ — For the first time in the Township of Livingston, the community gathered to celebrate the Muslim holy month of Ramadan with a “Crescent Moon Lighting” at the Livingston Memorial Oval followed by a private Iftar dinner reception at the Livingston Senior and Community Center.
During the month of Ramadan, those who celebrate typically fast from dawn until sunset and devote extra time to spiritual activities such as praying, reading and charitable work within the community. The start of the holiday, celebrated during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is traditionally signified by the first sighting of a crescent moon.
Residents of all faiths, including members of the Christian, Hindu and Jewish communities, came together to commemorate Livingston’s inaugural Crescent Moon Lighting ceremony, while members of the Livingston Township Council, Livingston Board of Education, Livingston Police Department and more joined their Muslim neighbors as they broke fast together at the private Iftar reception.
“This year, Ramadan feels a little different,” said resident Saba Khan, who was enthusiastic about the turnout at the event. “We enter Ramadan with heavy hearts and humble prayers. This is truly a time when we focus on prayer and go inwards. Connect vertically to God and horizontally to people.”
As she addressed the crowd on behalf of the Muslim community during moon lighting, Khan reflected that Ramadan is “more than just a month on the calendar,” but is instead a spiritual journey that invites Muslims to “pause, reflect and draw closer to [their] faith.”
“Ramadan holds deep significance for Muslims worldwide, reminding us of values of compassion, empathy, and unity,” she said. “It is a time of self-reflection and solidarity, where we strive to be better individuals and uplift those around us. Ramadan is a month of community, where families come together for Iftar, breaking their fast and to share the blessings of the season. It is a time when neighbors look out for one another—especially for their food—and communities come together to support those in time of need.”
Khan further explained the above all, Ramadan is “a time of transformation” that “fosters a sense of belonging and solidarity that transcends borders and boundaries.”
“As we strive to become better individuals during this blessed month, we also aspire to create a better world—one filled with kindness, empathy and justice,” said Khan, who reiterated that Muslims are welcoming Ramadan “with heavy hearts and humble prayers” this year and asked the community to remember all those who are suffering around the world. “Let us pray for all humanity, especially those facing hardship, adversity and injustice. May our collective prayers and actions bring comfort and relief to those in need.”
Mayor Al Anthony also spoke during the event, where he expressed gratitude toward Khan and other Muslim community members for approaching the Livingston Township Council about hosting this event.
“We pride ourselves on being a town of diversity and inclusion,” said Anthony. “We host multicultural events in our schools and town-wide all the time…We celebrate our differences and our similarities, and I believe we always find that which unites us is much greater than that which divides us…
“Tonight, we stay true to our principles and stand in solidarity with our Muslim brothers and sisters, celebrating their tradition in spirituality and community. As the crescent glows, we are reminded of the light that shines empathy, compassion and understanding.”
Anthony noted that this year was also the first time that the township recognized Muslim Heritage Month. After adopting an official proclamation declaring January 2024 as Muslim Heritage Month, the township council was showered with treats, handmade cards and words of thanks from local youth who were grateful for the council’s recognition of their Muslim culture.
With fellow members of the township council at his side, Anthony emphasized the need to continue celebrating Livingston’s diversity.
“A friend of mine was describing Ramadan to me as a time of spiritual renewal and self-reflection, where the community comes together to strengthen bonds and support one another in our journey of faith, embarking on a month-long journey of fasting, prayers and devotion,” said Anthony. “I know personally, I see similarities between my own Catholic season of Lent and the fasting, almsgiving and prayer, and being more ‘God-conscious’ for the month—or in our holy season, 40 days up to Easter—and trying to carry that throughout the year.
“So, as our council stands here as members of numerous faiths, including Jewish, Hindu and Christian, we are reminded we all come together as one. That’s what makes Livingston such a special place. We celebrate our differences and our similarities, and always find that in our diversity, there is so much that unites us.”
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FLORHAM PARK, NJ - Caryn Lyn Elefante, age 45, passed away peacefully at her home in Florham Park on March 23, 2024, surrounded by her beloved family and dear friends.
Caryn's legacy of kindness, compassion, and resilience touched the lives of all who knew her. She is survived by her cherished 12-year-old daughter, Cate, her loving husband, Joe, her devoted parents, Dave and Carol Jones, her brother, Brian Jones, her sister, Kristin VanderMass, and numerous other beloved family members and friends.
A visitation will be held at the Leonardis Memorial Home (210 Ridgedale Avenue, Florham Park) on Friday, March 29, from 4 to 7p.m. A celebration of Caryn's remarkable life will follow on Saturday, March 30, at 11am at Leonardis Memorial Home, with a repast to follow at The Godfather of East Hanover (200 Rt. 10 West, East Hanover) at 12:30 p.m.
