Category: Featured

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!

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.

Temple Emanuel Celebrates it's 50th with a Gala

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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.

SECOND NIGHT SEDER @ TE, Saturday Apr 7, 6:00pm

Passover is the time when we celebrate our freedom, our people, our families, and indeed our community.  Temple Emanuel would like to invite members of the Greater New Haven Jewish Community to our Temple’s second night seder on Saturday, April 7 at 6:00 PM.  Rabbi Farbman will lead the seder for our Temple Emanuel family and guests.

Saturday, April 7, 2012, 6:00 pm

Members & Non-Members Welcome!

RESERVATIONS are due by Thursday, March 29th

Cost: Adults (12 and over) $ 28; Children (under 12) $ 10

All food Kosher for Passover. Vegetarian option available upon request.

Click here to register!

 

Cantor Jeffrey Klepper to Perform at Temple Emanuel

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

One of the most renowned and respected musicians in contemporary American Judaism, Cantor Jeffrey Klepper will join Temple Emanuel’s 50th anniversary celebration as Musician in Residence on March 24 and 25, 2012.  He will present a concert of his music, in collaboration with the Temple Emanuel Band, on March 24 at 7:30pm in the sanctuary at Temple Emanuel.

 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.

Join the excitement at Temple Emanuel on Saturday, March 24 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $36/family or $18/person. To reserve tickets please click here or call 203-397-3000. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door.

Parking will be limited, please try to carpool with your friends and neighbors!

The joys of Purim… Adar is here!

Mishenikhnas Adar, marbim b’simchah… From the moment the month of Adar begins, we increase the joy… This ancient rabbinic dictum reminds us that we are to celebrate Purim with much joy and happiness – not only on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar (when the festival occurs) but from the very beginning of the month! That’s wonderful news, right?

For some reason, Purim seems to be a problem for many people. They view it as a festival for kids, something that takes place at a religious school if at all – kids dress up, maybe put together a purim shpiel (play), maybe have a costume parade. Grownups only need to turn up if they are a parent or a grandparent – or a rabbi :). This creates a reality of what many call a ‘pediatric Judaism’ – something reserved for kids. The result is that the minute the kids hit high school, they want to be nowhere near the celebration. Why would they, in their minds it’s only for kids! I think of this often, especially at the time of Halloween. When we take our kids trick-or-treating, I never cease to be amazed by teenagers, as well as grownups, fully dressed and having fun. Why is it, I wonder, most of us find Halloween a socially acceptable time to dress up and have fun, yet so many shun Purim as adults? Is it the deep religious message of the Halloween, perhaps, that tips the scales? 🙂

There’s another challenge. Have you read the Megillah in full? It’s blood-thirsty! It’s pretty heavy! It speaks in categories that we find challenging to say the least… You do NOT want to read the full, unabridged text of the megillah to the little kids before bed – and so we omit a few details from our story as we play it out in religious school. Combine that with the fact that we refuse to go back to Purim and the text as adults and voila – you have a problem. For years now I have been advocating that every year we should engage in serious discussion of the megillah text – with all the gory details. We should challenge ourselves and find our own answers. We should never allow ourselves to disengage from this part of our heritage. Last year we had a fabulous Purim party for adults. We read the megillah, we dressed up, we had a musical Purim spiel, had a drink or two (or three – after all, it is a mitzvah on Purim :)) and we danced the night away. Not a single person wanted to go home! This year on March 10th at 7:00pm we are doing it all over again – and we know that THIS year there will be many, many more TE members who will not want to miss this party! Please click here to sign up! Don’t forget to bring your family and friends!

Earlier that morning (Saturday March 10, 10:30 am) I invite you all to come and study the megillah in English with adults as part of our weekly Torah study group – it will be fun and it will be educational, there will be coffee and hamentaschen! Remember, Adar is the time for joy! Come yourself. Make sure the teenagers are there. Make sure they see YOU having fun – and engaging with Judaism for YOUR sake, not just for their sake. Maybe, just maybe, they will know that it’s OK to have fun being Jewish :).

Chag Purim Sameach! A Happy Purim!

Rabbi Farbman.

(this article first appeared in the monthly Shofar in March 2011)