NJOP

07/30/2026

For many years, NJOP Founder and Director Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald has been passionate about inspiring Jews to say Shema, twice a day, with love.

That is why we are proud to announce NJOP's brand new collaboration with the Simchat Torah Challenge, on an effort called the Shema Initiative, which will encourage Jewish people to recite Judaism’s most powerful declaration of faith.

Those who sign up for the initiative will receive a copy of NJOP's renowned Hebrew Reading Crash Course primer, a physical book sent to their home, and will have access to a series of self-paced video courses so that they can learn to read the Shema in Hebrew, taught by NJOP's friend and fellow outreach professional Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff.

Please help us spread the word so we can reach Jews all over the world and inspire them to say the Shema, every morning and every evening.

Visit https://simchattorahchallenge.org/shema to learn how to take part.

Say the Shema, morning and night, with love. A year-long invitation to make the words your own.

07/22/2026

Wishing you a meaningful Tisha b'Av Fast!

07/10/2026

JTA News has just published a beautiful write up about NJOP Founder Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald and his 50 years at the helm of the Lincoln Square Synagogue Beginners Service where he impacted thousands of lives during his tenure. His unique and welcoming Beginners Service has been replicated by rabbis and Jewish educators in cities throughout the United States.

Rabbi Buchwald stepped down from his post leading the Beginners Service at Lincoln Square Synagogue on June 27th.

After 50 years leading a unique Beginners Service, Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald is moving on.

07/03/2026

NJOP wishes you a Shabbat Shalom and a Happy 4th of July holiday celebrating 250 years of America!

05/21/2026

Wishing you all a meaningful and inspiring Shavuot.

Best wishes from all of us at NJOP.

Chag Samayach!

05/15/2026

Want to encourage your family, friends and colleagues to do something special this week in honor of Shabbat 250, celebrating
Jewish American Heritage Month and America’s 250th birthday?

Here are some suggestions you can share from NJOP.

05/12/2026

In its proclamation for Jewish American Heritage Month, and to honor the Nation’s 250 years of independence, the White House is encouraging Jewish Americans to observe a National Sabbath from sundown on May 15 to nightfall on May 16, stating, “friends families, and communities of all backgrounds may come together in gratitude for our great Nation. This day will recognize the sacred Jewish tradition of setting aside time for rest, reflection, and gratitude to the Almighty.”

Here is a special article NJOP has prepared that suggests Ten Ways to Celebrate America’s National Sabbath.

In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, and Jewish American Heritage Month, the White House declared in a Proclamation dated May 4, 2026, that Jewish Americans across the country are encouraged to observe a “National Sabbath” from sundown Friday, May 15 through Saturday night, May 16, inspire...

03/27/2026

Join Florence Wiener, NJOP Hebrew Reading Specialist, this coming Monday, March 30 at 12:30 PM ET for a special Passover-focused Hebrew reading class entitled “Making the Haggadah Come Alive: Increase Your Ability to Read and Sing the Hebrew Text of the Haggadah.”

This class will take place over Zoom so you can join in from anywhere!

New Pre-Passover Classes on Zoom Join NJOP for two exciting classes on Zoom to help prepare you for Passover! Forward to a friend Monday, March 30th, 12:30 PM (EDT) Making the Haggadah Come Alive with Florence Wiener Join Florence Wiener, Hebrew Reading Specialist, for a special Passover-focused Heb...

03/25/2026

Interested in joining a communal seder this year?

Visit the link below to see if there is a Passover Across America Community Seder taking place near you.

NJOP’s annual Passover Across America is a no-knowledge-of-Hebrew-necessary seder hosted in synagogues and Hillels around the country, designed for those who want to learn more about the meaning behind the Passover seder. The NJOP sponsored seders include explanations of the seder rituals and trad...

03/23/2026