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KNOW BEFORE YOU GO High Holy Days Information
A JOURNEY OF RENEWAL
Temple Israel’s Vision 2026 Renovation
A COMMON ROAD TO FREEDOM
Welcoming Reverend Dr. Raphael G. Warnock for Yom Kippur
SPECIAL SWEETNESS
The Fabers bring a special sweetness to our community and the High Holy Days
BRINGING THE HIGH HOLY DAYS TO LIFE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN
Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center
STAFF FOCUS
Eleanor Tallie Steinberg and Karleigh Ring
MAZEL TOV!
B’nai Mitzvah, New Members, Engagements, Marriages,and Births
DONATIONS
@templeisrael
@templeisrael
Temple Israel is a sanctuary for prayer and inspiration, a vibrant center for Jewish learning, and a congregational home for living Torah. We are a source of strength and a force for good for Reform Jews, the greater community, and the world.
RABBI MICAH D. GREENSTEIN Senior Rabbi
RABBI ROSS Z. LEVY Associate Rabbi
RABBI LEAH H. STERNBERG Associate Rabbi
RABBI HARRY K. DANZIGER Rabbi Emeritus
JOHN M. KAPLAN Cantor Emeritus
WENDY T. ROTTER President
HELEN SCHEIDT Senior Vice President
BRUCE LANDAU Vice President
SAM FARGOTSTEIN Vice President
BENJAMIN ORGEL Secretary
ELISE JORDAN Treasurer
PETER BLUMBERG Counsel
LEIGH BAIM MANSBERG Immediate Past President
JENNIFER ROSS Sisterhood President
ERIC EFRON Brotherhood President
MARK GULNER Executive Director
TEMPLE ISRAEL 1376 East Massey Road Memphis, TN 38120
Temple Israel is a member of the Union for Reform Judaism. reformjudaism.org • urj.org
(L to R) Back: Rabbi Micah Greenstein, Rabbi Leah Sternberg and Rabbi Ross Levy. Front: Director of Music Education & Family Worship Emily Groff Heilborn and Cantorial Soloist Eleanor Tallie Steinberg. Photo by Jason Terrell
REFLECTION
braham Issac Kook, the first Ashkenazi chief rabbi of Palestine, summed up our renewed synagogue in his famous dictum, “What is old, make new; what is new, make holy.”
For the first time in 50 years, Temple Israel has renewed the old and sanctified the new. Our worship spaces have been enhanced, and our new atrium welcomes all who enter with a tapestry of wall-to-wall Jerusalem stone.
If we are being honest, no matter the level of A/V and technology now streaming from our renewed sanctuary and state-of-the-art sound booth, nothing beats the feeling of experiencing this new space in person together — A full house filled in prayer, harmony, and hope for the year ahead.
Whether you were born into Temple or joined our family in recent years, please invite friends to join us for the first time on Erev Rosh Hashanah, when we will consecrate the new sanctuary with Shehecheyanu, and come in person throughout the High Holy Days. We strive to and are ready to deliver the highest caliber musically, spiritually, communally, and sermonically.
Happie Hoffman returns as our High Holy Days Cantorial Soloist for the sixth consecutive year; our new rabbinic team of Rabbi Leah Sternberg and Rabbi Ross Levy, alongside me, is so promising for Memphis, as is Eleanor Tallie Steinberg, who has just been named our full-time Cantorial Soloist this year. An engaging family-focused High Holy Days track led by Sophie Weiss-Wiliams and Director of Music Education & Family Worship Emily Groff Heilborn will be meaningful and memorable for all ages.
As the world turns unstable and unpredictable, Temple remains our shared spiritual anchor through life’s storms— the constant force for communal good and best hope for a vibrant Jewish future for Memphis and the Mid-South.
We can’t wait to welcome you soon.
Faithfully yours,
RABBI MICAH D. GREENSTEIN
What is old, make new; what is new, make holy.
The High Holy Days are a sacred time for reflection, renewal, and reconnection with our faith, our community, and our deepest values. As we enter this meaningful season, we honor the traditions passed down through generations while embracing the spirit of today.
In this issue of The Voice, you’ll find reflections on the themes of the season, explanations of key rituals, and suggestions to help make your observance more personal. You’ll also find a condensed service schedule for easy reference throughout the holidays. Whether joining us in person or online, we invite you to embrace this season with an open heart and mind.
This year is especially meaningful as we welcome Associate Rabbi Leah Sternberg and Cantorial Soloist Eleanor Tallie Steinberg, who join High Holy Day Cantorial Soloist Happie Hoffman and our entire clergy team. Their arrival brings fresh energy, insight, and creativity to our spiritual community.
Together, our clergy have thoughtfully shaped services that honor the beauty of our tradition while responding to the needs of today. These experiences are designed to inspire, connect, and uplift, all within our newly renovated spaces, including the breathtaking Greenstein Sanctuary, the refreshed Danziger Chapel, and the Ettelson-Wax Social Hall.
To help prepare spiritually, we invite you to join our three-part Elul series, offering moments of reflection and personal growth as we approach Rosh Hashanah.
We look forward to sharing this season of inspiration, learning, and song with you. May the coming year bring peace, meaning, and fulfillment to our Temple Israel family and to the world.
ELUL
PREPARING TO PRAY: A SPIRITUAL WARM-UP
Rabbi Ross Levy
During my junior year of high school, I found a new obsession. I always loved music–playing it, listening to it, connecting over it with new and old friends. But for some reason, that year became the year where I devoted more time to music than ever before. To be specific, I became obsessed with being the best baritone saxophonist I could be, and even trained for a state-wide band competition. I did not make the cut, but that year of disciplined devotion to my instrument taught me a great deal.
When I sat down to practice my saxophone, I would almost never begin with the most difficult piece of music in my repertoire. Rather, there was a method, a ritual I would undergo step by step: check and prep my reeds, assemble the horn, set my ligature (the fancy term for the metal piece that secures the reed), and play some scales that span the tonal range of the instrument. In other words, I knew that in order to practice most effectively, I needed to warm up. Whether it’s in sports or music or dance or really any skill that we develop through practice and repetition, it is always essential to warm up before pushing ourselves to break out of our comfort zone and try to do difficult things.
The same is true for our spiritual selves. This is why our tradition gradually developed a series of spiritual “warm ups” during the month preceding the High Holidays. In their wisdom, our ancestors understood that just as you wouldn’t want to play a full 90 minute soccer game on cold legs, so too you wouldn’t want to begin the serious work of reflection and introspection asked of us during this season without any kind of warm up. So the month of Elul has become that warm up, and we hope y’all will join us for these special offerings.
ELUL SERIES
Jewish Paths to Stability in the Midst of Uncertainty
Join our rabbis for this special three-part series during the month of Elul. Judaism is all too familiar with the challenge of finding constants in a world that seems to shift beneath our feet each day. Each stand alone session of this class will offer ways to feel more grounded and anchored amidst times of uncertainty.
Session One
STABILITY IN OUR PERSONAL LIVES
Rabbi Ross Levy
We can best meet the challenges and uncertainty of the world around us when we are able to find stability and centeredness within ourselves. In this session, Rabbi Ross Levy will offer methods and practices from Jewish tradition that can serve as tools for personal resilience.
Wednesday • September 3 • 7:00PM
Session Two
STABILITY IN A SHIFTING GLOBAL LANDSCAPE
Rabbi Micah Greenstein
As we tend to our spiritual selves in this season, we acknowledge how our hearts are often pulled to the conflicts of the world beyond the borders of our country. With anti-semitism on the rise and the war continuing in Israel, we have all felt the uncertainty of a shifting global landscape this past year. Join Rabbi Micah Greenstein as he offers the Jewish perspective on finding stability, resilience, and clarity in uncertain times.
Wednesday • September 10 • 7:00PM
Session Three
STABILITY IN TIMES OF NATIONAL DIVISION
Rabbi Leah Sternberg
In this final session, Rabbi Leah Sternberg will offer tools for a path forward as we navigate the challenging dynamics of division and polarization in the United States. Her teaching will guide us in how we might have difficult conversations, and how we, as American Jews, can draw from our religious tradition as a source of moral clarity and resilience.
Wednesday • September 17 • 7:00PM
Selichot
Selichot, meaning “forgiveness,” is a reflective and meditative service in the final days of the month of Elul that serves as the spiritual gateway into the High Holiday season. A special evening of prayer, poetry, and special music, highlighted by the sounds of Avinu Malkeinu and the blasts of the shofar, Selichot sets the tone for the days of reflection, repentance, and renewal that follow. The changing of the covers of our sacred Torah scrolls to their festive whites represents the spiritual transformation we hope to undergo during the High Holy Day season. This year’s service will feature the special sounds of Spirit & Matter along with special readings and offerings from our clergy team.
We hope you’ll join us for this unique, once a year worship experience.
