Spring 2024|5784 February, March, April Adar I, Adar II, Nisan
into Temple Israel of Boston
INSIGHT Spring 2024|5784
IN THIS ISSUE... 4 PRESIDENT & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NOTES 15 MUSIC & CULTURE AT TI 5 RABBI ZECHER’S MESSAGE 16 A PURIM CELEBRATION LIKE NEVER BEFORE 6 WE LIVE IN HEART-WRENCHING TIMES 17 SPOTLIGHT ON THEATER@TI 8 ISRAEL SUPPORT GROUPS FOR PARENTS 17 GRATITUDE FOR TEMPLE ISRAEL 9 RELIGIOUS SCHOOL ISRAEL CURRICULUM 18 FOOD FOR THOUGHT 9 VISITING RABBI FROM ISRAEL ITAMAR LAPID 19 TILLI PREVIEW FOR SPRING 10 FOOD JUSTICE 20 COMING SOON AT TI | PASSOVER 5784 11 PHOTOS: CHANUKAH 21 NEW MEMBERS & LIFECYCLES 12 SHABBAT TZEDEK HIGHLIGHTS 22 YAHRZEITS 14 WELCOMING TEEN JUST-US TO TI 25 CONTRIBUTIONS UPCOMING JEWISH HOLIDAYS PURIM
We welcomed honored guest Imari Paris
PASSOVER
Jeffries, PhD and CEO of Embrace Boston,
May 5-6, 2024
YOM HASHOAH
at Shabbat Tzedek, our Sabbath of Justice,
May 12-14, 2024
YOM HA-ZIKARON
March 23-24, 2024 April 22-29, 2024
& YOM HA-ATZMAUT June 11-12, 2024
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ABOUT THE COVER
SHAVUOT
on January 12, the first of several events throughout the weekend celebrating the values of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Living Judaism together through discovery, dynamic spirituality, and righteous impact.
" Temple Israel's Third Annual Concert: "And the Youth Shall See Visions" concert photos
An evening of singing, camp reminiscing, community, and joy!
LIVING JUDAISM TOGETHER. R E L AT I O N S H I P S . T O R A H . S P I R I T U A L I T Y. J U S T I C E . I S R A E L . D I V E R S I T Y.
www.tisrael.org | 617-566-3960
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NOTES TO OUR COMMUNITY Greetings Friends, Members and Colleagues,
Jessica Greenfield Board President
Entering into 2024, I now find myself reflecting so often about our community’s connection to Israel. Over the years, Temple Israel’s commitment to the values of Jewish continuity, justice, peace, and compassion has been a guiding force in our engagement with Israel. Recent events have stirred so much emotion and concern and yet, I am proud that we continue to recognize the complexity of the situation and approach it through thoughtful dialogue and inquiry. I am thankful to our clergy, staff, and members for all you have done to make this possible. As a congregation, we are diverse in our opinions and backgrounds, and it is in this diversity that we continue to find strength.
Our commitment to Israel remains steadfast, as does our commitment to open dialogue and understanding. We encourage respectful conversations within our community, providing a space for differing viewpoints to be heard and respected. Our congregational values state, “We are ohavei Yisrael, lovers of Israel, committed to the vitality, peace, and well-being of the Jewish people in Israel and throughout the world.” Together at Temple Israel, through knowledge and understanding, we build bridges of empathy and unity in our community, in our nation, and worldwide in support of the Jewish people. In the months ahead, I encourage each of you to continue to approach this dialogue with an open heart and a willingness to learn. I hope you find your path to join our programs, discussions, and opportunities for meaningful conversations on this and other important topics related to your Jewish presence in society today. Our shared values continue to bind us together, even in times of differing perspectives. Let us continue to be a source of support, compassion, and unity as we navigate these complex issues together. Thank you for your presence in the Temple Israel community.
Dan Deutsch Executive Director
As I sit down to write this message, I continue to marvel at the strength of the Temple Israel community in the face of our new complicated post-October 7th reality. I am moved by our community’s continued ability to show up, be together, and make sense of the reality that we’ve been forced into living. If you have not yet been present to be part of our communal experience, please know that you’re welcome. Join us through worship, social justice, or learning and discovery. Your presence and continued support are what help us to continue to move forward together, even through disagreement and complexity. Rabbi Zecher’s article in this issue articulates our key focus areas for asking questions about the war in Israel. I take comfort in processing all of this together with you — come join me.
