Dear Chaverim,

As we move into March, I want to take a moment to reflect on the energy and enthusiasm that continue to define our NNJR community. The past few weeks have been especially meaningful, highlighted by the success of FJMC’s recent Leadership Development Institute (LDI). It was inspiring to see leaders from across the country, as well as from Canada and the UK, come together to learn, share ideas, and strengthen the skills that help our clubs, our region and FJMC International grow and thrive. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make LDI such a valuable and engaging experience. I look forward to those in attendance bringing back what they learned to their clubs and NNJR.

We also recently celebrated another wonderful World Wide Wrap, bringing together members, families, and community participants to learn more about the meaning and tradition of wrapping tefillin. Events like this remind us how powerful it is when we gather not only to connect with each other, but also to pass along traditions and deepen Jewish engagement within our communities. I’m grateful to all the clubs and volunteers who organized and supported these programs.

Looking ahead, we are entering a joyful and busy time on the Jewish calendar. Purim is just around the corner—a holiday that reminds us of resilience, community, and the importance of celebrating together. Whether through megillah readings, community gatherings, acts of tzedakah, or sharing mishloach manot, I encourage everyone to take part and share the spirit of the holiday.

At the same time, many of us will soon begin preparing for Pesach. While the cleaning, planning, and organizing can sometimes feel like a lot, it’s also a meaningful opportunity to reflect on freedom, family, and tradition. As leaders and members of NNJR, we also have the chance to help others in our communities prepare and feel included during the holiday season.

Thank you for everything you do to support NNJR and strengthen our network of clubs and communities. I look forward to seeing many of you at upcoming events in the weeks ahead, and I appreciate the dedication and camaraderie that make our region so special.

Wishing you and your families a joyful Purim and a meaningful lead-up to Pesach.

B’Shalom,

Larry Klioze

President, NNJR-FJMC International

president@nnjr.org

Gentlemen,

I am the FJMC Northern New Jersey regional representative of the FJMC 2026 Yom HaShoah Yellow Candle program. The Yellow Candles are a tangible reminder of the Holocaust and a way to make sure that all generations of Jews - young and old - maintain a close connection with that terrible time in our history. And with antisemitism sadly on the rise globally, it's more important than ever that we come together on the solemn occasion of Yom HaShoah to reaffirm our pledge of "Never Again." Additionally, the Shoah Yellow Candles are an essential fundraiser for FJMC and can be used as the basis for charitable programs in our clubs. 

Alongside ordering candles for our own synagogues and organizing Yom HaShoah programs, we are continuing our outreach to all regional Conservative and Reform organizations to try and inspire them to start or expand their Yellow Candle programs. If you have ideas about some of these organizations, please feel free to contact them directly or send me your suggestions. 

The FJMC Yellow Candle store is now open for orders. All of the details are included below. Please note the various deadlines for orders and early bird discounts, especially if you would like the candles early enough to pack with Purim mishloach manot baskets if your synagogue delivers them together, as mine does. 

If you have any questions or need any assistance, please feel free to reach out to me at jseliber001@yahoo.com or 908-581-2759. 

Jay Seliber

Northern New Jersey Yellow Candle regional representative

Light your Shoah Yellow Candles

on Monday evening, April 13, 2026

The Yellow Candle Store will be open for Yom HaShoah 2026 from November 13, 2025, through March 10, 2026.

1. To place your order, please use the following link on and after November 13, 2025: https://yellowcandle.fjmc.org 
2. After opening the link, scroll down to the “Place Your Order” section, which is located below the photo of candle tins and above the brief “Sharing Light for Remembrance” video.

Important Dates

• November 13, 2025: The candle store opens for candle sales and supplies, accepting payment by check or credit card.
• Thursday, January 15, 2026: Early Bird Discount ENDS
• Thursday, February 5, 2026: Last day to order Candles for Direct-Mail Shipment
• Tuesday, March 10, 2026: Last day to order Bulk Candle Cases and Supplies
• Friday, March 27, 2026: Last day to order single candles
• Monday, April 13, 2026: Light the candle at sundown

Minimal Candle Price Increase - Since 2010, FJMC has maintained the same candle price. However, with rising material costs, all candle manufacturers are facing higher expenses for the same products. As a result, for Yom HaShoah 2026, FJMC has increased the price of each candle case by $2. This increase is necessary to cover the rising production, labor, and transportation costs incurred by our candle manufacturer in Israel. The price of shipping to customers (UPS and FedEx) will remain the same as last year – $17 per candle case, and no shipping costs for polyurethane bags or bubble mailer envelopes.

