Author: Rabbi Michael Farbman

A few weeks ago, at the TE Annual Meeting, I talked about Phil Pivawer z’l and his legacy. Phil served as President of Temple Emanuel twice, over 50 years ago – in fact, it was during his first presidency that our current location was purchased in 1971, establishing a permanent home for TE. Over the years I have heard the stories about the efforts to make it happen from Phil, as well as from Rabbi Winer. But it was only last year, when preparing eulogy for Phil, that I realized just how young they both were – Phil was 31, and Rabbi Winer was 29! The pioneering spirit of those early TE days has impacted our community culture and continues to resonate still. The desire to fashion the community which is our shared Jewish home remains at the heart of everything we do.

Over the years, Phil has quietly (and mostly anonymously) supported every important endeavor at TE. Whether it was an emergency loan for a new roof, or a Second Half Century efforts campaign, the expansion of our building or a matching grant to encourage increased Fair Share giving, Phil has never ceased to support TE, keeping it afloat and gently nudging it towards greater sustainability. Most of these efforts were anonymous, because Phil took the Jewish teachings on tzedakah seriously. He wasn’t looking for recognition, but he wanted to make sure important needs were addressed. It was only in the last few months of his life that he began to accept that people should know at least some of his imprint, and be inspired to consider what legacy and what impact they may have on TE.

About a year before his death Phil invited Olga and me to lunch and shared with us some of his plans: he was leaving funds to TE, some in the name of his late wife Barbara, and some from his estate. The money will of course be overseen by TE treasurers, but I was to become a steward of some of it, while Olga, in her capacity as school director, will be the steward of funds directed at education and school needs. We were of course stunned and promised to think about the possible projects. When Phil was rushed to the emergency room in December, he was calm and collected – but he also made sure he reminded me of his clear instructions for a few things, including these gifts, before he allowed me to ask about his wellbeing! I assured him that I will honor his wishes, of course – even if, in that moment, I didn’t fully appreciate the significance of it all.

Phil was a passionate supporter of TE. He wanted it vibrant. He wanted it relevant. He wanted it sustainable. He knew that TE as we know it was the result of pioneering spirit, creative energy and communal commitment. He also knew very well that sheer enthusiasm is not always enough, you need resources and support. So his legacy, and the not-so-subtle ‘nudge’ that he has given me is this: figure out what TE needs NOW, in this moment, and make it happen. Any such vision requires financial support – and Phil wanted to make sure he gave us the seed funds to do the important work. He wasn’t trying to tell us what to do – even though Phil had plenty of ideas about TE, just ask any member of Finance Committee, where he continued to serve until the end. He wanted the next generation of TE leaders to figure it out, and he wanted us to know that we have his support, his blessing, and yes, a nudge to go for it.

As we embark on this journey, we acknowledge with gratitude this support and encouragement, and we invite you to join us, and the TE Board and Officers, in figuring out what TE’s future truly needs in this moment.

Back in 2019, when we began the process of restoring our Holocaust Memorial scroll, we discussed the possibility of using the ‘extra’ Torah scroll that will come out of our Ark to help support a community that could really use one of their own. A few months ago we received a request on behalf of a newly formed Reform community in Valencia, Spain who would really love to be able to celebrate Shabbat and Festivals by reading from a Torah scroll! As you may have heard, the TE Board has unanimously supported this donation! The scroll required some restoration, and we were excited to welcome Torah Scribe, Rabbi Kevin Hale, to TE at the end of April.

Now that the Torah is ready to be used again, we will honor its impact on TE history as we say our communal ‘goodbye’ by reading the 10 Commandments from it at our Erev Shavuot service on Sunday, June 1 at 7:30 pm. Shavuot is the celebration of the receiving of Torah on Mount Sinai, and we will use this opportunity to read from this scroll at TE for the final time, before it begins the journey to its new home in Valencia, Spain. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the past and look to the future than helping a Jewish community obtain a Torah. What an honor and a blessing it is for TE to be in the position to do so!

Olga and I just returned from accompanying nine (!) TE teens at the L’taken seminar of the Religious Action Center in Washington, DC . The Bernard and Audre Rapoport L’Taken Social Justice Seminar is designed to both expose teens to a variety of public policy issues and explore the Jewish values that inform the Reform Movement’s advocacy around these issues.

We are grateful to TE’s Rabbi Brieger Youth Fund, Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven, and Barbara Rosenthal Memorial Fund for making this trip possible for our teens. Abby, Izzy, Avery, Ava, Nessah, Nadav, Max, Aitan and Sam had an incredible time. Below are a few brief excerpts from their reflections on their experience.