We continue to invest in communal safety and advance our collective work. We’re so grateful for our security partners who help us continue to achieve these objectives, including the Boston Police, CJP Communal Security, and our own Safety and Security Committee chaired by Frank Friedman. Your donations also make a huge difference in helping us cover the additional unforeseen costs of increased security at this time. With the rise of antisemitism, we are regularly reevaluating our safety procedures and protocols, and we’re grateful for your support. As always, my door is open to you if you have questions about all of this. It’s complex but so crucial, as we move forward, living Judaism together.
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Living Judaism together through discovery, dynamic spirituality, and righteous impact.
THE LANDSCAPE BEFORE US
Rabbi Elaine Zecher Senior Rabbi
As the reality of October 7th set in, and in the midst of our mourning and despair, we began to consider how our world was turning upside down and inside out. Nothing would ever be exactly the same for those in Israel and also for the way, we, in the Jewish community could exist under the dark cloud of terrorism, death, and violence an ocean away. In addition, the rising tide of antisemitism screaming at us in our own neighborhoods, college campuses, secondary schools, and professional networks nearly swallowed us. So many people shared with me their sadness, disappointment, and turmoil that they faced from those whom they regarded as leaders in their own orbits. We considered the existential threat to Israel and what it would and could mean to be Jewish in America. The heavy weight of the tremendous loss of life and humanitarian crisis in Gaza greatly concerns us as well.
We are still in the midst of this very challenging narrative, and yet we still must figure out how to navigate a landscape that has changed and will continue to alter its course. Our clergy, along with our leadership, have set forth and been guided by four areas that have directed our actions, programming, and relationship building. The first area is that awareness of Israel, and, more importantly, concern for her wellbeing, has grown stronger within our congregation, as well as the greater community. The desire to learn more, and to discover connections that had previously lay dormant, has been awakened. At the same time, the desire to understand the complexities between Israelis and Palestinians and what might be possible to create a pathway to peace has spurred great interest and significance. Our programming has focused on Israel and the many organizations that help to foster peace as well on the effort to understand the geo-political landscape and the challenges present. We have seen that we cannot ignore the plight of the Palestinians as we seek to ensure the vitality, security, and safety of Israel and Israelis. The second area is a stirring of the importance of Judaism that may have been dormant. The Jewish spark has been kindled in people we might have considered lost or on the outer edge of Jewish life. We have welcomed many newly awakened seekers. We have also felt grateful for the presence of our synagogue in our lives as a central locus for positive and joyful experience of Jewish life. The third area is the underbelly of the anger projected on Israel and Jewish people all over the world. We take security very seriously here with multiple layers, some of which we see and much we do not. Antisemitism is real, and Jewish hate is insidious. Our awareness of hatred includes our Muslim colleagues and community who have faced hateful reactions as well. Bigotry is rampant, and we are paying close attention. Yet the salve to this wound is the opportunity to foster and build up our relationships with the greater community, many of whom have reached out to us in support and to express their worry with us and for us. The fourth area is the recognition that our synagogue must be a refuge and gathering space where we can and must be able to express where and how we see ourselves in light of all that is going on. Our community spans a spectrum where people may feel progressive about one facet and much more moderate about some other idea. It is not just being a safe space. We need to be brave. To have the strength to speak out and to listen; to challenge and to respect; to comfort and to disturb takes a kind of bravery to hold what does not fit into any neat package. We will not always agree — nor should we — but can act respectfully. We work hard to be curious rather than critical, and to connect in order to understand instead of cancelling another. It is not always smooth nor easy, but we must try our best. This is what it means to foster a brave space to ensure the strength of our synagogue community. Opening up to learn more about Israel, Israelis, and Palestinians, feeling a renewed sense of connection to Judaism and being Jewish, facing and responding to antisemitism and Jew hatred while ensuring that we create a secure environment and foster a brave space where respect of viewpoints shared overpowers an unwillingness to listen and understand — these areas have guided us and helped to establish equilibrium and a shared desire for a strong synagogue community. We are grateful to our members and all those in the Temple Israel orbit whose voices have risen together, sometimes with dissonance and other times in harmony. As our mission guides us: we are living Judaism together.
