From the Rabbi's Desk
| Friends,
Three topics this month: A special Bat Mizvah moment… Chapter 55 of the Book of Isaiah begins this way: Oh, every one who thirsts go to the water, and who has no silver, buy food and eat. Go and buy food without silver and at no cost, wine and milk. Why should you weigh out silver for what is not bread and your substance for what does not sate? Listen well to Me and eat goodly things, and you shall enjoy lavish fare. Bend your ear and come to Me, listen and be revived, and I will make with you a perpetual pact, the faithful kindness shown to David. (Alter, Robert. 2018. Hebrew Bible : A Translation with Commentary.) In this passage, the prophet voices both God’s invitation to return, and God’s deep and abiding commitment to those who do return. This prophet’s voice is raised in response to the Babylonian exile, the break in the chain of Davidic dynasty. Yet, Isaiah is less indicating a future return of the Davidic dynasty than a democratization of the “faithful kindness shown to David.” No matter how short or long our exile, an hour or decades, our return to God brings us fully back into the covenant. Everyone who wishes to be part of the covenant can sit at the table, drink and eat to satisfy their spiritual thirst and hunger. I find this passage to be particularly moving. All the more so when it was read in our Sanctuary on the morning of Rebecca Tsai’s Bat Mitzvah several weeks ago. On that morning, after Rebecca beautifully chanted her Torah portion from Parashat Noach, she chanted these verses from Isaiah. Joining Rebecca on the Bima were her grandfather, Reverend David Tsai, and her father, Mark Tsai. After Rebecca chanted these verses from Isaiah in Hebrew, Rev. Tsai, recited the words from our prophet in his native language, Taiwanese. Following his father, Mark Tsai recited them in our native language, English. I know this moment was very meaningful for the Golden-Tsai family. It was also meaningful to me because it was an example of the vibrant community we are building at Temple Emanu-El; a community where our treasured interfaith families fully and authentically engage in our Jewish traditions. We live the words in the next chapter of Isaiah, “For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all people.” (Is. 56:7) An amazing Shabbaton… In November, we welcomed soul-writers, Julie Silver and Sue Horowitz, to Temple Emanu-El for a Shabbaton. They led us in worship for Friday evening’s Kabbalat Shabbat, joined with Hazzan Sherry and me, leading Shabbat morning worship, and hosted a fabulous folk concert on Saturday evening. Rabbi Polly and I first considered bringing Sue and Julie to Temple Emanu-El about a year ago, when we attended Shabbat Shira at OSRUI in Wisconsin. Ideas only become reality with a lot of chesed (loving-kindness) from many. Please see Sam Winograd’s Religious Practices Happenings Bulletin article for recognition of all those involved. A reminder that the Shabbat morning service during the Shabbaton is just the beginning. The first Shabbat morning of each month through June, we will have a Shabbat morning service. Those of you who attended the Shabbaton, experienced the model for our Shabbat morning services going forward. Rabbi Polly will join with Sherry and me from time to time. Services will feature creative liturgy, contemporary music, Torah reading, creative Haftarah, followed by a communal Shabbat luncheon. The music we select will be from American and Israeli artists such as Nava Tehila, Or Zohar, and Sue and Julie. If you are a musician and want to join our spiritual practice, we’d love to have you. The goal of our creative liturgy and music is to tap deep into the meaning of our religious and spiritual traditions. A Pre-Shabbat Tzedakah Opportunity… It is a common Jewish tradition that before lighting the Sabbath candles, one would put tzedakah in a puske (tzedakah box). Each Kabbalat Shabbat, I publish a service pamphlet that usually contains songs not included in our Siddur, Mishkan T’filah, the Torah reading, and other helpful information. Going forward, the pamphlet will also include an announcement for a pre-Shabbat tzedakah opportunity accompanied by a QR code. This new tzedakah opportunity is meant to remind us of our obligation to give tzedakah and make it easy. By scanning the QR code before we light the Shabbat candles in the Sanctuary, you will be taken to a donation page. The donation will go to the Temple Mitzvah Fund. If you do not regularly attend Kabbalat Shabbat services, you can participate by going to our website donation page to contribute to the Mitzvah Fund – just put ‘pre-Shabbat Tzedakah’ in the note section. We will pool the donations and donate them. Each month, the Religious Practices and Social Action chairpersons and I will decide on a worthy local or Israeli organization to receive the collected funds. L’shalom, Rabbi Marc |
