In our tradition, the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are known as the most awe-inspiring and powerful Holy Days. In our modern reality, the High Holy Days continue to serve as a draw for the Jews who rarely set foot in the synagogue during the year, but who nonetheless make big efforts to be a… more

If favorite books are like old friends, prayerbooks are like trusted and beloved family members. We turn to them in joy as well as in sorrow, in wonder and in confusion. While holding the prayerbook in our hands, we talk to God, it helps us find the right words when our own words fail us…… more

Uplifting prayers, thoughtful conversation, a bit of schmoozing topped off by a nosh! These contribute to making Shabbat at Temple Emanuel so special. Oneg Shabbat, Sabbath joy enhanced by refreshments after services, is a long-standing tradition at our congregation. Many thanks to those families who have helped to host an Oneg Shabbat. Each temple family… more

By now, hopefully everybody has heard that the year 2012 has special meaning to the Temple Emanuel community — we turn 50. We will be ending our first half century on a positive note — membership is increasing — since the beginning of our fiscal year (July 1, 2010) we have gained 17 new families.… more

I could not honestly remember if I had ever experienced Chanukah begin on December 1st – but even if I did, this still feels very ‘early’! As the Jewish calendar tries to balance the lunar and the solar systems of counting months, our festivals travel slightly back and forth. This Hebrew year, 5771 is a… more

TE members of different ages came together to study, share food and help pack gifts to be delivered to a number of local agencies and families this holiday season. Here’s what the organizers had to say: “Thank you to everyone that made the Sunday Chanukah event so successful— To the community who donated toys, clothes… more

Rosh Hashanah comes early this year! It seems like Elul has come and almost gone and before we know it, it’s time for Rosh Hashanah celebrations, for ushering in the new year, for apples and honey and joy, as well as introspection and taking stock of our lives that follows the Rosh Hashanah and precedes… more

This month marks the beginning of the gift-giving season. If you arelooking for a little something for aco-worker, a friend or anyone for that matter, let me suggest aStop & Shop gift card. We normally sellthe cards in $50 and $100denominations, but they can also be purchased in $10, $20, and $25amounts. Let us know… more

x Hopefully you’ve noticed some changes taking place at Temple Emanuel this summer. Last month I wrote about the projects involving the base- ment of the TE House and the fire landings. As stated in last month’s Shofar, those projects were paid for out of our budget. In August, both the House and Sanctuary underwent… more