www.tisrael.org | 617-566-3960
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We live in heart-wrenching times Since October 7, our community has gathered together to express our support, our grief, to learn, to protest, and pray. We share with you reflections from members of our community who attended some of the gatherings. TI members attend the Gathering in Solidarity with Israel Under Fire, Boston Common, October 9, 2023
After the barbaric October attack launched on Israeli civilians by Hamas terrorists, I searched for a way to come together with others to grieve and to sit in solidarity. Temple Israel supplied that sacred space, in a Shloshim event on Nov. 5 that was at once somber, raw — and somehow comforting. The voices and melodies and blessings — in Hebrew and English — resonated through our elegant sanctuary and made me proud that Temple Israel played a central role in drawing the Jewish community together. Musicians at the Shloshim event at Temple Israel, November 5, 2023
We started the day bright and early in the morning on Tuesday, November 14 at Logan Airport, so excited to stand with the Jewish people at the March for Israel in Washington, D.C. It was a saga to get to the march. (Let's just say the logistics were a mess.) Nevertheless, when we finally arrived, it was incredible. There were almost 300,000 people from across the U.S. We heard from the families of hostages, elected officials, and many other allies. The support for Israel was comforting. The crowd was huge and very diverse. We were from every corner of the U.S., every age, every political group, every type of Jew you can think of — we chanted "Am Israel Chai." It was so beautiful. Worth the saga! —Bea Wilderman and Kathy Weinman 6
—Ellen Clegg
Bea Wilderman and Kathy Weinman at the March for Israel, Washington, DC, November 14, 2023
Living Judaism together through discovery, dynamic spirituality, and righteous impact.
I was very moved by the presentation about the Arava Institute. In the midst of the Middle East conflict, it is especially inspiring to see young Israelis, Palestinians, Arab Israelis, Jordanians, and international students living and studying together as they grow to understand each other and recognize they have a common cause: our planet. I have always felt that we were gifted this beautiful green planet, yet we are killing our planet and ourselves. We need to care for Earth, our home, as one people, together. This seed that is planted at the Arava Institute will grow with these young people who will soon become adults, spreading their light for understanding and peace. — Deb Hollenberg
Cultivating Coexistence and Hope through Environmental Dialogue: Tareq Abu Hamed from the Arava Institute, December 7, 2023
If you walk through the entrance of the Wyner Museum at Temple Israel and turn the corner, there you see wall-to-wall photographs of all the people taken hostage on October 7. Looking at each of the faces, it is hard to grapple with the fact that so many are still in captivity months after the attack. May they come home soon in safety! Exhibit of hostage posters in the Wyner Museum at Temple Israel
Recognizing a need for a forum within TI to openly explore Israel with all its challenges and complexities, several Temple Israel members founded the Temple Israel Progressive Israel Caucus (TIPIC) two years ago with support from Rabbi Jacobson and CAJL. TIPIC holds monthly meetings with speakers or special programs, a book group, a current events group, discussions for Religious School parents, and more. We curate a monthly digest of news articles about Israel, and co-sponsor special events with outside groups. Offering multiple entry points for Tl members, we inviteyou to join us to listen, learn, discuss, and be challenged and inspired. Look for our event notices in Chailights and on the TI website.
TIPIC meeting with guest speakers Ellen Clegg and Charlie Radin talking about media coverage of the war in Israel and Gaza.
www.tisrael.org | 617-566-3960
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Israel Support Groups for Parents PARENT AND CAREGIVER GATHERING
BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS PARENTS GATHER
Following the attacks on Israel on October 7, the Temple Israel parent community gathered together for community and conversation. A group of almost 100 Religious School and FJECC parents gathered with Rabbi Suzie Jacobson and Amy Bolotin, Director of the FJECC, for space to share collective feelings, fears, and questions, and to discuss best parenting practices during this extremely difficult time. In such a moment of pain, there were no easy answers and many questions. However, this gathering and others like it are important as we find strength in community together.
Following the initial parent gathering, a group of parents with students in the Boston Public Schools (BPS) came together to discuss the district’s response to the war in Israel. Together, our community members worked with Rabbi Suzie Jacobson to build a relationship with the BPS Equity office and advocate for stronger support of Jewish students in the face of rising antisemitism in our broader world. The work of this subgroup led to a new relationship between our community and Becky Shuster, BPS’ Assistant Superintendent of Equity. Relationship is the key towards building safe and meaningful communities for our children, and this work serves to connect parents and caregivers with children in BPS to one another and to the district leadership tasked with addressing antisemitism.
PARENTS OF COLLEGE-AGE STUDENTS
“The meeting made me remember the close connections our cohort developed over the years. Now that we are empty nesters, we have no excuse for not getting together and rekindling those connections, and building new ones. We just need to make it happen.” – Shari Noe
“It was great to see some old friends, make some new friends, and share our kids’ experiences navigating university life in these challenging times.” – Chris Noe
After collecting stories and concerns from parents of college students through a survey, we gathered on Sunday, December 17 to learn from one another, be in community, and hold space for each other’s perspectives and experiences.
“As a new TI member, I was thrilled to find camaraderie and community with other parents navigating the post-October 7th world with their college students. This was my first experience of a “Circle,” but it won’t be my last! I learned from the rabbi’s teachings, and from the other participants’ questions and perspectives. Many members seemed to have known one another from many years raising children together at TI, yet as a newbie I felt welcomed without hesitation.”
