We welcome guests and visitors to join our informal and personal worship services and holiday celebrations, where we always include time for sharing news about our lives. We have returned to in-person services and holiday celebrations, and it has been wonderful. (Visit our home page to read our Covid-19 policy.) On the other hand, we have found that Zoom actually suits some of us, so we are working on making a Zoom option available for as many of our in-person services, celebrations, and events as possible. Whether in-person or online, we strive for connection and warmth. We’d love to have you join us.
For Temple Emanu-El’s Music YouTube channel that includes songs we sing during services, click here: music.
Shabbat Services
Our next Shabbat service will be held on Friday, Sept 30, 6pm in the Memorial Courtyard (or under the front portico, depending on the weather) at the JCC
Rabbi Drorah Setel and cantorial soloist Charlene Sommers will lead our Shabbat Shuvah service (the Shabbat service that comes between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur). We will be alternating readings from the Yom Kippur Machzor with music. To join the service by phone, call 1-929-205-6099 and use meeting ID 859 5479 0326.
Here are links for the “tools” you may need to attend our Shabbat services via Zoom:
For an online “flip-book” copy of our Mishkan T’filah Reform Shabbat prayer book, click here: prayer book and then click on the image of the Shabbat prayer book that comes up.
We have been using supplemental service handouts: Supplement1, Supplement2, Supplement3, Supplement4, Supplement5, Supplement6, and Supplement7. (For convenience, you may want to print these out and put them in order in a binder.) Check the service description above to find out which ones we’ll be using each time.
Starting Oct 21, our Shabbat services will be held indoors in the Erdle Lounge at the JCC.
Also starting on Oct 21, the time of our services will change. On the first Friday of the month, our service will begin at 6pm followed by a potluck Shabbat dinner. The service will be “table style” – blessings, songs, and readings will take place while we are seated at small tables. Participants are asked to bring a dairy or vegetarian dish to share. Challah and drinks will be provided. Zoom will be available for the short service, which will last about 15 minutes. On the other Fridays of the month, our service will begin at 7pm. Zoom will be available.
Guests and visitors are warmly welcome to join us.
Sukkot Celebrations
Sunday Funday at the (P)J: Sukkah Time
Sunday, Oct 9, 1-3pm in the Memorial Courtyard (or under the front portico, depending on the weather) at the JCC
A hands-on celebration jointly sponsored by Temple Emanu-El, PJ Library, and the JCC. There will be music and a range of “stations” to choose from: children’s’ activities, sukkah decorating, a lulav workshop (in the woods!), text study, and more. Unfortunately, Zoom will not be available for this program. Registration is required.
Register for Sunday Funday: Sukkot
Breakfast and Learning in the Sukkah
Thursday, Oct 13, 10 – 11am in the Memorial Courtyard at the JCC (inclement weather – the Erdle Lounge)
Join Rabbi Drorah Setel to learn about some of the unique rituals of Sukkot. Sponsored by Temple Emanu-El and Lifespan. Unfortunately, Zoom will not be available for this program. Registration is required.
Register for Breakfast & Learning
Open Tent Shabbat Service Followed by Picnic Dinner and Sukkot Program
Friday, Oct 14, 6pm in the Memorial Courtyard (rain location will be announced) at the JCC
An Open Tent Shabbat Service jointly run by Rabbi Drorah Setel of Temple Emanu-El and Rabbi Michael Silbert of Temple Beth David. For the dinner, participants should bring their own dairy or vegetarian food. Challah, wine, drinks, and desserts will be provided. Dinner will be followed by a program discussing the role(s) of water in the Jewish tradition and also specifically during Sukkot. To join the service and discussion by phone, call 1-929-205-6099 and use meeting ID 859 5479 0326. Registration by Oct 9 is required.
Simchat Torah Celebration
Friday, Oct 21, 7pm in the Erdle Lounge at the JCC
Rabbi Drorah Setel will lead our Simchat Torah celebration during our Oct 21 Shabbat service. It will including reading from the Torah – ending Deuteronomy and starting Genesis – and lifting the Torah. To join the service by phone, call 1-929-205-6099 and use meeting ID 859 5479 0326.
Shabbat/Simchat Torah Zoom Link
New Moon Circles
Cheshvan New Moon Circle – Sunday, Oct 23, 7pm in the Memorial Courtyard at the JCC (rain location under the front portico)
Each month we gather for study, creativity, and conversation to connect us with the changing seasons as we move through the calendar. Check back here closer to the date for a full description of our Cheshvan New Moon Circle.