Saturday • September 13 • 7:00PM
Apples & Honey Festival
Don’t miss our annual Apples & Honey Festival! Enjoy activities for kids, toddler play land, bounce houses, local food trucks, and a marketplace showcasing small businesses from Temple Israel and the Memphis Jewish community. It’s a sweet and spirited way to celebrate the season, support local small businesses, and kick off the New Year together. Free and open to the public.
Apples and Honey is generously sponsored by a generous donor - Thank you!
Sunday • September 21 • 11:00AM - 1:00PM
A NEW YEAR, A RENEWED SPIRIT
Rosh Hashanah, meaning “Head of the Year,” marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year and ushers in the Ten Days of Awe—a time of deep introspection and repentance that culminates in Yom Kippur. It is both a celebration and a spiritual reset, blending joyful traditions with meaningful reflection. At Temple Israel, our Rosh Hashanah services draw from a rich liturgy—ancient and modern—that uplifts our spirits and connects us to generations past. As we enter this sacred season, we are reminded of the power of reflection, the strength of community, and the timeless wisdom of our Jewish values to guide us toward a purposeful and renewed year.
ROSH HASHANAH
Erev Rosh Hashanah
ARE YOU PAYING ATTENTION?
Rabbi Ross Levy
As the sun sets on Erev Rosh Hashanah, our Temple Israel family comes together as one community to welcome the Jewish New Year with open hearts and renewed spirit. Join us in a meaningful and inspiring service in the Greenstein Sanctuary—an historic space now beautifully renovated, blending our rich past with a hopeful future. Surrounded by sacred tradition and the warmth of community, this service sets the tone for the Days of Awe, offering a powerful beginning to a season of reflection, prayer, and connection.
Monday • September 22 • 7:00PM Greenstein Sanctuary
Shabbat Shuva
A SACRED PAUSE BETWEEN TWO HOLIEST DAYS
Rosh Hashanah Morning at Temple Israel
THE MISSING ELEMENT
Rabbi Micah Greenstein
Rosh Hashanah morning services at Temple Israel offer a meaningful blend of solemnity and hope. Through ancient prayers and contemporary reflections, stirring readings, and soulful music, we create a space that honors our heritage while speaking to the realities of today. It’s a time to look inward, take stock of the year behind us, and open our hearts to the possibilities of renewal in the year ahead. Whether this is your first High Holy Day with us or your fiftieth, we gather as one community—anchored by tradition, inspired by faith, and strengthened by connection.
Tuesday • September 23
Service 9:00AM Danziger Chapel
Shabbat Shuva—“the Sabbath of Return”—falls between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and offers us a powerful opportunity for reflection and spiritual grounding. At Temple Israel, this special Shabbat service invites us to pause in the midst of the Ten Days of Awe, to listen deeply, and to consider the work of teshuvah—returning to our best selves, to one another, and to God. Through heartfelt prayer, timeless teachings, and the beauty of Shabbat, Shabbat Shuva calls us to slow down, reconnect, and prepare with intention for the sacred day of Yom Kippur.
After services join us for a special all-member Shabbat dinner featuring a delicious meal from Mosa, followed by a live sushi-making demonstration with chef Marisa Baggett.
Friday • September 26 • 6:00PM
Danziger Chapel
KEVER AVOT
HONORING THE MEMORY OF OUR LOVED ONES
Kever Avot, meaning “Graves of the Ancestors,” is a cherished tradition observed during the High Holy Days, when individuals and families visit the graves of loved ones to honor their memory. At Temple Israel, this moment of remembrance connects us to generations past, grounding us in gratitude and reflection as we enter the new year. Through prayers, quiet reflection, and acts of remembrance, we reaffirm our bond with those who came before us and draw strength from their legacy. It is a sacred opportunity to pause, remember, and carry their light forward into the year ahead.
Sunday • September 28 • 10:00AM
Levy Cooper Chapel at Temple Israel Cemetery
CASTING AWAY OUR SHORTCOMINGS
Tashlich, meaning “to cast away,” is a symbolic ritual observed during the High Holy Days. It invites us to gather at a body of flowing water and symbolically release our sins, regrets, and missteps from the past year—often using breadcrumbs or small pebbles. Tashlich provides a meaningful, visual way for individuals and families to engage in reflection and renewal, helping us enter the new year with open hearts, clear intentions, and a strengthened sense of purpose.
Sunday • September 28
Hyde Lake Pavilion, Shelby Farms
Tashlich at Shelby Farms
TASHLICH
Bring your family and your shofar to the Hyde Lake Pavilion at Shelby Farms as we symbolically cast away our sins and welcome the New Year. Join Temple Israel clergy and Religious School staff for a brief, meaningful ceremony. Families with children are invited to deepen their understanding of the High Holy Days through engaging, hands-on activities, including a spirit walk, story time, art projects, and yoga.
Adult Tashlich Class • 10:00AM
Tashlich Ritual • 10:30AM
Family Programming • 11:00AM
Following the ritual: All ages can take part in our spirit walk, yoga meditations, creative art projects, and storytime.
YOM KIPPUR
A DAY OF REFLECTION AND RETURN
Yom Kippur, the most sacred and solemn day of the Jewish year, brings the Ten Days of Awe to a powerful close. At the heart of this holy day is teshuvah—often translated as “repentance,” but more deeply understood as a return to our truest selves. We dedicate this day to personal introspection and communal repair, seeking to reconcile with ourselves, one another, and the Divine. The fast from sunset to nightfall serves as both a physical and spiritual cleansing, helping us focus more fully on prayer, reflection, and growth. Through the day’s meaningful liturgy and rituals, we are reminded of the profound impact of atonement—within our own lives, in our community, and throughout the world.
Kol Nidre
WHEN OUR WORLDS BECOME TOO SMALL
Rabbi Micah Greenstein
The Kol Nidre service, held on the eve of Yom Kippur, marks one of the most stirring and spiritually resonant moments of the Jewish year. Centered around the haunting melody of the Kol Nidrei prayer, the service begins with the recitation of an ancient legal formula that releases us from personal vows and oaths we may not have been able to keep—past or future. This solemn ritual invites us to begin Yom Kippur with humility, introspection, and a renewed commitment to honesty, integrity, and personal growth.
Wednesday • October 1 • 7:30PM Greenstein Sanctuary
Yom Kippur Day
WE ARE NOT BEYOUND REPAIR
Rabbi Leah Sternberg
The observance of Yom Kippur continues throughout the day with a meaningful progression of services, study sessions, and sacred rituals. Together, these moments guide us through a spiritual journey of introspection, repentance, and renewal. From the morning liturgy to afternoon reflections and the concluding Ne’ilah service, each element of the day invites us to return to our best selves—strengthening our connection to God, our community, and our deepest values.
Thursday • October 2 • 10:00AM
Yom Kippur for the Whole Family
We’ve made it easier than ever for families to have a meaningful Yom Kippur experience— together and apart. This year, our Family Service moves to 4:30 PM, so children can attend school in the morning and still join in a special, age-appropriate experience later in the day. Parents can begin the day with the 10:00 AM main service, enjoying their own time for reflection and spiritual connection, knowing their children will have their moment too.
NEED A LITTLE DOWNTIME?
Our Relaxation Station in the Scheidt Family Center will once again be open to all ages on both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur—a calm, creative space for rest, reflection, or quiet play.
And for our youngest ones, we’re offering childcare after the Tot Service for children ages 18 months to 5 years, giving parents the chance to attend the main service with peace of mind.
(See page 17 for childcare details.)
Family and Tot Services
For families with children, Temple Israel offers age-appropriate services filled with stories, songs, and interactive activities that make Yom Kippur both meaningful and engaging. These moments provide a special opportunity for families to worship together and to pass on the values and spirit of Yom Kippur to the next generation.
Tot Service • 9:00AM
Danziger Chapel
Family Service • 4:30PM
Danziger Chapel
TIMPO Music Hour
After the Family Service on Yom Kippur, join us in Danziger Chapel for TIMPO Music Hour, a vibrant celebration of music and spirit! Director of Music Education & Family Services, Emily Groff Heilborn, the TI Band, Teen Band, Songleaders, and our Wendy & Avron Fogelman Religious School students will come together for a special High Holy Day performance you won’t want to miss.
TIMPO Music Hour • 5:20PM
Danziger Chapel
Yom Kippur Morning Service
The morning service ( Shacharit ) includes some of the most powerful and reflective moments of Yom Kippur. Central prayers such as the Vidui (confession) and Al Chet invite us to acknowledge our shortcomings and seek forgiveness—not just for ourselves, but on behalf of our entire community. The service also features the poignant Unetaneh Tokef prayer, which contemplates themes of life, death, and divine judgment, setting the tone for the day’s solemn and introspective nature.