“After October 7, the idyll of college became a crucible of concern. Parents of college students gathered at TI on December 17 to have a conversation in community as we struggle with life on college campuses for our children. Led by Rabbi Oberstein, we shared our personal stories, learned some facts, and emerged stronger together as we seek to understand and try to make sense of the current climate, be a force for positive change where we can, and, most importantly, support our students.”
– Lisa Kantor 8
Living Judaism together through discovery, dynamic spirituality, and righteous impact.
– Shawn Kravetz
Exploring Our
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL ISRAEL CURRICULUM Our Parent Advisory Group, an open forum for parents and caregivers, dedicated their December gathering to learn more about the TI Religious School Israel curricula. Rabbi Suzie Jacobson shared the existing curricula, and the group engaged in a meaningful discussion about how the curricula could evolve and develop to better prepare our students to engage in conversations around Israel. It was a wonderful space for parents/caregivers to share their concerns and their hopes for their children’s learning. Rabbi Jacobson also shared some of the lesson plans on Israel from this fall. In particular, we looked at lesson plans from an elective called “History of Israel through Music” taught by Mitchell Israel. The music class focused on a new song each week, each from a different decade and reflecting the historical moment in which they were written or released. The music served as a lens to learn recent Israeli history and the conversations, conflicts, and aspirations of the many different communities within Israel.
Upcoming Visiting Rabbi from Israel RABBI ITAMAR LAPID March 15 - 17, 2024 In a time of war and heartache for the Jewish people, it is more important than ever for us to be in relationship together. We are honored to be joined by Israeli Rabbi Itamar Lapid for a weekend of learning and connection as we discuss the complexities, challenges, and triumphs of Jewish peoplehood for both Israeli Jews and North American Jewish communities.
There will be several opportunities to meet and learn with Rabbi Lapid: Qabbalat Shabbat on March 15; Torah Study (9:00 a.m.) and Havdalah (3:00 p.m.) on March 16; and during Religious School on March 17. Rabbi Itamar Lapid is a leader of the Jewish Israeli Renewal movement, a spiritual guide in the community of Shimshit, a sought-after lecturer in Jewish identity programming for young adults, and a cofounder of Midreshet Natur, a collaborative beit midrash with religious and secular participants. He is a cofounder and teacher in Madrassa/Midrasha, which pursues Arab-Jewish coexistence in the Galilee through education. Itamar previously served as a senior faculty member at HaMidrasha, where he taught for 17 years.
www.tisrael.org | 617-566-3960
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Are You Interested in Promoting Food Justice with TI? At Temple Israel’s Shabbat Tzedek service in 2023, Boston NAACP President Tanisha Sullivan congratulated TI for our important work on a large variety of social justice initiatives and challenged us to do more in certain areas, especially in the realm of food justice. Sullivan’s challenge was based on the worrisome statistics that in Massachusetts one out of three citizens is running out of food by the end of the month; one in three households has at least one child who is skipping a meal, or is not eating for a whole day because there is not enough money for food; and one in three college students is facing hunger. Our tradition has always expressed a duty to feed the hungry, and TI has done some wonderful work in the past toward that effort. If you have come to a High Holy Day service in the past 24 years, you have likely brought groceries for the Yom Kippur food drive on behalf of the Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB). If you belong to the Riverway Project, you may have volunteered to pack food at GBFB and/or work with Repair the World Boston to update the food resources database of Hunger Free America. If you are a Religious School parent, you have probably participated in a regular collection of food items for Jewish Family & Children's Service. Some of you have also done individual work to promote food justice by taking leftover food from TI events to food distribution centers.
volunteer/educational programs that would include various options, such as packaging and distributing food with partner organizations, making food (both at TI and at partner organizations), and working on legislative action related to hunger in Massachusetts.
Do you have ideas for ways that TI can help alleviate hunger? We would love to talk with you about this important work! Please contact Miriam Spectre (mspectre@tisrael.org).
Students of Temple Israel's 5th-7th grade Justice League make lunches for Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center.
Recently, some of our staff and members of TI’s community have taken on Sullivan’s challenge, building on TI’s success so far, and planning to do even more to promote food justice in Boston. Susan Michaels, Susan Ridker, Deborah Seidel, Sam Trombly, Miriam Spectre, and Tali Puterman have been meeting to discuss ideas. So far, we have partnered with the Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center, Rescuing Leftover Cuisine, the Greater Boston Food Bank, and Repair the World. In addition to offering opportunities for contributing food and money, we plan to establish ongoing
Donations on Shabbat Tzedek for TI’s food drive for the Greater Boston Food Bank.