Cantorial Notes
| December 2025
I have received many good comments from our Shabbaton with Julie Silver and Sue Horowitz. I would like to thank everyone who made it happen. Rabbi Marc for pitching the idea, Religious Practices Chair Sam Winograd, and the Board of Trustees, for being on board with the idea. Thank you to those of you that sponsored the event, helped set up and clean up, shopped for food for the luncheon and for the wine and cheese evening, and those that attended the Shabbat Services and the concert. I really enjoyed spending Shabbat with Julie Silver and Sue Horowitz. I hope those of you who joined us for Shabbat services with Julie and Sue, also found them as uplifting as I did. Their Friday night service was moving, spiritually uplifting, and allowed me to really enjoy watching and listening to you sing! I was so touched, not only by Sue and Julie’s singing, but your singing as well. You are such a special congregation. I looked around at the many faces that I have known since I joined Temple Emanu-El, and many that I have come to know as you’ve joined this congregation. It was really wonderful. I was thrilled that for Saturday morning, Julie wanted to sing her “Sim Shalom”, with Sue harmonizing, and Sue sang a beautiful piece that she had written, “Sarah’s Song”. I loved both their choices. I also loved singing Oseh Shalom with them at the end of the service. For me, this will definitely be the highlight of 2025. Again, many many thanks for making this program possible. “Could it be? Yes, it could. Somethin’s coming, somethin’ good, if I can wait! Somethin’s coming, I don’t know what it is, but it is.. gonna be great!” It’s coming, and Armi and I know it is gonna be great! So, mark your calendars, because on February 7, we will hold our 11th Annual Cabaret! So now is the time to start thinking about what you would like to sing, or maybe dance. Do you have a poem that you have either written or is special to you, that you would like to share on the stage. Maybe you play an instrument and have an instrumental piece that you would like to play. Maybe you found out how funny you really are and want to share your schtick. Whatever it may be, start thinking about it now, and keep a look out for more information! Please be mindful of the 5 minute limit. Rosh Chodesh will be on Thursday, December 18, at 1:00, here at Temple Emanu-El. Thank you to Jeff Elkin for Chanting Torah in November. Choir will be singing on Friday, January 30, for Shabbat Shirah.
Latkes sizzling in a heated pan, brisket cooking on the stove. Chanukah candles, in the window a glow, and playing dreidel games at night… May your homes be filled with the light of love, of peace, and blessings.
Wishing you a sweet holiday season. B’shir, Hazzan Sherry |
Presidential Message
| December 2025
As we enter the month of December, I’m reminded once again of what makes Temple Emanu-El so special: we are a community that holds many stories, many traditions, and many paths—yet we come together as one family. In just a short time, we will gather to light the candles of Hanukkah, bringing warmth and light into the darkest days of the year. Each candle we kindle reminds us of resilience, hope, and the belief that even a small amount of light can push back a great deal of darkness. My wish for all of us this Hanukkah is that we not only celebrate the miracles of the past, but also recognize the everyday miracles of the present: our friendships, our families, our children, our clergy and staff, and the caring community we continue to build together. I also want to take a moment to recognize the many mixed and interfaith families in our congregation who are preparing not only for Hanukkah, but also for Christmas. For some, this season includes both menorahs and Christmas trees, latkes and holiday cookies, dreidels and stockings. If this is your family’s experience, please know that Temple Emanu-El sees you, honors your journey, and embraces the richness that your traditions bring to our community. Our Temple is strengthened by the many ways people connect to Jewish life—through prayer, learning, social action, cultural celebrations, and through the shared values of kindness, generosity, and responsibility for one another. December offers us a powerful opportunity to lean into those values, regardless of which holidays we observe at home. I hope you will join us for one of our favorite annual gatherings: the Brotherhood Latke Dinner on Sunday, December 14th at 5:00 PM. This