Presidential Message

It is an honor and a privilege to share my first message with you as President of Temple Emanu-El. I want to begin by expressing my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has entrusted me with this responsibility and to all who have dedicated their time, energy, and love to building and sustaining our vibrant community.

Like many of you, my connection to Temple Emanu-El runs deep. Back in August of 1992, Barbara and I decided to raise our son, David, in the Jewish faith and enrolled him in the Temple Emanu-El preschool. Though we had no family in Connecticut, we quickly found one within this congregation. We were welcomed with open arms and warm smiles — and over the years, we built friendships that have become the foundation of our lives.

Since then, I’ve converted to Judaism, served as Brotherhood President and Vice President of Fundraising, and even celebrated my own Bar Mitzvah in October of 1999. I still smile when I think about Marty Lazarus at the Waterford Post Office sorting Temple mail for “Murphy” — a name that stood out. And at David’s Bar Mitzvah in 2001, Barbara’s father, Walter, reflected that he never imagined his one grandchild having a Bar Mitzvah would have the last name Murphy. Life, as we know, takes us on beautiful and unexpected journeys.

As I step into this role, I am mindful of the shoulders on which we stand: our presidents, clergy, staff, lay leaders, and the countless volunteers who have brought us to where we are today. I am humbled by their dedication and inspired to build upon their legacy.

Looking ahead, I am excited about the opportunities before us. Together, we will continue to strengthen our congregation by:

• Fostering engagement — listening to your ideas and encouraging new voices to lead. Members like Ian Crawford, Michael Barnett, Emma Zelkin, and Byrne Blumer are already making a difference, and I know many more will follow.
• Developing future leaders — welcoming fresh perspectives is vital. I’m excited to have Terry Cohn, Violet Greenmoor, Ben Miller, Shannon Small, and Amanda Williams stepping into leadership roles.
• Expanding outreach — reconnecting with former members and inviting new families to find a home here. I look forward to working closely with Emma Zelkin, our Membership Chair, as we grow together.
• Investing in education — our religious school is thriving under Lisa Marcus’s leadership. From our preschoolers to our B’nai Mitzvah students guided by Rabbi Marc and Hazzan Sherry, and our teens staying engaged through Kadima — the future is bright.

In these times, our community reminds us that we are never alone — we stand together in celebration and in sorrow, in learning and in service. It is my hope that you continue to find meaning, friendship, and purpose at Temple Emanu-El.

Please know that my door is always open — and for those who know me well, my cell phone number hasn’t changed since 1999 and won’t be changing anytime soon! I welcome your ideas, your participation, and your feedback.

Thank you for the honor of serving as your President. I am excited to begin this new chapter together — and I look forward to working alongside each of you as we continue to build something meaningful, enduring, and deeply rooted in our shared values.

B’Shalom,
John Murphy
President, Temple Emanu-El