Author: Rabbi Michael Farbman

Temple Emanuel Scholar-in-Residence Feb. 28-Mar. 2, 2014 "Jewish Recipes for Holiness in the 21st Century"

Jewish Recipes for Holiness in the 21st Century

Temple Emanuel Scholar-in-Residence Feb. 28-Mar. 2, 2014

All of us are seeking meaning for our lives as we rush through our busy weeks and packed schedules. We want to cultivate wonder and creativity in our children and we would like to be part of a larger community that nurtures these values, reminds us of ways to seek holiness in our lives and reach out to others in holy relationships of care and concern. How can Judaism play a centring thread in our search for meaning? How can we cultivate these dispositions in our children for a lifelong experiencing of wonder and creativity? How can we find in our community a shared place of value and trust and a means to outreach to others with care? Join Rabbis Michael Shire and Marcia Plumb for an exploration and a rich Jewish experience of Shabbat menucha (comforting) and kedusha (holiness).

Friday Feb. 28

marcia

8 PM Kabbalat Shabbat Service “Jewish recipe for Holiness in the 21st century” with Rabbi Marcia Plumb

What are the Jewish recipes that our tradition has handed down to us through Jewish study, practices and thought?

Saturday March 1

10:30 AM (Bagels and Coffee at 10 am, session starts at 10:30)

Musar study with Rabbi Marcia Plumb. Musar study of Jewish texts is a traditional practice of focusing on character development through studying our biblical and rabbinic texts. It has become a rich spiritual practice for modern Jews and opens a new dimension to Judaism’s role in our search for holiness and meaning in our lives.

shire

4 PM

Seudah Shlishit with Rabbi Michael Shire. Join us for food for the soul and body at the traditional third meal of Shabbat. Our Torah portion Pekudei details the intricate details of the holy vessels of the Israelite camp: the mishkan, the High Priest’s vestments, the holy ark, all of the things they created on their journeying in the wilderness. What can we glean from our ancient religion that resonates for our search for holiness today? Where and when will the shechinah (God’s presence) journey with us and rest with us today?

5:30 PM

“Stepping into holiness” Havdalah experience. Havdalah heightens all our senses; tasting the wine, seeing the flame, smelling the spices, hearing the sizzle of the flame extinguished and embracing each other in a close circle of intimacy as we say goodbye to a time of menucha and kedusha. Step into an exploration of all these senses with spiritual exercises, lilting melodies and warm feelings.

Sun March 2
The Jewish Prophet10 AM (Bagels and Coffee at 9:30 am, session starts at 10)
“Modern Prophets” – adult study session.
Holiness in Judaism cannot be divorced from passionate engagement with the world and the activity of Tikkun Olam (repair of the world). Our Hebrew prophets of old were the first to speak ‘truth to power’ and forcefully represent a holy message of social justice.
However, it did not end with the ancient prophets and there are many who have continued this perspective of Judaism’s unique contribution to our moral and ethical society. Rabbi Shire has written a book on the prophets of Judaism; ancient, medieval and modern, as role models for us all.

About our scholars:

Rabbi Dr. Michael Shire
Rabbi Dr Michael Shire is the Dean and Professor of the Shoolman Graduate School of Jewish Education at Hebrew College in Boston. Formerly Vice-Principal of Leo Baeck College in London, he has authored four books on creative liturgy accompanied by medieval Jewish illuminations. His doctoral studies at Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles investigated the enhancement of the spiritual life of children. He now directs the Torah Godly Play project as a methodology of spiritual pedagogy of teaching Torah. He is a board member of the Union of Reform Judaism’s Day School Board (PARDES).
Rabbi Marcia Plumb
Rabbi Marcia Plumb is the Rabbinic Chaplain at Hebrew Senior Life facility in Boston and Associate Rabbi at Congregation Mishkan Tefila in Chestnut Hill, Mass. She is an accredited teacher of Jewish Spirituality including the Jewish spiritual practice of Musar. She is the teacher of Musar and spirituality at several Reform synagogues in the Boston area including Beth Elohim Wellesley, Beth El
Sudbury and the Rashi School. Formerly Rabbi at Congregation Shaarey Tsedek in London, she is the founder of Neshama; a Jewish spirituality organization in the UK.