Our focus has been on:
• building partnerships with Boston organizations already working in food justice • involving all segments of TI’s community • including education about hunger in Boston • incorporating food justice into TI’s culture • donating leftover food from TI events 10
Members of TI’s Food Justice Team bring leftover food on Shabbat Tzedek to Rescuing Leftover Cuisine.
Living Judaism together through discovery, dynamic spirituality, and righteous impact.
Chanukah 5784 at Temple Israel
www.tisrael.org | 617-566-3960
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Shabbat Tzedek Highlights
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FRIDAY
If all of a sudden everyone in the U.S. were to disappear, and space aliens were to do an anthropological study of our country (in the same way we’ve done to Egyptian culture and ancient Greek cultures), the story of America as told by our monuments would be a story of war, hate, subjugation of indigenous peoples, subjugation of black Americans, and guns. We have a history of memorializing men in capes, men on horses, and …mostly men… [American monuments are] a reflection of the last 250 years. And so I ask… what type of monuments and memorials will we build for the next 250 years? — Honored Guest Imari Paris Jeffries, PhD & CEO of Embrace Boston
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We need to make a world where no child has to hide who they are or be ashamed of who they want to be. As a society, we need to create a future where Dr. King’s dream doesn’t stay a dream, but becomes a reality that we can all share. — Ashton Vertus, Beacon Academy
SATURDAY
We strive to integrate Temple Israel’s Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI) culture shift into the fabric of our Jewish practice, and one of my favorite ways of doing so is during the Torah Study on Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend. Dr. Imari Paris Jeffries taught us to question hidden narratives and notice who is and who is not memorialized in our society. During Torah Study, we learned more about the significance of Bostonians such as Melnea Cass, Mildred C. Haily, and Ruth M. Batson, among many others whose significance is often under-taught and under-valued in our communities.
Living Judaism together through discovery, dynamic spirituality, and righteous impact.
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Similarly, we drew on the voices of women in the Torah whose voices are marginalized within the text. Finally, we focused on our own, personal hidden narratives, and discussed how we can strengthen our individual and communal efforts toward creating a community of belonging for all. Coming together over prayer, Torah, local history, bagels, and thoughtful conversations, we are living our Judaism through our REDI goals, and building deeper connections to strengthen our power as a community. — Tali Puterman, Temple Israel
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SUNDAY
“Hineh ma tov uma na’im shevet achim gam yachad” — “How good and pleasant it is for brothers and sisters to sit together.” It is with these words that Rabbi Zecher led us in chant at Bethel AME, and it is these words that captured how I felt praying, singing, and moving with our brothers and sisters of Bethel AME. We are living in such divisive times it can be easy to forget that we have more in common than our differences. Prior to the service, my son and I attended a group gathering with other TI and Bethel families. We felt so welcomed and embraced by Bethel. There were donuts, hot chocolate (and of course coffee!). We played fun icebreakers, the kids laughing about their favorite video games and all things kids. And we parents had an opportunity to talk about all things parents: school decisions, work life, our upbringing, bringing up our children. These conversations served as a reminder of our shared love, hopes, and dreams for our children. It was a powerful instance that invoked the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King’s words: “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” It was a true gift and joy to attend services at Bethel. — Jaclyn Secter, Temple Israel
www.tisrael.org | 617-566-3960
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Welcoming Teen JUST-US to Temple Israel Cultivating Jewish Leadership through Social Justice Teen JUST-US is an innovative paid summer internship program for Jewish teens entering 11th and 12th grade who have a passion for social justice and making a difference in the world. Teen JUST-US was founded by Amy Tananbaum, a visionary and tenacious leader in the Boston Jewish community. This year, Amy made the difficult decision to end her leadership of Teen JUST-US, and through conversation and collaboration it was decided that the program would join Temple Israel’s Teen program. TI was an early partner, hosting them in our building for four years and sharing a vision of engaging all Jewish teens. We are so excited to continue Amy’s vision and host this extraordinary program. Teen JUST-US is more than an internship; it’s a welcoming community of dedicated teens who strive to make the world a better place. From tackling climate change to addressing immigration challenges, participants embark on a journey to transform their passion into meaningful action. For this six-week program, participants are matched with local organizations for their internships, where they work three days a week. Our teens work on pre-planned projects, are mentored by professionals at their placements, and provide direct service to help the organizations fulfill their missions. The teens come together as a cohort for the other two days of the week to delve into the Jewish perspective on social justice, engage in leadership development, and participate in group service activities. The teens take turns planning a weekly peer-led Qabbalat Shabbat service, adding meaning to their collective journey. Unlike other programs, Teen JUST-US offers a bridge between exploring the professional world and giving back to the community, all while working in a peer cohort. This unique program actively seeks to engage teens from all across the Jewish spectrum, including those who are not affiliated with a synagogue. This paid internship attracts a diverse group of Jewish teens, setting it apart from other costly programs. Teen JUST-US Boston is a transformative journey that empowers Jewish teens to lead through social justice, creating ripples of positive change within and beyond their communities. We are blessed to help this wonderful program continue to grow and evolve. For more information, please visit: www.tisrael.org/teen-just-us-boston.