• … It was an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience… I did not realize how powerful all of the activities I participated in would be, and how deeply they would all affect me.
• … If I were to talk to the next group of people to go on the DC trip I would tell them to go into it with an open mind. I went into the trip not knowing what to expect and I went with the flow I feel that I really grew as a person and also grew closer with all of my friends from TE and even made new friends. At the Holocaust museum I learned a lot of new information and even though it was at times sad, I feel that it gave me a much deeper understanding of the Holocaust. I felt like I grew so much in this experience and now have a clearer understanding on what I can do to help those in my community, my town and Jewish community…
• … If I had to pick one word to describe the L’taken experience I would pick empowering. We did things from lobbying our elected officials, to eating out and skating downtown, to visiting the Holocaust museum. The activity that stuck with me the most was the Holocaust museum, the thing that left me speechless was the pure sadness and curiosity it gave me. I leave this trip with more knowledge and memories that I will take with me and use in my daily life. I would highly encourage future students to go on this trip…
• …This trip had an impact on me in three ways. First it made me feel more connected to my Judaism by being able to go to services and learning about our history when going to the holocaust museum. I also got to learn about civic issues, from mental health to abortion, I got to get deeper understanding and care about the issue more. I also got to make new friends from different congregations and having a good time. This was a great trip…  
• …Now, on the train ride back to New Haven, I cannot overemphasize how thankful I am for the experience I had. I’ve been in classes like 21st Century Democracy, Constitutional Law, gone on trips to DC, and had other educational experiences relating to our legislative process. However, L’Taken this winter was the most hands-on, real, experience I’ve had. I was definitely a bit nervous before going to capitol hill today (Monday), but the feeling of being able to walk into the building and offices of my representatives, and tell them about how I feel and what I want them to do was incredibly empowering….
• …L’ taken has been an overall great, educational experience and I greatly appreciate the opportunity to go on this trip… As I shared with my peers, rabbi and Morah Olga, the Holocaust museum made me start thinking about how one person that can make such a huge impact on everything someone has ever known… For the rest of the weekend I kept this in the back of my mind, during my activities and writing my speech I remembered that I can be the person that changes something that I believe in but for a positive change…

“It’s been a tough few weeks, and a tough couple of months, and a really tough year…” The world is on fire, the Jewish world is still reeling from the events of October 7^th and the aftermath, and our TE community has recently suffered a few major losses of our loved ones. Even in the midst of the joyous season of Festivals and celebrations, it’s that much harder to find excitement and joy this year. And yet, Jews are eternal optimists —and so we work extra hard and continue to look for ways to make the world just a little better than we found it …

By the time this article reaches you, I will be in Krakow, Poland—returning after nearly 3 years of war to support the Ukrainian refugees, this time accompanied by Robert Farbman—our two-person volunteer team. The need is still there and so is the anxiety over the war and the future. We cannot change the realities on the ground, but we can help support volunteers at the JCC Krakow, who have been serving the most vulnerable refugees for so long. I am truly grateful to TE leadership and membership for all your support and encouragement. While Robert’s and my language skills make us a bit more useful, we are doing this on behalf of all of us at TE. As in the past, we will try and post brief reports on our TE Facebook page, so please check it out!

Back in 2019, when we began the process of restoring our Holocaust Memorial scroll, we discussed the possibility of using the ‘extra’ Torah scroll that will come out of our Ark to help support a community that could really use one of their own. A few weeks ago, I received a request on behalf of a newly formed Reform community in Valencia, Spain who would really love to be able to celebrate Shabbat and Festivals by reading from a Torah scroll! I am excited to report that the TE Board has unanimously supported this donation! The scroll will require some restoration and there will be an opportunity for TE members to learn with the scribe and to observe the process. While the exact dates are still only at the planning stage, there is much excitement among TE members who are looking forward to journeying to Spain to bring the Torah scroll to its new home. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the past and look to the future than helping a Jewish community obtain a Torah. What an honor and a blessing it is for TE to be in the position to do so!

Here’s to a New Year 2025 filled with many more inspiring and exciting opportunities to make our world just a little better.

“I think music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music.” — Billy Joel

Music has always been an integral part of TE, one of its defining features. Every time I ask our members about the most inspiring aspects of our communal life, music gets mentioned the most. Rabbi Jerry z’’l and his guitar have helped nurture multiple generations of TE members, elevating their experience in ways that only music knows how: by directly touching our souls.

