Discover the Joys of Grandparenting with Temple Emanu-El

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Rita Haves and family

Finding the right balance as a new grandparent can be tricky; you want to be supportive and helpful, but not intrusive and overbearing. It marks not only the beginning of the relationship with your grandchild, but also a new relationship with your adult child and their partner. 

Temple Emanu-El’s Grandparents Group was developed by Rabbi Amy Ehrlich and Jacqueline Fisher to support new grandparents navigating this delicate transition and to help them strengthen their family bonds. When temple member Rita Haves joined the group, she was looking forward to lessons and practical advice, and she was pleased to find a supportive and vibrant community as well.

“It is a welcoming environment, in which Rabbi Ehrlich and Jacqueline Fisher create a community of trust and a safe space to share. It’s been a fantastic experience learning from the other grandparents and connecting with them as well. I encourage all grandparents to join.” – Rita Haves

Guided by Rabbi Ehrlich and Jacqueline Fisher, the Grandparents Group engages in meaningful conversations and activities focused on transmitting wisdom and love from one generation to the next—l’dor v’dor. This exploration is intended to strengthen the fabric of family bonds, celebrate the unique role grandparents play in their families’ lives and bolster the connections between grandparents, their adult children and grandchildren. It’s more than a group; it’s a sanctuary for those looking to enhance their role as grandparents.

 

 

Thank You to Our Volunteers at the Supply Drive for Israel

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Thank you to all of our volunteers who contributed their time and energy to a worthwhile mitzvah for the Supply Drive for Israel. We received hundreds of packages and had 100+ volunteers from the Temple Emanu-El community join us to pack an impressive 842 items to be sent to Israel’s front lines. For our third …

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Rabbi Davidson’s Reflections on the Recent Congregational Mission to Israel

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Rabbi Joshua M. Davidson, Peter and Mary Kalikow Senior Rabbinic Chair at Temple Emanu-El, offers his reflections on the January 2024 Temple Emanu-El Mission to Israel in response to the October 7 attacks.

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Aspiring to Authenticity: A Lesson for the Soul

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There is a famous story of Rav Zusha of Hanipol, an 18th century Chasidic luminary and tzaddik.  When he was on his deathbed, his students found him crying uncontrollably. They tried to comfort him by saying that he was almost as wise as Moses and as kind as Abraham and for that he would be …

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Update: Yarden Roman-Gat is Free

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November 30, 2023 We are overjoyed to share the heartwarming news that Yarden Roman-Gat, who was taken hostage in Gaza, has been safely released and reunited with her loved ones. Her brother, Gili Roman, spoke at our services on November 3rd, touching our hearts with the story of his sister’s bravery and her abduction by …

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A Message from Tikkun Olam President Susan Kaufman to the Thanksgiving Dinner Volunteers

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Thank you to all of the amazing volunteers who gave their time on the Sunday before Thanksgiving for Tikkun Olam’s annual dinner. I would like to express my extreme gratitude to the Thanksgiving Committee: Debbie Halperin, Rebecca Weisberg, Lori Villi, Shelly Katz and Marlene Yokel, who worked tirelessly and committed countless hours to make this …

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Together in Strength and Hope: Reflections on the March for Israel Rally

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November 15, 2023 Yesterday marked a historic day for our community and the entire Jewish people. Nearly 300,000 of us gathered at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., for the March for Israel rally, surpassing the record set by the March for Soviet Jewry in 1987. Temple Emanu-El is proud to have played our part …

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Torah Commentary on Chayei Sarah by Bettijane Eisenpreis

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Bettijane Eisenpreis Parashah for November 11, 2023 Torah Commentary by Bettijane Eisenpreis “This is the line of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s slave, bore to Abraham. These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names in the order of their birth: Nabaioth, the first-born of Ishmael, Kedar, Abdeel, Mibsam, …

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Thank You to our Emergency Supply Drive for Israel Volunteers

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Thank you to all of our volunteers who contributed their time and energy to a worthwhile mitzvah for the Emergency Supply Drive for Israel. We received hundreds of packages and had 35 volunteers from the Temple Emanu-El Nursery School Mitzvah Committee and Tikkun Olam Committee join us to pack 50 large duffle bags to be sent to Israel’s front lines and hospitals. The critical efforts were featured on CBS and included on Fox and NY1 in stories about the conflict in Israel.

During the five-day drive in which people could either drop off supplies in the temple’s lobbies or make purchases from an Amazon wish list, thousands of the requested items were donated, including more than 200 tourniquets, 350 QuickClot, 500 combat wound dressings, 300 vent chest seals, 200 pulse oximeters and more.

Through our members’ incredible support, Temple Emanu-El has:

  • Sponsored an ambulance for Magen David Adom, Israel’s national medical emergency services agency.
  • Provided vital funding to Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon, which suffered significant damage last week due to rocket fire from Gaza and is on the front lines of treating injured survivors.
  • Collected over 2,100+ first aid items for IDF units and 400+ packages of baby formula for hospitals through our Emergency Supply Drive.

In the face of conflict, our community embodies the ethos of shared responsibility, binding individuals together in a tapestry of empathy and compassion. Whether offering assistance to the affected families or lending a listening ear to those in distress, the power of communal unity remains a beacon of light in the darkest of hours.

Temple Emanu-El Holds its First Community Fair: Emanu-wELcome

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We are so grateful to those who joined us for Emanu-wELcome, our first-ever community fair! It was a such a delight to see so many familiar faces and newcomers alike come together in celebration of our thriving community. Representatives from our cherished programming groups, including Tikkun Olam, Men’s Club, Women of Emanu-El, Streicker Cultural and Outreach Centers, among others, dedicated their time and efforts to welcome both current and prospective members, and shed light on the countless opportunities available for engagement and enrichment. Emanu-wELcome was a testament to the spirit of camaraderie and the power of human connection, even in challenging times. We look forward to the continued engagement and participation of each member, old and new, as we strive to create a vibrant, welcoming, and supportive environment for all.

Torah Commentary on Noach by Bettijane Eisenpreis

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Bettijane Eisenpreis Parashah for October 21, 2023 Torah Commentary by Bettijane Eisenpreis “The Lord smelled the pleasing odor, and the Lord said to Himself, “Never again will I doom the earth because of man, since the devisings of man’s mind are evil from his youth; nor will I ever destroy every living being, as I …

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Temple Member Logan Hennes Honored by White House

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Temple member Logan Hennes (far right) is honored at the White House on International Day of the Girl. 

 

Kol HaKavod to Temple member Logan Hennes who was recently selected as an honoree of the “Girls Leading Change” event hosted by the White House. In honor of the International Day of the Girl, First Lady Jill Biden celebrated the achievements of 15 young women leaders across the United States who are driving positive change and shaping a brighter future in their communities. The inaugural “Girls Leading Change” celebration recognized the profound impact these young women are having on their communities and their unwavering commitment to strengthening our nation for generations to come.

Among the outstanding young leaders honored at this event was Temple member Logan Hennes, a 16-year-old whose passion and dedication lie in combatting antisemitism in communities across the country. Logan’s journey began with her involvement in the American Jewish Committee, where she took on a leadership role in supporting students like herself who are working tirelessly to address antisemitism in their schools and communities.

As the leader of her high school’s Jewish Affinity Group, Logan has spearheaded initiatives to raise awareness of the rising antisemitism prevalent in today’s world. Her commitment to combatting antisemitism, educating her peers and advocating for positive change showcases the incredible potential of young women leaders. Logan Hennes is undoubtedly making her mark on the world and shaping a brighter future for us all.

Read the full White House Press Release.