December 25 - January 1 |
During Simchat Torah at Temple Israel of Boston, our clergy, congregation, and the roving TorahCam united for a truly immersive and joyous celebration of the Torah. It was a festive and memorable experience for all!
Sue Misselbeck
Temple Israel 477 Longwood Ave
Boston, MA 02115
Dear Sue,
The Greater Boston Food Bank would like to thank Temple Israel and recognize the hard work and dedication in helping fight hunger in Eastern Massachusetts. The need has never been higher with the statistics now showing 1 in 3 people are food insecure in Eastern Ma.
Temple Israel is our longest tenured food drive partner and the support you have given over the past 25 plus years has helped us get that much closer to the mission of ending hunger. We deeply appreciate your support and look forward to continuing this relationship in the future. The food drive you held collected 5248 pounds of food, which is equivalent to 4373 meals for those in need.
While hunger is a growing problem in Massachusetts and across the country, it is one that we can solve. We continue to collect and distribute food for those who need it most in our communities. Your efforts over the last 25 years have brought us one step closer to ending hunger in America. If you are in need of any information or clarification regarding hunger or hunger -relief in Massachusetts please don’t hesitate to contact us.
On behalf of the families you have helped feed, we thank you for your time, effort, and dedication in these difficult times.
Sincerely,
Brian A Morrill
Brian Morrill Senior Manager of Donations
At Chanukah, we are commanded to publicize. In fact, it is a sacred act. The directive, however, has nothing to do with the consumerism that consumes us wherever we look or read these days. Where we place the Chanukah menorah and how we regard the lit candles in it make all the difference. The liturgy instructs what the candles’ specific purpose is:
These Chanukah candles are Holy םה
and we are not to make any practical use of them, םהב
but just gaze upon them. דבלב םתוארל
And then it goes on to explain the reason: to publicize the miracle we celebrate. They are not to be used for anything else. Not for illumination. Not for warmth. Not for beauty. To see them is to remember the ancient story of the impossible made possible.
The mythic story is hard to forget. Over 2,000 years ago, the Jews lived in a time when a tyrant threatened their observance of Judaism. Their physical safety, their psychological security, and their ability to celebrate was so precarious they could be attacked simply by being Jewish. And often they were. Some resisted, known as the Maccabees. They helped to lead the rebellion and regained the Temple. That was the first miracle. When everyone seemed against them, they persevered. Then, they found enough oil to last a single night, but it burned for 8 days. Such is another version of the magnificent and miraculous. We light candles, adding one each day. They are holy simply by their presence.
But, they are not hidden.
They are to be placed in the window in order to publicize, to advertise that in those days long ago, the Jews triumphed against a tyrant out to destroy them. In the end, it was actually the people who transformed the Temple into a hallowed sanctuary, a place to celebrate and express their joy and gratitude. They had to own the ultimate redemption and salvation to establish not just the holiday, but also its very reason to exist.
So, we “publicize the miracle” as the Talmud instructs us to do, by placing our Chanukah menorah in the window so that passersby can see it. We are all part of this magnificent story of engagement in our own redemption and opportunity to treasure our tradition and its lessons offered by our ancestors in days of old, in this season. The candles and we are not hidden in our joy and gratitude to celebrate.
We are living Judaism together through discovery, dynamic spirituality, and righteous impact!
Stepping Out 2025: This Spring!
Mix and mingle at Temple Israel’s annual gala to support the Friends Annual Fund!
We value each and every participant who joins us in our worship and educational experiences, and we know how much you value Temple Israel as your spiritual home. Your support is crucial to guaranteeing that our membership is accessible to all, so we may continue to gather in mixed presence for years to come. Please consider a gift to the Friends Annual Fund today. It is through your kindness and generosity that we are able to ensure that Temple Israel remains a vibrant and welcoming community.
Facing East: A Jewish Journey Through Morocco
April 20-29, 2025. Registration is now open!
Join members of the Temple Israel community on a journey to Morocco: a land of great beauty and fascinating history.
