For a description of how to login to Zoom, click here. For our calendar of events, click here.
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Books and Bagels and The Rabbi’s Book Club Online
Sundays, 10am
Next Rabbi’s Book Club: April 25, 2021
Next Books and Bagels: May, 2021
We alternate months! For Books and Bagels, we discuss books of Jewish interest; bring a book to present or come to discuss the books that others bring. For The Rabbi’s Book Club, we discuss a single book chosen by Rabbi Drorah Setel in advance.
To login via Zoom, click here. To connect via phone, call 1-929-205-6099 and use meeting ID 853 0537 9410.
Rabbi’s Book Club, April 25:
Board of Trustees Meeting Online
3rd Tuesday of each month, 7pm – next meeting: April 20, 2021
Our Board meetings are open only to Temple Emanu-El members; any Temple Emanu-El member may attend. To join the meeting via Zoom, click here: Board. To login by phone, call 1-929-205-6099 and use meeting ID 861 9396 1776.
Chevre Torah Study Online
Saturdays, 9:30-11:30am
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. For the Hebrew blessing for Torah study, click here: Blessing. To join the discussion via Zoom, click here: Torah Study. To login by phone, call 1-929-205-6099 and use meeting ID 286 821 117.
Apr 24, 2021:
From 9:30 to 10:25am – 1 Samuel 18-19. Friendship of Jonathan and David. But “an evil spirit of God gripped Saul and he began to rave in the house,” leading Saul to throw a spear at David as he was playing the lyre to calm Saul. Is God causing mental illness, and if so, why?
From 10:35 to 11:30am – Leviticus 14:33-57. What to do when God “inflicts an eruptive plague upon a house.” The text does not give any reason – divine punishment is nowhere mentioned. What is left is a mysterious ailment on the structure of the house. Is there any symbolic meaning for us today?
Exploring Jewishness Online Course
2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, 7-8:30pm
This course is intended both for those engaging with Jewish traditions for the first time and those who wish to understand them in a deeper way. It begins with the understanding that being Jewish takes a wide variety of forms which do not readily fit into single categories such as “religion” or “culture.” Classes will be an opportunity for us to explore multiple perspectives on core aspects of Jewish experience.
We will be meeting as a full class group the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Each participant will be assigned a study partner (or partners) with whom they will meet during the alternate week to prepare and discuss course materials.
The text for the course is Judaisms: A Twenty-First-Century Introduction to Jews and Jewish Identities by Aaron J. Hahn Tapper. It can be purchased at www.bookshop.org, an online store which benefits local independent booksellers. If you cannot afford to purchase the book, please contact Rabbi Setel (rabbisetel@gmail.com) who will obtain one for you.
The course is free to Temple Emanu-El members. A voluntary donation is requested of non-members. To join the class via Zoom, click here.
Nov 10: “Introduction,” p 1-11
Nov 24: “Narratives,” p 12-27
Dec 8: “Sinais,” p 28-44
Dec 22: “Zions,” p 45-59
Jan 12: “Messiahs,” p 60-71
Jan 26: “Laws,” p 72-94
Feb 9: “Mysticisms,” p 95-112
Feb 23: “Cultures,” p 113-139
Mar 9: “Movements,” p 140-167
Mar 23: Passover Break
Apr 13: “Genocides,” p 168-184
Apr 27: “Powers,” p 185-216
May 11: “Borders,” p 217-230
Hospitality Team Meeting Online
1st Tuesday of each month, 7:30pm – next meeting: May 4, 2021
All are welcome. To join via Zoom, click here: Hospitality. To login by phone, call 1 929 205 609 and use meeting ID 869 2515 9460.
Lunchtime Meditation Online
Every Monday, 12:15 – 12:45pm
Rabbi Drorah Setel leads our weekly meditation sessions. New folks are always welcome to join. To login via Zoom, click here: Meditation. To login by phone, call 1-929-205-6099 and use meeting ID 858 6591 7770.
Men’s Club
2nd Tuesday of each month, 9am – next meeting: May 11, 2021
Open to all Temple Emanu-El men. To join via Zoom, click here: Men’s Club. To login by phone, call 1 929 205 609 and use meeting ID 817 4772 8639.
Spiritual Practices Team Meeting Online
Tikkun Olam Team Meeting Online
Monthly on Sundays, 11:30am – next meeting: April 25, 2021
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.
So far this year, we are running our annual food and clothing drive in spite of the pandemic, and we make regular calls to connect with Temple Emanu-El members. We also created and disseminated a Voter’s Guide, and ran a pledge drive to encourage our Temple members to vote. In the coming months, we’ll be presenting programs on Rochester’s Police Accountability Board and on Reparations.
Please join us and hear what we’re doing next – we’d love to have your input and help. To join the meeting via Zoom, click here. To login by phone, call 1-929-205-6099 and use meeting ID 814 1494 5259.