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. The times and locations (including Zoom links) are in the calendar’s event description.
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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 logistical information about any of the services (ie, time and location), please visit the calendar at the top of this page.
Shabbat Services
Our Friday evening services are at times led by our temporary Rabbi, Jim Egolf, our Rabbinic Intern, Liz Orienstien, and lay leaders from our community. We are always led in song by the incredibly cantorial soloist Charlene Sommers and one or more accompanists, including Rabbi Sandra Katz and Bob Dietch.
At times, we hold our service via Zoom only; the Zoom link can be found above in the event description.
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.
Potluck Shabbat
On the fourth Friday of each month, we hold a combined Shabbat service and potluck dinner. This includes a short table service with the opportunity to recite Mourner’s Kaddish. Please bring a vegetarian or vegan dish to pass, along with a list of its ingredients.
Fifth Friday Shabbat
Looking for a warm, meaningful way to celebrate Shabbat and connect with fellow congregants? Join a Fifth Friday Shabbat Dinner hosted in the homes of Temple members. On Fifth Fridays, small groups gather for a relaxed Shabbat meal, conversation, and community. Hosts provide the main course, and guests bring a dish to share. We’ll offer a simple program to guide the evening. Please note, names that would typically be recited for Mourners’ Kaddish on this Friday will be read aloud the following Shabbat.
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 our 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, and we typically meet via Zoom.
Family Fun
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. For this month’s topic and RSVP information, check out the description in the calendar above!
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Katie Fitch becomes a Bat Mitzvah – Saturday, May 23 at 10 am in the Youth Lounge at Temple Sinai
We are delighted to share that Katie will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah. Surrounded by family, friends, and community, she marks this meaningful milestone, embracing Jewish learning and tradition in a new and powerful way. We invite you to join us in celebrating her journey and this special moment. The service will be led by Rabbi Sandra Katz, with musical accompaniment by Charlene Sommer and pianist Bob Dietch.As is our tradition, the oneg following the service will be a potluck, so please consider bringing a vegetarian dish to pass. While we don’t expect all meals brought to a potluck to be cooked in a kosher kitchen, our potlucks are dairy only – no meat! This ensures (among other things) that our vegetarian and vegan members can fully partake. We also ask that you list the ingredients clearly on a piece of paper for each dish, so those with food allergies, intolerances, or dietary preferences know what to expect!
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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 the time, day, and topic – keep an eye on the newsletter and the Calendar.
Temple Library Book Club
Our Temple Book Club brings participants together to explore a variety of books, share perspectives, and engage in thoughtful discussion. It’s a welcoming space to connect with others through literature and community. See our calendar and newsletter for this month’s book!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
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
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.
Breakfast Club
Join us for breakfast and conversation. Please contact Dave Kassnoff (davek57@yahoo.com) with reservations by the Friday before.
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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.
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 Celebration
Celebrate Purim with us – Join us for a joyful family-focused event featuring singing, the telling of the story of Queen Ester, and an interpretive Purim spiel. Crafts and activities, as well as light nosh and (of course) hamentaschen, will be provided. Check out the calendar for time and space. 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!
Shavuot
Shavuot, Torah Study – Thursday, May 21 at 9 pm via Zoom
Join us for a special Torah study in honor of Shavuot, a time traditionally devoted to learning and reflection. Together, we’ll explore meaningful texts and ideas in a welcoming, open conversation. Whether you’re a regular learner or just curious, all are invited to be part of the experience.Yizkor Service – Friday, May 22 at 6 pm
As we mark Shavuot, we pause for Yizkor—a sacred moment to remember those who shaped our lives. Together, we speak their names, carry their stories, and find comfort in shared remembrance. This service is open to all who wish to reflect and remember. This service will be followed by candle lighting, kiddush and motzi. -
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!
Temple Team Meeting
This gathering brings together Temple Emanuel team leads and congregants interested in deeper involvement to review upcoming events and identify needs for the next two months. The focus is on collaboration, volunteer coordination, and developing new programs or offerings. This is a working meeting centered on planning and participation; broader concerns such as governance, facilities, etc are addressed through board meetings.
Board of Trustees Meetings
Our Board meets to discuss the day-to-day business of the Temple. Meetings are open to all congregational members.
Congregational Meetings
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.
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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
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
On Memorial Day and Veterans Day, we place American flags at the 31 graves of our veterans. Please join us if you’re able.