"We Are Not Beyond Repair" Sermon by Rabbi Leah Sternberg 10:00AM • Greenstein Sanctuary
Rabbi James A. Wax Social Justice Speaker Honorable Reverend Dr. Raphael G. Warnock 12:30PM • Ettelson-Wax Social Hall
Reflections on Israel & the American Jewish Experience after Oct. 7
A Conversation with Beverly Tsacoyianis and Rabbi Leah Sternberg 12:30PM • Ettelson-Wax Social Hall
Torah Study with Dr. Joe Levy 1:30PM • Meeting Room
Connecting Body and Soul: Spirit Walk into Jewish Yoga 1:30PM • Meadows of Temple Israel
Ruach Contemporary Music Hour with Happie Hoffman 2:30PM • Greenstein Sanctuary
Yom Kippur Afternoon Programs
In the afternoon and before the concluding Mincha, Yizkor, and Neilah services, Temple Israel offers opportunity for learning, reflective music, and quiet personal contemplation.
Yizkor and Ne'liah
Yizkor is a solemn and meaningful service where we honor the memory of loved ones who have passed and reflect on the lasting legacies they’ve left behind. As Yom Kippur draws to a close, the Neilah service marks the final, climactic moments of the day. It symbolizes the closing of the gates of repentance as we offer our final prayers for forgiveness, renewal, and spiritual clarity. The day concludes with a powerful, single blast of the shofar—signaling the end of the fast and the sacred observance.
Yizkor • 4:00PM Greenstein Sanctuary
Torah & Ne’ilah with Happie Hoffman • 5:00PM Greenstein Sanctuary
Final Shofar Blowing • 6:30PM Greenstein Sanctuary
Break the Fast • 6:30PM Atrium
SUKKOT & SIMCHAT TORAH
Immediately following the awe-filled days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we find ourselves entering a very different kind of sacred space in the holiday of Sukkot, Zman Simchateinu, the Season of Rejoicing. It’s a joyful pivot from the Day of Atonement, but that joy is complemented by symbolism that encourages us to dive into the depths of meaning and purpose as individuals and as a community.
At the center of this holiday is the sukkah: a deliberately fragile, temporary shelter. The Torah gives us specific instructions for building a sukkah. It’s not supposed to be weatherproof or permanent. It must be open to the elements, with a roof that lets in both starlight and rain. It’s certainly not a fortress, as describing a sukkah as “flimsy” would feel more accurate. The sukkah invites us to remember the fragility of life, reflecting the uncertainty many of us carry and the journey our ancestors took through the wilderness, unsure of what would come next. And yet, in the very same breath, we are told to rejoice. Zman Simchateinu. A time for joy. A time to gather, to welcome guests, to open our hearts even as we sit in structures with open roofs. That’s the spiritual power of Sukkot… taking fragility and transforming it into celebration.
That’s the spiritual power of Sukkot… taking fragility and transforming it into celebration.
We’re reminded that the strength of our community comes not from uniformity, but from diversity and togetherness.
As we dwell in the sukkah through the festival of Sukkot, we are instructed to fulfill the mitzvah of waving the lulav and etrog. There is a beautiful teaching that each of the four species represents a different kind of person: those with wisdom, those with kindness, and those still discovering their gifts. Some bring taste, some bring fragrance, some bring both, and some bring neither, but all are essential. When we bind them together, we’re reminded that the strength of our community comes not from uniformity, but from diversity and togetherness.
Sukkot invites us to bring our whole selves… messy, joyful, uncertain… into sacred space. And it reminds us that even in vulnerability, we can be a source of strength for one another.
RABBI LEAH STERNBERG
SUKKOT EVENTS
Pizza in the Hut
Continue the holiday season with Pizza in the Hut, our festive Sukkot celebration for families! Come complete the mitzvah of shaking the lulav and etrog, enjoy holiday activities, and unwind with a movie night under the stars, all while enjoying plenty of delicious pizza.
Sunday • October 5 • 6:00PM
Erev Sukkot Service
Come together for our Erev Sukkot service in the Danziger Chapel
Monday • October 6 • 6:00PM
Shabbat in the Sukkah: A Morning of Music and Meaning with Elana Arian
Join us for a joyful and uplifting Shabbat Sukkot morning service featuring Elana Arian, one of the most influential voices in contemporary Jewish music.
A gifted composer, multi-instrumentalist, and prayer leader, Elana brings deep spiritual connection through song. As a nationally touring artist serving over 30 distinct communities each year, her music has become a beloved part of Jewish life across the globe. Elana just released her fifth album of original music, If We Loved Like That, and she is the subject of a forthcoming composer’s anthology published by Transcontinental Music Publications.
Celebrate Sukkot in community, surrounded by the beauty of our tradition, the warmth of our sukkah, and the power of prayer through music. Following services we will gather in the sukkah.
October 11 • 10:00AM • Danziger Chapel
Shabbat Sukkot with Elana Arian
Join us in Danziger Chapel
Friday • October 10 • 6:00PM
Sukkot at the Shell
Havdallah, Dinner & Drinks in the portable Sukkah at the Shell. Featuring: North Mississippi Allstars with opener, The Sensational Barnes Brothers. This program is partially funded by a generous grant from Memphis Jewish Federation’s Lemsky Endowment Fund.
Saturday • October 11 • 5:30PM • Hospitality Deck/Memphis Shell
Simchat Torah
We welcome you to the Danziger Chapel as we celebrate the 2024-2025 B’Nai Mitzvah class.
Monday • October 13 • 6:00PM
Sim-Tot Torah
Yizkor
We invite you to a meaningful service in the Greenstein Sanctuary
Tuesday • October 14 • 9:00AM
We extend a special invitation to all, particularly our young families to Sim-Tot Torah, a joyful Tot Shabbat-style celebration of Simchat Torah! Perfect for families with young children, this event includes nosh, fun holiday-themed activities, and an age-appropriate service for little ones to celebrate the Torah in a way that’s just right for them.
Saturday • October 18 • 10:00AM • Danzinger Chapel FAMILY
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Security at the High Holy Days
The safety and well-being of our community remain a top priority. Temple Israel will once again be using our weapons detection system during the High Holy Days to help ensure a secure and welcoming environment for all.
To support a smooth entry process, we kindly ask that you avoid bringing large handbags or backpacks. Please also be mindful that large metal accessories or jewelry may trigger the detectors and delay your entry.
Please note: Firearms are strictly prohibited on Temple Israel’s campus.
Passes
SIMPLE TIX - DIGITAL ENTRY
Passes are required for campus entry and admission to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur Services (both evening and day of). Unlike in previous years, passes will be sent digitally to members automatically from SimpleTix. That email will be sent to the primary and secondary members on file and will include passes for all members of each household listed in ShulCloud. If you are a member or in a member’s household, you do not need to sign up for your tickets. Passes for all Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services will be sent on September 15.
Your High Holy Day passes, information, and alerts will be sent to the emails we have on file in ShulCloud. To ensure you don’t miss out on anything, please verify that you have access to the email accounts you provided in ShulCloud. Also, be sure to check your Spam filters for those email addresses to be sure you don’t miss any communications from Temple.
Guests/Non-members
Guests, non-members, and extended family of members will need to register for their tickets, which can be done at timemphis.simpletix.com.
If you have questions, please contact:
CONNIE SHERMAN
connies@timemphis.org (901) 761-3130
Do we have your current email address?
To receive your High Holy Days tickets, information, we need to have your current email address. If you receive our emails, no update is necessary. But if you do not, please be sure to provide us with your preferred email. You may contact:
CONNIE SHERMAN
connies@timemphis.org (901) 761-3130
What if you don’t have an email?
If you do not have access to an email, please let us know and we will provide physical tickets to you or you may pick them up at Temple Israel. We ask that you contact us at least two weeks prior to Erev Rosh Hashanah to give us ample time to mail you printed tickets. Please contact:
CONNIE SHERMAN
connies@timemphis.org (901) 761-3130
Parking
During times of high traffic, such as the High Holy Days, we encourage people to arrive early to find a spot on campus. Once that lot is full, there is extra overflow parking available and a shuttle will also be available to transport attendees from the building to their vehicles.
Live Streaming
If you can not join us in person, services from Temple Israel will be streamed live for members on our website and Facebook for Erev Rosh Hashanah, Rosh Hashanah morning services, Kol Nidre, and Yom Kippur morning services.
High Holy Day Food Drive: Help Us Fight Hunger
Last year, thanks to your generosity, Temple Israel made meaningful contributions to the MidSouth Food Bank, MIFA, and MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, helping to combat hunger locally and nationally. These funds provide critical resources to individuals and families facing food insecurities, both in our back yards and across the country.
Temple Israel’s longstanding commitment to fighting hunger is made possible year after year by our generous congregation. In Memphis alone, 1 in 5 residents lacks consistent access to adequate food—a reality we cannot ignore.
This High Holy Day season, we invite you to be part of our collective effort once again. Your donation will directly support vital food programs in our community and the organizations working every day to provide meals to those in need.
Food Drive: Donations
Your generosity ensures that Temple Israel continues to be a force for compassion and action in our city. Together, we can bring comfort and nourishment to those who need it most. To contribute to the High Holy Day Food Drive, please visit:
timemphis.org/giving/
or mail a check to Temple Israel, noting "Food Drive" in the memo.
