Welcome to Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel
Reform Congregation Serving South Orange, Maplewood, Millburn, West Orange and Surrounding Areas
TSTI is an inclusive reform congregation located in SoMa (South Orange / Maplewood NJ) committed to developing and fostering a joyous lifelong Jewish experience. We are proud of, and enriched by, our diverse congregation, and live the progressive values of Reform Judaism through worship, education, acts of social justice, Torah study, and community service.
Our members are Jews by birth and by choice. They are single, partnered, and many are part of interfaith families. They are people of all races, sexualities, gender-identities, socio-economic statuses, and abilities. We strive to be a second home, where individuality is celebrated, and every person matters.
Preschool: The Iris Family Center for Early Childhood Education
TSTI’s award-winning preschool, The Iris Family Center for Early Childhood Education, offers a warm, individualized, and unique program of early childhood education. By focusing on each child’s developmental needs and promoting a positive, secure, and accepting environment, we enable each child to grow with a sense of joy and wonderment.
Our regular school hours are 9:00am – 12:00pm. We offer early drop off beginning at 8:00am as well as enrichment and extended hours until 6:00pm. School begins the week after Labor Day and continues until early June. We follow the South Orange/Maplewood calendar for school closings and also close for Jewish Holidays.
Our preschool welcomes more than children into our play-based program. We offer programs and support for entire families, especially helpful to those whose parents, grandparents and siblings live far away. Families do not need to be temple members to be part of our preschool. We value the diversity in our surrounding community and we understand how important it is for the entire family to make connections and lifelong friends.
Religious School: The Linda and Rudy Slucker Religious School
TSTI’s Religious School is a vibrant, energetic place where students rely on their peers as well as teachers to help them see the wonder that is Judaism. The strength that comes from a group that learns, prays and supports one another is priceless and the effects are far-reaching.
We know that students learn best when they have on-going relationships with both their peers and teachers. We work diligently to provide many chances to build those connections among students, teachers, peers and our teen Madrichim (classroom aides). Our clergy is deeply connected to the students and faculty as integral members of our community of learners. Our students love to “hang out” with clergy, who are always accessible and open to probing questions from students of all ages.
Our K-6 students all meet on Sundays from 9am – 11:30am. Our 3rd-6th grade students also attend on Tuesday afternoons from 4-6pm. Our 7th Graders meet on Mondays from 4- 6pm.
For Teens:
8th Grade / Hebrew High
At TSTI we believe that learning should be a lifelong pursuit. Our educational programs begin in Kindergarten and continue through 12th grade.
We’re tremendously proud of the success of our 8th grade and 9-12th grade Hebrew High programs, which typically includes over 120 students. These students have made the choice to continue their involvement beyond the “required” age of B’nai Mitzvah, because they feel connected to their peers, their teachers, and our wider temple community.
STISY: Sharey Tefilo-Israel Senior Youth
STISY is open to all high school area teens (9th-12th grade) and provides a variety of experiences including social events, educational opportunities and community service projects created, planned and implemented by teens for teens. STISY is a great way for teens to stay connected to Temple and “Temple friends” as well as solidify their relationships with TSTI clergy and staff — relationships which often continue well after they have moved on to college.
Adult Education
Be a part of our robust Adult Education learning community! TSTI offers a wide variety of programs in person, via zoom, or using a hybrid approach. Upcoming programs include:
- Shabbat Scholars
- Art Talks
- Films
- Meditation
- Classes
Come home to TSTI.
Within our inclusive environment, we strive to ensure that individuality is celebrated, and every person matters. We understand that each member of the community will connect to Jewish tradition in their own, unique way. As such, we embrace the Reform Jewish approach that celebrates individual, informed choice, and seek to draw community members more deeply into active Jewish life. We also like to have fun.
Please join us for a service, community event, or class, whether online or in person and see how TSTI shines!
Or, don’t take our word for it…ask around. Our members are more than happy to share their experiences.