Where do we place our focus? Every day we are relentlessly bombarded with negativity and divisiveness. This onslaught of manufactured messaging distorts our perspective, distracting us from foundational, anchoring constants which are so close that they are easy to overlook. For example: The world is filled with wonder. The human heart is oriented towards goodness. …
By Mike Witman Director of Lifelong Learning As we light the fourth candle, I’m struck by the miracle of Chanukah. When the Maccabees reclaimed the Temple, they discovered only a small jar of oil—enough to light the menorah for just one day. Yet, despite their uncertainty, they chose to light the menorah anyway.This simple act …
By Gady Levy Executive Director, The Streicker Centers כָּל אֶחָד הוּא אוֹר קָטָן וְכֻלָנוּ אוֹר אֵיתָן Each of us is one small light, All together, we shine bright. On Chanukah as we celebrate the victory of the Maccabees over the army of the Syrian-Greek king, Antiochus, who tried to eradicate the religious rights of the …
By Rabbi Joshua M. Davidson Peter and Mary Kalikow Senior Rabbinic Chair The festival of Chanukah commemorates the Maccabees’ victory over the Syrian tyrant Antiochus IV, who had conquered Jerusalem and seized the Temple in his efforts to Hellenize Judea. Resisting assimilation, the Maccabees defeated the Syrian army, and reclaiming the Temple, they kindled again …
Temple Emanu-El members You never know what impact an act of Tikkun Olam will have for others. This year our Tikkun Olam committee donated over 400 toys to Part of the Solution (POTS), a nonprofit social services agency in the Bronx. POTS then distributed the toys to children and families who utilize their services, which …
The Tikkun Olam committee would like to thank the over 100 volunteers who set up and served our Tikkun Olam Thanksgiving meal to 225 New Yorkers — seniors, women from local domestic violence shelters and families facing the challenges of homelessness. Our volunteers brought cheer and joy to these guests’ holiday celebrations.
Opportunities like our Thanksgiving dinner remind us that we are all created in the image of God, b’tzelem Elohim, and deserving of respect and community, no matter our economic situation.
Watch Rabbi Sara Sapadin’s November 29th Shabbat Sermon recapping the experience, check out the coverage in The New York Jewish Week’s (scroll to the bottom), and help us keep up the good work by joining us for Mitzvah Day on January 12th. You can sign up here.
Coverage of Temple Emanu-El’s Thanksgiving Dinner in the New York Jewish Week’s November 25th newsletter.
The Teen Division at Temple Emanu-El empowers students to grow as passionate, creative leaders and role models. Through meaningful Jewish experiences, we strive to ensure that every teen feels seen, valued, and deeply connected to our community. By fostering a sense of belonging and purpose, our programs not only create lasting memories but also prepare …
On July 31, Tikkun Olam volunteers came together to assemble 240 backpacks filled with 19 essential items for students from The Children’s Village in time for the start of school. Our support helps local children and teens in NYC on their journey towards well-being, belonging and independence. Founded in 1851, The Children’s Village has stayed true to …
Bettijane Eisenpreis Parshah for July 26, 2024 Torah Commentary by Bettijane Eisenpreis And he Lord answered Moses, “Single out Joshua son of Nun, an inspired man, and lay your hand upon him. Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and before the whole community, and commission him in their sight. Invest him with some of …
Bettijane Eisenpreis Parashah for June 8, 2024 Torah Commentary by Bettijane Eisenpreis “And the Lord spoke unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tent of meeting, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt.’” Numbers 1:1 The quotation above …
Many of us are watching with dismay as events unfold on college campuses around the country targeting Jewish students and other supporters of Israel, often associated with efforts fueled by opportunistic outside organizations with their own political agendas to push academic institutions to divest from companies tied to Israel. No one should endure the intimidation we have witnessed in the news, and some of our own children have experienced, but especially not students living away from home who expect the colleges they attend to be safe places for learning and discovery.
As challenging as conditions are right now on many campuses, I nonetheless remain hopeful that this moment will become a watershed opening many school leaders’ eyes to the pernicious manner in which antisemitism enters the social and academic dynamic of their communities, and that as a result, circumstances will begin to improve.
It will take time, however. And it will take our courageous commitment to calling out antisemitism wherever we see it. So to assist us, the Anti-Defamation League has provided a number of resources:
Additionally, because much of the campus antisemitism at this moment centers around Israel and accusations against Israel, I recommend that our students learn what they can about modern Middle East History. Those who understand its complexity are less likely to engage in the provocations we are watching on the news, and, if confronted, will be better able to articulate a hopeful vision for both Israelis and Palestinians.
We address these topics in our temple’s high school program. And there are many resources available, but here are two, easily accessible: a timeline of the Arab-Israeli conflict produced by the American Jewish Committee (ajc.org is always a good resource for information); and a very readable book, also about the history of the conflict, Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth, by Israeli actress and activist Noa Tishby, who will speak at Emanu-El on May 2. I encourage you to attend.
On most every campus, there will be human resources to whom students can turn, and emotionally safe spaces where they can go. At many colleges, those will include Jewish organizations. At others where the Jewish presence is smaller, those may include compassionate advisors and professors. Sometimes they need to be sought out, but they are surely there.
And I and my colleagues are here, for both you and your kids. If you feel we can be helpful in addressing a challenge at school directly, or if you just want to talk, please never hesitate to reach out to us.
We extend our deepest gratitude to our dedicated volunteer attorneys, Lou Briskman, Jessie Beller, and Kyle Satterfeld, for their invaluable contributions in increasing access to justice for families navigating the complexities of the New York Family Court system.
Through their pro bono service for Family Legal Care, these attorneys offered legal guidance to clients facing challenging issues related to custody, visitation, and child support. Their expertise and commitment have made a real difference in the lives of those they’ve assisted.
By providing one-hour, limited-scope consultations, these generous volunteers have played a critical role in helping parents and caregivers when they need it most. There is a real justice gap for the 80% of family court litigants who navigate the system without representation, and that is why Family Legal Care and pro bono volunteers like Lou, Jessie and Kyle are so essential.
Their dedication to serving the community and advocating for those in need exemplifies the spirit of compassion and justice that strengthens our society. We are profoundly grateful for their unwavering support and commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of families in need.
