Author: Rabbi Michael Farbman

Kol Shira: a celebration of Jewish music with the next generation. January 28 at 10 am at the Towers.

Never a dull moment!

Greater New Haven area Hebrew schools will come together on January 28 at 10 am (snow date February 4) to celebrate the power of Jewish music with a very special concert. Congregations Mishkan Israel, Bnai Jacob, Or Shalom, BEKI, Temple Beth David, Temple Beth Tikvah and Temple Emanuel will bring their Hebrew school students together to perform at this once a year musical extravaganza held at the Towers. Temple Emanuel and Temple Beth Tikvah will combine their musical bands together for this event, and the students, their families and residents of the Towers are in for a great treat! The event is free and open to the community, please RSVP to the Towers if you plan to attend.

This annual event is dedicated to the memory of Debbie Friedman z’l, a Jewish musician who inspired and trained many generations of Jewish musicians, and continues to inspire the love of Jewish music, a true legacy. 

Biennial Asian Fusion Banquet and Auction, Sunday, February 11th at 6:00pm

Join the fun and come to the biennial Asian fusion dinner on Sunday, February 11th at 6:00 (snow date Feb. 25). This year’s event will take place at a new location – Tengda, 1676 Boston Post Road in Milford. In addition to a sumptuous dinner with friends, there will be wine, a silent auction, and grab bags. You don’t want to miss this TE fundraiser!

Space is limited, and there are only a couple of seats left.  Please contact Caryn Shaffer  if you are interested in attending.

 

Shabbat Chanukah and Dinner, Friday, December 15 at 6pm

Come celebrate Shabbat Chanukah with your extended Temple Emanuel Family! Bring your own Chanukkiah and let’s fill the sanctuary with light on this very special Chanukah shabbat! After the music-filled Shabbat celebration with Temple Emanuel Band enjoy a family-style meal. Bring some latkes to share at our annual latke cook-off, and may the best latka win! Please register for dinner here so that we have enough food for everyone!

From the Rabbi’s Desk…

TE school having fun in the sukkah!

The chagim (festivals) are over, the regular year is moving full steam ahead. The building is buzzing with learning: kids in Hebrew school, adults in Mishnah class and iEngage series, committee meetings, Men’s club, Sisterhood – TE is full of energy this fall!

  This year’s Shir Magic will span an entire weekend of music with our Musician in Residence Alan Goodis, with Friday night and Shabbat morning services, special Hebrew school program on Sunday morning and especially the Saturday night concert (not to be missed), all in memory of our beloved Rabbi Jerry Brieger z’l – mark your calendars for Nov 10-12 and get the tickets for Saturday night November 11th concert online ahead of time!

 

This year brings lots of important dates to our attention – Nov 2nd marks the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration, followed shortly by the 70th anniversary of the UN partition plan vote, and next April we get to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the modern State of Israel! With the iEngage series we have began to slowly unpack the complexity of the last 100 years of Jewish history and identity in Israel and beyond, and I am delighted to see that well over 40 TE members have signed up for the series this year, an absolute record for a multi session education class!
There’s lots of special programs still ahead, and the year will culminate with a special TE Travels trip to Israel with our guide and master educator Julian Resnick next summer, July 14-26! The sign up is now ready. Many of TE members have already expressed their commitment to the trip, I hope YOU will consider being part of this Jewish journey!
Look forward to seeing you all at our special Shir Magic weekend Nov 10-12, as well as Shabbat Chanukah celebration on Dec 15th!

Excerpt of President’s Comments, Rosh Hashanah 5778

5777: what a year at TE, with weekly services, Mussar, scholars in residence. Our TE religious school is thriving. Our membership is growing. Tikkun Olam projects supporting our greater community. Our grounds and gardens have never been more beautiful. Our Caring Community committee works tirelessly to offer outreach and support. We have an active Mens Club and Sisterhood. This was a fabulous 5777 inside our Synagogue – –

The year outside TE, in the larger community was less optimistic: a divisive national election with no coming together after the inauguration. Leaders of both major political parties little respected, and held in contempt by a majority of Americans. What a stark contrast in behaviors and attitudes – – comparing outside to inside our TE community.

