Programs

Adult Education

Headshot of Rabbi Drorah SetelAdult Ed Course – Exploring Jewishness

Wednesdays at 7 pm, Mar 19 – Jun 11 via Zoom (Our class on May 21 will start at 7:30pm)

Rabbi Drorah Setel will be teaching this course as an opportunity to learn about Jewish history and traditions from a nuanced and contemporary perspective. It is meant for those who are learning about Judaism for the first time, as well as those who were raised as Jews and seek more adult, in-depth study. Our text will be Judaisms: A Twenty-First-Century Introduction to Jews and Jewish Identities by Aaron J. Hahn Tapper. It is available in both paperback and ebook formats at bookshop.org, which supports local independent booksellers.

Register for Exploring Jewishness

Exploring Jewishness Zoom Link


Rabbi Zohar headshotAdult Ed Brunch & Lecture Series – Jewish Mysticism with Rabbi Or Zohar

Sun, Jun 15, 11am – 12:30pm in the Lipson Lounge at the JCC

Rabbi Or Zohar is the Senior Rabbi of Temple Sinai in Rochester, NY, and a lifelong student and teacher of Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism. Rabbi Zohar has dedicated his career to making the spiritual teachings of the Zohar and other Kabbalistic texts relevant and accessible in modern life, teaching widely in Israel and North America. Originally from the Galilee, he has served diverse communities in Israel and founded the Spirit of the Galilee, promoting interfaith dialogue. A musician and composer, he performs internationally with his wife as the duo “Feliza & Or Zohar.” Ordained at HUC-JIR in Jerusalem, he also holds advanced degrees in Jewish Philosophy and Jewish Thought.


Zoom snapshop of our Board members 11/19/24

Board of Trustees Meetings Online

Our Board meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7pm – our next Board meeting is on Tues, May 20 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]

Board Zoom Link

Mark your calendars: Our 2025 Annual Congregational Meeting (open to Temple Emanu-El members only) will take place on June 29 at 11am in Auditorium A at the JCC. A Zoom option will also be available. (Only those attending in-person may vote, however.) Check back here closer to the date for the Zoom link.


Two pink flamingos with their necks forming a heart shapeChesed Caring Community Team Meetings Online

We meet on the 1st Tuesday of the month at 6:15pm – our next meeting is on Tuesday, Jun 3 via Zoom

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


Unrolling a Torah scroll

Chevre Torah Study

Most Saturday mornings

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.

May 10 via Zoom:

10am – the Book of Joel. The dating of this short prophetic book is a mystery but it is full of quotations from other parts of the Bible, including the well-known injunction to turn swords into plowshares.

11:05amLeviticus 19:15-20:27. This week’s Torah portion, Acharei-Mot/Kedoshim, contains rules for creating a just society as well as passages concerning agriculture, ritual, and sexual ethics. We’ll discuss why our ancestors grouped these topics together and whether their perspectives have something to teach us today.

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]

Torah Study Zoom Link


Family Fun

One Saturday morning each month 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:

May 17 – Lag B’Omer Fun and Games, 11am – 1pm
Jun 7 – Summer Splash

For more information and to rsvp, contact Alexa at alexalacey@me.com.


Flags-In Ceremony

Wed, May 21 at 6pm at the Riverside Cemetery

The Temple Emanu-El Section of Riverside Cemetery is home to over 30 Jewish veterans who served the U.S. Armed Forces with distinction throughout many different conflicts and time periods. Please come and honor these veterans with our annual Flags In Ceremony where we place an American flag on each of the veterans graves. This year’s Memorial Day event will be held on Wed, May 21 at 6:30pm. We’ll meet at the entrance (through the gates) at Riverside Cemetery at 2650 Lake Ave. The rain date will be May 22.  Come join us and honor these men and women who served to protect us.


Collage of Hebrew lettersHebrew for Adults Online

One hour a week via Zoom

November, 2024 started 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.

Continuing Hebrew – We 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 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 (schwartzljs@gmail.com) for more information and to sign up.

[Graphic by Emma Rhodes of Emma Tang Designs]


The chef at our 2018 summer picnic holding out his hands in welcomeHospitality Team Meetings Online

Our online meetings are generally on the first Tuesday of the month at 7pm – our next meeting is on Jun 3 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]

Hospitality Zoom Link


Men’s Club

Once a month – our next get-together will be on Thurs, May 15 at 9am 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 David Kassnoff at 585-704-7805.


Yellow rose lying on a roll of paper with musical notesMusic Monday

First Monday of the month at 7pm at members’ homes – our next get-together will be May 12

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. In May, we will be learning songs to do with women, motherhood, and the nurturing aspect of God. All are welcome. Please contact Charlygirard9@gmail.com for details.

[Image by Fruke Riether courtesy of Pixabay


Rabbi’s Book Club

Selected Sundays at 11am in the TEE Library at the JCC

Join us for a lively discussion of Jewish literature.

May 11 – Anita Diamant, The Red Tent

June 1 – Adina Hoffman and Peter Cole, Sacred Trash: The Lost and Found Worlds of the Cairo Geniza


Sit ‘n Stitch

One Tuesday each month from 10:30 – 11:30am in the TEE Library at the JCC – our next get-together is May 27

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!


Shabbat candles and wine cup

Spiritual Practices Team Meetings Online

2nd Tuesday of the month, 7pm – our next meeting is May 13 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]

 

Spiritual Practices Zoom Link


"Tikkun Olam" in Hebrew and English

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).


See Our Full Calendar of Services and Events

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