We maintain an active worship, social, and meeting schedule. Descriptions of our regular and recurring services and events can be found below. For the most up-to-date information about any specific service, including date, time, and location (including the current Zoom link), please visit our Calendar.
Service, Holidays, Worship
We welcome guests and visitors to join our informal and personal worship services and holiday celebrations, which always include time for sharing news about our lives. We’d love to have you join us.
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 are held outdoors in the Memorial Courtyard at the JCC if the weather permits. From Sukkot to Passover, our services begin at 7 pm. On the last Friday of each month, we generally have a combined Shabbat service and potluck dinner that begins at 6 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. There is no oneg on potluck weeks.
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 Rabbi Setel at rabbisetel@gmail.com or our office at emanuelrochester@gmail.com.
For Temple Emanu-El’s Music YouTube channel that includes songs we sing during services, click here: music.
We look forward to meeting you!
Upcoming Shabbat Services and Celebrations
Fri, Oct 24: Shabbat Service, 7 pm in the Lipson Lounge at the JCC Enter the building through the main entrance across from the main parking lot. Our service will be led by Rabbi Drorah Setel, accompanied by Charlene Sommers.
Fri, Oct 31: Fifth Friday Shabbat Dinner – Cancelled this month.
Photo: Temple Emanu-El’s Torah ark with member Judy Greenstein. The ark was handcrafted by Julius Dorsey.
Chevre Torah Study Online
Most Saturday mornings, 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.
To log in by phone, call 1-929-205-6099 / meeting ID 884 3153 5267.
11/1 – no Torah study
Photo: Temple Emanu-El members Charlie and Charly Sommers unrolling our Torah scroll on Simchat Torah
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.
For location and more information, contact Nick at TritonCeramics@gmail.com or Alexa at alexalacey@me.com
Programs
We have a variety of social and social justice programs each month. Below are our regular recurring programs.
Music Monday
First Monday of the month at 7 pm at members’ homes
Join us on the first Monday of every month for Music Monday — 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 or to RSVP, contact Charlene at Girardsommers@gmail.com
Rabbi’s Book Club
Selected Sundays at 11 am in the TEE Library at the JCC
Join us for a lively discussion of Jewish literature.
Sit ‘n Stitch
Second Sunday of each month from 11 am – 12 pm in 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!
Men’s Club
Once a month, the time and date vary—see the Calendar for the next get-together.
Join us for breakfast and conversation. George’s Restaurant is located at 1601 Penfield Rd, Rochester (west end of Panorama Plaza, by Dollar Tree). Please contact Dave Kassnoff with reservations by the Friday before.
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 – including the Zoom link- visit our calendar!
Our Board meets every third Tuesday of the month at 7 pm via Zoom, unless otherwise indicated in the calendar. Our meetings focus on the day-to-day business of the Temple. Meetings are open to all congregational members.
To login by phone, call 1-929-205-6099 and use meeting ID 848 0442 4414.
Spiritual Practices Team Meetings Online
The Spiritual Practices Team meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7 pm via Zoom, unless otherwise indicated in the calendar. Each month, we debrief on the holiday and services from the last month, discuss upcoming services and holidays, and discuss the liturgical needs of our congregation. Please join us! Zoom link in the calendar event.