Led by Rabbi Elaine Zecher and our partner, J2 Adventures, we will indulge our senses with whitewashed seaside towns, green valleys, red mountain backgrounds, blue streets, orange rugs, and rainbow-colored spices as we explore the long and rich history of Moroccan Judaism.
Sign up to join us at www.tisrael.org/morocco.
Family Retreat
April 5-7, 2025
All Temple Israel families with kids in preschool, elementary, or middle school are invited for a weekend away to celebrate Shabbat and be together in Western Massachusetts. Join the Temple Israel clergy and education staff for learning, fun, and bonding.
Jessica Greenfield Board President
As we approach the darkest time of our year, I would like to extend my warmest gratitude to each of you and your families for your presence at Temple Israel. Chanukah is a time to celebrate the triumph of light over darkness, of faith over adversity, and of hope in the face of challenge. It is a festival that reminds us of the enduring power of resilience, unity, and the power of our traditions. As we gather around the menorah, lighting one candle each night to increase the light, we are reminded of the miracles in our own lives — both big and small — and the ways in which we continue to share our light with others.
At Temple Israel this fall, I witnessed an extraordinary High Holy Day worship experience. The High Holy Day cycle concludes with the joyous celebration of our sacred Torah. On Simchat Torah, as we renew the annual cycle of our sacred scrolls, we also consecrate our new religious school students. As is Temple Israel’s tradition, during a beautiful ceremony new students were called to the bima and allowed to select a miniature Torah of their own. Our clergy sanctified the occasion, blessing the children as the “light of our community” who on this special day reflected the “light of creation in the light of their souls.”
We are living Judaism together through discovery, dynamic spirituality, and righteous impact. This year, as we celebrate the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days, let us also remember the countless ways in which our Temple Israel community lights our way. As we light our menorahs, may our eyes also sparkle with the light of Torah. May this Chanukah bring you peace, joy, and an abundance of blessings.
Dan Deutsch Executive Director
I spend so much of my time thinking about and helping to carry out our mission: Living Judaism together through discovery, dynamic spirituality, and righteous impact. I find so much power in that third word “together.” One of the most important aspects of our congregation is that we are a collective created of individuals; somehow being together allows us to carry out our Judaism and with so much more meaning and purpose. Recently I have been focusing on how we as a congregation can come together for communal experiences and wanted to share the impact I felt from a recent experience.
In October, Temple Israel was able to host Daniel Vaknine, a survivor of the Nova Music Festival. Daniel is a DJ and was packing up as the sun came up and signs of the October 7th attack began to unfold. He spoke at Qabbalat Shabbat and shared his personal experience of finding safe shelter on a nearby kibbutz. I have spent so much time this past year trying to make sense of the ongoing conflict in Israel, Gaza, and beyond. Sitting and bearing witness with fellow Temple Israel members was one of the most important steps I have been able to take this year. Listening with TI members made my personal experience complete; there was so much power in being in Levi Auditorium and making Daniel’s story part of our congregational history. Daniel spoke so eloquently about what he saw and experienced, and about our need to remember the lives of those lost and to make sure that we continue on our path towards peace.
This is just one recent way in which our community has come together. I encourage you to lean in and be a part of all that we have to offer. Please visit our website frequently to learn more.
discovery, dynamic spirituality, and righteous impact.
From the introspective prayers of S'lichot to the joyous dances of Simchat Torah, our High Holy Days journey embraced moments of reflection, renewal, and celebration, capturing the spirit of community and tradition that brings us together each year.
The Rosh Hashanah family service was so well done. It spoke to everyone in our family—from our first grader through to grandparents."
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Although I am not Jewish (yet), my husband is. For me, Temple Israel allows us to be together as a couple and not have to fear any stigma from the congregation and clergy. We feel relaxed and welcomed."
I was honestly very impressed with how easy it was to participate online and I sincerely appreciate you making these services available for people to join."
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services were perfect. Attending online, it was so great to have the prayers onscreen so I didn’t feel excluded by not having a prayerbook. The sermons were thoughtful, and I was so touched by how welcomed you made me feel."
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This was our first High Holy Days as new congregants at TI and we felt so welcomed with the warmth and spirituality from the start!"
The High Holy Days at TI are just the tip of the iceberg of the deeply meaningful and fun experiences available to us as a TI family."