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Living Judaism together through discovery, dynamic spirituality, and righteous impact.
Music & Culture at TI Is Here! Yoni Battat at Qabbalat Shabbat Friday, March 1 Temple Israel is excited to welcome the multi-talented instrumentalist, vocalist, and composer Yoni Battat.
Yoni explores the rich musical traditions of his Iraqi and Polish ancestry, weaving them together with his own original compositions. He is a classically trained violinist, who started playing violin at age four; the oud at age 16; and completed a master’s degree in viola performance at Boston University. During his undergraduate degree at Brandeis, Yoni studied Yiddish language and culture, along with Arabic classical music and language. He later studied at the Arabic Music Retreat in western Massachusetts and at the Middle Eastern Music Center in Jerusalem. A diverse and talented musician, Yoni has performed as a cast member and violinist on tour with the Broadway production of “The Band’s Visit,” and has participated in Hadar’s Rising Song Institute, whose mission is to “reinvent the future of music as a communal Jewish spiritual practice.” Yoni is a familiar musical presence in the Boston community. Please join us for a uniquely musical Shabbat service, capturing his special style of music and prayer.
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Read Music & Culture at TI, our recently launched quarterly newsletter that provides information, details, and registration links for upcoming and ongoing music and cultural programs showcased at TI. Subscribe at www.tisrael.org/subscribe.
New Moon Rising Thursday, June 20
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Save the date as we prepare for summer by welcoming back musical friends of Temple Israel: Elana Arian, Deborah Sacks Mintz, and Chava Mirel are New Moon Rising — a trio of female musicians who come together to combine rich harmonies, deep friendship, and joy.
Ongoing Musical Opportunities:
New musicians are always welcome! Rock the Riverway Youth Singers Sundays, 12:00-1:00 p.m. All children of elementary school age are invited to learn “rockin’” Jewish music for our community in our children’s chorus that has been featured at Qabbalat Shabbat services, concerts, local community gatherings, and in performance videos.
TI Singers — Temple Israel Adult Choir Mondays, 6:30-8:00 p.m. All adults who love singing are welcome to gather weekly with Cantor Stillman to sing and socialize. No singing experience necessary! TI Singers prepare music for special Shabbat services, concerts, and artist-in-residence appearances.
www.tisrael.org | 617-566-3960
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Save the Date
A Purim Celebration Like Never Before! Saturday, March 23 In the face of darkness and the many challenges that Jewish people have faced throughout our history, our tradition teaches us that we can turn that adversity upside down and around. That’s why we have Purim. Remember, the Purim story summarized in the simplest way is:
They tried to stop us. We survived. Let’s eat! At Temple Israel, we take the idea behind the Purim story very seriously in our silliness. Since this year our world has been turned upside down and all around, we are asking everyone to gather together on Purim when we are commanded to dress up and make merriment. We need all of the joy and laughter we can get right now, so Temple Israel is throwing a Purim
Masquerade Party for adults with a special Purim improv comedy show featuring The Improv
Asylum. Join us for a night that will be seriously silly, and utterly marvelous.
You are cordially invited to attend in costume
or your favorite party attire with a mask. Anything goes: from ball gown, to ball player; from tuxedo to penguin suit. Just wear your dancing shoes, and get ready for a great time.
Don’t worry, we’re not leaving the kids out.
For children in 3 -7 grade, we will host a Purim sleepunder, featuring a magic show, dinner and a movie. Please see the full schedule of events for the whole family. Everything will be appropriately supervised. At least the kids will. We can’t speak for the adults… rd
th
Step Aside Stepping Out!
At 6:30 p.m., we will “Step Out.” We will follow the mitzvot of indulging in great food and drinks, engaging in acts of tzedakah, and dancing the night away. We will rejoice and retell the Purim story for adults only, through an interactive comedy improv show by Improv Asylum.
