Our Offerings

We offer regular worship and social opportunities to gather in community each month, along with special programs. Check out our Calendar of events, and descriptions below.

Events and times change – You can add this feed to your Google calendar by using the “Add to Google Calendar” link at the bottom of this Google Calendar.

Special Programs

Jewish Law and Ethics: A Case Study of Self Driving Cars
January 10, 2026, lead by Leslie Schwartz at the JCC
Jews have been called, “The People of the Book.” Our primary book, the Hebrew Bible, is a source of inspiration and connection. It can also be mysterious and incomplete, and an “Oral Law” has always been needed to explicate and explain its teachings.
Around the year 200 CE, the Oral Law was written down in final form as a series of concise statements. But these teachings generated a new set of interpretations and commentaries, which were written down over the next few centuries in a vast compendium called Talmud. And the commentaries continue….In today’s workshop, we will see how ethical and legal insights from ancient Jewish writings can help us with a thoroughly modern problem – how to program self-driving cars….
Self-driving cars? That was a curveball, huh? Be prepared to be astonished at how relevant for our technological age ancient Jewish scenarios and laws can be.
The facilitator for this workshop is TEE member Leslie Schwartz. Leslie’s approach to our ancient texts emphasizes her admiration of their ultimate goal – to make our own lives holy through study, questioning, awe, and gratitude. Leslie would like to acknowledge The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute for much of the curriculum she will be using in this workshop.
Shabbat

We welcome guests and visitors to join our informal, personal worship services and holiday celebrations, which always include time to share news about our lives. We’d love to have you join us. For up-to-date information about any of the services, please visit the calendar at the top of this page.
Shabbat Services
Our Friday evening services are generally led by Rabbi Drorah Setel with cantorial soloist Charlene Sommers and one or more accompanists, including Rabbi Sandra Katz and Bob Dietch. From Passover to Sukkot our services begin at 6 pm and from Sukkot to Passover, our services begin at 7 pm. Our Shabbat services are typically followed by an oneg where you can enjoy conversation with our members, along with the tasty sweetness of the Sabbath. For Temple Emanu-El’s Music YouTube channel that includes songs we sing during services, click here: music.
On the fourth Friday of each month, we hold a combined Shabbat service and potluck dinner, beginning at 6 pm, with no oneg. On the fifth Friday of each month, we have a potluck dinner at various congregants’ homes. Please contact xkarsten@gmail.com for more information.
We’d love to have you join us at any of our services. Just come by! If you’d like more information ahead of a visit, please contact our office at emanuelrochester@gmail.com. We look forward to meeting you!
Chevre Torah Study Online
Most Saturday mornings, via Zoom – Currently on Hiatus.
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.
Family Fun
We meet on the first Shabbat of each month from 9 am – 11 am at one of our members’ homes
Join us each month as we gather for a Shabbat event open to everyone but with a particular focus on children. We share Shabbat traditions and celebrate a key Jewish concept each month. Bring a friend! Grandparents, cousins, neighbors, and anyone you think might enjoy it is welcome.
Monthly Programs

We have a variety of social programs each month. Below are our regular recurring programs. For up-to-date information about any of the programs – including this month’s topic – keep an eye on the newsletter and the Calendar.
Music Monday
First Monday of the month at 7:30 pm at various locations. Join us for a chance to learn new songs and dig into old favorites with Temple Emanu-El’s cantorial soloist, Charly Sommers. All are welcome. For additional details (including this month’s location) or to RSVP, contact Charlene at Girardsommers@gmail.com.
Sit ‘n Stitch
Second Sunday of the month at 11 am at the TEE Library at the JCC. 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!
Brunch Talk
Third Sunday of the month at 11 am at the JCC. We host a monthly brunch featuring engaging speakers on a wide range of topics. Each gathering offers an opportunity to learn something new, connect with others, and enjoy good food and conversation. Whether the focus is culture, community, or current events, there’s always something inspiring to take away.
Men’s Club
Once a month, the time, date, and locations vary—see the Calendar for the next get-together. Join us for breakfast and conversation. Please contact Dave Kassnoff with reservations by the Friday before.
Holidays

