“Welcome! Temple Emanuel is a warm, caring and open community of approximately 160 households. As a small Reform synagogue, our members have the opportunity to know one another and have meaningful input into how our synagogue operates. Temple Emanuel is a participatory, diverse, non-judgmental and intellectually vibrant congregation. Our membership comes from many towns in the greater New Haven area, and the Valley, adding to the diversity of our congregation.”
Does the above quotation sound familiar? It should—it comes from our Temple Emanuel website, www.templeemanuel-gnh.org. Have you visited it recently? Many people have done so, whether they are currently members or prospective members. Our website presents our congregation in a true and welcoming way in order to inform our members of events, past, present and future and in order to be inviting for prospective new members.
“What does that have to do with composite?” you may rightfully ask. Well, the reference to composite, in the context of architectural columns, according to Jackie Craven, who writes for about.com, is “to bring to mind a style of column that combines the Ionic and the Corinthian orders of architecture. Developed by the Romans in about the first century BC, composite columns have highly decorated capitals (tops). The leaf decorations of the Corinthian style combine with the scroll designs that characterize the Ionic style. In contemporary architecture, the term composite column can be used to describe any style column molded from a man-made composite material such as fiberglass or a polymer resin.”
So, the leafy Corinthian designs are combined with the scrolls of the Ionic style, which can be seen as a metaphor for the diverse interests and styles of TE members. The more modern use of materials in a composite column is similar to the way that Reform Judaism in general and Temple Emanuel in particular have developed to include traditional Jewish concepts and practices with a more modern outlook on the evolution of Judaism.
In a more generic sense, composite refers to something “consisting of separate interconnected parts.” Again, this reminds me of the composition of the Temple Emanuel Congregation. We all have our unique and separate lives, and yet we are connected by our community at TE.
In science, a composite particle is one made of smaller particles. So, if Temple Emanuel is one particle in the universe of Jewish existence, then each of us is a smaller particle that helps to make up the TE particle. The strengths and skills that we contribute to the composite particle are what makes it unique and what makes it strong and what makes it survive.
Last month I summarized some areas of concentration for our Board of Directors and Member Families, including Membership, Governance and Finance. In the past month many of our Committees, Board Members and Members have taken to heart the invitation to participate on many levels. We are moving forward and making great strides toward our goals and encourage you to join us if you have not already done so. We have focused direction and enthusiastic involvement, and we welcome you! Keep up the good work in responding “Hineini!”
Category: Featured
It is a Tree of Life to those who hold fast to it…
From its very inception, Reform Judaism has looked for new ways to engage with Jewish ritual. Jews all around the world have looked for ways to make the traditional prayers and customs inspiring and attractive to a modern Jew. Services were shortened (mainly through the removal of repetition of certain prayers that arose at various points in our history) to encourage better atten- dance; Dvar Torah, or sermon, was introduced in vernacular; prayers were translated and often read in the language of the land. Instrumental music was brought back into Jewish worship after centuries of absence following the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 70CE. At every point in the last 200 years our movement has looked for inspiring ways to engage the Jews. Temple Emanuel has always been at the forefront of that search for meaningful and inspiring opportunities to be Jewish as part of our community.
A number of years ago a Torah Service was added to one Friday night a month in order to provide our small congregation with an opportunity to interact
with the Torah scroll and the ritual associated with reading Torah from the scroll since we do not have a regular Shabbat morning service (when Torah is traditionally read). Every Shabbat morning a committed minyan of TE members comes together in TE’s library to read and discuss the weekly Torah portion in great detail—a wonderful tradition and a very special part of my weekly life at TE. But much as I enjoy our wonderful Torah discussions, I also miss the wonder and the joy of raising the Torah and reading the ancient words from the scroll on more than one occasion a month.
On the first Shabbat morning of January (Jan. 5th at 10:30am and every month after that), we will be adding one more opportunity to engage with Torah at Temple Emanuel—a special Torah Service with an extended discussion of the portion. Come enjoy the ritual and the joy of Shabbat and Torah celebration, as well as an opportunity to learn wisdom from its timeless teachings and the warmth of TE community. “It is a Tree of Life to those who hold fast to it!”
Chanukah Gift Giving Program a Huge Hit!
