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🌱 Patch AM: How a South Orange commuter’s lost college book found its way home

Happening soon: An Intimate Evening With Eric Roberson on the South Orange Patch calendar

Tuesday April 21st Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Morning South Orange! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☀️

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In today's newsletter:

  • How a South Orange commuter’s lost college book found its way home
  • How an interfaith breakfast strengthened ties around South Orange’s JESPY House
  • Why a top tri-state mohel regularly works with South Orange families

Also on today's calendar: Sip & Savor: A Cakebread Wine Dinner and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why do cows have hooves and not feet? 🤔 (Answer below!)


Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Mostly sunny and cool, with a high of 52 and low of 43 degrees.
  • Wednesday: A morning shower in spots, temps: high: 58, low: 47.
  • Thursday: Partly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 73 and low of 49 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. A Little Free Library, a Lost Book and the New York Times (villagegreennj.com) — A Maplewood resident who commutes home via South Orange had a surprising reunion with a long-forgotten college paperback at a neighborhood Little Free Library in Maplewood. His full-circle book discovery, complete with an old ticket bearing his name, ended up featured in The New York Times’ Metropolitan Diary column, highlighting the charm of local free libraries and small-world moments.    

2. Morning of Unity: Clergy Gather at JESPY for Interfaith Breakfast (tapinto.net) — An interfaith breakfast at JESPY House in South Orange brought together local clergy, JESPY clients, and community leaders for conversation about inclusion and support for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Speakers shared JESPY’s history, impact, and ambitious Go Big for JESPY expansion plans, underscoring the organization’s long-standing role as a cornerstone of community life in South Orange and the region.    

3. Meet the City's Most In-Demand Mohel (nymag.com) — South Orange gets a nod as part of the territory for one of the New York area’s busiest mohels, Rabbi Eliezer Lawrence, who performs hundreds of brises each year across the tri-state region. The article follows his hectic multi-stop days, training, and competitive niche business, while touching on how changing religious norms and hospital practices are reshaping this traditional role.    

4. Jewish Leaders Condemn IDF Soldier's Desecration of Jesus Statue in Lebanon (israel365news.com) — A South Orange rabbi is among more than 100 Jewish leaders worldwide condemning an IDF soldier’s destruction of a Jesus statue in southern Lebanon and apologizing to Christians. The letter, grounded in Jewish teachings on respect and justice, urges stronger Jewish‑Christian relations and calls the act a desecration of God’s name.    


📸 Around South Orange

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Seton Hall University posted a job opening for Adjunct Instructor - Professional Psychology & Family Therapy in South Orange. Apply here.
  • Burlington Coat Factory Corporation posted a job opening for Retail Stocking Associate - Part Time in Union. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near South Orange here.

Ok South Orange! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: They lactose! (Thank you Courtney S. for sending it in!)Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!


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