Congregation Adath Israel building

Congregation Adath Israel

A year of
community.

A look at our past year

2025–20265786
Begin the year

One kehillah, countless moments

Learning, celebrating, supporting one another—and building our future together.

Rabbi Shimmy Steinmetz

Dear AI Community,

As we approach the upcoming year, it is appropriate to take a moment to reflect and appreciate the wonderful year that we have all experienced. We continue to grow qualitatively, and Baruch Hashem, we welcomed many new members into our community over the past year, while still maintaining the qualities that our shul was built on.

Our shul is the spiritual center of our community; the place for Torah, Chessed, and Tefillah. Our shul's warmth continues to remain a defining characteristic, both in times of simcha and in times of grief.

May our shul continue to be a source of nachas to Hakadosh Baruch Hu.

Rabbi Shimmy Steinmetz

Josh Gottesman, Chairman of the Board

Dear AI Community,

A shul is much more than the building we walk into each day. It is where we daven together, learn together, celebrate our simchos, support one another through difficult times, and raise the next generation of Klal Yisrael. It is where Torah is learned, friendships are formed, and a kehillah grows stronger one day at a time.

As you move through this review, we hope you'll see more than a collection of pictures and events. We hope you'll see a community that is constantly learning, celebrating, volunteering, welcoming new families, supporting one another, and creating opportunities for Jews of every age to connect with Torah and with each other.

This report is our opportunity to reflect on the past year and celebrate what our kehillah has accomplished together. While it cannot capture every shiur, every Kiddush conversation, every act of chesed, or every quiet moment of connection, it offers a glimpse into the life and vibrancy of Congregation Adath Israel.

Everything you are about to see happened because our community came together. Thank you for your participation, generosity, and commitment as we continue building together.

Josh GottesmanChairman of the Board, Adath Israel

Learning at AI

From daily study to special holiday programs, opportunities to learn fill the calendar.

A well-attended shiur in the main sanctuary

Every week

  • Thursday Night Mishmar
  • Winter Parent-Child Learning at the Union Y
  • Women’s Discussion Group
  • Summer Chulent Chabura
  • Kinyan Hamasechta
  • Daf Yomi
  • Mishna Yomi
  • Machshava Shiur
  • Siddur Chaburah with Isaac Horowitz
  • Perek on the Lawn
Women and girls learning together

Every month

  • Monthly Iyun Chabura
  • Women’s Biweekly Shiur
  • Bat Mitzvah Club
A speaker leading a Torah class

Special learning

  • Labor Day Breakfast Shiur
  • Leil Hoshana Raba
  • Thanksgiving Breakfast & Shiur
  • New Year's Breakfast & Shiur
  • Pre-Pesach Halacha Shiur
  • Parent-Child Davening, Breakfast, and Shiur

A peek into our week

01

Monday

Kinyan Hamasechta

02

Tuesday

Monthly Iyun Chaburah

Machshava Shiur

Women’s Shiur

03

Wednesday

Kinyan Hamasechta

04

Thursday

Mishmar Winter

Chulent Chabura Summer

Kinyan Hamasechta

07

Shabbos

ShacharisHashkama, Main Shul, Minyan Sefaradim, Teen Minyan

LearningWomen’s Discussion Group, Daf Yomi, Middle School Boys Tefillah Chabura, Afternoon Gemara Shiur

LaterMincha, Seudah Shelishis and Maariv

Children enjoying a youth programYoung participants at an Adath Israel eventChildren celebrating together

Youth programming

Programs throughout the year gave children and teens meaningful ways to learn, celebrate and spend time together.

