Adult Education
Adult Ed Brunch Series – Alex Edelman’s show, “Just for Us”
Sunday, Jan 26, 11am in the Lipson Lounge at the JCC
We’ll watch comedian Alex Edelman’s show “Just for Us,” a funny and touching commentary on contemporary Jewish life. After reading an ad asking “Are you confused about your white identity?” Edelman decides to attend what turns out to be a white nationalist meeting. In the course of describing what ensues, he touches on a range of issues concerning American Jewish identity in a way that is often surprising and always hilarious.
Our morning will include a delicious brunch. Please contact Jon Rubin (jrubin566@gmail.com) if you are able to help with cooking or set-up.
Rabbi’s Book Club
Sunday, Feb 2, 11am in the TEE Library at the JCC
Adult Ed Brunch Series – Judy Livingston – Start with YES
Sunday, Feb 16, 11am in the Lipson Lounge at the JCC
Judy Livingston is a local artist, designer, and educator. She has developed a website, startwithYES.org, designed for Jewish families caring for children with special needs. These families, for a variety of reasons, may feel that a b-mitzvah is out of reach for them. The website is a compilation of inclusive b’nai mitzvah SUCCESS stories, proven ideas, and helpful resources, all of which are intended to encourage these families to have meaningful b’nai mitzvah experiences. The “Start with YES” website is a resource to help open the door wider for participation in Jewish life.
Our morning will include a delicious brunch. Please contact Jon Rubin (jrubin566@gmail.com) if you are able to help with cooking or set-up.
Board of Trustees Meetings Online
Our Board meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7pm – our next Board meeting is on Tues, Jan 21 via Zoom
Our monthly Board meetings are open to all current Temple Emanu-El members. To login by phone, call 1-929-205-6099 and use meeting ID 848 0442 4414. [Photo: Our 2025 Board in Zoomland]
Chesed Caring Community Team Meetings Online
All are welcome. For information about our Chesed Caring Community Team, contact Denise Lippa at ddl3621@g.rit.edu or 585-698-7391. To login by phone, call 1-929-205-6099 and use meeting ID 889 6805 3220. [Photo by Temple Emanu-El member Dave Kassnoff]
Chesed Caring Community Zoom Link
Chevre Torah Study Online
Every Saturday morning, 10am and 11:05am via Zoom
Chevre Torah provides an in-depth discussion of the weekly Torah portion and highlights from the other books of the Bible, combining traditional commentaries with contemporary perspectives and the wisdom of our own experience. No prior knowledge of the texts is assumed. For the Hebrew blessing for Torah study, click here: blessing.
Our next meeting is on Jan 18.
From 10am – 10:55am: We will start the Book of Hosea
From 11:05-noon: Exodus 4:18 – 6:1
To login by phone, call 1-929-205-6099 and use meeting ID 884 3153 5267.
[Photo: Temple Emanu-El members Charlie and Charly Sommers unrolling our Torah scroll on Simchat Torah]
Family Fun
One Saturday morning each month (usually the first Saturday), 9am – 11am at one of our member’s homes
Join us each month as we gather with our young children to enjoy a Shabbat morning together. We look forward to sharing traditions and celebrating each new season with our Jewish community.
Coming Up:
Feb 1 – Tree of Light
Mar 1 – Purim Party!
Apr 5 – Matzah Mash
May 3 – Torah Time
Jun 7 – Summer Splash
For more information and to rsvp, contact Alexa at alexalacey@me.com.
Hebrew for Adults Online
One evening a week for an hour via Zoom
November starts another year of Hebrew classes at Temple Emanu-El. The classes are taught by Leslie Schwartz once a week via Zoom.
Beginning Hebrew – By the end of this course, you’ll be able to pronounce (decode, read aloud) any Hebrew word and also know the meaning of a number of Hebrew words that are important in our liturgy. We use the text, Aleph Isn’t Tough, Book 1, by Linda Motzkin, URJ Press, 2000. The classes meet each week on Tuesday mornings from 8-9am.
Continuing Hebrew – We will continue our Hebrew study using the text, Aleph Isn’t Enough, Book 2, by Linda Motzkin, URJ Press, 2001. This text emphasizes the Hebrew used in prayers and Torah readings in the synagogue, the blessings and rituals of Jewish home observances, and words or phrases arising out of a Jewish cultural context. The prerequisite for joining this class is to be able to read (decode, read aloud) any Hebrew word (without necessarily knowing what it means). The classes meet each week on Thursday mornings from 9-10am.
The courses are open to everyone. They are free for Temple Emanu-El members; non-members are asked to make a donation from their hearts. Contact Leslie Schwartz (schwartzljs@gmail.com) for more information and to sign up.
[Graphic by Emma Rhodes of Emma Tang Designs]
Hospitality Team Meetings Online
Our online meetings are generally on the first Tuesday of the month at 7pm – our next meeting is on Feb 4 via Zoom
All are welcome! For more information, contact Brenda Mudd at bbbhd0929@gmail.com. To login by phone, call 1-929-205-6099 and use meeting ID 889 6805 3220. [Photo: At our 2018 Summer Picnic, showing Temple Emanu-El member Marty Neweroff, taken by member Carl Wetzstein]
Men’s Club
2nd Tuesday of the month, 9am – our next get-together will be in February at Riki’s Family Restaurant
Riki’s Family Restaurant is located at 25 N. Main St in Fairport (14450). Join us for breakfast and conversation. For more information, contact Carl (561-699-1494, carlwetzstein38@gmail.com).
Music Mondays
First Monday of the month at 7pm at members’ homes – our next get-together is Feb 3
All interested musicians from Temple Emanu-El gather at one of our members’ homes for a song session each month. For our January session, we will work on songs and music for Tu B’Shevat. Vocalists and instrumentalists from our congregation are all welcome! For more information and to rsvp, contact Charlene at Charlygirard9@gmail.com.
[Image by Fruke Riether courtesy of Pixabay]
Sit ‘n Stitch
Last Tuesday of the month from 10:30 – 11:30am in the TEE Library at the JCC – our next get-together is Jan 28
We have a monthly group where we knit, crochet, sew, and work on needle crafts together. Bring your projects and a snack and beverage if you’d like. There is no need to RSVP. We hope you’ll come by!
Spiritual Practices Team Meetings Online
2nd Tuesday of the month, 7pm – our next meeting is Feb 11 via Zoom.
All are welcome. To login by phone, call 1-929-205-6099 and use meeting ID 852 6777 2051. [Photo by Temple Emanu-El Member Dave Kassnoff]
Tikkun Olam Team
As Reform Jews, we participate actively in Tikkun Olam, “repair of the world.” Our social justice work is done in a variety of ways: education on the issues, advocacy for specific policies and legislation, and implementing our vision through direct action and service. Please join us to hear what we’re doing next – we’d love to have your input and help. For meeting dates and more information, contact Carl (561-699-1494, carlwetzstein38@gmail.com).