On Yom Kippur morning, the Rabbi asked members of the congregation to briefly greet the person next to them. I was sitting alone in an empty row and someone came over and introduced himself and wished me an easy fast. It was a small moment but, for me, a moment of connection that brought me into the community and into the generations, one worshipper in a huge sea of those present, those who came before, and those who will follow."
I love how there are multiple and varied extraordinary things happening under our roof at the same time. A transcendent community service happens while a very different but equally magical family service happens across the hall. You create your own bespoke experience."
Thank you so much for the livestream services! I was evacuated from Hurricane Milton in Florida. Luckily, the power was restored here Wednesday evening, so I was able to watch your services. Much appreciated!"
I think it is unique and amazing to attend High Holy Day services with just so many people. Hearing the Sh'ma recited by a thousand people gives you goosebumps."
I love how you keep changing things and keep them the same — bringing new energy in while leaving us grounded in tradition. The clergy team is stupendous. All so different, each with a unique world view that amplifies the beauty of our traditions."
dynamic spirituality, and righteous impact.
Saturday, February 1, 2025, 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Explore another side to dynamic spirituality at Temple Israel for a one-day, onsite mindfulness retreat with Cantor Stillman! Mindfulness is an awareness and appreciation for what we are thinking, feeling, and how we experience the world around us. It enhances our ability to be present and alive in this moment with curiosity, joy, and expansiveness. And it can change our world.
Mindfulness practices can create a mikdash mei’at, a small sacred space within ourselves, where we can turn inward to cultivate a greater sense of emotional, physical, and spiritual wellness in a uniquely Jewish setting.
Practicing mindfulness as a Shabbat retreat offers an opportunity to capture the restful and creative spirit of Shabbat. The novelty of being "away" creates space for change and transformation and can spark an intense and unique experience. It is an opportunity for a pause to self-nurture and explore how to bring mindfulness into our everyday lives. During our oneday retreat, we will experiment with a variety of mindfulness modalities and practices with local facilitators: music, prayer, movement, meditation, meals, and close with Havdalah as we transition back to our week.
We will pray, breathe, move, sing, observe, calm, and stretch to become a more full and vibrant version of ourselves – together. No experience necessary! If you are hoping to discover or deepen a personal mindfulness practice, please join us.
February 7-9, 2025
Shabbat Shirah is the most musical Shabbat in the Torah, celebrating the triumphant moment when the Israelites crossed the Red Sea and burst into song and dance, praising their newfound freedom. This Shabbat’s narrative inspires the very sound of the Torah itself, as its chant takes on a special melody to mark this joyous occasion. To honor this powerful celebration of liberation, we, too, lift our voices in song, joining in the ancient rhythm of freedom and joy.
The weekend of February 7-9, 2025 we welcome Artist-in-Residence, Cantor Becky Mann. A composer, guitarist, and cantor, Becky Mann has been called “one of the brightest voices of a new generation of Jewish songwriters carrying our tradition forward
in new and exciting ways.” She is passionate about creating community through music and meaningful worship, and inspiring communities through her heartfelt interpretations of prayer. Originally from Las Vegas, Mann graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Jewish sacred music. She received her masters of sacred music from the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music at Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in New York, where she was ordained as a cantor in 2023.
Mann’s compositions have been featured in worship services, workshops, and concerts at many cantorial conventions and Jewish conferences, and her music can be heard in congregations around the country. She will be leading an enhanced Qabbalat Shabbat service with our musicians that will engage all of our musical cohorts, and join us for a variety of musical offerings throughout the weekend.
Darkness to Light: A New Shade of Chanukah
Sunday, December 8, 2024
4:00 p.m. Concert (onsite & online) | 5:00 p.m. Dessert Reception (onsite)
Join us for our fourth annual concert featuring Cantor Alicia Stillman with Cantor Emeritus Roy Einhorn and our Temple Israel musical ensembles. Chanukah inspires us with the message of hope and the importance of taking a stand, but more than anything, the Festival of Lights reminds us that from the darkness it is always possible to find light. Celebrated during the darker days of winter, this year’s winter concert brings a different spark of light and a new musical touch to Chanukah. Join us onsite or online to warm up the winter and bring in the light. Please register online at www.tisrael.org/concert with a suggested donation of $36 per adult. All proceeds benefit the Friends Annual Fund. Contact Emma Savitz at esavitz@tisrael.org with any questions about registration. For general questions about the concert, email Miriam Spectre at mspectre@tisrael.org or call 617-566-3960.