evening is always filled with good food, laughter, and that unmistakable smell of latkes that says, “Hanukkah is truly here!” During the dinner, at 6:00 PM, we will hold the Temple Raffle drawing. Whether you bought a ticket, helped sell them, volunteered in the kitchen, or simply attend, your participation supports our Temple in meaningful ways. Events like the Latke Dinner and raffle are about more than fundraising—they are about being together. They are about the conversations around the tables, the children running around, the grandparents sharing stories, and the quiet moments when we look around the room and realize: this is our community, this is our extended family. As the secular year draws to a close and we look ahead to 2026, I want to thank each of you. Thank you for your membership, your time, your ideas, your financial support, your patience, and your kindness. Thank you to our volunteers and committee members who show up early, stay late, and say, “How can I help?” Thank you to our clergy and staff who guide, teach, and support us—not just during the holidays, but all year long. My hope for the coming year is that Temple Emanu-El continues to be a place of welcome and warmth for all who walk through our doors—a place where we celebrate our traditions with joy, where questions are encouraged, where relationships are deepened, and where no one feels alone. To those celebrating Hanukkah: Chag Urim Sameach – may it be a Festival of Lights filled with joy and peace. Thank you for all you do to make Temple Emanu-El the vibrant, caring, and inclusive synagogue that it is. I look forward to celebrating this season—and the year ahead—with you. With gratitude, John Murphy President, Temple Emanu-El president@tewaterford.org | 860-608-0774
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VP of Religious Practices Message
Religious Practices Happenings
Artist-in-Residence/Shabbaton Overview
The weekend of 14 November featured meaningful religious and social events featuring the talents of Julie Silver and Sue Horowitz, that united the community. Both women are noted Jewish folk musicians.
Kabbalat Shabbat and Oneg
Julie and Sue led Friday’s Kabbalat Shabbat, followed by an enjoyable oneg where attendees socialized over refreshments.
Shabbat Morning Service and Kiddush Luncheon
On Saturday morning, Rabbi Marc and Hazan Sherry conducted a creative Shabbat service with musical support from Sue Horowitz and Julie. A kiddush luncheon followed.
Saturday Evening Social and Concert
Saturday evening included a wine and cheese social, Havdalah led by Rabbi Marc, Hazan Sherry, Julie Silver, and Sue Horowitz, and a two-hour folk concert by Julie and Sue.
Supporters
We sincerely thank all donors and volunteers for their essential contributions to the success of this weekend, without whom the event couldn’t have happened.
- Donors: Florence and Michael Betten, Stan and Karen Bloustine, Ian and Suzanne Crawford, Carol Curland, Jeffery Elkin and Jean Lasser, Barry and Cecile Feldman, Bruce and Lori Goldstein, Patricia Hendel, Hali and Gerry Keeler, Andy and Adrienne Parad, Tamara Parker, Richard and Sherry Pascal, Mark and Alexandra Rosenthal, Temple Emanuel Sisterhood, Harvey and Ellen Schiller, Claire Warren, Sam Winograd and Roberta Reisner-Winograd, and two anonymous donors.
- Volunteers: Special thanks to Barbara Senges for organizing the weekend, Norma Hollandersky for running the kitchen for the Kiddush Luncheon, Merrill Mazzella for baking two fantastic Challahs, Armi Rowe and Erica McCaffrey for baking for the Oneg, and to Amy Orce, Lisa Marcus, Anita Cohen, Jen Zettler, Anne Cohn, Debra Wool, Jo Michaelson, Sheri Pascal, Eileen Shapiro, Mitchel Brown, Tamara Parker, and John Murphy assisting throughout all events.
Upcoming December Events
Monthly Shabbat Morning Services Resume
We are pleased to announce that beginning in December, our monthly Shabbat Morning Services will resume. Services will be held on the first Saturday morning of each month, starting at 10:00 AM. Following each service, all attendees are invited to join us for a Kiddush Luncheon, providing an opportunity to enjoy food and community together.
Channukah Shabbat Service and Family Dinner
Join us on December 19th at 6:00 PM for a special Channukah Shabbat Service, to which all families are warmly invited. After the service, we will gather for our monthly family dinner. We encourage everyone to bring their menorahs and candles so we can collectively add our light to the lights of our community as we recite the blessings together at the Shabbat dinner. Extra menorahs will be available for those who need them.
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