| 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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