TABLE OF CONTENTS
2
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
3
TWO CITIES, ENDLESS MEMORIES
5 WHEN THE COMMUNITY HOLDS YOU
7
GETTING INTO GOOD TROUBLE WITH JACKI SOUSA
9
TST SPRING CELEBRATION: ELC'S 10TH ANNIVERSARY
12 AN ATTACK ON ONE OF US IS AN ATTACK ON ALL OF US…
CONNECT WITH US
LATE SPRING / EARLY SUMMER 2026 June 2026
Spring has a way of reminding us why community matters and this issue of Chai Lights is full of exactly that
We open with Two Cities, Endless Memories, a look back at our 12th graders who went to Washington, D.C. for the RAC L'Taken Social Justice Seminar, and our 9th and 10th graders taking on New York City. Both trips were full of joy, meaning, and the kind of memories that stay with you.
This issue also features a piece close to all our hearts: When the Community Holds You. One of our members shares her experience of accepting help during a difficult time and what she discovered when she said yes. It's a beautiful reminder of what Kesher is all about and why this community is so special.
Marissa Brockman had the pleasure of sitting down with one of our newest board members, Jacki Sousa. Getting Into Good Trouble with Jacki is exactly the kind of conversation that makes me proud to be a member here
We give a recap of the TST 2026 Spring Celebration, where we honored the Early Learning Center's 10th Anniversary.
Finally, Rabbi Danny and Rev. J. Anthony Lloyd address something serious: a recent act of antisemitic and racist vandalism at a Natick elementary school We Must All Fight Hatred and we will.
With love and gratitude,
From the Bimah, a weekly podcast from TST featuring the sermons from our incredible clergy.
Extended Kiddush, a weekly podcast from the TST Office.
By Jenna Friedman and Renata Feinstein
Two of the shining gems in our teen program offerings are our immersive teen travel experiences to New York and Washington, D.C. every spring. These two trips, our journey to the RAC (Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism) L’Taken Social Justice Seminar trip for 12th grade and our New York City trip for 9th and 10th grade, never fail to bring endless joy, meaning, wonder, and memories to our participants and staff alike.
Our RAC L’Taken seminar remains a compelling intellectual and moral experience for our students, allowing them to awaken to their own power and voice amongst peers from all over the country. During this year’s trip from March 13-16, our teens had a great time making friends with other teens from delegations here in Massachusetts as well as far as Florida, Arizona, and California Many happy memories were made during our programs, like creating dances to lobby for fake bills; during our adventures off into the city, visiting the Smithsonian National Zoo and seeing elephants, gorillas, pandas, and more; on the bus, singing songs and filming TikToks with new friends; and late at night, writing our lobbying speeches over a heart-shaped pickle pizza
Two weeks later, and equally as full of fun, was our annual NYC trip. Getting to see New York City through the eyes of our teens is always a wonder, and it brings the city to life in ever more vibrant and sparkling ways. From sing-alongs walking down the city streets at night to drinking entire gallons of iced tea and eating whole rotisserie chickens on the bus ride back home, our teens met every moment of the trip with warmth, enthusiasm, and joy. The New York City trip touches every part of the fabric of Jewish life in New York city, and our teens eagerly and richly engaged with each part of it, from their soulful participation in Shabbat services to their continuous insightful questions during our guided w York, in particular, include the cuisine at services at Central synagogue), the ory of the Jewish immigrant experience synagogues, and other Lower East Side
ravel Fund that enable us to serve teens uch sincerity and appreciation, and who so much laughter. We already can't wait
Caring Connections (formerly Kesher) is Temple Shir Tikva’s congregant-to-congregant support network, offering compassion and care during life’s joyful and challenging moments Through this program, we fulfill the mitzvah of caring for one another by both giving and receiving support
Whether celebrating a simcha, welcoming a new child or grandchild, facing illness, or grieving a loss, Caring Connections is here for you. A meal, a ride to an appointment, a healing shawl, a new baby bag, or a bereavement bag are meaningful reminders that no one in our community walks alone.
Every act of kindness helps our members feel supported and connected. We strive to respond to every request and are always looking for new ideas and volunteers to strengthen our work.
If you are interested in joining Caring Connections to help ensure that every Temple Shir Tikva member feels cared for when it matters most, please email Karen Langweber at karenbl@comcast.net.
Please see the note below from a congregant who received a Caring Connection
Words cannot adequately express how grateful we are to be part of such a caring community. Even when going through difficult times, accepting help can be uncomfortable. We all believe that we should be able to handle life's curveballs - even when they feel like a direct hit. But the experience of saying yes to the assistance offered by the Kesher Committee had a much more profound impact than I expected
The notion of being able to manage everything is illusory In times of crisis, there is no time to think ahead or plan for normal tasks Time is about getting through the moment and doing whatever is most immediate on a large list of things to be done (of which taking care of oneself is far down at the bottom).
