Oheb Shalom Congregation welcomes Rosh Hashanah By Harriet Sigerman The first Rosh Hashanah in the Park service was held in 2023. Photo by Joy Yagid. Under a glowing sunset sky, the sound of Hebrew prayers reverberated across a broad slope near a big, shady tree in Maplewood’s Memorial Park on Sept. 15, 2023. Rabbi Abigail Treu of Oheb Shalom Congregation in South Orange had just launched the first Rosh Hashanah in the Park service. “The genesis of the idea was my wanting to

The Sunday reset: dining family style By Ilysse Rimalovski Sisters-in-law Bianca and Susan Froelich prepare Sunday dinner for their extended family. If it’s Sunday, the extended Froelich family is gathered around the dinner table. Sisters-in-law Susan and Bianca Froelich have been preparing an Italian feast, sipping wine and catching up with each other. The rhythm feels joyous and nurturing. “Sunday dinner is something I look forward to as a way to keep the weekend going and

Gaelic football finds its footing in Essex County By Adrianna Donat The Essex Shillelaghs GAA welcome new players of all experience levels, giving children the chance to learn Gaelic football in a fun, supportive environment. Photo by Richard Morris. If you have wondered about the lawn signs around town advertising Gaelic football, you are not alone. The signs promote a sport that looks a little like soccer – until someone picks up the ball. Then it resembles basketball – unt

By Anu Mahadev Hi Matters Magazine readers! Welcome to the new Book Matters column. I am Anu Mahadev, a Maplewood resident who has lived in the SOMA area for more than 15 years. In this new column, I share selections of books that I have recently read and enjoyed. As much as reading is an outlet, it can also be an education. As a seasoned reader, I invite you to take it slow, experience and savor each line in these books and resist rushing through to the next page or chapter.

Every day, our children walk through the doors of their elementary schools into places where they learn, grow, explore and build lasting memories. What captures their curiosity? What helps them feel welcome and safe? Matters Magazine invited the principals of our elementary schools to share a special place or feature that reflects the heart of their school. Discover what they chose and how these spaces or features help shape the experiences of the children who learn there. Se

Columbia High School’s principal prepares for a new year Written by Nathaniel Kraemer Photo by Joy Yagid. The principal’s office at Columbia High School is a small wood-paneled room where everything is open – windows, books, folders, cabinet-doors – and seemingly in a state of active use. Everything is also functional, save one personal touch, kept on the coffee table at which he seats visitors: a 3-foot-long polished stone cougar. This is Columbia’s mascot. When holding meet