We come together at various times throughout the year to celebrate our shared holidays. Below are the general descriptions of what you can expect. These will change as the holidays get closer, so please do check back!
High Holidays
Our High Holiday services are warm, inclusive, welcoming, and informal — a time to gather in community, reflect, and begin anew. As is our tradition, the second day of Rosh Hashana is lay-led, bringing our voices and hearts together in a special way. We invite you to celebrate these sacred days with us — whether you come every year or this is your first time, you are welcome here.
Sukkot
The Shabbat of Sukkot, we learn about (and make!) local lulav and etrog over a potluck dinner in the Sukkah.
Simchat Torah
On the Shabbat of Simchat Torah, we hold a special service to dance, read the last and first parashiyot, and get up close to the Torah!
Hanukkah Celebration
In the darkest time of the year, we gather to light candles, eat latkas and sufganiyot (okay, sometimes it’s donuts), sing songs, play dreidle, entertain ourselves with crafts, and enjoy one another.
Zoom Hanukkah Candle Lighting
Each night of Hanukkah, when we’re not together in person, we gather on Zoom for our nightly Candle Lighting tradition. During this lay-led 15-minute program, we will light the candles, say the blessings, the lay leader will share a story, memory, or reading, and Charlene will lead us in song.
We start promptly at 6:15, and you can expect to be ready to continue your evening at 6:30 pm.
Dates, the Song & Prayer Sheet, and the Zoom Information will be updated here.
Tu Bishvat Seder
Join us for a Shabbat service and Tu BiShvat seder, celebrating renewal, gratitude, and our connection to the natural world. We look forward to celebrating together!
Purim Shabbat
Celebrate Purim Shabbat with us – Join us for a joyful, carnivalesque evening featuring Purim trivia, singing, and an interpretive Purim spiel. We hope to see you there!
Community Passover Seder
Each year we gather for an evening Seder dinner, singing, story, and community. This is a potluck! Drinks, matzah, and the ceremonial foods of the seder plate will be provided (including Matzah Ball Soup, of course!). We ask every attending to bring a dairy or vegan Kosher-for Passover dish to pass. More information can be found here!
Shavot
Each year we come together to celebrate Shavot with a short program to introduce the holiday, and various stations for arts and crafts, paper cuttings, text study, (weather permitting) a nature-based scavenger hunt outside, and other activities. We close the celebrations together with a few songs. Some years we partner with the JCC, while other years we do our own thing!
Congregational Meetings

If you are interested in the goings on and running of TEE, you’ve come to the right place. All our meetings are open to the public. For an up-to-date list of meetings this month, updates to the location, and Zoom information please – visit our calendar!
Team Meetings Online
Second Tuesday of the month on Zoom (unless otherwise indicated in the calendar), our various teams meet to exchange information and plan for the upcoming month.
Board of Trustees Meetings
Third Tuesday of the month on Zoom (unless otherwise indicated in the calendar), our Board meets to discuss the day-to-day business of the Temple. Meetings are open to all congregational members.
Congregational Meetings
Once a year, each June, we gather to approve our annual budget, elect our board, hear from each team, and make various decisions that impact our community. Special Congregational Meetings are held as needed. Members are informed of these meetings (both regular and special) in accordance with the TEE Constitution.
Other Programs

We offer many opportunities throughout the year to come together as a community outside of worship. Below are our regular annual offerings; special offerings are at the top of this page. Please keep an eye on the newsletter and check back here or on the Calendar as we get closer for more details on any specific event.
Annual Congregational Picnic
Annually, typically in August in Seneca Park. Have fun and relax with our members and friends at our Annual Summer Picnic. Hot dogs and veggie dogs, water, and plates will be provided. Please bring a dish to pass and an ingredient list to help those with dietary concerns. Bring games, if you’d like.
Cemetery Clean Up
At various times throughout the year, we come together to clean up our cemetery plots.
Flags In
Twice per year (Memorial Day and Veterans Day), we place American flags at the 31 graves of our veterans. Please join us if you’re able.

Jewish Law and Ethics: A Case Study of Self Driving Cars

Shabbat Services

Chevre Torah Study Online

Family Fun