Complimentary High Holy Day Babysitting
Temple Israel is pleased to once again offer complimentary babysitting for families during the High Holy Days. Babysitting is available for children ages 18 months to 5 years, and advance registration is required at timemphis.org.
Erev Rosh Hashanah • Monday • September 22 • 7:30PM
Rosh Hashanah Day • Tuesday • September 23 • 10:00AM
Kol Nidre • Wednesday • October 1 • 7:30PM
Yom Kippur • Thursday • October 2 • 10:00AM
RENEWAL
hat began as a bold vision to renew and reimagine Temple Israel’s sacred and communal spaces has steadily unfolded into a deeply transformative project. With each passing month, our building has grown to better reflect the warmth, accessibility, and spirit of our congregation—thanks to the Vision 2026 Capital Campaign and the unwavering support of our Temple Israel supporters and family.
The journey began with excitement and intention. In December, construction officially launched, and our community was introduced to the vision behind the project: updating essential worship, gathering spaces and infrastructure while preserving the sacred feel of our beloved
The Ettelson-Wax Social Hall received major updates in sound and lighting, as well as new carpet.
synagogue. The earliest steps included demolition of key areas—the Danziger Chapel, Ettelson-Wax Social Hall, restrooms, Bridal Suite, and portions of the foyer—to clear the way for renewal.
January 2025 was a month of both physical transformation and shared imagination. As materials were removed and blueprints came to life, our architects unveiled thoughtful design details that would soon shape the soul of our space. The foyer would be reimagined with brighter lighting, a more open layout, and Jerusalem stone to create a warm, modern entryway. In the Greenstein Sanctuary, plans included new lighting and carpet, improved ADA access to the bimah, and a cleaner, more welcoming atmosphere.
Throughout February and March, the building buzzed with activity. While much of the work took place behind the scenes—like new ductwork, electrical rewiring, and updated plumbing—visible progress soon emerged. In the social and transitional areas, new carpeting, tile, and finishes added polish, while motion-sensor lighting provided both convenience and energy savings. In the Danziger Chapel, bricks were carefully removed and work began to bring in natural light through floor-to-ceiling windows and refresh its walls and ceiling.
April marked a major turning point. The Danziger Chapel, once a construction zone, now neared completion. Fresh lighting, clean lines, and new windows transformed the space into a spiritual retreat bathed in daylight. Meanwhile, final touches were completed in the restrooms and Bridal Suite—details that, while often overlooked, greatly enhance comfort and hospitality.
The beginning of the renewal process for our Courtyard Gallery involved removing the old carpet.
Danziger Chapel has gone through a two-phase renovation. The major work was done in Phase 1, including carpet, walls, a new AV booth, and numerous updates to lights and sound. In the second phase, new paint and lights were added to the walls.
By mid-May, the Danziger Chapel was ready to welcome worshippers again. Its reopening during the Lag BaOmer Shabbat Service marked not just a functional milestone, but an emotional one—proof that our collective vision was becoming reality. At the same time, work began in the Greenstein Sanctuary, with a focus on completing renovations in time for the High Holy Days.
Throughout June and July, the sanctuary’s transformation continued. Crews installed advanced lighting and sound systems, enhanced the ceiling design, and implemented key accessibility improvements. Meanwhile, the foyer received its final stonework and lighting enhancements, becoming the beautiful, welcoming hub we had long envisioned. The finishing touches on the painted walls in the Danziger Chapel were applied, and recessed LED lighting was installed.
Now, as we enter the final stretch of summer 2025, our community looks forward to walking through a campus that is brighter, more accessible, and more reflective of who we are and where we are going. From newly modernized restrooms and social halls to sacred spaces infused with warmth and inclusivity, every improvement is a testament to the power of shared purpose, made possible through the generosity of all our Vision 2026 supporters.
But, we’re not done yet. Soon, we will begin work on the renovation of the Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center, and so we still need your support. Reach out to Executive Director Mark Gulner (markg@timemphis.org) or Associate Executive Director Aida Nozick (aidan@timemphis.org) if you are interested in learning more about Vision 2026 or supporting the campaign.
Our foyer renovations included adding Jerusalem stone to the walls and repairing the wood ceiling.
We’re not just renovating a building—we’re renewing a spiritual home for today and for generations to come.
ROAD TO
TO FREEDOM
Welcoming Reverend Dr. Raphael G. Warnock for Yom Kippur
ach year, Temple Israel’s Rabbi James A. Wax Institute for Social Justice invites our community to gather not only in prayer but also with a shared purpose. On this most sacred day, as we reflect on our individual and collective paths, we are honored to welcome a voice of our time—The Honorable Reverend Dr. Raphael G. Warnock—as this year’s Yom Kippur speaker.
Following our morning services, Dr. Warnock will lead us in a powerful conversation titled “A Common Road to Freedom: Black-Jewish Relations Past, Present, and Future.” With clarity, wisdom, and compassion, he will explore the deep and often intertwined histories of the Black and Jewish communities, highlighting moments of shared struggle, mutual support, and the ongoing journey toward justice and dignity for all.
Dr. Warnock joins us not in his role as a senator, but as a faith leader and moral advocate. As the senior pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta—the spiritual home once led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.—he continues a legacy of leadership at the intersection of faith and action. A graduate of Morehouse College and Union Theological Seminary, Dr. Warnock’s voice has inspired movements and mobilized hearts across generations.
The Rabbi James A. Wax Center for Social Justice, inspired by Rabbi Wax’s unwavering commitment to civil rights, was established as a living resource for education, advocacy, and moral leadership. Through the Center’s work, we seek to build a world where justice is not a dream deferred, but a promise fulfilled.
We hope you will join us for what promises to be a deeply moving and transformative experience. Together, may we recommit ourselves to the sacred work of justice, compassion, and community.
MASTERING
WITH CHEF MARISA BAGGETT
SEPTEMBER 26 | 7:00 PM | ETTELSON-WAX SOCIAL HALL A SUSHI DEMONSTRATION AND SAMPLING WITH CATERED DINNER BY MOSA
TIMPO SESSION
A PERFORMANCE IN THE ROUND —— PERFORMANCE: 6:00-7:00 PM IN DANZIGER CHAPEL —— DINNER: 7:15 PM IN ETTELSON-WAX SOCIAL HALL
SPECIAL SWEETNESS
osh Hashanah is synonymous with the richness and sweetness of honey. When many Temple members think of honey, they think of Melissa and Richard ‘Rich’ Faber, who operate the Faber Family Honey Farm behind their house in Germantown.
Stepping into the Faber’s backyard feels like entering a storybook. Nearly five acres of woods and open grass stretch out behind their home, where a treehouse and a rustic bridge invite memories of childhood adventures and numerous gatherings of family and friends.
But it's not just the charm of the landscape that captures your attention — it's the hum of bees and the gleam of golden honey that make this place truly special. Nestled in a shady corner across from the treehouse is a small but vibrant apiary populated with tall hives. From these buzzing towers, the Fabers harvest and bottle their signature “Sweet Melissa Honey,” named lovingly for Melissa herself.
Rich, a passionate backyard beekeeper, explains that the couple harvests honey twice a year — once in July and again in October — yielding around 40 bottles per hive each season. He personally favors the fall batch. “It’s a different floral and a different robustness,” he says. “It’s heartier.”
Rich says the taste of a batch of honey depends on what plants the bees have access to. “Unlike most beekeepers, I live in the middle of a neighborhood where the bees have access to ornamental flowers. We also have wildflowers on our property. It gives a floral taste.”
The Fabers’ sweet labor doesn’t just stay at home — it’s a gift to the community. Each year, Sweet Melissa Honey is sold through the Temple Sisterhood as a fundraiser.
Rich credits his wife, Melissa, with getting him into beekeeping. “Melissa grew up on a farm, and one day she said she wanted to raise bees. I had never thought of it. One day, I surprised her with an empty hive on the kitchen table. That was 20 years ago,” he said.
“I feel I am a caretaker of a real civilization that is one hundred and fifty million years old. Bees are as old as the flowers. Also, when a scout bee finds a new crop of flowers, she returns to the hive and shows everybody the way to the flowers through a little dance. Not a selfish little bee bone in their bodies.”
I feel I am a caretaker of a real civilization that is one hundred and fifty million years old.
RICH FABER
NEW MEMBERS
We are thrilled to welcome all those who have joined the Temple Israel family over the past year. Whether you are new to Memphis, new to synagogue life, or simply seeking a deeper connection to Jewish community, we are honored that you’ve chosen to make Temple Israel your home. Your presence enriches our community, and we are so glad you are here!
A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated Membership Committee for their tireless efforts in making every new member feel seen, welcomed, and embraced as part of the Temple Israel family. The Membership Committee is chaired by Sam Fargotstein, with Elise Jordan, Brian Lurie, Farryl Silver, Alla Lubin, and Leah Gafni.
If you'd like to join this growing list of members or would like to learn more about becoming a member at Temple Israel, please email Faith Ruch, faithr@timemphis.org for more information.
