As summer winds down, September brings renewed energy to Temple Emanu-El. Our Religious School returns, our new Board begins its work, and soon we will gather for the High Holy Days.
A Meaningful Summer
Throughout the summer, our congregation continued to come together for Shabbat. A special thank you to Hazzan Sherry Barnes and all of our members who stepped forward to help lead services. Your participation and willingness to volunteer are wonderful examples of the spirit of our Temple community.
We closed out August with our Wine and Cheese Social Hour and Havdalah on August 29, where we thanked our many volunteers and welcomed new and prospective members. It was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect, meet new faces, and celebrate those who give so much to Temple Emanu-El.
Religious School & New Leadership
September means the return of our Religious School, and we are especially excited to welcome Louis Lasko, our new Religious School Director. Louis brings more than fifteen years of experience in Jewish education, camps, youth programs, and community organizations. Please introduce yourself and help us give Louis a warm Temple Emanu-El welcome.
We also welcome back our students, families, teachers, and madrichim for another year of learning and building Jewish connections.
Our 2026–2027 Board of Trustees has also been installed and begun its work. I thank our officers and trustees for their willingness to serve and look forward to working together to strengthen our congregation and plan for our future.
But building a strong congregation is not just the work of the Board. Every member has a role. Attend a service or program, volunteer, welcome someone you don’t know, or invite a friend to experience Temple Emanu-El. Those personal connections make a difference.
The High Holy Days
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur will soon bring our community together for reflection, prayer, and the beginning of a new Jewish year.
As we prepare, please watch for Temple communications regarding our High Holy Day security and entry procedures. Most importantly, please plan to arrive earlier than usual for services. Check-in and security procedures will take additional time, particularly for our larger services. Your patience and cooperation help us maintain a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.
Thank you to our Security Committee and everyone who works behind the scenes to keep our congregation safe.
As we begin another year together, remember that our members are our best ambassadors. If you know someone looking for a Jewish community, invite them to join us and experience the warm, hamish community that makes Temple Emanu-El special.
I look forward to seeing you in the weeks ahead and especially during the High Holy Days.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, Barbara, David and me, I wish you and your families a Shanah Tovah U’Metukah — a happy, healthy, peaceful and sweet New Year.
John Murphy
President, Temple Emanu-El
president@tewaterford.org | 860-608-0774