December Riverway Shabbat: Chanukah Edition (20s
Friday, December 13, 2024, 8:00 p.m.
Chanukah is (almost) here! The Riverway Project of Temple Israel invites you to join us for our monthly Riverway Shabbat with a special Chanukah theme.
Our musical and inclusive Riverway Shabbat service will begin at 8:00 p.m., followed by a chance to schmooze over drinks and desserts with old and new friends. The service and the dessert reception will remain open to anyone in their 20s &30s, free of charge. For those joining us online, the livestream of our service will begin at 8:00 p.m.
Chanukah Celebration for Families with Young Children
Sunday, December 15, 2024, 10:00 a.m.
The Village, FJECC Preschool, and Religious School are having a family Chanukah celebration at Temple Israel! Our gathering will feature music by Wayne Potash. There will be games, crafts, doughnuts, latkes, a dreidel hunt, chocolate gelt, and more. Contact Heidi Smith Hyde at hhyde@tisrael.org for more information and to register.
Tent Chanukah Celebration
Monday, December 16, 2024, 5:45 - 8:30 p.m.
All teens are welcome for a night of friends, food, and fun. Contact Fallon Rubin at frubin@tisrael.org for more information.
Chanukah 101
Monday, December 16, 2024, 7:00 p.m. (online)
Chanukah is a time for lighting candles, spinning dreidel, and eating latkes. But what do all of the rituals really mean? Join us as we explore together the history, texts, traditions, and creativity of the holiday and discover new meaning for our own lives. All are welcome to this free, online session. Register to get the Zoom link. Contact cajl@tisrael.org with questions.
Chanukah Glow Dance Party for Families with Young Children
Saturday, December 21, 2024, 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
At our Chanukah Glow Dance Party, led by FJECC lead teacher Tara Schwartz, families with young children will celebrate the Festival of Lights. Together, under the disco lights, we will enjoy glow-in-the-dark activities with party music playing in the background. Come experience light tables with translucent materials, and draw with black light. There will be flashlights, light sticks, and more! Contact Heidi Smith Hyde at hhyde@tisrael.org for more information and to register.
Chanukah Qabbalat Shabbat and Chinese Food Dinner
Friday, December 27, 2024, 6:00 p.m. (onsite & online)
Gather with us onsite or online for a festive Chanukah Qabbalat Shabbat. All are welcome to join this service full of prayer, meditation, and music! After the service, we invite those onsite to stay for a community dinner. We will eat Chinese food and celebrate Chanukah together. Join us on Zoom, on Facebook Live, or via Temple Israel’s livestream. Questions? Call 617-566-3960 or email info@tisrael.org.
This Chanukah, join us in celebrating the Festival of Lights with a special daily email to guide your holiday observance. Each night, we’ll send you the clergy’s candle lighting for you to follow along with, as well as the blessings to recite. You’ll also hear from our community voices and enjoy meaningful teachings from our clergy, helping you deepen the spirit of the season. Whether near or far, we’re excited to light up your Chanukah nights together!
Not getting our emails? Manage your subscriptions here:
Join us as we celebrate the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. over MLK weekend starting Friday evening, January 17, 2025. Every year, we invite an engaging speaker to address and challenge our community during Qabbalat Shabbat on how we can best model the values of justice and peace that Dr. King sought to achieve. We lift up and celebrate the meaningful tzedek (justice) and chesed (compassion) work with which our community is engaged, alongside our partners in the Greater Boston area and beyond. During the service, children are invited to participate in an age-appropriate session while babysitting is offered to our youngest attendees. After services, dinner is served to all catered by our Black-owned business partners.