Stephanie & David Stevens
Shane Banz
Joseph Besser
Lucian Williams
Martha & Ernest Gulner
Nathan "Spencer" Gruber
Rachel & Elie Diner
Lee Olswanger
Adam Libby
Rebecca Wilson & Adam Cohen
Eliza & Seth Schklar
Devon & John Reinhardt
Svetlana "Lana" & Alex Rich
Victoria Hallett & Jeffrey Miller
Vicky & Jor-El Williams
Jennifer & David Stein
Mary & Lane Ross-Renard
Elizabeth "Liz" Thorpe
Alana Rothenstein
Sarah & Herschel Freeman
Tracy & Larry Schaffer
Hannah Chanin
Debra "Debby" Weiss
Paige & Mischa Soekoro
Hillary Lindberg & Benjamin Fishman
Cassidy & Eric Goldberg
Amy Bonk-Chanin
Zoe & Alex Harkavy
Chrystal & Matthew Gibbs
Lauren Bates
Mindy Kronenberg
Nathan Evans
Ellen & Mark Grishman
Andrew Harris & Stefan Stewart
Michelle Fox & Adam Rosenfeld
Robert Davis
Nancy & Walter Joerg
Samantha & John-Claude Saltiel
Dylan & Adam Schulman
Stacy Jacobson & Andrew Baird
Rabbi Harry Rothstein
Karen Levy
Belinda & Dave Johnston
Audrey May
Amber Osiadacz
Hanna & Keith Orland
Evalyn & Phil Grossman
Steven Williams
BRINGING THE HIGH HOLY DAYS TO LIFE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN
he High Holy Days are a season of connection, celebration and reflection-a time filled with both joy and solemnity. As adults, we think back on our year with introspection and set intentions for the year ahead. But what does this sacred time look like through the eyes of young children?
At the Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center, it is just as important for our youngest learners to explore and experience these meaningful holidays. Through early exposure and engaging activities, young children learn that this time of year is different and meaningful.
For toddlers, Jewish learning isn’t experienced through sermons or thoughtful contemplation-it is about what they can see, taste, smell, feel and hear. This time of year is the perfect opportunity to engage in sensory experiences while bringing Judaism to life in meaningful ways.
Taste is the first and easiest way children can experience Rosh Hashanah. With round challahs, apples and honey and pomegranate juice there are options for all ages. Let children help you in the kitchen, taste test your favorite holiday meals and be a part of the experience.
Sound comes alive with the blast of the shofar. Even if little ones don’t sit through services, hearing the shofar—even on a recording—can be exciting and memorable. You might even invite toddlers to try making their own “shofar sounds” with toy horns or their voices, celebrating the joy of being heard.
Touch is how toddlers explore the world, and the High Holy Days are full of meaningful textures. Let children knead dough for challah, dip apples into sticky honey, or use their hands to create holiday-themed art—like painting shofar horns or making tissue paper pomegranates. These hands-on experiences ground the holidays in joyful, physical activity.
Sight plays a powerful role in how young children experience and connect to the High Holy Days. For young children, the deep red of pomegranates, white clothing worn on Yom Kippur, and the glow of the holiday candles, provide visuals to abstract concepts. Young children can help set the table with special items, point out the decorations at home or at the synagogue, and look through picture books that show the beauty of Jewish symbols. These visuals help young children connect what they see to something sacred and new.
Lastly, we come to the sense of smellone of the most powerful tools for memory and connection. The warm scent of baking challah, the sweetness of apples and cinnamon, or even the crisp air of early fall can become part of a child’s sensory memory of the holidays. These new smells will turn into a signal that something special is happening. By inviting young children to sniff spices or herbs used in holiday cooking, we are helping them build connections between scent and celebration. These sensory doorways may be small, but they’re powerful. Through the curious eyes, eager hands, listening ears, little noses, and tiny taste buds of a toddler, the High Holy Days come alive in a way that’s meaningful and special. When we invite children to see, hear, touch, smell, and taste the season, we’re not just introducing rituals—we’re planting seeds of joyful Jewish identity. These early experiences blossom into a lasting love for Jewish learning, life and tradition.
When we invite children to see, hear, touch, smell, and taste the season, we’re not just introducing rituals—we’re planting seeds of joyful Jewish identity.
BARBARA
ELEANOR TALLIE STEINBERG
emple Israel is thrilled to welcome Eleanor Tallie Steinberg as our full-time Cantorial Soloist as of July 1. Eleanor has served as our interim Cantorial Soloist since April 2024 and brings a rich musical and spiritual background to our community.
Born and raised in Israel to an Israeli father and Canadian mother (Judy & Benny Tsaig), Eleanor grew up in a deeply musical family—her mother a classical pianist and educator, and her siblings professional violists. She began playing cello at six, added piano and guitar by ear at twelve, and started writing songs the same year.
Trained in classical voice and conservatory music through high school, she launched a singer-songwriter project in Israel (2009–2012), then fronted a blues band that toured Israel, the Netherlands, and the U.S.
From 2015 to 2020, she led her own project, Eleanor Tallie, touring over 40 U.S. states with a Memphis-based band and collaborating with producer Steve Greenwell (Joss Stone, Common, The Roots).
The war in Israel led Eleanor to a renewed sense of purpose: using music to heal and connect. Since moving to the U.S. in 2013, Temple Israel and Reform Judaism have helped her reconnect with her Jewish roots.
Eleanor is married to Corey Steinberg, who grew up in this congregation and is part of a family with six generations of Temple Israel roots. She’s the proud mom of Dylan and Lilah, both in our ELC.
Please say hello after services, or join Eleanor for upcoming musical events and programs!
KARLEIGH RING
emple Israel is proud to announce Karleigh Ring as our new Youth Engagement Coordinator, dedicated to enriching the lives of Jewish youth through our Junior Youth Group (grades 6–8) and teen programming for high school students.
Originally from Asheville, North Carolina, Karleigh graduated from Rhodes College with a degree in Education. During her time at Rhodes, she served as President of Rhodes Hillel, studied Hebrew, and was inducted into Theta Alpha Kappa, a national honor society for religious studies. Her strong academic foundation and deep connection to Jewish life have shaped her into a thoughtful and passionate educator.
Karleigh’s experience in Jewish education spans over a decade, beginning at age 13 when she became a Hebrew tutor at Congregation Beth HaTephila. After moving to Memphis in 2021, she joined Temple Israel as a teacher for the Wendy & Avron Fogelman Religious School, quickly becoming a valued part of the education team.
“I have loved working as a religious school teacher the past four years, and I am so excited to continue working with the team at Temple,” Karleigh shared. “Temple Israel made me feel so welcome in Memphis when I started at Rhodes, and I am so excited to have the opportunity to help students feel just as welcomed and connected to this community.”
Karleigh’s appointment comes at a time when many Jewish teens in Memphis are seeking more ways to engage with their heritage, their peers, and their identity. Her role will focus not only on Temple Israel members, but will also extend to Jewish teens across the Memphis community. Both Junior Youth Group and Teen Programming will be open to all Jewish students, regardless of synagogue affiliation.
This inclusive approach aims to fill a significant gap in local youth engagement—In a time when Jewish identity is being shaped by both tradition and a changing world, creating consistent, welcoming, and meaningful programming is more vital than ever.
We are excited to have Karleigh step into this new chapter and can’t wait to see the creativity and energy she brings to our youth programming. Temple Israel is excited to build an inclusive, vibrant space where youth can explore their Jewish identity, build lasting friendships, and discover the joy of belonging to a community that values them.
ADULT EDUCATION CLASSES
Temple Israel is offering Adult Education Classes taught by Clergy and Staff.
STABILITY IN OUR PERSONAL LIVES
September 3, 2025 | 7:00pm | Rabbi Ross Levy
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We can best meet the challenges and uncertainty of the world around us when we are able to find stability and centeredness within ourselves. In this session, Rabbi Ross Levy will offer methods and practices from Jewish tradition that can serve as tools for personal resilience.
STABILITY IN A SHIFTING GLOBAL LANDSCAPE
September 17, 2025 | 7:00pm | Rabbi Micah Greenstein
As we tend to our spiritual selves in this season, we acknowledge how our hearts are often pulled to the conflicts of the world beyond the borders of our country. With anti-semitism on the rise and the war continuing in Israel, we have all felt the uncertainty of a shifting global landscape this past year. Join Rabbi Micah Greenstein as he offers the Jewish perspective on finding stability, resilience, and clarity in uncertain times.
STABILITY IN TIMES OF NATIONAL DIVISION
September 17, 2025 | 7:00pm | Rabbi Leah Sternberg
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In this final session, Rabbi Leah Sternberg will offer tools for a path forward as we navigate the challenging dynamics of division and polarization in the United States. Her teaching will guide us in how we might have difficult conversations, and how we, as American Jews, can draw from our religious tradition as a source of moral clarity and resilience.