Rabbis Michael Shire and Marcia Plumb currently live in Boston and are raising two children, Anya and Micah.

3rd Annual Debbie Friedman z"l Memorial Concert at Temple Emanuel – Sun, Jan 12, 10:30 AM

The Temple Emanuel Band, Children’s Choir and Hebrew TE band at Debbie Friedman memorial concert 2012School invite you to join in a morning of singing and celebration in memory of the music and legacy of Debbie Friedman, z”l, on Sunday morning, January 12, at 10:30. This year, we welcome the participation of the Ezra Academy Choir.
In addition to several iconic songs by Friedman, who passed in 2011, songs by two generations of musicians who were influenced and inspired by her ability to bring a woman’s voice and perspective into late 20th-century Jewish music and to write accessible songs combining liturgy and social commentary will be performed. Please bring your friends and your voices!

The event is free and open to public.

Adult Education series – Saturday, Jan. 11, 3-4:30 PM: Humanity and Ethnicity

 

2013-11-09 15.12.11
“Heritage’ discussion led by Olga Markus

Our Adult Education programs this year revolve around the theme of Exploring Our Jewish Identity. Events include a Speaker Series, a Scholar in Residence, and Shabbat Afternoon Conversations.  TE members and friends are invited to attend any and all of these events.

Saturday, Jan. 11,  3-4:30 PM:  Humanity and Ethnicity

Our relationship to others who are not part of the Jewish people. How does a sense of particularism relate to the universal themes and teachings of Judaism?

Coordinators:  Peter Stolzman & Jean Silk.  At the home of Chris and Monte Radler

Temple Emanuel goes to Russia, July 14-24, 2014

St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg

“TE Goes to Russia 2014”!

After a number of years of planning, Rabbi Farbman is taking TE to Russia next July! Our trip will begin in St. Petersburg on July 15, and we will also visit Moscow and Vilnius as part of our journey, exploring the complicated history of the land and the Jewish history, as well as learning about the recent Jewish revival, the beautiful cities, magnificent art and culture.

Moscow
Moscow

For a full itinerary, cost involved and registration please  follow this link.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Rabbi Farbman.

 

 

 

1
Vilnius University campus
Vilnius synagogue
Vilnius synagogue

 

Red Cross Blood Drive at Temple Emanuel, December 17, 1pm – 5:45pm

redcrossTemple Emanuel will be aiding the Red Cross in running a Blood Drive on December 17th from 1:00-6:00pm. This will happen in the Social Hall. Part of our heritage has been to be involved in the community and this is another way that we can help those around us.
Anyone from age 17 on, weighing over 110 lbs. is a possible donor.  Most medications or illnesses do not make you ineligible! A single donation could help as many as 3 people!
To register, please follow this link

 

 

 

THE PRESIDENT’S COLUMN (Hearth, home, humanity, health, happiness)

Bruce SpiewakThe month of December carries many seasonal images for those of us living in Connecticut.  Thanksgiving has passed and so, this year, has Chanukah!  (That’s a little hard to accept!)  I hope that you had a chance to share some holiday festivities with family and friends, from near and far.  The warmth and glow that emanates from such gatherings can keep our hearts and souls warm for months to come.

We are definitely into the Winter season, and the weather has changed to bring us freezing temperature.  A  blanket of snow is more and more likely to decorate the earth.

All the more reason to gather our coats and blankets around us and try to capture the warmth that emanates from our bodies and our surroundings.

When our “blood relatives” have concluded their holiday visits and returned to their homes, we know we can rely on our “Temple Emanuel Family” to continue to provide some of the comfort and warmth that we all relish in life.  You can feel it at weekly services, whether Family focused ones or “standard” ones.  The music of the TE Band can change a stress-filled week into a relaxing weekend!  The beautiful sound of TE voices singing in harmony creates a warmth of its own.   You can feel that same warmth when you attend a Torah Study class, a Sisterhood Event, a TE Fun-raiser, or simply read the Shofar or Shofar Blast.  Our listings of “Mitzvahs & Memorials”, and “Person to Personals” are an indication of the sources of warmth emanating from the congregation’s members.  Whether you are celebrating the birth of a child or grandchild, a marriage, Bar / Bat Mitzvah, or experiencing a death in the family, the TE congregation is here to help warm your soul.