October

Sukkah decoration making · Boys MS & HS Oneg · Youth Sukkah Hops · MS & HS Sukkah & Shmooze · Tot Hakafos

November

HS Girls Shalosh Seudos · GameRoom at American Dream · Sky Zone for 1st–8th Grade

December

MS Boys Friday Night Oneg · Parent-Child Learning Story Time · Davening, Breakfast & Torah · MS Girls Melave Malka Ice Cream Bash

January

Parent-Child Learning Story Time · 3rd–5th Grade Boys Youth Luncheon

February

Nursery–Elementary Tu B’Shvat Planting · 3rd–5th Grade Girls Youth Luncheon · Pre-Purim Parent-Child Program

March

HS Girls Chabura · MS Girls Baking Event · Bedikat Chametz Scavenger Hunt · Middle School Boys Frisbee & Sports

May

Middle School Boys Tefillah Chaburah · Parent-Child Davening, Breakfast & Torah · Pre-Shavuos and Yom Yerushalayim Youth Room Decorating

June

Middle School Boys Tefillah Chabura

Women participating in an Adath Israel Sisterhood event

Sisterhood

The AI Sisterhood is a warm and welcoming space where women in our community come together to connect, unwind, and strengthen friendships while sharing meaningful words of Torah. This year included a hands-on pasta-making workshop, a community challah bake, Chanukah candle decorating, Shavuot cookie decorating, and an inspiring Women’s Symposium led by talented women from our own community.

Whether gathering for creativity, learning, or simply enjoying each other's company, the Sisterhood continues to foster belonging, connection, and Jewish growth for women of all ages.

Members participating in a Men's Club event

Men’s Club

The AI Men's Club brings members together year-round with an exciting lineup of programs that foster friendship, learning, and community. From Thursday Night Football gatherings to inspiring Chanukah celebrations and Mishmar evenings, there is always something to look forward to.

Annual highlights also include the Lag BaOmer Siyum and BBQ, as well as the popular men's softball league at Conant Park—giving members opportunities to connect, celebrate, and enjoy meaningful experiences together.

Community events

A year of shared experiences across Elizabeth and Hillside.

An Elizabeth community event

Elizabeth / Hillside

  • RCCS event at Moradi
  • Teshuva panel
  • Animal Show at the Union Y
  • Wine & Tequila Tasting
  • Rav Teitz Community Yahrtzeit Event
  • AI & YBY Friday night learning & zmiros
  • Ezra Witkin z”l Yahrtzeit Shiur
  • Mikvah Melava Malka
  • Rav Teitz Yahrtzeit Event
  • Virtual Chevra Kadisha Event
  • Union Y Purim Carnival
  • Yom Ha’atzmaut Chesed Experience
  • Lag BaOmer Carnival with Chabad
  • Joint Sisterhoods’ Yom Yerushalayim Zumba Dance Party
A Hillside community gathering

Hillside

  • Scholar in Residence: R’ Dani Staum
  • Pre-Selichos Kumzits
  • Welcome Event
  • Simchas Beis Hashoeva
  • Sukkos BBQ at AI
  • Tisch in the Ness Sukkah
  • Comedy Night
  • Chanukah at NJ Devils
  • AI Dinner
  • Chulent Cook-Off
  • AI Purim Chagigah
  • Post-Purim Tisch for Men
  • Federation Mitzvah Day
  • Pre-Pesach Communal Meals
  • Yachad Shabbaton
  • IDF Veterans Speak
  • Lag BaOmer Bonfire and Daf Yomi Siyum
Guests enjoying Adath Israel Comedy Night

Comedy Night

Laughter filled the room at AI’s Comedy Night—an evening of great entertainment, delicious food and an incredible atmosphere. Joel Glazer opened an unforgettable lineup featuring Eli Lebowicz, Elon Altman and Mikey Greenblatt. From start to finish, it was a night of fun, connection and plenty of laughs shared by all.

Financial growth & impact

For the second consecutive year, our shul operated with a balanced budget—an important accomplishment made possible by the generosity and commitment of our members.

Membership dues provide the foundation. The Partner Program, Annual Dinner, aliyot, Yamim Noraim auctions and contributions throughout the year help us maintain our shul, invest in programming, support our families and plan confidently for the future.

Two years balanced.
One community making it possible.
2

consecutive years with a balanced budget

Partner families

578420
578528
578632

60% growth in partner families over two years

Partnership support

5784$32K
5785$72K
5786$92K

187.5% growth in partnership revenue since 5784

Children enjoying a community activity

Membership growth

107families
5784
→
123families
5786
+15%

Our shul has grown by 16 families over two years—a testament to our vibrant community, meaningful programming and the welcoming environment our members have built together.

Looking forward to another

successful year.

adathisraelshul.org