SILENCED JEWISH WOMEN OF GENESIS & TODAY
November 12, 2025 | 7:00pm | Rabbi Leah Sternberg
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The voices of Jewish women—both heard and unheard— have been necessary in writing our Jewish story. This class examines the stories of women in the Torah, rabbinic literature, Jewish history, and our contemporary age, whose contributions have been overlooked, suppressed, or misinterpreted. By spending time with these narratives, we will reclaim these voices and consider their relevance to Jewish life and gender dynamics today.
EVERY DAY JUDAISM
December 17, 2025 | 7:00pm | Rabbi Ross Levy
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One of the most beautiful aspects of Judaism is that while it is usually centered around a synagogue, it does not end there. In the creative imagination of the ancient sages, each moment of our day can be seen as an opportunity for gratitude and connecting with the Divine. In this class, Rabbi Ross will lay out simple ways we can connect with our Judaism each and every day.
Births
ELEANOR JOSEPHINE DARGA
Lauren Isaacman and Paul Darga celebrated the birth of their daughter Eleanor Josephine Darga. She is the granddaughter of Sherry Phillips Isaacman, Karen Fields & Ken Isaacman, and Sophie & Tom* Darga.
New Members
We welcome the families of:
Steven Williams
Kt Lawton
Ada Waddell
Rachel & Joey Notowich
Maggie Robertson & Seth Rudy
Jodie Struminger & Mike Weisman
Lyric & Adam Malkin
Amanda & Jeff Fuller
Jordan Kleber & Noah Sullivan
Wendi & Jason Stec
Lydia Watson & Simon Chanin
ELIJAH BERNARD SUNSHINE
Alexandra and Jacob Sunshine celebrated the birth of their son, Elijah Bernard Sunshine.
BRODY ALLEN KAHN
Ashley and Jeremy Kahn celebrated the birth of their son Brody Allen Kahn. He is the grandson of Ellen Kahn and Herbert Kahn and Mary Anne and William Allen and the great-grandson of Barbara and Frank* Kahn, Shirley* & Bernard* Frisch, and Barbara* & Robbie* Robinson.
Engagements
Lainey Felsenthal and Avery Poynter
Rebecca Wilson and Adam Cohen
Sarah Goldstein and Noah Hanover
If you have a simcha to share with the congregation, please contact:
JASON TERRELL
jasont@timemphis.org 901.761.3130
JULIA STONE FRIEDMAN
Jessica Kaplan and Zachary Friedman celebrated the birth of their daughter, Julia Stone Friedman. She is the granddaughter of Nathalie Feldman & Andrew Stone Kaplan and the great-granddaughter of Linda Stone Kaplan & Edward* Steven Kaplan.
B’nai Mitzvah
GRANT W. COWENS
Became a bar mitzvah on May 31, 2025. He is the son of Abbey & Jeff Cowens.
SONNY REID SNYDER
Jessica and David Snyder celebrated the birth of their son, Sonny Reid Snyder. He is the grandson of Lorraine Steinberg, Barry Steinberg, Barbara Schwartz, & Sherman Snyder and the great-grandson of Ethel Jarmell.
ARCHER JAMES FORTNEY
Abby and Jimmy Fortney celebrated the birth of their son Archer James Fortney. He was the grandson of Robin Greenberg and Jeff * Pohlman, and Brenda & Gene* Fortney, and the great-grandson of Diane* Mednikow and Alfred Greenberg, Ray and Dorothy* Pohlman, and Charlotte* & Gene Hubbard.
JONAH NISSIM FIRST
Became a bar mitzvah on June 14, 2025. He is the son of Sara & Joshua First.
CHLOE REITER GRIGGS
Became a bat mitzvah on May 10, 2025. She is the daughter of Stacey & Tommy Griggs.
PAIGE HOPE PORTNOY
Became a bat mitzvah on May 3, 2025. She is the daughter of Lisa Usdan & David Portnoy.
JOSHUA FOGELMAN
Joshua Fogelman became a bar mitzvah on August 9, 2025. He is the son of Margo & Mark Fogelman.
*of blessed memory
DONATIONS
According to the Talmud, giving is as important as all of the other commandments combined.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those listed below who generously contributed to the following funds between April 2025 to June 2025: Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center, Beulah R. Vosse Library, Brotherhood, Cemetery, Clergy’s Discretionary, ConnecTI, General, Grounds & Beautification, Hohenberg-Scheidt Lifetime Learning, Mary Shainberg Archives, Temple Teens, Mildred Schwartz B’nai Mitzvah Scholarship, Museum, Music Program, Rabbi James A. Wax Fund for Social Justice, Service to the Blind, Sisterhood, Temple Israel University, and the Wendy & Avron Fogelman Religious School. Your support is deeply appreciated and vital to our mission.
FOR THE RECOVERY OF
Harvey Reisman
Francine Brown
Hallie Elliot
Jean & Buddy Ballin
Susanne & Bruce Landau
IN HONOR OF
Nancy Kline
Nancy & Gary Raileanu
Amy Filderman
Nancy & Gary Raileanu
The 60th Anniversary of Juliet & Jerold Klein
Louise & Jerald Sklar
Shari & David Gubin
Ginger Gruber
Ava Shindler's 1st Birthday
Baylee, Monte, and Dahlia Eiseman
For those in our family who have gone before and are written in the Book of Life
Ellen & Brig Klyce
Terry Orgel
Mary Kaplan
The Brit Milah and Naming Ceremony of Elijah Bernard Sunshine
Alexandra & Jacob Sunshine
Naming of Estee Rose Charney
Amy & Tod Singer
Marcy & Sidney Seligstein
Sandy & Clifton Lipman
Margie & Ben Katz
Sandy & Clifton Lipman
Billy Seligstein
Sandy & Clifton Lipman
Carole & Mel Krug's 65th Anniversary
Judy Ringel
Birth of Rudy Kapp
Judy Ringel
Mark Halperin - 8th Honorary
President of Temple Israel
Judy Kriger
Barbie & Ray
Dan
Jan & Lee Stein
Eileen & Steven Wishnia
Barrie & Kenneth Wurzburg
Judie Ashkenaz and Bruce Kahn
Linda Ellen & Ron Sklar
Michele & Martin Pinstein
Lorraine & Bert Wolf
Jan & Marc Hanover
Jill & David Buring
Saralyn & Danny Weiss
Joyce & Fred Graflund
Stacey & Michael Alpert
Susan & Abe Plough
Rayna & Michael Greenberg
Sally & Michael Pelts
Paula Jacobson
Judy Ringel
Lesley & Sam Marks
Carole & Charles Plesofsky
Jean & Buddy Ballin
Goldin & Steve Bearman
Margaret & Sam Graham
Judy Royal
Jill & Ken Steinberg
Rabbi Micah Greenstein
Chloe and Stacey Griggs
Calvary Episcopal Church
Audrey May
Stacey & Michael Alpert
Judy Ringel
Louis Glazer’s Birthday
Sara Beth & George Silverman
Birth of Aviv Johnny Dreifus
Connie & Mike Sherman and Family
Rose Merry Brown
Tod & Amy Singer
Melissa & Rich Faber
Lynn & Joel Weiner
Rabbi Ross Levy
Stacey & Michael Alpert
Kayla & Jason Salomon
Rabbi Jeff Dreifus
Lisa Usdan & David Portnoy
Stacey & Michael Alpert
Judy & Michael Edelson
Jodie Struminger
Sherry Samuels
Suzanne Gronemeyer
Atlee Silk
Chloe and Stacey Griggs
Ralph Yaffe
Chloe and Stacey Griggs
Eleanor Tallie Steinberg
Jennifer & Mike Ross
Chloe and Stacey Griggs
89th Birthday of Peggy Evensky
Mickey & Arthur Buring
Evelyn Snyder
Sarah Eckstein's Retirement after a career of service to the ELC
Jennifer Ross
Paige Portnoy
Lisa Usdan & David Portnoy
Linda Bedrin
Michelle & Brian Blake
Debbie Jackson
Brad Jackson
Rabbi Harry Danziger
Leonard Engelberg
Alex Saharovich on his 65th Birthday
Jill & David Buring
Sally & Michael Pelts
Jeri & Mitch Moskovitz
Michelle & Paul Clein
Janis & Pat Finan
Judy Bearman
Audrey May
Sally Mansberg Rosenberg
Audrey May
The Conversion of Audrey Jane May
Barbara & Jonathan May
Birth of Grant Maxwell Cohen
Susanne & Bruce Landau
Special Birthday of Joyce Graflund
Judy & Jerry Shore
Marriage of Molly Buring & Sam Carduner
Susanne & Bruce Landau
Births of Miller Jack and Cooper
Lee Weitz
Susanne & Bruce Landau
Birth of Estee Rose Charney
Susanne & Bruce Landau
Birth of Dahlia Allison Eiseman
Susanne & Bruce Landau
Birth of Nora Bea Kashfian
Susanne & Bruce Landau
Rayna & Michael Greenberg
Marriage of Lauren & Justin Libby
Jean & Buddy Ballin
IN MEMORY OF
Henry Wurzburg, Jr.
