Elizabeth Kratz

Bergenfield

Editor at The Jewish Link of New Jersey

Editor at The Jewish Link

Mom, writer, editor, kosher foodie, oenophile. Editor of The Jewish Link (https://t.co/s21g0hf89Q). @JLinkExpanded

Articles

The Future of Simcha: BaRock Orchestra Gears Up for Its Busiest Summer Yet

1 week ago | jewishlink.news | Elizabeth Kratz

If Jewish music had a youth movement, BaRock Orchestra would be leading the rhythm—complete with a tuba, banjo, jazz saxophone and a dance floor that never stops moving. As BaRock Orchestra prepares for what promises to be its busiest wedding season yet, the secret of its success is no mystery: Say yes to the simcha, stay true to the music, and never stop having fun.
Renewal’s Record-Smashing Spring

1 week ago | jewishlink.news | Elizabeth Kratz

In an unprecedented surge of life-saving altruism, nine kidney donations have taken place this past week—six on Tuesday, May 20th alone—with approximately 20 total donations facilitated by Renewal in the last month. This extraordinary momentum—with donations from 15 members of the Jewish communities in Teaneck, Bergenfield, Passaic, Edison and Riverdale in 2025 alone—reflects a powerful communal movement grounded in chesed, courage and spiritual purpose.
Renewal’s Record-Smashing Spring

1 week ago | jewishlink.news | Elizabeth Kratz

In an unprecedented surge of life-saving altruism, nine kidney donations have taken place this past week—six on Tuesday, May 20th alone—with approximately 20 total donations facilitated by Renewal in the last month. This extraordinary momentum—with donations from 15 members of the Jewish communities in Teaneck, Bergenfield, Passaic, Edison and Riverdale in 2025 alone—reflects a powerful communal movement grounded in chesed, courage and spiritual purpose.
Fulop’s Letter to NJ Jewish Community Falls Flat on Voters, Community Advocates

3 weeks ago | jewishlink.news | Elizabeth Kratz

In the primary race for governor of New Jersey, many candidates are jockeying to be heard. There are six Democrats and four Republicans, all vying for their respective party nominations. Some are canvassing, others are holding meet-and-greets and fundraisers, quite a few are sending text messages and push-polls; and one in particular is sending letters to the Jewish community, giving them—surprisingly— a very clear reason to find someone else to vote for.
Zoning Discrimination in Linden: Standing With Our Fellow Jews

1 month ago | jewishlink.news | Elizabeth Kratz

Last week, The Jewish Link published an important story on our cover, entitled “Linden’s Jews Object to Proposed Zoning Ordinance.” It was written by our longtime reporter Debra Rubin; it took several weeks for it to see the light of day because much of the activity happened right before the Pesach holiday began and we generally don’t print the paper during Chol Hamoed.
Bluebird Farm Alpacas for Your Next Simcha

1 month ago | jewishlink.news | Elizabeth Kratz

Imagine the serene beauty and picturesque nature of a farmhouse, surrounded by some of the cutest animals known to man … then add all your friends and family beside you enjoying the outdoors. Could there be a more memorable place to celebrate one of life’s greatest moments?
Spurring an Aggadic Renaissance: Vital Stories of the Gemara Continue to Teach

1 month ago | jewishlink.news | Elizabeth Kratz

Reviewing: “The Aggadic Mindset II: How Talmudic Tales Shape the Jewish Outlook” by Rabbi Chaim and Binyamin Jachter. Cover artwork by Miriam Kaminetzky. Kol Torah Publications, 2025. 268 pages. ISBN: 9798312213317. Up until the 1920s, there were Ein Yaakov Jews rather than Daf Yomi Jews. Ein Yaakov was a compilation of talmudic tales (aggadah) with commentary based on unique stories told by rishonim contained in the Babylonian Talmud.
Marking a Year in Israel Diplomacy: Consul General Ofir Akunis Fights for Us

1 month ago | jewishlink.news | Elizabeth Kratz

While of course we would like it to be so, it doesn’t always happen that we at The Jewish Link receive total support for our own work, generous access to both private and public events and invitations into the most secure of locations for the highest-level of meetings. However, former MK Ofir Akunis, who began in his first diplomatic post serving as Israel’s consul general in New York in the spring of 2024, established that relationship with our team right from the start of his posting.
A Collector of Our Mesorah: Alexander Kratz, z”l

Feb 27, 2025 | jewishlink.news | Elizabeth Kratz

During the two Shabbatot before my beloved husband, Alexander, passed away, I had the good fortune to receive gifts of delicious sourdough from my friends Rabbi Dr. Ari and Chana Sytner. During those brief visits to deliver the loaves, I expressed to them that I felt overwhelmed in many ways during Alexander’s four-year illness that his collection of seforim (holy books) and Jewish books in English were too large for our home to manage comfortably.
Mazel Tov Mayor Mendy (Mark) Schwartz!

Jan 9, 2025 | jewishlink.news | Moshe Kinderlehrer |Elizabeth Kratz

It was a pleasure for us, as co-publisher and editor, respectively, of The Jewish Link, to be present last Thursday as our colleague, friend and co-publisher, Mayor Mark (Mendy) Schwartz was sworn in to serve as mayor of Teaneck for the 2025-2026 term. We know, as do many others, that Mendy quite literally lives to serve others. His work in Teaneck, to better the lives of every member of our entire and diverse community, has been seen, heard and felt by many of us here in Teaneck and beyond.