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EDULE OF EVENTS PURIM 5784 SCH 23 Saturday, March
4:00 p.m. nd kids 0-2 grade: Purimpalooza for et show m spiel, and pupp ri Pu a , od fo , es Gam 6:30 p.m. 30s) Pre-Party (20s & Riverway Program 6:30 p.m. Adults Only*
PMAUSQRUEIRM ADE
PARTY WITH OV SHOW COMEDY IMPR under *and Kid’s sleep-
Sunday, March 24
ol, 10:00 a.m. ith Religious Scho w on ati br le Ce m Family Puri ECC The Village, and FJ
Pay attention. Here’s the fine print: All are welcome, but registration is required. We’re asking for a $36 voluntary contribution to the Friends Annual Fund from all adults. Give what you can. Give less, give more. Please, give more!
For more information, visit www.tisrael.org/Purim2024
Living Judaism together through discovery, dynamic spirituality, and righteous impact.
Spotlight on Theater@TI
by Rachel Ollagnon
These two community-led and staff-supported projects have welcomed voices from across the Temple Israel community, new and longtime members, young and old. We have held space for challenging conversations through art and culture, and will do so again with this year’s Jewish Plays Project.
“The Glass Room”
Temple Israel presented a staged reading of the play “The Glass Room” by Ryan Craig in recognition of International Holocaust Memorial Day, and as part of the National Jewish Theatre Foundation Remembrance Readings. The play, directed by Rachel Ollagnon, takes place in London in 2006, and follows a young Jewish lawyer and defender of free speech as he represents a prominent scholar who is a Holocaust denier. The play asks us to grapple with questions about where we draw the line in supporting freedom of speech, how we decide what it means to be ethical and honest, and how far our principles can take us. Following the performance, the audience participated in a discussion with a panel of experts, the actors, and the director. This event highlighted the power of theater to learn and connect to ideas and complex issues, historic and contemporary, while honoring the memory of the Holocaust.
The actors take a curtain call. (From left: Joelle Lurie, Bram Shapiro, Chaim Wetmore, Melissa Bacon, Rainier Pearl-Styles).
Jewish Plays Project
Kickoff meeting: February 29. All are welcome. The Jewish Plays Project (JPP) defines itself as “a radical experiment in artistic democracy and collective action,” and as a place where everyone can partake in play reading and have a voice. The JPP is a yearly contest that strives to ask the questions that matter in Jewish thought and culture. Community groups around the country (including our group at TI) read the plays that have been chosen by JPP as finalists, and select their top choices. Once all the community groups have voted, there is a reading of the winning plays in New York, onsite and online.
Gratitude for Temple Israel
and gratitude for the many gifts of support we’ve received this year Each donation to Temple Israel helps us to embrace the challenges and opportunities we face as a congregation and as a people. We appreciate your generous gifts so far this year, and your love for each other, our clergy team, and our sacred space. It is through your kindness and generosity that we are able to ensure that Temple Israel remains an enduring and welcoming community.
“This gift is in gratitude to Rabbi Oberstein for all his teachings and guidance during my conversion process. I’m so happy to have found a home in Temple Israel and in the Jewish community. Thank you so much”
–Alex Semendinger
“In appreciation for all of the work that the Temple Israel Caring Community does to make all of our lives a lot sweeter.”
–Elaine Baskin
“With sincerest thanks to the clergy of Temple Israel for lighting the way”
“To our wonderful clergy. Thanks for all you do for Temple Israel of Boston — and the manner in which you do it.”
–The Putnoi Family
–Elsa Galdston www.tisrael.org | 617-566-3960
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Food for Thought
RACHEL CANAR
VLADISLAV DAVIDZON
NORA RENTHAL
Here is a sampling of the many guest speakers we welcomed this past fall: scholars, authors, a singer/songwriter, environmentalists, and a scientist.
DR. ELSIE STERN
DON FUTTERMAN
ADAH HETKO
Vladislav Davidzon, Center for Adult Jewish Learning. Author Talk and Book Launch. Linked Crises: Russia, Europe, Ukraine, and Israel. Nora Renthal, Scientists in Synagogues. Nora spoke about the importance of combining Jewish wisdom with her work as a doctor and scientist. Rachel Canar, Lunch and Learn (TILLI). “Israel’s Largest Environmental Organization— Updates from the Field” Don Futterman, Lunch with the Librarian. Author, Storyteller, Actor Don Futterman talked about his new novel Adam Unrehearsed. Adah Hetko, Center for Adult Jewish Learning. “Yiddish Culture Through Song.” Dr. Elsie Stern, Scholar-in-Residence. “If Torah Has a Plain Sense, Why Do We Need Commentaries?” 18
Living Judaism together through discovery, dynamic spirituality, and righteous impact.