Born on July 14, 1978, Caryn spent her childhood in Nutley, NJ. She embarked on a remarkable career in performing arts from a young age, gracing stages like the renowned Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut. She showcased her talent both on screen and as a singer in numerous TV commercials, including memorable appearances in commercials for The Game of Life, Raisinets, and Go-Go My Walkin’ Pup, among others. Caryn lent her voice to recordings alongside music icons such as Michael Jackson, Gloria Estefan, Canadian Brass, and Maureen McGovern. She also earned recognition as a finalist on Star Search.
After graduating at the top of her class from Nutley High School, Caryn pursued her passion for musical theater at New York University. Post-college, she dedicated 17 years to educating students in music, dance, and theater within the Madison, NJ public schools. Her impact extended beyond the classroom, fostering an inclusive environment where every student felt empowered to shine.
Caryn's memory will forever endure in the hearts of those she touched, leaving behind a legacy illuminated by love, kindness, and inspiration.
In a heartfelt reflection on Caryn's life, Joe graciously shared with TAPinto their cherished memories and profound insights into their remarkable journey together.
Rooted in a shared love for music, their story began when Joe became the accompanist for Caryn's middle school choir, recommended by their mutual acquaintance John Leister. "So I started accompanying her middle school choir, and I did that for a few years, around three or four. -- I would even write some arrangements for her choirs from time to time. And then I was also the orchestra director for a number of her school musicals," Joe reflected. Their shared passion for music laid the foundation for a lifelong connection that transcended the stage and blossomed into a beautiful relationship.
Admiring Caryn's role as an educator, Joe emphasized her skill in ensuring that every student felt included and valued, irrespective of their level of performance. When Joe became a teacher, he modeled his teaching style from her playbook. "She was my hero," said Joe, who is currently Program Supervisor of Fine & Performing Arts, Family & Consumer Science, and Health & Physical Education in the Rahway school district.
Their paths kept crossing, as Joe took on the role of music director for the musicals at Drew University. During a solemn moment following the passing of Joseph Patenaude's wife, a colleague of Joe's, they both participated in the memorial service. "The kids from the show ended up performing at a memorial concert, and Caryn was there as well performing because Joe's daughter was one of her students," Joe recounts. "She heard I was going to be there and asked if I wanted to accompany her. Of course, I agreed." -- "At some point, she said to me 'want to go get a drink?' I said sure. You know, the rest is history."
From a young age, Caryn's passion for performance was evident. However, upon graduating from NYU, she realized she didn't have the temperament for performing. Reflecting on Caryn's clarity of vision, Joe noted her early understanding of her priorities. By the age of 23, Caryn had come to terms with her aversion to the uncertainties of a performer's life—the constant auditions and financial instability. Choosing stability, she dedicated a year to substitute teaching in Glen Ridge before securing a position in the Madison School District, where she stayed until her retirement in 2018 to prioritize her role as a stay-at-home mom.
Despite her career shift, Caryn remained deeply invested in her daughter Cate's burgeoning acting career, frequently commuting to support her commitments, including Broadway performances in "Waitress" that began the day after Cate's fifth birthday. Cate's success continued with roles in the "Les Miserables" first national tour and the NBC production of "Annie Live" in 2021. Caryn's unwavering support for her daughter's endeavors remained evident, with Cate's latest project set to air on Peacock. "She just finished her third film. So we're pretty excited about that. That comes out next week," Joe remarked enthusiastically.
Caryn's selflessness and generosity knew no bounds. The bond between Caryn and Cate was undeniably strong. While on tour in 2019, doctors discovered that Caryn’s 2012 breast cancer had metastasized. Although she was always a fighter, Caryn’s physical and emotional challenges became even more difficult from that point. Despite the challenges and uncertainty, they seized every opportunity to create cherished memories together. From their unforgettable journey with the "Les Misérables" tour to the intense rehearsals for "Annie Live", they remained inseparable, spending countless hours together. Their bond, forged through shared experiences and unwavering love, was truly extraordinary.
As Joe reflects on Caryn's life, he finds solace in the overwhelming support from the community and the lasting legacy of her compassion and generosity. This enduring impact shines brightly as the "Les Misérables" tour honored Caryn's memory with a dedicated performance last Sunday. Additionally, the upcoming release of Cate's film next week will serve as a heartfelt tribute to Caryn's memory, ensuring her spirit lives on in the hearts of those she touched.
Caryn leaves an enduring legacy of kindness and acceptance. "I think if those two things could be her legacy -- her legacy will live on through her students and obviously through Cate," Joe expressed.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to either the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center or the Brooke Healey Foundation, both organizations close to Caryn's heart.
The information presented in this article was gathered from Caryn Lyn Elefante's obituary, available for reference [here], as well as from an interview TAPinto conducted with Joe Elefante.
]]>BAYONNE, NJ - Martin Bloch, a survivor of the Holocaust, will be the guest speaker at Bayonne's Holocaust Remembrance on May 6 in Bayonne City Hall.
The ceremony is held around this time of year to commemorate Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), a day to remember those that suffered, those that fought, those that died during the worst act of mass genocide in modern history.