Deborah & James Parker
Fay H. Gubin
Chris Gubin
Bonnie Jacobson
Nancy & Gary Raileanu
Debra & Cary Califf
Donna Young
Ann Davis Wilson
Joel & Dub Ashner
Lynn & Jerry Eisenstatt
Mickey & Arthur Buring
Melissa & Richard Faber
Jane and Louis Lettes, Jan Lettes
Zauzmer Family
Alyssa & Brady Tanner
Harris Nagelberg
Waynette Besser
Marilee Sher
Susan & Butch Frumin
Janis & David Iansmith
Barbie & Ray Dan
Betsy & Andy Saslawsky
Wendy & Morris Thomas
Amy & Michael Egerman
Bettye J Gronauer
Jan & Lee Stein
Carole & Charles Plesofsky
Michael Stein
Karen & Gordon Robbins
Tami & Bob Eiseman
Barbara & Michael Gordon
Jill & Ken Steinberg
Bonnie Chambliss
Jean & Buddy Ballin
Louise & Jerry Sklar
Jan & Marc Reisman
Nancy & Jim McIntyre
Judy Kaplan McCown & Pete Lemmon
Marcia Honig
Mollie & Doug Robbins
Cathy Green
Elaine & Ken Gieszler
Marx Jeffer
Roselle Lazarov
Zelda Singer
Francine Yellen
Pearl Epstein
Judy Royal
E. Charles Eichenbaum
Peggy & L.R. Jalenak, Jr.
Mollie Friedlander Rodman
Debra Califf
Charles Samuel Lewis
Georgi & Lowell Davis
Liliane C. Samuel
Georgi & Lowell Davis
Jack Libby
Jamie & Glenn Goldring
Debra & Alex Saharovich
Stacey & Michael Alpert
Sam Buchalter
Beverly Buchalter
Sam Alabaster
Penney & Dan Alabaster
Sara Gordon Lebovitz
Maxine & Mike Shepard
Alexander Bernstein
Minda & Norman Katz
Fannie Magids
Jan Magids
Joseph Krivcher
Jan Magids
Linda Kriger Usdan
Diane & Irv Friedman
Lisa Usdan & David Portnoy
Judy Royal
Frank Leon Prins
Harry Blumenthal
Steven Alan Lazarov
Roselle Lazarov
Renee Newman Geyer
Charlene Snider
Anna Kabakoff Gruber
Lynn & Vic Butcher
Paul Alpert
Judy Ringel
Eileen Finestone
Jan & Marc Reisman
Dan Barber and Helen Leitner
Stacey & Michael Alpert
Rayna & Michael Greenberg
Debra & Alex Saharovich
Michelle & Paul Clein
Connie & Mike Sherman and Family
Laurie & Jeff Meskin
Evelyn Makowsky
Judy Ringel
Jamie Blevins
Amy & Tod Singer
Jill & Ken Steinberg
Bert Alan Less
Wendy & Morris Thomas
Carol & Peter Weiss
Leah's Camp Homies
Jill & Ken Steinberg
Alyssa Chase & Brady Tanner
Ann Weiss
Commercial Bank & Trust Co.
Stacy & Jerry Siegler and Family
Jan & Marc Reisman
Sherry & Mike Grosman
Annie Dragutsky
Caren Cohen Yarmuth
Bryko Heating & Air
Janet Lang
Mickey & Arthur Buring
Amy & Tod Singer
Loren Sanderson & Curt Cobb
Jamie Blevins
Anonymous
Elizabeth & Tom Farrar
Lisa Friedman
Carole & Charles Plesofsky
Debra & Alex Saharovich
Judie Ashkenaz and Bruce Kahn
Rayna & Michael Greenberg
Shoshy Levine and Joshua Ferrer
Mary & Sam Cornpropst
Jaime Marquis
Carol & Jim West
Judy Ringel
Nancy Bogatin
Kate & Robert Gooch
Le Roy Brown
Pat Okeon and Family
Louis Barnett
Carole & Charles Plesofky
Louise Wolf Ellis
Diane Rudner
Rochelle & Avron Slutsky
Nancy & Gary Raileanu
Michelle & Paul Clein
Marilyn & Louis Glazer
Mollie & Doug Robbins
Kelsey Buchbinder & Spencer Glaser
Stephanie & Barry Leff
Lynn & Jerry Eisenstatt
Jan & Marc Reisman
Judy & Peter Felsenthal
Steve Kisber
Linda Ellen & Ron Sklar
Carole & Charles Plesofsky
Anise & Ron Belz
Connie & MIke Sherman
Rayna & Michael Greenberg
Melissa & Rich Faber
Sheri & Jim Steiger
Elaine & Marc Stegman
Judy Ringel
Suzanne Rhea Burgar
Jan & Lee Stein and Family
Diane & Mark Halperin
Shelley Robbins & Reed Landau
Judie Ashkenaz and Bruce Kahn
Rochelle Perlman
Frank Perlman
David Martin Fargotstein
Laura Fargotstein
Shep & Margaret Fargotstein
Beverly Bachman Rose
Susan & Lee Bachman
Cathy & Jim Pottorf
Stanley Bachman
Charles Rafael
Angie Chulos Clark
Ed Dattel
Steve Gordon
Martha & Ernie Gulner
Cecile Felsenthal Prager
Rose Merry Brown
Linda Ellen & Ron Sklar
Ingrid & Gordon Goldsmith
Peggy Harris
Lynn Meyer
Inky & Phil Aronoff
Deedee & Ron Perel
Gail Lewis
Scottie Davis
Fredrika Felt
Terry Deboo
Montag Wealth
Carole & Charles Plesofsky
Barbie & Ray Dan
Diane & Mark Halperin
May Lynn Mansbach
Barbara Lapides
Hallie Elliot
Joyce & Fred Graflund
Judy Ringel
Bunny & Charles Burson
Jack Kirsch
Ronni Kirsch
Lucy Pepper Secher
Randa Lipman, Larry Lipman
Melissa & Rich Faber
Mildred Abra Katzen
Sherri & Jim Steiger
Rayna & Michael Greenberg
Helen Leitner
Madelyne Daneman
Jan & Marc Reisman
Irving Jack Kirsch
David Kirsch
Judy Freudberg
Jean & Buddy Ballin
George Lapides
Rose Merry Brown
Belle Eshman Balkin
Lynn & Vic Butcher
Binnie Alpert
Stacy & Jerry Siegler and Family
Jan & Marc Reisman
Cindy & Mark Finestone
Dr. Norman H. Davis
Scottie Davis
Marcia Charney
Jan & Marc Reisman
Tami & Bob Eiseman
Sally & Michael Pelts
Amy & David Winestone
Debra & Alex Saharovich
Marion Holz Baer
Ann & Larry Adler
Carole & Charles Plesofsky
Elise Meyer
Jan & Marc Reisman
Freda Epstein Baruchman
Beverly Buchalter
Dorothy Gellerman
Geri & Hal Lansky
Johanna Jiedel Silverstein
Jane & Jack Censer
David Okeon
Pat Okeon and Family
Harry Rudin
Sharon Kerson
Mabel B. Paul
Deanna Burson
Jake Shainberg
Deanna Burson
Albert Burson
Deanna Burson
Jon Charles Poulin
Cathy Poulin
Annie Schatz Samuels
Evelyn Snyder and Kimberley Snyder
Cathy Poulin
Rebecca Burson
Deanna Burson
Tillie Blen Alperin
Jan Magids & Family
Conrad Snyder
Evelyn Snyder
Janet & Paul Rubin
Helen Leitner and Dan Barber
Waynette Besser
Melissa & Rich Faber
Linthicum Turner
Harriet & Louis Strasberg
Deedee & Ron Perel
Tony Appleton
Tami & Bob Eiseman
Carole & Charles Plesofsky
Margie Kerstine
Meryl Rosen
Polly Jane Cohen Cooper
Karen & Murray Riss
Max Notowitz
Michael Gryll
Alfred Greenberg
The Family of Alfred Greenberg
Dr. Stanley Baruch Kaplan
Sue Kaplan
Arlyne Schwartz
Barrie & Kenneth Wurzburg
Lynn Kline
Evelyn Snyder and Kimberley Snyder
Myn Samuels Loket
Evelyn Snyder and Kimberley Snyder
Cathy Poulin
Martin Snyder
Evelyn Snyder and Kimberley Snyder
Henry H. Fortas
Carol & Joel Hertz
Dr. Robert L. Forman
Evelyn Greenberg
Doris L. Marks
Lesley & Sam Marks
Stanley Engelberg
Diane & Irv Friedman
Jake Engelberg
Diane & Irv Friedman
Maxine Feinberg Engelberg
Diane & Irv Friedman
Frank Robinson
Stacey & Gene Wypyski
Nora Pearl Rothschild
Linda Gornek
Mary & Harry Stone
Linda Stone Kaplan
Helen & Herbert Silverson
Gail & Norman Stern
Aaron Scharff, Jr.
