Adult Education
Adult 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
Adult 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.
Board of Trustees Meetings Online
Our Board meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7pm – our next Board meeting is on Tues, June 17 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]
Mark your calendars: Our 2025 Annual Congregational Meeting (open to Temple Emanu-El members only) will take place on June 29 at 10am 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.
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
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.
We will next meet on May 31 at 10am and 11:05am via Zoom.
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 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:
Jun 7 – Summer Splash
For more information and to rsvp, contact Alexa at alexalacey@me.com.
Hebrew 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]
Hospitality 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]
Men’s Club
Once a month – our next get-together will be on June 19 at 9m at Riki’s Family Restaurant
Riki’s Family Restaurant is located at 25 N Main St in Fairport (14450). (Note: Construction on Route 250 at Whitney Rd requires a detour to reach the restaurant.) Join us for breakfast and conversation. For more information, contact David Kassnoff at 585-704-7805.
Music Monday
First Monday of the month at 7pm at members’ homes – our next get-together will be on June 2
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 June, we will work on music of our fathers. 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.
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!
Spiritual Practices Team Meetings Online
2nd Tuesday of the month, 7pm – our next meeting is June 10 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).