Thank You to our Emergency Supply Drive for Israel Volunteers

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

 

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

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 …

Communal Shabbat Service in Solidarity with Israel

On Friday, October 13, the Temple Emanu-El community came together for a special Shabbat service in solidarity with Israel. We were honored to be joined by Ambassador Dennis Ross, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Lt Governor Antonio Delgado. In addition to the hundreds in our sanctuary, we were more than 9,000 viewers from …

Temple Member Logan Hennes Honored by White House

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.  

 

Our Prayers for Israel

Avinu She’Ba’Shamayim, O God on High, Rock and Guardian of Israel, bless the State of Israel, which marks the dawning of hope for all who seek peace. Shield it within the embrace of your love. Spread over it the canopy of your peace.

Dear Friends:

As we awoke this morning, we learned the devastating news that Israel had suffered a series of highly coordinated attacks by air, land, and sea at the hands of Hamas. In a fashion eerily reminiscent of the Yom Kippur War 50 years and one day ago, Israelis were terrorized as they prepared to celebrate a Holy Day – this time Simchat Torah.

At the latest count, 100 Israelis have been killed and 900 wounded. It appears that Hamas terrorists have captured a number of Israeli soldiers and civilians and taken them captive in Gaza, and Hamas militants that infiltrated through the Gaza border remain at large, creating terror in communities in Israel’s south. More than 2,000 rockets have been fired toward the center of Israel.

Hamas’s leadership now seeks to bring other Palestinian and Arab communities into this fight, demonstrating that, for some, their desire truly is to see Israel erased from the map. For them, coexistence will never be acceptable. That the attack comes just as Israel and the Arab world are endeavoring to strengthen ties with a commitment to aid the Palestinian people too, demonstrates the depths of Hamas’s cynicism. To those who, despite this attack, will nonetheless claim Israel will always have the upper hand, look and see for yourself: No people is safe from terror.

We pray for peace for all innocents caught in the crossfire of this hateful war against the Jewish State – Palestinians and Israelis alike. The Palestinian people are as much victims of their leaders’ cynicism as Israelis. All deserve a life free from conflict.

But in this moment, we stand firmly with the people of Israel – our people. May peace soon be established throughout their land, and fullness of joy for all who dwell there. Amen.

Rabbi Joshua M. Davidson
Peter and Mary Kalikow Senior Rabbinic Chair

“Etrog: The Wandering Fruit” in the News

Have you ever wondered about the journey of the etrog? The Bernard Museum of Judaica dives deep into this topic in time for Sukkot with its groundbreaking exhibit “Etrog: The Wandering Fruit”,which is already creating a buzz in the press.

This week, “Etrog: The Wandering Fruit” was highlighted in “A NYC exhibit explores the etrog’s journey around the Jewish world” from the New York Jewish Week (reprinted in Times of Israel) and a brief “Learn About the Etrog for Sukkot” blurb in the New York Times.

Showcasing over 100 unique etrog-related artifacts, the exhibit features contributions from 20 different lenders. Notable contributors include the Jewish Museum, the New York Botanical Garden Library, and the American Numismatic Society. The display boasts a diverse collection, ranging from etrog containers to documents about the etroger (a Yiddish term for a Jewish merchant who sold etrogs). Additionally, visitors can view illuminated pages where the etrog makes its appearance, both originals and facsimiles.

Don’t miss this fascinating exhibit, which runs September 5 – November 20 from Sunday through Thursday, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

“I Have No Other Homeland”

Rabbi Sarah H. Reines Temple Emanu-El NYC | Yom Kippur 5784 Two of my earliest loves, Judaism and poetry, are deeply and inextricably linked. The Torah describes itself as a shir – a poem, or song. Much of our liturgy is poetry, and poetry can often be offered as prayer. Why? Because with few words, …

Philanthropic Fund Partners with HIAS for Asylum Seekers

The Temple Emanu-El Philanthropic Fund has provided a grant to HIAS to support the hire of an AVODAH fellow to process applications for asylum seekers and the expansion of its volunteer program for migrants in New York City.

“As one of the largest synagogues in the world, and as New York’s oldest Reform Jewish congregation, Temple-Emanu-El has from its earliest days been a lifeline for immigrants working to establish themselves in this city,” said Philanthropic Fund Committee Chair Daniel Jeydel, who announced the partnership to the Temple Emanu-El congregation during Yom Kippur services. “With the arrival of more than 100,000 asylum seekers in the past year and a half straining city resources, we felt that we had to step forward in partnership with HIAS.”

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Who Shall I Say is Calling?

Rabbi Joshua Davidson’s 5784 Yom Kippur Sermon  “Who Shall I Say is Calling?”  “Who by fire? Who by water? Who in the sunshine? Who in the nighttime? Who by high ordeal? Who by common trial?…And who shall I say is calling?”1 Leonard Cohen composed those verses after singing for Israeli soldiers in the Sinai desert …

Thank You to our Women of Emanu-El Project Backpack Volunteers

Women of Emanu-El (formerly the Women’s Auxiliary) has a long tradition of providing backpacks filled with school supplies to the kindergartners at Public School 112. This year’s Project Backpack was led by Women of Emanu-El President, Dr. Florence Milch and board member, Nikola Hennes. On June 22, 2023 Women of Emanu-El volunteers gathered to fill 150 backpacks. These backpacks were then delivered and handed out to students on the first day of school.

We would like to express our sincere thanks to all those volunteers that were able to contribute their time to this worthwhile mitzvah: Susan Alexander, Jane Barr, Barbara Baum, Eva Cooper, Doris Finkelstein, Ellen Freilich, Nikola Hennes, Barbara Kummel, Patricia Lehr, Florence Milch, Jacalyn Rose, Dee Rosenthal, Lisa Senter, Barbara Sherr, and Iris Warren.

Learn how you can join Women of Emanu-El.