At Shavuoth last May, Rabbi Farbman asked our 8 young men and women celebrating their confirmation, to write and speak about what Judaism meant to them. In an outside world of egos, ambition, unprecedented wealth, and division, these kids thought and talked about their Judaism. Here are some of their words. Sam Steigbigel said, “My Judaism is an obligation to myself and those around me to look at where I am, look at where I want to be as well as how I can get there without straying the path.”

Jonathan Schachter said, “Judaism is living in everlasting gratitude for the gift of life, the blessing of opportunity, and the task set before us of igniting the spark within each of us.” Micha Aviad said, “My Judaism is activism. The most important thing I’ve learned is that history repeats itself. Especially in times like these, our voices matter.” Skylar Korman said, My Judaism is my identity… It is important for me to hold onto my beliefs and stay strong in them.” Avital Sutin said, “Having a sense of Judaism everywhere offers me a moral compass in my daily life, from pursuing justice and peace, treating other people how they deserve to be treated, and being kind to my physical surroundings.” Julia Katsovich said, “Judaism’s values taught me and instilled in me the importance of being generous and kind, and I want to be able to say that I have made a difference in people’s lives somehow.” Sam Farbman said, “Life within these walls is vibrant and treasured, a rare commodity in a world that often seems bleak. The things I’ve learned from the Jewish people who surround me on a daily basis have expanded my understanding of humility, gratitude, and commitment.”

As I look to this new year, I will try to remember the inspiring words of our wonderful young congregants. At Temple Emanuel, exploring our Judaism together, we have the opportunity to recognize and share gratitude, to be generous and kind, to pursue justice and peace, and to remember that in times like these, our voices matter. May the example we set, and the lives we and our children lead, be models of what the world can be.

TE Travels: TE goes to Israel, July 14-26, 2018!

Join Rabbi Michael Farbman & Julian Resnick on this TE journey to Israel.

Acknowledging the fact that this is a community… Both with people who want to explore Israel for the first time and veterans of Israel travel who want to return and renew their acquaintance with the country.

Acknowledging the fact that this is a community… With diversity of opinion about the place of Israel in your lives and with a broad spectrum of political beliefs with regards to Israel, we have created an Israel Journey which will allow you to explore, to question, to embrace and to wrestle with your opinions, beliefs and understandings.

This will be an intellectual, emotional and spiritual Journey like no other Israel trip. And it will be fun! And it is with your community and your Rabbi.

Trip Highlights: Israel is magic. Filled with great stories, beautiful views, meaningful moments. It is a place to truly grow. Experience this all as you stand on the heights of the Golan, in the depths of the Dead Sea, as you contemplate what makes Jerusalem holy, grapple with the challenges Modern Israel faces in Gush Etzion and the Gaza envelope, shed a tear in Yad Vashem or as you lie on the beach in Tel Aviv. The list goes on and on. And if you feel you have seen and felt all of this before, we have prepared special treats for second timers at the points in which we split into our two sub groups, first and second (or more) timers. And the food, oh the food, and the wine, the wine. This will truly be a time to remember!

*$3,200.– LAND ONLY price includes:

· Accommodation in 4 star hotels and Kibbutz Guest houses

· Daily breakfast plus 10 meals

· Deluxe, fully air-conditioned touring bus.

· Exceptional English speaking tour guide educator Julian Resnick

· Entrance fees and activities as per the program

· Third person sharing in one room reduction available

· Optional group flights offered at $1,495 from  JFK on El Al.

*per person sharing a twin room. This is the cash/check discounted price. Single supplement available.

Based on minimum of 20 paying participants. A minimum number of first time visitors is needed for the 2 tracks to be offered. Fuel charges and air taxes are subject to change. Tips to guides/driver/ hotels ($175 per person) are collected in addition.

 

 

REGISTER ONLINE TODAY!

For registration assistance contact Joyce at Joyce@israelexperts.com
or call: 305 932 8120

New Maczhor for High Holy Days!

After a thorough process of examining Mishkan HaNefesh, the new Reform Machzor for the High Holy Days, the Temple Emanuel Ritual Committee recommended we adopt the new Machzor. The Board of Directors unanimously endorsed this recommendation. The Ritual Committee greatly appreciates all of the feedback and help we received from congregants. A new HH prayerbook with full transliteration is a very exciting prospect for next year!
Several ways to raise funds for purchasing the Machzor were considered. Some funds are already available in the Prayerbook/Library Fund, but we need more to purchase sufficient Machzor copies for our growing congregation. We hope that most or all TE households will become involved, to the extent possible for each family.