For the last 15 years, I have been privileged to carry it forward, blessed with so much support and encouragement from our TE community, and partnering with our amazing band under the leadership of the incredible Laurel Shader. Being together and singing together makes my soul soar on any given Shabbat or Festival, as I am lifted by the beautiful harmonies that we create, filling our sanctuary with sound.

In 2016, when we said our final goodbyes to our teacher and our friend, we immediately began thinking of ways to institutionalize Rabbi Jerry’s legacy at TE. What better way to remember the man whose Hebrew name was Shir than with music? Generations of adults and children at TE have been entertained by Rabbi Jerry’s magic tricks and thus the name of our annual celebration was born: Shir Magic.

Every year we get to sing with one of the leading voices in contemporary Jewish music, celebrating Rabbi Jerry’s legacy. What a blessing it is! Every artist is different, but every single one of them has been blown away by what they find at TE — a community that gathers to sing (and knows so many of their songs and melodies already!)

This year’s Shir Magic artist is Eliana Light, an incredibly talented musician, educator and performer. Eliana envisions a joyful, vibrant, heart–centered Judaism that speaks to the soul and moves the spirit, reminding us that we all are One. She holds sacred space, writes music, trains educators, and consults with communities to bring this vision to life. Eliana’s music has enriched the Temple Emanuel services and celebrations over the years, and some of her songs have become a staple in our High Holy Day and Festival services for children and adults alike.

Last year, as we were still reeling from the events of October 7^th, our Shir Magic concert with Elana Arian had given us a lifeline, helping us to breathe a little deeper breaths. Some of the music she shared with us that evening continues to sustain me over this difficult year. I know that Eliana Light will help us sing and heal together this year, and I cannot wait to share the experience of her music and her teaching with all at TE this year. And of course, the TE band will make a special appearance that evening.

Eliana will spend the entire weekend December 6-8 with our community as our musician–in–residence. Join us on Friday December 6 at 6pm for an everybody–friendly musical, meaningful service! We’ll sing, connect, and delight in Shabbat together with Eliana.

On Saturday, December 7 at 10am we’ll enjoy a Shabbat morning experience of songs, stories, and snuggles: Shabbat morning for kiddos 0-5 and their grown-ups are invited to build community. We’ll snack, schmooze, sing, and connect with each other. No Shabbat experience required!

The day will culminate with our Shir Magic concert at 7pm — come and witness the magic of Eliana Light in person! Get your tickets ahead of time and please consider becoming a sponsor. I look forward to sharing this special musical evening with you!

Yopu can hear some of Eliana’s beautiful music here.

Elul (אלול) is the name of the month in our Jewish calendar that immediately precedes the Jewish New Year and High Holy Days. The month of Elul is one that fulfills the promise of drawing closer, awakening our inner lives through the call of the shofar, and preparing ourselves for the joy and renewal of the holiday season.

A recently published companion to Mishkan T’filah provides us with additional liturgical and poetic sources, allowing us to deepen our sense of approaching High Holy Days. We also begin to blow the shofar in the month of Elul, the sound piercing our souls and reminding us to engage in the process of introspection and preparation.

In an average year, the month of Elul tends to fall on August, with only a tail of it landing in September — and so it often gets ‘lost’ in the end of the summer routines, the beginning of the new school year and all that goes with it. This year, the High Holy Days fall in October, so we get a chance to experience the month of Elul in its fullest.

Before we arrive at Rosh Hashanah, we get to pause and consider our lives, engage in the practice of cheshbon hanefesh, accounting of the soul. Before we come together for the full liturgical experience of the holiest days of our year, we get to slowly prepare. The culmination of the month of Elul is the Selichot service on the last Saturday night before Rosh Hashanah, when we begin to recite the penitence prayers and chant the haunting melodies that are so familiar to us from the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur liturgy.

Four New Haven area Reform synagogues come together for Selichot services, taking turns in hosting the gatherings. This year, on Saturday September 28^th at 7pm we will gather at Temple Beth David in Cheshire. We will say goodbye to Shabbat with a brief Havdalah ceremony, and we will get a chance to hear from Judge Douglas Lavine, the co-chair of the Connecticut Hate Crimes Advisory Council (of which I am a member), who will speak about Restorative Justice and Forgiveness, an incredibly fitting topic for the night of Selichot. The evening will conclude with a special service, led by all of the rabbis and cantors and choirs from all of our synagogues, a very special annual gathering that will allow us to prepare for the holy days ahead.

This year the ‘late’ start for the High Holy Days offers us a gift: experiencing the month of Elul in its fullness. Come and enjoy Friday night Shabbat service, join Saturday morning Torah study and get ready for the Days of Awe together!