Over 45 kids and 40 adults came together on Sunday, December 2nd for a day of learning and tzedakah. The morning started with the asepha, a gathering of parents and children filled with songs, stories and learning about Chanukah. The group then split off with the kids going back to school for an hour, and the adults joining the Rabbi for a very interesting discussion about the meaning of Tzedakah. We gathered back together for a snack and to pack over 100 gift baskets filled with books, toys, art supplies, hats, scarves and gloves as well as baby items. These baskets will be distributed by ‘r kids Family Center, Fair Haven Community Health Center and Jewish Family Services. Many people in the congregation contributed items for the baskets, and there was a wonderful feeling of cooperation and giving in the social hall. Hopefully we have touched the lives of a number of people with these baskets. Thanks to all who participated!
Shabbat Chanukah is coming Dec 14! Sign up now!
Chanukah is on its way! As we get ready to celebrate the Festival of Lights we make sure we have enough candles in the house, stock up on presents big and small and begin to plan the ways to celebrate! In true TE fashion we also begin to think of many opportunities to volunteer, to give tzedakah and to share our blessings. On December 2nd our Religious School will be joined by the adult community for a very special Chanukah Gift Giving Program, a special annual tradition, when we put together well over a hundred gift baskets for families in need and local support agencies. (To learn more about the program and the items needed, please follow this link.)
We join our movement, Union of Reform Judaism, in designating the 6th night of Chanukah as Ner Shel Tzedakkah, the night to give the gift to others as we encourage our children and ourselves to count our blessings and to be generous to others. And we come together as a community to celebrate Shabbat Chanukah on December 14 at 6pm, a wonderful evening of music (with our very own TE band), lights (with dozens of chanukiahs lit in our sanctuary), food (with a lovely family-style dinner after the service and a latke cook-off competition) and community, a truly unforgettable night!
To sign up for Chanukah Shabbat dinner, please follow this link. Bring your friends and family!
TE’s first Soapbox Night a great success!
TE’s first Soapbox Night was a great success! Ten TE members courageously shared their thoughts for 7 minutes each, speaking about deep personal feelings, experiences, or issues that concern them. Topics included the development of the TE logo, Start Bank’s work with poor communities in New Haven, art as a means of overcoming life challenges, the rights of non-custodial fathers, justice for child prisoners, concerns about environmental damage from vapor trails, a love affair with literature, caring about both Israeli Jews and Palestinians, finding peace in nature, and “a late stage Jewish conundrum, feeling lost in the desert.” It was wonderful to get to know members of our community more deeply, and the talks sparked lively discussion among members afterward over desserts. 
Soapbox Night was the first of three nights planned by SACS (TE’s Social Action Committee) as Divrei Laila, or Night Commentaries. We hope to engage our community with ideas and with each other. The second and third Divrei Laila will be panels of TE members with diverse views.
On Saturday January 12th the panel’s question will be: “Should the 1967 border between Israel and the West Bank (the Green Line) be drawn on maps of Israel?” This is an issue about what to teach our children, as well as what to convey to ourselves and the rest of the world. Most Israeli maps show no Green Line.
On Saturday Feb. 9th the panel will discuss the pros and cons of single payer health care.
Both panels will be preceded by a brief havdalah, and be followed by dessert and discussion. Please come to be a panelist or listen and discuss!Shabbat Under the Stars July 13th at 7:30 pm
Join Rabbi Farbman on our patio for this very special summer service ‘under the stars’! Bring a beach chair, invite family and friends for this wonderful TE summer experience!
July 13th at 7:30 pm.
Musician-in-Residence Weekend, March 24 and 25, 2012 with Cantor Jeffrey Klepper
One of the most renowned and respected musicians in contemporary American Judaism, Cantor Jeffrey Klepper joined Temple Emanuel’s 50th Anniversary celebration as Musician-in-Residence on March 24 and 25, 2012.
Cantor Klepper has performed throughout the USA and Israel, in England, France, the Netherlands and Russia. His original songs, such as the universally beloved “Shalom Rav,” are known throughout the Jewish world.
One of a handful of contemporary Jewish musicians responsible for changing the sound of American synagogue music, Cantor Klepper is a champion of congregational singing in worship. His influence is demonstrated not only in the hundreds of cantors, song leaders, teachers, singers and musicians who regularly teach and perform his songs, but in the thousands of students, campers and shul-goers who sing them.
