| September 2025
A Season of Renewal, Connection, and Community As the golden days of summer gently give way to the crisp promise of autumn, our Temple family begins a season filled with new beginnings, sacred reflection, and joyful connection. The past months have been a time for rest, travel, and long afternoons with family and friends. Now, as we step into the new school year, our Religious School classrooms will once again echo with the sounds of learning, laughter, and discovery. Students, teachers, and families will join together for another year of growth, community, and shared purpose. Your Temple Board in Action Over the summer, the Temple Board has been hard at work strengthening our congregation. We approved the Congregation Beth-El lease renewal, secured a $7,000 security grant from the Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut, and renewed the contracts of Hazzan Sherry Barnes and Office Manager Roberta Reisner-Winograd. The Board also participated in security training led by Michael Shanbrom of the Secure Community Network, ensuring that we continue to make safety a top priority. In addition, we created the position of Oneg Coordinator, which will be led by Lisa Marcus. If you are interested in supporting our Onegs, please consider donating to the Oneg Fund—your contributions help make these warm, welcoming gatherings possible. Mark Your Calendar – Open House & Mitzvah Day Looking Ahead to the High Holidays Soon after, the High Holidays will call us together in worship and reflection. Rosh Hashanah will invite us to greet the New Year with gratitude and hope. Yom Kippur will guide us toward forgiveness, renewal, and the courage to live with greater purpose. Security Reminder – Arrive Early As we gather for High Holiday services, please plan to arrive early to allow time for check-in and to receive your badges—just as we did last year. Your cooperation ensures the safety and comfort of everyone in our sacred space, and we appreciate your understanding and participation in this important process. Let us greet this season with joy, gratitude, and a renewed commitment to each other. May the year ahead be filled with sweet moments, meaningful connections, and opportunities to make a difference—together. L’Shanah Tovah Tikateivu—may you be inscribed for a good and sweet year. John Murphy President, Temple Emanu-El
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