The Holocaust was the systematic, bureaucratic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of about six million Jews by the Nazi regime and its collaborators. Also targeted were gypsies, the handicapped, some Slavic people, communists, socialists, Jehovah’s Witnesses and homosexuals. Yet of all those targeted, Jews suffered the most extreme loss of life with nearly two out of every three European Jews murdered by the end of World War II.
Bloch was born in Ivje, Poland. In the early years of the war, the Nazis killed his father. His mother and elder brother were forced into the ghetto at Belarus from which they escaped in a nearby forest where they joined the Bielski brothers, a Jewish partisan group. After the war, they remained a displaced persons camp for more than seven years, before immigrating to New York.
For more than 40 years, members of the Jewish community have come to City Hall to take part in these ceremonies, to recall the horrors of the Holocaust in order to make certain that they do not happen again.
The gathering, however, is not one only of the Jewish community, but of city officials and other concerned citizens who come to share and sympathize.
The ceremonies in City Hall routinely have a solemn yet reverent air as war veterans of Bayonne march in bearing flags, followed by a candlelight processional and the singing of “Hatikvah” and “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
]]>HOBOKEN, NJ - Over one hundred people met at the gazebo in Church Square Park on Tuesday evening for a Hudson County Interfaith Gathering in which they expressed support for Palestinians and voiced their demands for peace and a ceasefire to the war in Gaza.
The evening included musical performances as well as speeches that varied in tone from religious leaders, academics, and advocates from groups such as American Muslims for Palestine and Jewish Voices for Peace.
“At a time of unspeakable pain and loss for the Palestinian people, we come together in solidarity, grief, and hope,” the organizers wrote in a pamphlet that was handed out to attendees.
The event began somberly with the words ‘ceasefire now’, ‘not in our name’, ‘put the weapons down’ and ‘you are not alone’ being gently sung by the crowd.
There was a significant contingency of Hoboken police officers on site to ensure safety at the gathering.
One of the musical performers was Salem Joseph Farmand, a Catholic Palestinian musician, who said he had a unique identity as someone who shared the culture of Palestinians as well as the faith of Christians. He sang a song he wrote called ‘Stop the Bleeding’ which he said was about reconciling the “hope of Christ and the despair of occupation.”
“It’s a difficult song to get through. But ultimately it’s about hope and a call for peace while not allowing our hearts to become hardened,” said Farmand.
Rabbi Rachel Kahn-Troster, a member of Rabbis for Ceasefire and a human rights activist, said: “My heart is breaking that we’re still here calling for a ceasefire and how many more people have died.”
She referenced the United Human Rights Declaration and spoke of the need to insist on everyone’s basic humanity.
“In the Jewish community, we pride ourselves in believing that everyone is created in the image of God. You can only do what happened on October 7th or what is happening in Gaza if you forget that every human being is sacred,” added Rabbi Kahn-Troster.
Others spoke more aggressively, and described the war in Gaza as “genocide” or “ethnic cleansing” by Israel against Palestinians. Dr. Chris Durante, a theologian from the Greek Orthodox Christian Church, altered the tone of the event in a speech in which he admonished “genocidal cleansing” in Gaza.
Durante discussed his background and culture, saying: “My people are no strangers to cleansing,” and referred to Israelis as “war-mongering Zionists.”
Rohan Narine, a member of Hindus for Human Rights, lamented the “othering” of people.
“When ‘the other’ exists, true happiness can never exist,” he said, before adding: “We denounce the U.S. funded genocide against Palestine.”
Others who spoke or performed at the gathering were Dr. Mohammad Qatanani, senior imam at ICPC, Navdeep Tucker, a Sikh performer, and James Yee, a former U.S. Army Chaplain and member of Veterans for Peace.
The event was sponsored by All Saints Episcopal Parish, Pax Christi NJ, Jewish Voices for Peace Northern NJ, Hindus for Human Rights, American Muslims for Palestine, North Hudson Islamic Education Center, Veterans for Peace, and NJ Peace Action.
]]>BARNEGAT LIGHT - There will be a free Skateboard Workshop for young people ages 5 -13 on Saturday, April 13. The event will take place from 12 to 3 p.m. at the Barnegat Light Skate Park on West 10th Street.
This is open to everyone in Southern Ocean County. See additional info below.
]]>BAYONNE, NJ - Bayonne veterans will once again honor the memory Douglas O’Neill, the only service member from Hudson County listed as a POW/MIA from the Vietnam War, next month.
On April 3, 1972, the 23-year-old U.S. Army Warrant Officer was on a mission with three other soldiers to evacuate soldiers from Quang Tri City in South Vietnam when the Iroquois helicopter they were flying in vanished.
O’Neill, a graduate of Bayonne High School in the Class of 1967, was inducted for his service to the United States as a member of the U.S. Army at age 20. He always wanted to be a pilot, family members said, and became Chief Warrant Officer after having successfully completed flight school as a helicopter pilot.
He was assigned to the 37th Signal Battalion, First Signal Brigade, and sent to Vietnam in October 1971.
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