TILLI Preview for Spring by Barbara Koff and Priscilla Golding, TILLI Co-Chairs The winter and spring 2024 brochure highlighting Temple Israel Lifelong Learning Institute’s (TILLI) diverse program of museum, theater, lectures, and study groups has just been published. Our programs engage Temple Israel members and others to engage in peer-led, intellectually stimulating study groups covering a broad range of topics. Together, we enjoy cultural events and develop supportive and interactive social relationships. Thursdays are TILLI days at TI!
challenging study groups in the morning (11:00 a.m.12:30 p.m.), and four in the afternoon (2:00-3:30 p.m.). A wide variety of topics from science, theater, history, politics, and literature, to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict will be covered. These study groups are an opportunity to get to know and learn from some of the very talented members of our congregation, as well as from some outside speakers. You can take a morning class and/or an afternoon class. All study groups this season will be held onsite. A limited number of study groups will be available in mixed presence (onsite and online). And we get to enjoy lunch and hear an interesting speaker at Lunch and Learn! (Onsite and online). This salad and sandwich lunch highlights our TILLI Thursdays, providing opportunities for friendships and community. Please join us at any level of participation: as a study group leader (coaching available), a committee member, a Lunch and Learn speaker, and always as a valued participant.
With the wonders of Zoom this winter, TILLI will virtually visit special exhibits at two museums, the Illinois Holocaust Museum (on January 11) and the Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida (on February 8). We will also do deep dives into the marvels and worries that artificial intelligence brings to our lives with two knowledgeable speakers (on January 25 and February 15) and a video (on January 18). A TILLI book group will read The Confidante: The Untold Story of the Woman Who Helped Win WWII and Shape Modern America. We will be joined by the author Christopher Gorham for an in-depth discussion on March 7.
For more information about TILLI programs and registration details, please pick up our brochure in the Temple Israel lobby or on our web page: www.TILLI.org.
TILLI’s Spring 2024 Study Group and Lunch and Learn programs start on Thursday, April 4. For six consecutive Thursdays, we will offer four interesting and intellectually www.tisrael.org | 617-566-3960
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! r a d n le a c r u yo k r a M
Coming Soon at TI
FJECC Admissions Open House Sunday, March 24 9:30 a.m. Bring the kids to see and play in the preschool before the Family Purim Celebration! Adults can learn more about our curriculum, our summer camp, and more. Kids will play with FJECC teachers, explore activities, and meet our turtle Tzavi! After the Open House, we’ll all walk down the hall to the Purim party. All are welcome — bring a friend! RSVP encouraged, but not required. Please email Jenny at jgamson@tisrael.org to indicate your interest.
Passover 5784 at TI SCHEDULE OF PASSOVER EVENTS & SERVICES Monday, April 8 7:00 p.m. Passover 101 Saturday, April 20 10:00 a.m. Passover Seder for Families with Young Children Tuesday, April 23
Second Night Passover Seder: An Immersive Experience (Onsite) Tueday, April 23, 6:30 p.m. By reservation only We will joyfully celebrate Passover by embarking on a musical, interactive, and sensory seder experience. We will tell the story of our lives through a series of activities, symbols, songs, questions, and answers. Our seder is accompanied by a unique and creative culinary experience. $54 per person Supporter registration: $72 per person Registration coming soon.
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9:30 a.m. Passover Celebration for Families with Young Children. Onsite 9:30 a.m. Matzah Brei Cookoff 10:00 a.m. Passover Festival Service 5:00 p.m. Passover Seder Second Night (Online) 6:30 p.m. Second Night Passover Seder: An Immersive Experience (Onsite). Reservation required. Monday, April 29 10:00 a.m. Seventh Day Passover Festival Service (Online) 6:15 p.m. Yizkor Minyan
Living Judaism together through discovery, dynamic spirituality, and righteous impact.
Temple Israel of Boston's Ner Tamid Society 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 Shoshanna Goldberg, Director of Development, at sgoldberg@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
Temple Israel of Boston
INSIGHT Temple Israel
Non Profit
477 Longwood Avenue
US Postage
Boston, MA 02215-5396
PAID Permit 50648 Boston, MA
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
SAVE THE DATES! Purim Celebrations for EVERYONE Second Night Passover Seder: An Immersive Experience, Onsite TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 6:30 P.M.
See page 20 for more information, and a schedule of Passover events and services.
“Step Out” for a Purim Celebration FOR ADULTS ONLY*! THE FAMILY! LikeFOR Never Before! Purim Celebration for all23, ages6:30 Step SATURDAY, MARCH P.M.aside Stepping Out Saturday, March 23, 4:00 p.m.
this year the first ever
with Young Children
Saturday evening March 23, 2024
See page 16 for details about PURIM MASQUERADE Purim Celebration Families COCKTAIL PARTY all our Purim for celebrations. Sunday, March 24, 10:00 a.m.
*kids program for 3rd grade and up