As the secular year comes to an end, it provides another opportunity to reflect on the TE experience that you have had thus far and ask yourself how you can enhance that experience for yourself, your family and your community.  Did you get to the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service? Did you help wrap gift baskets for others around Chanukah? Did you experience the Magevet Concert at TE?  Did you participate in a TE Committee or Event Planning group?  Share the TE “hearth” in the coming year and spread the warmth in as many ways as you can experience.  Involve your entire family when possible.  Smile at a new member family and introduce yourself.  Bring a friend to a TE event and encourage them to become a member.

Add some kindling or even some logs to the TE fire.  Together we can create shelter and warmth throughout the winter.  R U In?

Happy Thanksgivukkah?

 

IMG_0367For the last few months I seem to have received the same article once a week on average – in emails from friends and congregants, on Facebook. and through every Jewish news outlet and magazine online. Haven’t you heard yet? This year’s Chanukah starts as early as the day before Thanksgiving!!! According to the fascinating article, this has never happened before (it actually did fall that early once, but that was before Thanksgiving was proclaimed!), and it will never happen again – at least not in my lifetime (next time Chanukah will coincide with Thanksgiving is reported to be in over seventy thousand years from now). By all accounts, a pretty unique scenario!

The event has already been dubbed ‘Thanksgivukkah,’ and an entire menu appropriate for the day has been suggested, including a Manishevitz-soaked turkey (yes, really). A special chanukiah shaped as a turkey (I believe they call it ‘menorkey’) is on sale – and I’m sure that by the time you get to read this article, there will be even more paraphernalia on sale marking the ‘special’ occasion.

It is indeed highly unusual to have Chanukah fall that early. It is indeed pretty special to know that for the first time in our lifetimes we will have a chance to light Chanukah candles at the Thanksgiving table, most likely with our entire family in one place! But rather than spending time on coming up with funny names and questionable menu choices, I propose we spend some time going ‘back to basics’ of both Thanksgiving and Chanukah. Gather our families and remember to say what we are thankful for this year – and every year! Enjoy food and company, and remember to share both of these things with the homeless, the lonely, and the shut-ins by donating a turkey and some time to the ICM Thanksgiving dinner or inviting someone who doesn’t have a family to share this day with to be at your table. Let’s mark Chanukah, the festival celebrating the Jewish independence in the land of Israel, by engaging more with our community! Let’s engage with our own Jewish identity! Let’s commit to gaining a little more Jewish learning and maybe even to visiting Israel, the modern Jewish state, to celebrate what our ancient ancestors fought to have – and our contemporaries strive to protect, an independent Jewish country, where Chanukah is not competing with Christmas and where Rosh Hashanah is off for everyone…

Let’s not call it Thanksgivukkah. Let’s not diminish the special message of Thanksgiving and the powerful message of Chanukah by fusing them together – even if they do happen to fall on the same day this year. Let’s give each festival the proper honor and attention they deserve, and let’s use this opportunity to try and become better people and better Jews while celebrating each.

As this year’s Shabbat Chanukah falls on the Thanksgiving weekend we will not be holding our annual Chanukah dinner – but if you are in town on November 29, please come to celebrate Shabbat Chanukah at TE at 6:30 pm – and don’t forget to bring your chanukiah so that we can fill our sanctuary with an abundance of light (even if it does look like turkeyJ)!

Wishing you all a happy and joyous Chanukah, filled with light and wonder – and a Happy Thanksgiving!

TE goes to Israel 2013

Back in August, as we were coming back from Temple Emanuel trip to Israel, I have asked the participants to write a line or two about their experience, so that I could share their words, their narratives and their emotions with the rest of TE. Below are some of those early impressions, a snapshot of an experience of a life time, surrounded by a few more pictures from the trip. There isn’t much that I can add to the profoundly moving words that Alla, Ron, Monte, Keith, Sandy, Olivia, Sam and Eva had shared with us, except for one thing: going to Israel as part of Temple Emanuel group has made this experience even more special for everyone, myself included, and I am eternally grateful for the incredible sense of community that I got to experience.

