Category: Featured

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

Shir Magic – honoring the memory of Rabbi Gerald Brieger z’l with Musician-in-Residence Alan Goodis, Nov 11 at 7:30pm

Shir Magic: Remembering Rabbi Jerry Brieger z’l, Featuring Alan Goodis and a Special Appearance by the Temple Emanuel Band – Saturday, November 11, 2017 at 7:30 pm

Tickets: adults $20, kids $10, families $40 (max of 2 adults and unlimited kids)

Get your tickets today – follow the link!

The Ner Tamid and other metal works of art at Temple Emanuel by Gary Rappaport

Temple Emanuel sign

Shortly after my daughter Rebecca was born in 1971 and my family moved to Orange Connecticut, I finally found a synagogue that I loved going to and coincided with my Jewish philosophy. I volunteered for many different projects at TE. Among them was remodeling the barn, remodeling the house, serving in many different ways such as; committee member, committee chairperson, helping run Friday night services and the ultimate commitment was becoming president in 1989.

My vocation is in general dentistry and since I like working with my hands as well as my mind in a very confined space, when the opportunity came along to use the art part of art and science and to work in a large format, I decided to attend the Creative
Arts Workshop in New Haven. I took up metal sculpture with my teacher and mentor Ann Lehman.

Ner Tamid, Eternal Light

In 1989, Temple Emanuel started to knock down the barn and build a new sanctuary. When it was basically completed and the interior was being finished, I offered to make the Eternal Lamp. My project was accepted by the aesthetic committee. Subsequent to this project, in my free time I started my Jewish artifact phase of metal sculpture which included many menorahs (one donated to TE) and mezuzahs.

Rita Brieger came to me before Rabbi Jerry Brieger’s z’l birthday and asked if I could create something for the Temple relating to the Rabbi’s favorite passage from the Prophet Micah, addressing the relationship of what a good Jew would do in his daily life. I designed , built and constructed in copper, the words of this quotation and affixed them to the walls of the sanctuary.

It was brought to my attention that there was no outside sign on our new sanctuary building. I went back to my workshop, constructed more letters and attached them to the outside of the building.

Niomi Klotz, after her husband passed away, gave me a copper tray that reminded me of a ten commandments tablet and asked if I could make something of that in honor of her husband, Alan. At the time, people complained that the Shabbat candle wax was getting on the table so I re-purposed the tray to hold the candles. I decorated the tray with cast bronze figures of Torah, candelabra, wine glasses and a challah.

My last project occurred after the free standing house was eliminated and new offices and school were added to the sanctuary. Anne Eisner, who was designing and planting a garden in front of the structure asked if I could create a sculpture for this garden. I built and “planted” a copper and brass flower that never needs watering.

Days of Awe on the horizon.

My first summer as TE’s president has been relatively quiet. School is not in session, summertime services have been beautifully planned and led by fellow congregants, and Rabbi Farbman and the Spain travelers have returned from what they say was a fabulous trip.  I am acutely aware, however, that these lazy, crazy days of summer are numbered… the High Holidays have appeared on the horizon, and I feel we are racing toward them at light-speed.

Our tradition teaches that these holidays, and the Days of Awe between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur, are most meaningful for us if we prepare for them in advance. How are we to take time and focus away from our daily chores and activities to prepare for examining our behavior over the past year, recognize our shortcomings and misdeeds, and seek a way to come closer to God?

Our tradition suggests that during the month of Elul before the High Holidays, God is particularly accessible. I thought about this recently when I visited our cemetery, and read the headstones of so many of my friends, mentors, colleagues, fellow congregants. At each grave, I stood a few moments and thought about each of them – what they believed, how they laughed, what I learned from each. I stood at the grave of my close friend and mentor, Rabbi Jerry Brieger Z”L. Before Jerry welcomed me into TE 40 years ago, I had no personal tradition of celebrating the High Holidays. Rabbi Brieger’s gentle yet learned style enticed me to participate in these traditions, to reflect on what I had done and who I wanted to be, and to prepare for a new beginning as the new year was born. That first Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur for me was really the first time I had spent much time thinking of my accomplishments, my mistakes, my regrets, my hopes and my relationship with my fellow humans and with my God. As we completed the day of fasting and prayer on Yom Kippur, as one community singing together, the wonderful surprise I had not anticipated was my sense of redemption, intense love and real hope for the future.

