Celebrate Purim with Us!

Colorful masks and hamantaschen

All Ages Hamentaschen Baking
Sun, Mar 17, 10am at the JCC

Come join us to bake hamentaschen together in the JCC kitchen. We’ll cut out, form, and bake our hamentaschen together. Whether you’ve never made hamentaschen before or have been making it for years, we hope you’ll join us. We’ll use the baked goods for our Purim Trivia Quiz event on the 24th, and we’ll also deliver some to  our shut-ins. 

Purim: Farce or Fantasy?
Tues, Mar 19, 11am – 12pm at the JCC

The Book of Esther is an over-the-top tale of power, gender, oppression, and revenge. Should we understand it as a farce? A fantasy? What lessons does the story have for us today? This presentation by Rabbi Drorah Setel is co-sponsored by Lifespan. It is free, but registration is required. More Information & Registration

Poster for Purim Trivia Quiz

Purim Trivia Quiz
Sat, Mar 23, 2pm, Aud A at the JCC

Join us for an engaging and light hearted Purim Trivia Quiz! Quiz rounds will include general and Jewish knowledge questions. Invite your friends to make up a team of 4-6 players or get matched up when you arrive. A freewill donation will be requested of non-members. Refreshments! Prizes! RSVP now! Purim Trivia Quiz RSVP

Purim is the Queerest Holiday
Sun, Mar 24, 1pm at Equal Grounds Coffee House

LGBTQ+ Jews and allies are invited to a Purim Meet Up. Enjoy coffee, conversation, and connection. Rabbi Drorah Setel will lead a brief discussion of why Purim is the queerest Jewish holiday. All are welcome! Equal Grounds Coffee House is located at 750 South Ave, Rochester 14620.

Celebrate the Eclipse with Us!

Freewheeling yellow and orange design showing stars, planets, and a calendar_graphic_rani ban at raniban.co_permission_artist

The Solar Eclipse: What’s Judaism Got to Do with It?
Tues, Apr 2, 11am – 12pm at the JCC

What does Jewish tradition have to teach us about the significance of astral events? Rabbi Drorah Setel will lead a discussion of Jewish beliefs about the cosmos and its impact on human experience. This class is co-sponsored by Lifespan. It is free, but registration is required. More Information & Registration

Cosmic Judaism
Wed, Apr 3, 7pm via Zoom

Join us for an online discussion of Jewish traditions concerning the meaning of the sun, moon, and stars in our lives. Led by Rabbi Drorah Setel. 

Eclipse Watching
Mon, Apr 8, 1pm at the JCC

Join us to watch the eclipse together! We will be meeting at the tennis court area where the Canalside stage and tent are set up, just off the rear parking area. We will appreciate moon and sun art, and explore our sages’ wisdom on astronomy. There will be eclipse-themed snacks and music, and viewing glasses will be furnished. More details coming soon!

Celebrate Passover with Us!

matzah and wineglass in a field

Community Potluck Seder
Sat, Apr 27, 5pm at the JCC

Community Potluck Seder details coming soon!

All are Welcome!

[Astronomy graphic by rani ban, raniban.co, used by permission of the artist]


 

קהילת עמנו אל

K’hilat Imanu El – Our Emanu-El Congregation

תורה

Torah
Study

עבודה

Avodah
Celebration

תקון אולם

Tikkun Olam
Mending the World



Shalom and thanks for visiting our Temple Emanu-El website

We are a Reform Jewish Congregation in Rochester, New York. Our members are Jews by birth, Jews by choice, and those drawn to Judaism, including multiracial, LGBTQ+, and interfaith households. We see ourselves as a family, where everyone’s participation is sought and appreciated. We invite you to attend our services and events, and share in our warm, informal approach to Reform Judaism.


Coming Up at Temple Emanu-El

Shabbat Service

Fri, Mar 15, 7pm at the JCC

Chevre Torah Study Groups Online

Sat, Mar 16, 10am and 11:05am via Zoom

All Ages Hamentaschen Baking

Sun, Mar 17, 10am at the JCC

Purim: Farce or Fantasy?

Tues, Mar 19, 11am at the JCC

Temple Emanu-El Board of Trustees Meeting Online

Tues, Mar 19, 7pm via Zoom

See Our Full Calendar of Services and Events


Rabbi Drorah Setel’s March 12 Message

Growing up, I don’t think I ever knew about the final chapters of the Book of Esther. The Purim story I learned was about Esther and Mordechai saving the Jews from the evil plans of Haman. What I never heard about was how they actually did it. For those of you who haven’t read Chapter 9 in Esther, the details are gory….

Read Rabbi Setel’s Full Message


Our New Covid Policy

The rate of Covid infection is rising again in Monroe County. We have decided to follow CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines:

When the CDC reports a low Covid risk, masking at Temple Emanu-El is optional.

When the CDC reports a medium Covid risk, masking at Temple Emanu-El is required. We urge attendees to use N95 or KN95 masks. Masks will be available for those who need one.

When the CDC reports a high Covid risk, we will meet via Zoom only.

To determine the risk level, visit the CDC website, scroll down to Covid-19 County Check, and enter “NY” and “Monroe.” The risk is updated every Thursday at 8pm.


TigerChat – Aiding Communication

TigerChat is a phone app that’s been developed by the Center on Access Technology at RIT. The app allows you to converse with another person or group using automatic speech recognition (ASR) technology that converts spoken words into typed text. You can watch the conversation as is happens! The app was designed to work on the RIT campus, and RIT has extended it so that it now also works in the JCC.

One of our members commented, “The app is very easy to use and the transcription is quite accurate. I was able to understand, for the first time in years, what was being said at services. It was wonderful.”

For more information, visit the RIT website.

Back to top

Skip to content