Darcy & Ron Scharff
Mike Starr
Martha & Ernie Gulner
Sarah Lazarus Lewis
Michele & Martin Pinstein
Rachel & Steve Shankman
Carole & Bob Pinstein
Susan & Abe Plough
Lauren McGehee
Tami & Bob Eiseman
Laurie & Jeff Meskin
Stacey & Michael Alpert
Gail Lewis
Sherry & Mike Grosman
Elise Meyer
Yvonne Kiersky
Susan & Irving Koch
Bettye J Gronauer
Aileen Burson
Leslie Burson
Louise O. Lewis
Gail Lewis & Family
Ann Arnof Fishman
Anonymous
Joanne Cullom Moore
Hallie Elliot
Helen Leitner
Janet B. Lang
Elizabeth Kennedy Blackstone and Family
Kayla & Jason Salomon
Cathy & Richard Kessler
Judy Royal
Jennifer & Mike Ross
Walter Wills, III
Debbie & Ron Jackson
Meryl Rosen
Billy Chism
Deborah Faber Holtermann
Fredrika Felt
Beverly Buchalter
Sandra Leibson Rubovits
Donald Rubovits
Dalen Bressack
Courtney Bressack Living Trust
Boswell Hale
Hallie Dawson
Max Bronze
Kathy & Michael Bronze
Robert K. Kisber
Steve Kisber
Janet Kisber
Louis Barnett Isaacs
Carole & Charles Plesofsky
Frank Robinson
Golden & Steve Bearman
William "Wim" Mandel Cohen
Pattye Cohen
Jerry Lang
Susan & Abe Plough
Marshall Pelts
The Pelts Family
Marion Baer
Janet Brueck
Aaron R. Scharff, Jr.
Jane Scharff
Lillian Solomon Greenberg
Phyllis & Jay Greenberg
Dr. Philip H. Bloom
Nancy Ballin
Alice R. Goodman
Patty & Lee Abraham
Max Isaac Sweeting
Terry Orgel
Ida Engelberg
Waynette Besser
Paul Engelberg
Susan & Jerome Franklin
Pauline Needleman Plesofsky
Sandy Kessler & Michael Woolsey
Selma Bauer Simon
Martha & Jerrold Graber
Richard Hiller
Suzanne & Sam Siegel
Dot & Stanley Bilsky
Lin Turner
Sylvia Morris
Suzanne & Sam Siegel
Dora & Herman Lieberman
Barbara & Phil Lieberman
Sylvia Stiman Fortas
Carol & Joel Hertz
Lillian Stegman
Jan & Lee Stein
Nancy Bogatin
Barbara Loevy
Joel Felt
Debby Weinstein
Jean & Eugene Sebulsky
Alan Sebulsky
Cynthia Blanton Schwartz
Mike Schwartz
Irving Manis
Laurie & Elkan Scheidt
Roselyn Graff
Christopher Marino
Samuel Beck
Sharon Gadless
Betty Zundman Joseph
Susan & Larry Weiss and Family
Jill Barrasso
Judy Barrasso
Sol Kaplan
Judith Kaplan McCown
Bennie Rosenthal
Diane Mendelson
Helen Ruth Weisburd and Isidore E. Karchmer
Barbara & A.W. Karchmer
Lewis "Pat" Isaacs
Carole & Charles Plesofsky
Frank Balkin
Lynn & Vic Butcher
VISION 2026 DONORS
As of July 15, 2025
Anonymous
The Arney, Gronauer, and Scheidt Families
Julie & Lawson Arney
Josie & Steve Ballin
Carole & Bert Barnett
Barbara Bacharach
Golden & Stephen Bearman
Linda Bedrin & Don Klotwog
Drs. Lauren & Brandon Bell
Julie & Byron Besser
Marcy & Michael Blen
Sherry & Peter Blumberg
Mickey & Arthur Buring
Bonnie & Eliot Cohen
Marilyn & Harvey Cook
Tracey & Ronald Cooper and Family
Liz Ann & Robert L. Dinkelspiel
Amy & Richard Dorsey
Beni & Mike Dragutsky
Edie & Eric Efron
Melissa & Rich Faber
Rebecca Belz & Sam Fargotstein
Margaret & Shepard Fargotstein
Rhonda & Lenny Feiler and Family
Gloria & Edward Felsenthal
Fredrika Felt
Janis & Pat Finan
Cyndie & Larry Fogarty
The Fogelman Family
The Folz Family
Cindy & Jim Forman
Lisa & Jonathan Frisch
Milton Fortas Bequest
Leah Gafni
Regina Jolly
Lisa Menuskin & Neil Gibson
Sharon & Michael Goldstein
Julie & Michael Goldstein
Jessica & David Goldstein
Bunny & Jeff Goldstein
Richard Greenberg
Sheril & Rabbi Micah Greenstein
Helen Gronauer & Family
Suzanne Gronemeyer
Sheliah & Scott Gruber
Lauren, Bill, Jacob, and Benjamin Hackney
Marci & Geoffrey Hirsch
Peggy & L.R. Jalenak, Jr.
Elise & Richard Jordan
Justin & Ben Katz
Faith & Leonard Kaye
Marty Kelman
Denise, Jeffrey, Hannah, and Martin Kerlan
Ronni Z. Kirsch
Gabby & Zach Kisber
Karen & Michael Koplon
Judy Kriger & Family
Susanne & Bruce Landau
Geri & Hal Lansky
Barbara Lapides and Family
Jami & Adam Lazarov
Debbie & Ron Lazarov
Stephanie & Barry Leff
Laura & James Linder
Alla & Nathan Lubin
Melissa & Brian Lurie
Jan Magids and Family
Leigh & Danny Mansberg
May Lynn Mansbach
The Meskin Family
Ellen Mezger
Taylor & Benjamin Orgel
Robin & Billy Orgel
Sally & Michael Pelts
Mary Lynn Perl
Carole & Robert Pinstein
The Plough Foundation
Lisa Usdan & David Portnoy
Wendy & Steve Radke
Ann Rabinovitz
Judy Ringel
Randa Rosenblum
LET TEMPLE ISRAEL HELP YOU PREPARE
Making cemetery arrangements in advance can bring peace of mind to you and your family while preventing stressful, last-minute decisions during an already emotional time.
Temple Israel offers affordable burial plots at our beautifully maintained cemetery. Plots are available to members and non-members, and we offer flexible multimonth payment plans to make planning accessible and manageable.
Shelli & Sheldon Rosengarten
Debbie & David Rosenthal
Jennifer & Mike Ross
Wendy & Cary Rotter
Debra & Alex Saharovich
Sherry & Alan Samuels
Betsy & Andy Saslawsky
The Herbert Shainberg Foundation
Jane & John Shelton
Lisa & Howard Silver
Farryl & Josh Silver
Katie & Ryan Silverfield
Marcy Wurzburg Stagner
Jill & Ken Steinberg
Kimberlee & Scott Strome
Terri & Scot Struminger
Sharyn Tritsch
Cathy & Craig Weiss
Eileen & Steve Wishnia
Edward J. Wise Bequest
Amanda & Gary Wolf
Barrie & Kenneth Wurzburg
Mary & Charles Wurtzburger Bequest
Carol & Ralph Yaffe
Hollie & Greg Ziskind
ADDITIONAL DONATIONS
Barbara and Leonard Richman OUR SYMPATHIES
June - August 8, 2025
Robert J. Hermann
Jack Libby
Raymon Sauer
Bonnie Jane Jacobson
Ann Davis Wilson
Liam Roth
Sidney S. Friedman, Jr.
Karl E. Egerman
Jeffrey Alan Levingston
Deborah Frisch
Shirley I. Summerfield
Annabelle Beyer Kaplan
Please reach out to Jen Kollath at jenk@timemphis.org to schedule a confidential conversation.
Planning today is a gift to your family tomorrow.
BACK TO SCHOOL BABKA BAKE WITH
JOSH STEINER
Get ready to roll up your sleeves and knead some dough at our Back to School Babka Bake with special guest Josh Steiner, owner of Hive Bagel & Deli! Arrive at noon for a build-your-own bagel sandwich lunch by Hive included in your registration, then Josh will lead a lively, hands-on demonstration, sharing his expert tips and tricks for creating the perfect babka. You won’t just watch—you’ll get in on the action, shaping and filling your own loaf with delicious swirls of flavor. The best part? You’ll take your babka and Josh’s personal recipe home to bake, filling your kitchen with that irresistible, fresh-from-the-oven aroma. This is a fun, interactive experience for all ages you won’t want to miss!
*Children under 4 years old are FREE and don’t require registration as they will work in tandem with a parent.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 | 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Enjoy activities for kids, toddler play land, bounce houses, local food trucks, and a marketplace showcasing small businesses from Temple Israel and the Memphis Jewish community. It’s a sweet and spirited way to celebrate the season. Free and open to the public.
This event has been generously sponsored by an anonymous donor.
