| October 2025
Shanah Tovah, friends. What a joy it was to gather for Rosh Hashanah and welcome the New Year together. Our sanctuary was filled with warmth, haimish spirit, and a true sense of community. Thank you to Rabbi Marc Ekstrand for his thoughtful teaching, to Hazzan Sherry Barnes and the choir for uplifting music, and to our staff—Lisa Marcus and Roberta Reisner-Winograd—for the many details handled with care. I’m also grateful to our greeters, readers, ushers, shofar blowers, and volunteers who worked tirelessly, and to Rich McCaffrey for coordinating security and Sisterhood for the Rosh Hashanah Oneg. You helped make holiness tangible. Now we turn toward Yom Kippur, the holiest day of our calendar. These Days of Awe call us to reflection, renewal, and connection. I invite you to join us for Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur services, where the beauty of our tradition and the strength of our community will uplift us all. Please plan to arrive a bit early for check-in, and thank you for continuing to support our safety protocols that keep our community both secure and welcoming. Looking ahead, here are a few highlights for this season: Sukkot & Simchat Torah. Soon we’ll shake the lulav, gather in the sukkah, and dance with the Torah. If you’ve never joined us for Simchat Torah, make this your year—you’ll leave smiling. Religious School is buzzing. Our students are back, learning, singing, and building friendships. Yasher koach to our teachers, Rabbi Marc, Hazzan Sherry, and Lisa for their creativity and care. Oneg returns—with a plan. We’ve launched a new Oneg Coordinator role—thank you, Lisa Marcus, for stepping up. Sponsoring or donating to the Oneg Fund is a wonderful way to honor a simcha or a loved one and helps make our Friday nights warm and delicious. Strengthening our foundation. This summer the Board renewed the Congregation Beth-El lease, approved contract renewals for Hazzan Sherry and Office Manager Roberta, and celebrated a $7,000 security grant from JFEC. Board members also completed additional security training with the Secure Community Network. These steps keep our Temple strong. Membership pledges. Your pledge sustains everything we do—worship, music, youth, social action, holiday celebrations, and the upkeep of our building. If you’ve already submitted yours, thank you. If not, please do so this month. If you’re able to stretch a bit higher, your generosity helps ensure that everyone, regardless of means, has a home here. This is a season of beginnings. Let’s begin by showing up—for Yom Kippur, for Shabbat, for a class, for a volunteer shift, for one another. If you’re looking for ways to get involved—greeting, Oneg, Brotherhood, Sisterhood, Social Action, monthly Shabbat dinners, music, or behind-the-scenes logistics—I would love to connect you. May you and your loved ones be inscribed and sealed for good in the Book of Life. I’m grateful to share this journey with you. With appreciation and hope, John Murphy President, Temple Emanu-El president@tewaterford.org | 860-608-0774 Quick Ways to Engage This Month
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