Oldest Synagogue In Newark Turns 100, Launches ‘Tikkun Olam Awards’

NEWARK, NJ — Newark’s oldest synagogue recently launched a new award that promotes “the repair of the world” as it celebrates the 100th year in its building on Broadway.

Congregation Ahavas Sholom held its first-ever Tikkun Olam Awards last weekend, honoring six community leaders (see the list below).

Ahavas Sholom – the oldest still-operating synagogue in the city – says the concepts of “Tikun Olam” (repair of the world) and “Tzedakah” (social justice) are crucial to its mission.

The synagogue has engaged in many of its own Tikkun Olam initiatives over the years, including partnering with Newark Public Schools and the Trust for Public Land to build playgrounds at three Newark elementary schools, hosting the Sussex Avenue Renew School art exhibition for a decade, making masks for St. Michael's hospital staff during the pandemic, donating practice space to local performance artists, and supporting menstrual equity in partnership with United Community Corporation.

In 2020, after the murder of George Floyd, Congregation Ahavas Sholom partnered with then-council president Mildred Crump to organize a multi-year series called Diversity United that brought together Jews and African Americans for "courageous conversations" every month for 1.5 years. See Related: Newark Synagogue Welcomes Jews Of Color For Black History Month

In 2023, Ahavas Sholom hosted the first ever Unity Seder and Unity Shabbat in partnership with Rabbi Capers Funnye, the chief rabbi of the International Israelite Board of Rabbis, and made history with the hiring of Rabbi Eliyahu Ben Lewi, a graduate of the Israelite Rabbinical Academy.

Ahavas Sholom also regularly partners on events in the recently renovated sanctuary, including partnering with NJPAC and serving regularly as a venue during the TD James Moody Jazz Festival and civic events with City of Newark, like the graduation of the Newark Office of Public Safety's Citizen Clergy program.

Beyond Newark, Congregation Ahavas Sholom has a sister synagogue relationship with an Abayudaya community in Uganda.

2024 AWARD WINNERS

The synagogue held an awards ceremony on March 24, honoring the following awardees for their contributions to the community:

DR. NANCY CANTOR

Chancellor of Rutgers-Newark

MILDRED C. CRUMP

Newark Municipal Councilmember (‘94-’98, ‘06-’21)

Municipal Council President (‘06-’10, ‘13-’21)

PAULA GOTTESMAN

President, Paula and Jerry Gottesman Family Supporting Foundation

EYESHA MARABLE

Assistant Vice President, Community Engagement, NJPAC

DR. NELL PAINTER

Edwards Professor of American History Emerita at Princeton University

CHARLES ROSEN

Founder & CEO at Ironbound Hard Cider and New Ark Farms

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