And that is where the kindness and efforts of the Kesher community offer a gift that in the moment feels miraculous. The caretaker role is about doing everything to help another person on the path back to wellness, trying to keep kids and grandkids from being burdened with worry, and trying to keep up with work and other responsibilities. The fact that, several days a week, members of our community cared enough to take the time to cook food and bring it to the house was as nourishing as the meals. There was a truly spiritual component to these efforts that I never expected. For that, I will always be deeply grateful.
It is with that enormous gratitude that we send this gift to help pay it forward as this community continues to engage in the caring work it does so well.
With love and appreciation, Lauren
By Marissa Brockman
There was something that immediately stood out on Jacki and Andrew's membership form: "Jacki once ran SpongeBob's social media accounts." Enough said.
The two met in 2005 at Syracuse University. After spending many years together in New York, they moved to Sudbury four years ago to be closer to family. "We're New Yorkers at heart, with Boston sports loyalty!" she shared. They have two amazing boys, Preston (9), and Emerson (almost 5). As a family, they enjoy spontaneous dance parties, movie nights, and board games Preston is even taking up Mah Jong!
Jacki was raised in Westchester, NY, and attended a reform synagogue so small it rented space from a local church. Her Jewish education paused after her Bat Mitzvah, but she always felt a strong pull toward her Judaism. Every year, she made it her mission to create a Haggadah for her family's Passover seder. After September 11, 2001, it felt important to her to return to Temple and surround herself with a Jewish community. She shared that she felt a similar pull after October 7, 2023 — a reminder that community is not just a comfort, but a calling
Andrew Sousa, Jacki's husband, was not raised Jewish. The couple was married by a Rabbi and always knew they wanted to raise Jewish children. After joining TST and attending a variety of services and programs, Andrew felt a deep sense of community and connection to the clergy and decided to begin exploring conversion to Judaism While Andrew is the one converting, the couple has embraced the process together reading books, taking classes, and engaging in meaningful conversations along the way.
Later this year, Jacki will be joining the board as Trustee for Membership Recruitment As we discussed her growing investment in combating antisemitism and deepening her Jewish engagement, she told me, "The way the world is right now this is what I need to be doing." Jacki invoked John Lewis and his call to get into "good trouble." She plans to lead by example, teaching her children, that it's okay to speak up in the face of injustice and that she and Andrew will never be upset with them for getting into “good trouble ”
Jacki wants to help individuals and families understand the true value of Temple membership and break down the barriers to entry Reflecting on her own journey, she shared that she wished she and Andrew had joined sooner "Joining a synagogue is more than just providing your child with a Jewish education and having a B. Mitzvah," we agreed. Choosing the right Jewish home for your family is not a small decision. It asks you to consider: What kind of community belongs to this space? Do the clergy and leadership share my values? Do their programs and worship practices feel like mine? Is the educational curriculum the right fit for my children?
Joining a synagogue today is so much more than attending High Holy Day services and the occasional Shabbat. Shir Tikva strives to be the heart of Jewish living and practice in MetroWest and our team does not take that responsibility lightly It is our ongoing commitment to ensure our offerings reflect and grow with our community's needs How fortunate we are to have dedicated lay leaders like Jacki willing to roll up their sleeves, get into a little good trouble, and help turn our vision into reality.
On the evening of March 28, 2026, Temple Shir Tikva came alive with laughter, warmth, and a palpable sense of community pride More than 150 congregants, parents, and friends gathered at the temple for a joyful spring celebration honoring a milestone a decade in the making: the 10th anniversary of the Temple Shir Tikva Early Learning Center (ELC) The festive evening also served as an opportunity to raise vital funds for our congregation's Annual Fund
From the moment guests arrived, the energy in the room was electric The evening's program featured a remarkable lineup of speakers who each brought their own perspective on what the Early Learning Center has meant to the TST community and beyond Amanda Glynn opened the evening with heartfelt remarks that set the tone for the celebration, reflecting on the relationships, values, and memories that the ELC has helped to cultivate over the past ten years
ELC Director Stephanie Lerner, whose dedication and vision have been central to the center's growth and success over the past 6+ years, offered a moving tribute to the educators, families, and children who have walked through the ELC's doors since its founding Stephanie spoke with characteristic warmth about the center's mission: to nurture curiosity, kindness, and a love of learning in the youngest members of the TST family Her words drew enthusiastic applause from a crowd that clearly knows, firsthand, the impact she and her team have had
President Amy O'Donnell brought a leader's perspective to the evening, celebrating not just the ELC's anniversary but the remarkable community that has supported it O'Donnell acknowledged the volunteers, donors, and staff who have made the last decade possible, and looked ahead with optimism to the next ten years Her remarks underscored the deep connection between the ELC and the broader life of the congregation, a place where Jewish identity, belonging, and joy take root from the very earliest age