On Shabbat morning, we invite everyone to return to Torah Study, rooted in our values of racial equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We will continue the tenor of the weekend in a more intimate setting with our Torah text grounding our discussions. On Sunday, we pray with our friends at Bethel AME Church as we join for their service and celebration in memory of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Mark your calendar and be sure to be part of this inspirational weekend together!
Please join either a planning or host committee! The planning team supports our staff and clergy behind the scenes to ensure a thoughtful, meaningful, and engaging weekend. Our host committee invites the larger community to attend and celebrate with us, and help greet attendees, ensuring all who enter our space feels they belong. If you would like to join either committee, please email Tali Puterman at tputerman@tisrael.org or Rabbi Dan Slipakoff at dslipakoff@tisrael.org.
Dear Temple Israel of Boston community,
I am both grateful and excited to have the opportunity to support the wonderful community of Temple Israel of Boston as a JF&CS social worker. I have experience both in Israel and in the United States working with populations across all ages, addressing issues ranging from mental health, disabilities, financial assistance, chronic illness, aging, caregiving, domestic abuse, and more.
I look forward to being a resource to all of you and providing assistance in any way I can. Additionally, I am excited to facilitate programming throughout the year geared toward psychosocial education and additional support for the community. You can reach me at 781-296-3518 or tkesselman@jfcsboston.org.
Warmly,
Talia
you for all you do!
Temple Israel welcomes all who enter our space! This is a place where you can express your full self – your religious background, race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, political affiliation, ability, age, sexual orientation, and gender identity. May all who enter find peace within these walls, as we continue our mission of living Judaism together.
Are you or is someone you know celebrating a wedding, engagement, or new baby? Is someone in our community in need of pastoral support? Please contact Amy Sherr, Executive Coordinator to Rabbi Zecher, at 617-505-4615 or asherr@tisrael.org.
Looking to get involved in our community? Please contact Nalani Haueter, Engagement Associate and Riverway Project Coordinator, at 617-566-3960 or nhaueter@tisrael.org.
Discover a world of vibrant artistry, delicious flavors, and rich tradition at the Winter Arts Festival! This new event promises an unforgettable experience for all ages, blending music, art, food, and community for a one-of-a-kind celebration. The festival will feature diverse offerings, from local vendors to captivating performances, creating a welcoming space for everyone to explore the depth and beauty of Jewish culture.
Art lovers can immerse themselves in a selection of exhibits and demonstrations by Jewish artists, offering everything from visual art to storytelling sessions for kids and adults alike. The festival will also include interactive workshops, giving you the chance to learn a new skill or deepen your understanding of Jewish art and tradition.
Indulge your taste buds with a wide array of culinary delights. Stroll through our marketplace, where local artisans and vendors will showcase unique, handmade goods –perfect for finding a gift or a memento to remember the day.
Feel the rhythm and energy as choirs sing, bringing traditional and modern music to life, with performances that will have you clapping and singing along. Learn international and Israeli folk dancing! You can join in the dancing, or simply revel in the lively atmosphere as friends and family gather together to celebrate.
Whether you come for the food, the art, the performances, or the company, the Winter Arts Festival is a place to connect with Jewish heritage and community. Mark your calendar and invite your friends – this is a celebration you won’t want to miss!
by Barbara Koff and Priscilla Golding, TILLI Co-Chairs
TILLI looks forward to joining together with you. For the first time, over 100 participants are registered for our diverse study group programs, theater, museum tours, and music. Thursday is TILLI day!
Our fall semester began October 31 and runs for 6 weeks, until December 12. We come together to join new and old friends for study groups. We have seven classes, including short stories, country music, Old Testament, Shakespeare, Jews of Spain, Jewish genealogy, and Jewish Justices of the Supreme Court. Even if you can’t attend a study group, you can join us for our Lunch and Learn speaker series. This semester we are learning about a range of topics including Isabella Stewart Gardner, the Metropolitan Waterworks Museum, and Judaism and the Environment. Study groups and speakers are an opportunity to get to know and learn from some of the talented members of our congregation, as well as outside speakers.