The weekend began with the first of two workshops lead by Cantor Klepper – “Jewish Roots: A Hands-on Workshop” for TE musicians and musically enthusiastic TE members, followed by Havdalah and a spirited concert with the Temple Emanuel Band. On Sunday morning, Cantor Klepper led the religious school families in song, and then presented his second workshop – “American Nusach: What is the Jewish Music of Today and Tomorrow?” for the adults in the congregation, during which he discussed interesting trends and ideas in modern Jewish music.
It was a memorable weekend of song, worship and study that helped to set the mood for the remainder of our 50th anniversary activities.
Confirmation 5772 – Erev Shavuot, May 26 @ 7:30 pm
Dear members of Temple Emanuel and friends,
You are cordially invited to attend the
Confirmation 5772 of Temple Emanuel Students
The Confirmation Ceremony will take place during the
Erev Shavuot Service on Saturday, May 26 at 7:30 pm,
followed by a festive dairy oneg.
We look forward to seeing you on that special day!
Temple Emanuel Celebrates it's 50th with a Gala
What a wonderful weekend it was! We celebrated our 50th year in true Temple Emanuel style with singing, dancing, music, food and good friends.
We started the weekend with a special musical Kabbalat Shabbat service, featuring the TE Band and Rabbi Daniel Freelander of the URJ. Rabbi Freelander sang songs and recited prayers with us, and gave a thought-provoking dvar on the future of synagogue life. After the service, we enjoyed a delicious Oneg. Special thanks are due to Jimmy Shure for providing the “extra” funds needed for the event.
Sue Neufeld’s decorating team went into high gear at Racebrook Country Club, creating centerpieces for the gala dinner, arranging flowers and inflating balloons. Also on display for the evening were wonderful collages featuring five decades of photos and newspaper clippings, showcasing the history of TE with pictures of some who are no longer with us, pictures of those who don’t look like they once did, and pictures of those who have grown up in our midst.
AMAZING does not begin to describe the feeling of warmth and sense of community that we shared at the Gala Dinner on Saturday evening, as we laughed, danced, celebrated, re-connected with old friends and met people we had not met before. We enjoyed cocktails on the veranda to the music of the Jazzhouse Gang, before the program, emceed by Max Case, began in the ballroom. Highlights of the evening included Havdalah led by Rabbi Farbman and all of the assembled rabbis and cantors; welcome speeches by Lew Shaffer and Rabbi Farbman; personal reflections by Rabbis Mark Winer and Les Bronstein; and a candle lighting ceremony recognizing TE members from each decade. We were honored by proclamations and good wishes from Representative Rosa DeLauro, Mayor John DeStefano of New Haven and Senator Joe Lieberman; and an additional proclamation and reflection delivered in person by Senator Richard Blumenthal. The program continued with a preview of Nancy Weber’s wonderful video history of TE’s first half-century; and a commemorative song composed by Andrea Shiffrin and performed with the assistance of members of the TE Players.
The final segment of our Second Half-Century celebratory evening included an opportunity to view the entire TE video, as well as dancing to the music of DJ Rabbi Michael. Peter Olin kindly donated his skills and photographed the entire event.
You can see the photos here:
TE 50th Gala Pictures Part 1
TE 50th Gala Pictures Part 2
Rise, Melissa, Karen, Laurel and Betty wish to thank the entire TE family for making this such a wonderful event; truly, this was a night many of us will never forget!
OUR GALA WEEKEND IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!!!
OUR GALA WEEKEND IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!! Temple Emanuel’s 50th Anniversary Gala Weekend begins on Friday, May 11 at 8pm with Shabbat Services. Our guest speaker will be Rabbi Dan Freelander, Senior Vice President of the Union for Reform Judaism and a gifted musician. Saturday, May 12 brings the exciting, not-to-be missed Gala Dinner at Racebrook Country Club. Beginning at 7:30pm, we will enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while listening to live jazz, and have the opportunity to preview the TE 50TH Anniversary video and check out a large collection of TE memorabilia. After Havdalah we will be treated to a delicious kosher-style buffet (glatt Kosher and vegetarian meals are available upon request) followed by special celebratory cakes created by our own TE bakers. Other features of the evening include a history of TE in song – composed by Andrea Shiffrin – and dancing to music presented by our mystery DJ!
Don’t miss out on this wonderful weekend – RESERVE YOUR TICKETS NOW!
You can also download and print out the RSVP card here.