Development Trustee Shanna Gershman, spoke with candor and emotion about the profound role the ELC has played in her own family's Jewish journey For her family, as for so many others, the ELC was not simply a preschool; it was the beginning of a lifelong connection to Temple Shir Tikva and to Judaism itself Her words clearly struck a chord with the audience, many of whom nodded in recognition of their own families' similar paths Gershman's remarks served as a powerful reminder of why anniversaries like this one matter
Rabbi Danny Burkeman offered the kind of thoughtful, inspiring address that TST members have come to cherish Drawing on Jewish tradition and his own love for the community, Rabbi Danny wove together themes of gratitude, continuity, and hope, reminding guests that the work of building a congregation is, at its heart, the work of building a future
Between speeches and mingling, guests were treated to a delightful array of puzzles and games courtesy of Eureka! Games, which provided the perfect opportunity for playful connection across generations Tables buzzed with friendly competition, creative problem-solving, and plenty of good-natured fun, a fitting tribute to a center dedicated to the joy of learning
By the end of the evening, it was clear that the spring celebration had achieved everything it set out to do: honor a decade of extraordinary work, strengthen the bonds of community, and inspire generous support for TST's Annual Fund The ELC has given ten years of gifts to the families of Temple Shir Tikva and on March 28th, the community gave something back
6.2026
By Rabbi Danny Burkeman and Rev J Anthony Lloyd
In the shadow of World War Two, Pastor Martin Niemöller wrote his famous passage that begins: “First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a socialist.” His writings reflected on the silence of so many as the Nazis attacked various minority groups within German society. According to Niemoller, these bystanders did not speak out because they were not directly targeted. But as he cautions at the end: “Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak for me ”
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The gr Schools, and the Town of Natick. The wall was quickly repainted so that the children and their families did not have to see it. But hatred does not disappear as easily as spray paint. And with the repeated attacks that our communities have witnessed in recent years, one does begin to wonder if words are enough. Where is the action ito actually challenge this behavior and these crimes?
The hateful words and symbol have been covered up by purple paint, which while helping to erase the crime, does appear to make it obvious that there is something hiding behind the oddly shaped blocks of paint on the brick wall. And while we of course want those symbols removed as quickly as possible, perhaps this allows our communities to keep moving on too quickly from these incidents of hate The graffiti is covered and so life moves on, but we, in the communities who were targeted, still carry the pain The spray paint may be gone, but the scar remains visible like the uneven blocks of purple paint still covering the wall.
For a long time in responding to racism, antisemitism, and hate we have tried to make it clear that we are all victims of these attacks and so we must all respond together to affirm that there is no place for this type of behavior in our communities. This latest incident has illustrated that the perpetrators of these crimes do not distinguish; their hate is aimed at all of us. They have directly targeted the Black and Jewish communities, but in reality, they are targeting each and every one of us And in the face of these attacks it cannot just be the Black and Jewish communities who continue to raise the alarm after the statement has been issued and the graffiti removed
The question before us is not whether Natick condemns hate. The question is whether we are prepared to confront it together before the next wall is marked, the next child is frightened, and the next community is told they do not belong.
The words of Dr King come to mind at a time such as this. "Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly " From his April 1963 "Letter from a Birmingham Jail " The challenge today is not to accept this behavior as "normal" or dismiss it as a childish prank Hate is a learned value, and when it is on display, it challenges our values as a community. To have this happen at one of our schools speaks volumes about the attack on our centers of learning for our next generation. The slow erosion of our values and what we hold dear is happening before our eyes. To paraphrase Martin Luther King Jr.. “The ultimate measure of a man [or woman] is not where they stand in moments of comfort and convenience, but where they stand at times of challenge and controversy. Natick, now is the time to stand up!
Dan Brosgol
Rabbi Danny Burkeman rabbidanny@shirtikva org Executive Director dbrosgol@shirtikva.org
Christina Loftus cloftus@shirtikva.org Office Manager
Marissa Brockman mbrockman@shirtikva.org Director of Community Engagement
Stephen Greenstein sgreenstein@shirtikva org Communications & Events Associate
John Legg jlegg@shirtikva org Building Manager
Alison Weikel aweikel@shirtikva.org Director of Education
Jenna Friedman jfriedman@shirtikva org Assistant Director of Education
Renata Feinstein Youth Engagement Professional rfeinstein@shirtikva.org
Emma Lurie
edadmin@shirtikva org Education Administrator
Cantor Hollis Schachner cantor@shirtikva.org
Rabbi Lisa Eiduson rabbilisa@shirtikva org
Karen Edwards kedwards@shirtikva.org Assistant to the Clergy
Adam Bernstein abernstein@shirtikva.org Music Director
Talia Hirsh thirsh@shirtikva org Director of Development
Amy O’Donnell aodonnell@shirtikva org President, Board of Trustees
Stephanie Lerner slerner@shirtikva.org Director of ELC
Janice Wood jwood@shirtikva org ELC Administrator