In addition to our fall and spring semesters, TILLI now has Thursdays scheduled throughout the winter and summer! This winter, we are planning programs in art and music, including speakers on Jazz, Blues, and Ballet. There will be trips to Hebrew College for an art show and virtual trips to Mishkan Museum in Israel and the Paul McCartney exhibit in San Francisco. Look for the final program announcements in December. Summer brings us to outside activities, such as discounted tickets at Huntington Theater, a trip to Tanglewood, and tours of West End and Studio without Walls. Please join us!
We need more talented study group leaders to facilitate discussions and enlarge our program offerings. Is there something you are enthusiastic about or want to learn about? What better way than to present your ideas to a group of interested learners! If you want to lead a study group in the spring, please contact Emma Glaser at eglaser@tisrael.org.
This is our first year welcoming children to FJECC via Boston Public Schools’ Boston Pre-K program. There are 17 children enrolled in the Green Room, and 11 of those are funded through Boston Pre-K. Some things are different, and many things are the same. More families in Boston, Jewish and otherwise, will be able to experience the magic of the FJECC, while our program will be robustly enrolled from the youngest to the oldest classrooms.
Here some basic facts about Boston Pre-K at the FJECC:
• Boston Pre-K is a high-quality Pre-Kindergarten program available to families who are Boston residents, funded and administered by Boston Public Schools.
• “Focus Curriculum,” is a nationally- recognized, play-based curriculum focused on early literacy and whole-child development.
• It is a guide for the Green Room teachers that aligns with FJECC educational values and philosophy, with room for flexibility from the teachers to meet children where they are.
• Children in the Green Room will continue to benefit from our commitment to supporting open-ended play, social development, time in the outdoor classroom, and plenty of sensory play.
• The FJECC strives to be accessible to more Temple Israel families, the greater Boston Jewish community, and the broader Boston community.
• Equal access to quality education is a fundamental right that the FJECC is honored to be able to support in the city of Boston and aligns with Temple Israel’s commitment to racial equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Sustaining robust enrollment in the FJECC’s Pre-K classrooms is a fiscally sound practice, and it supports proper opportunities for social interactions as children prepare for kindergarten and first grade.
• 8 children have been at the FJECC for 1-3 years.
• 5 children attend Temple Israel Religious School on Sundays.
• 7 children are completely new to the FJECC and/or Temple Israel.
• 5 different languages are spoken in the homes of Green Room families (as a comparison, 4 languages are spoken in the homes of Yellow, Red, and Blue Room families).
For more than 165 years, Temple Israel has provided a home to the Boston Jewish community. We are proud to uplift our spirits in song, to unite in our commitment to justice, and to serve as a refuge in times of joy and in times of sorrow. The Ner Tamid is the light that shines above the ark in every synagogue of the world, a symbol of our presence and determination to sustain our traditions, even as we respond to change. The Ner Tamid Society honors supporters who perpetuate the legacy of Temple Israel. By including Temple Israel in your estate plans, you ensure that the eternal light continues to burn strongly for generations to come.
With your bequest or other planned gift to Temple Israel, you become a member of the Ner Tamid Society. You name will be inscribed in the Ner Tamid Society honor roll, and you will be invited to events exclusively for Ner Tamid Society members. Join us, and be part of a legacy that lives on in every generation of Temple Israel.
For more information, please contact us at info@tisrael.org or 617-566-3960. You can also find more details online at nertamid.tisrael.org.
USPS 50648
Founded in 1854
Affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism
Issued 4 times/year
Printed on recycled paper
Rabbi Elaine S. Zecher
Cantor Alicia Stillman
Rabbi Suzie Jacobson
Rabbi Dan Slipakoff
Rabbi Andrew Oberstein
Rabbi Ronne Friedman, Rabbi Emeritus
Rabbi Bernard H. Mehlman, Senior Scholar
Cantor Roy B. Einhorn, Cantor Emeritus
Jessica Greenfield, President
Shawn Kravetz, Vice President
Karin Freed, Treasurer
Dan Deutsch, Executive Director
Amy Bolotin, FJECC Preschool Director
Emma Koblick, Director of Communications
617-566-3960 | www.tisrael.org facebook.com/TempleIsraelBoston instagram.com/tisrael_boston