“Awe, frustration, hope, and pride are just a few of the feelings that I experienced while on the tour in Israel. The history of the land and people that extends to thousands of years, the achievements (modern architecture, unique design, art, and agriculture), the dedication to human life were frequently overwhelming. The ability to share it with my family, with old friends and new ones was truly priceless. ” —Alla

 “If I took a friend to Israel, the 1st place we’d go is the beach in Tel Aviv. I liked the water temperature and the waves. I liked trying surfing.” —Ava, 9

 “I went to Israel as a tourist. But, after my experience there for two weeks, I had a sense of pride and accomplishment about my journey. I guess I was not a tourist after all. ” —Sam, 12

  “I liked that people in Israel ignored what was going on  around them. The news does not portray the peace that exists. People live in neighborhoods, play with friends and have families just like us. Israel is a great and beautiful place to visit. ” —Olivia, 15

 “I’ve come back from Israel with a bird’s-eye view of a society with many contradictions; the Ultra Orthodox, who live, breathe and “practice” the literal Torah’’’—’’’’with disproportionate political influence, while seemingly oblivious to the practical realities of the general society in which they live; contrasted with the modern, secular Israelis, the young who especially appear confident and outwardly fearless in their hearing—but many of whom, according to the Reform rabbis who spoke to us, lack the type of religious connection we experience in America (and yet who live and breathe the Bible as their history). We saw miracles in agriculture and technology which Israel’s neighbors would do well to emulate; yet these neighbors dismiss all of this in the name of ideology, instead favoring poverty, hunger and ignorance for their common people. We also received some profound insights from non-Jewish Israeli citizens about the “other side of the coin.” As a Jew who was born less than a decade after the holocaust and experienced anti-Semitism directly as a young child, and indirectly through the experiences of my parents, I must say that I never felt in my 60 plus years the same profound sense of safety and belonging anywhere else as I felt during the time of less than two weeks that we spent In Israel. ”  —Monte

 “My father was a doctor in World War II. He served in India, China and Burma—  seeing all these places before he was 35— but he never went to Israel. My mother  always spoke of going to Israel, but got  sick and never went. Yet I made it to Israel. Standing on Mount Scopus overlooking Jerusalem for the first time was an experience I will never forget.

Standing at the Western Wall and placing a prayer at the Wall for my parents was exhilarating. Seeing my son read from the Torah wearing his Bar Mitzvah tallas and me wearing the yarmulke that my father had worn at my Bar Mitzvah 42 years ago was like fulfilling a lifelong dream. If I never take another trip in life, I made it to Israel. It truly was a life altering experience. ” —Ron

 “My favorite place was Ein Gedi!” —Jared, 13

 “In Israel I found family and a piece of myself I didn’t/hadn’t known.” —Keith

 “The only place in the world for a Jew to go, never having been, and feel that they have come home. Beautiful, incredibly diverse, proud, strong, warm, real. It truly is, and always will be, “Tikvatanu”. Nothing else comes close.” —Jen

 

“When the potential for a trip to Israel was announced, I knew we had to go. I also knew I’d need to do some convincing, as the media does not always portray Israel well and therefore has made people afraid to travel. It has been my pleasure to let everyone know what a beautiful and peaceful place it is. ” —Sandy

Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing: Worthwhile or Risky? Sunday, October 20, 10:00 AM

Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing: Worthwhile or Risky? Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) genetic testing companies market genetic tests directly to the public and often claim that testing is for entertainment purposes only. rachel barnettHowever, some information gained from DTC testing may significantly impact medical care. This talk will address some of the controversy around DTC testing and whether results of such testing are clinically accurate and allow us to engage with this very pertinent topic with a help of an expert in the field, Rachel E. Barnett.

Rachel E. Barnett, MS is a Senior Genetic Counselor specializing in cancer genetics at the Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine. She earned her Master of Science at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, is board certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling, and joined Yale in 2004.  She has provided lectures to many professional and public groups in Connecticut and is an author on several articles about hereditary cancer syndromes.

Bagels and coffee at 9:45 AM; talk and Q&A from 10:00 AM until 11:45 AM.