This year, my preparation for the Days of Awe began as I stood in the cemetery with my beloved Jerry, thinking of how lucky I was to have had such a guide and loving friend. I do not know how many more Days of Awe I have on this planet. I do know that our tradition of introspection, repentance, reconciliation, forgiveness, gives me the opportunity to find again my true self, my purpose, my appreciation of all that life offers, and my hope for our future together.

I hope each of you might also have the opportunity to build again a whole heart as we prepare for the Holidays. I look forward to seeing you at synagogue.

 

 

Shanah Tovah! May the New Year be filled with learning!

What a whirlwind of a summer it has been! I was privileged to attend the Rabbinic Torah Seminar at Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem and engage in 10 days of profoundly impactful learning, together with some 150 colleagues from the United States, Israel, and Europe. We explored the last 100 years of Jewish history, based on key dates that have shaped the modern Israel: 1917 – the Balfour Declaration was signed, 1947 – the UN voted on partition plan, and 1967 – the 6 Day War occurred. I was greatly impressed by the faculty of Shalom Hartman and have expanded and deepened my knowledge and understanding of the narratives that surround the modern Jewish state. iengage logoI am delighted to announce that I will be offering the Hartman ‘iEngage: Israel’s Milestones and Their Meanings’ course this year at Temple Emanuel. It explores the pivotal events of 1917, 1947, and 1967 as key moments when Zionism unleashed new thinking about the meaning of Jewishness for generations to come. This iEngage series grapples with the different ideas and values that shape the meaning of modern Israel, Zionism, and Jewish identity today. Together we will engage in a new values-based discourse about Israel, including topics such as nationhood, land, Sovereignty, Jerusalem, Occupation and Moral Red Lines. You can read more about the course and the schedule here, and registration is now open – I hope that many of TE members use this wonderful opportunity to engage in serious learning and conversation. The course will be taught on Sunday mornings and will begin on October 15th.

This is the year we mark the 70th anniversary of the State of Israel, and there will be multiple occasions to celebrate, to learn, and to engage with Israel in this coming year at TE. I am delighted to share with you that Julian Resnick, a master educator and travel guide (who guided our journey through Spain this year), will be leading the TE trip to Israel next summer, July 15-26, 2018. More details, including cost and program highlights will be available soon, but please mark your calendars now for this exciting TE Travels opportunity!

Last but not least, I am honored to share with all of you that I have been accepted into the Masters in Sacred Theology program at Yale Divinity school. I will pursue this program part-time over the course of the next two years as part of my sabbatical, deepening my knowledge and skills. I am extremely grateful to Temple Emanuel for this wonderful opportunity, and I cannot wait to begin my classes!

I wish you all Shanah Tovah, a Happy New Year 5778, and may it be filled with a joy of learning for all of us!

iEngage: Israel’s Milestones and Their Meanings A Shalom Hartman Institute Lecture and Study Series Led by Rabbi Michael Farbman

Through video lectures, text study, and lively group discussion, we are pleased to bring the world-renowned faculty of the Shalom Hartman Institute into the Temple Emanuel community this fall.

iEngage: Israel’s Milestones and Their Meanings explores the pivotal events of 1917, 1947, and 1967 as key moments when Zionism unleashed new thinking about the meaning of Jewishness for generations to come. Memory is a central element in defining modern Jewish identity. As we look to Israel’s future, we need to engage anew with our past and explore its meanings and consequences. This iEngage series grapples with the different ideas and values that shape the meaning of modern Israel, Zionism, and Jewish identity today. Together we will engage in a new values-based discourse about Israel, including topics such as: nationhood, land, Sovereignty, Jerusalem, Occupation and Moral Red Lines.

Each session includes text study and discussion led by Rabbi Michael Farbman, and video lectures and roundtable discussions with leading Hartman scholars.

Sundays | Oct 15 & 29, Nov 19, Dec 3, Jan 7 & 21, Feb 4 & 25, Mar 18 (snow date) 10:15 – 11:45 am

Cost including materials: $ 36.

Register online