You may access THE YELLOW CANDLE GUIDE, an indispensable resource, which has been updated to provide the most current and relevant information, including links to the FJMC Yellow Candle webpages. Please review the 2026 prices on the Guide for the Bulk Mail Program (page 11) and Direct Mail Program (pages 9 and 10). 

CANDLE DELIVERY SCHEDULE:

• Candle orders received by January 15, 2026, will be delivered the second week of February 2026.
• Candle orders received between January 16 and February 17 will be delivered during the first week of March 2026.
• Candle orders received between February 18 and March 10 will be delivered during the last week of March 2026.

It is important to note that FJMC cannot control UPS or FedEx delivery schedules or winter weather challenges. If your Rabbi permits you to distribute candles in Purim Mishloach Manot baskets, you must place your candle order by January 15 to guarantee delivery before Purim (March 2, 2026).

Important Message for FJMC Northern New Jersey region clubs in good standing regarding delivery charge rebates after picking up candles at the NJ warehouse in February 

To qualify for FJMC delivery rebates, the club must meet the following criteria:

• The club must be in good standing with FJMC.
• The club must place its candle order on or before the early bird discount deadline of January 15, 2026.
• The club must pick up the candles at the warehouse on the date chosen by the warehouse management. The warehouse is located in Piscataway, NJ. I will provide more details as we get closer. 
• When ordering on the website, you will need to pay for shipping, but note on the order if you want it shipped to the warehouse. If your club qualifies based on the above criteria, you will subsequently receive a rebate for the shipping costs directly from the region and/or FJMC. 

Orders received by FJMC on January 16, 2026, or later, will not be eligible for the rebate, and clubs that are not current with their dues payments will also be ineligible. The only exception to this rule is if the club has entered into an approved repayment plan with FJMC.

As the Shoah Yellow Candle coordinator for the Northern New Jersey region of FJMC, I am here to support you every step of the way. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or for assistance. Let’s come together to remember and honor the victims of the Holocaust as well as October 7. Your club’s participation makes a difference. 

Thanks in advance for your efforts. 

Best wishes. 

Jay Seliber

Phone: 908-581-2759

Email: jseliber001@yahoo.com

For activity from July 6, 2025 through May 22, 2026

The FJMC 2025-26 Quality Club Award Criteria is now available on the website!

The FJMC Quality Club Award is given each year to member clubs who meet established criteria. The Award was developed to encourage clubs to offer specific types of activities at the local, regional, and international level. The criteria may also be used as a blueprint for a club to follow in planning its yearly programming. The award plate (tag), to be added to your club’s plaque, is presented in even-numbered years at a regional event and in odd-numbered years at the FJMC International convention.

The Quality Club Award represents excellence and shows it to your club members and congregation; few clubs meet these high standards.

New this season: 

There is now one additional requirement in the Mandatory category: 

Combating Antisemitism

1. Participate in a club or regional workshop focused on opposing antisemitism 
2. The club may form an Antisemitism Committee or select an officer to coordinate this program 
3. Participate in a local or regional conference with any Jewish betterment organizations on the topic of antisemitism  
4. Respond to a call for action from ADL or another organization to reach out to elected officials, asking for their support to resolve antisemitic threats 
5. Support a local Hillel college chapter; support local Holocaust programs or museums 
6. Host a film, speaker, or social media session on antisemitism. 

Additional information and resources may be found at the FJMC Combating Antisemitism Initiative webpage.

There is also one additional choice in the Optional category: 

Supporting Israel

Develop a club project/program that supports Israel or provides information to the congregation and community on how to support Israel.

For questions, email qualityclubawards@fjmc.org

HPCT-CAE

World Wide Warp

Shomrei Torah, Wayne

World Wide Warp

Marlboro Jewish Center

Beer with the Boys

February 8 was World Wide Wrap Day! It was also the day of a certain football game. After the congregation participated in the World Wide Wrap, we enjoyed a bagel breakfast sponsored by the Men’s Club, and listened to an engaging program. Then we shifted gears.

The Men’s Club took over the Temple kitchen. The Men’s Club Chefs prepared three types of chili, two kinds of chicken wings, and fresh-made deli sandwiches. We also prepared veggie trays, assorted snacks and dips, chicken nuggets and fries. Approximately 50 people attended. They enjoyed the party much more than the actual game which was projected on the huge screen.

Half-time brought a choice: you could stay in the social hall for the half-time show, or you could go to the library where our own Rabbi Keven Friedman offered a D’var Torah.

After half-time, fresh-baked brownies and red and green grapes were offered for dessert.

All-in-all, the HPCT-CAE Super Tailgate party was much more fun than the actual game!

Northern District

Caldwell

Closter

Fair Lawn

Livingston

Montville

Ridgewood

Wayne

West Orange