September 4, 2018/5778
S'lichot on Saturday, September 1
Calendar On the Calendar
28 Elul, 5778
Torah portion:
Nitzavim
Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20

Haftarah portion:

Isaiah 61:10-63:9
Friday, September 7
6:00 p.m. Qabbalat Shabbat

Eliot Arnold will chant Qiddush

Saturday, September 8
9:00 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service & Torah Study at Temple Israel

10:15 a.m. Shabbat Service -
Mazel tov! Eliot Arnold's Bar Mitzvah
Life Cycle Events

We celebrate the birth of:
Raphael Eli Mazo
July 6, 2018 (23 Tammuz, 5778)
Liza Berkowitz Mazo & Adam Mazo (Parents)
We mourn the loss of:
Daniel Gero
August 23, 2018 (12 Elul, 5778)
Husband of Rebecca Fishman Gero
Father of Lucy and Jacob Gero
Son-in-law of Ellen and George Fishman

Sally Wyner 
August 29, 2018 (18 Elul, 5778)
Mother of Wendy Levine (Richard)

Are you or is someone you know celebrating a wedding? An engagement? A new baby? Do you know someone who is ill or in need of a friendly, supportive call? Please let Rachel Daniels know.
We wish a happy and sweet new year to our whole Temple Israel family filled with many blessings. We look forward to celebrating with you this holiday season.
mailCountdown to the High Holy Days
September 7 - The Fourth Shabbat of Elul
September 9-10  - Rosh Hashanah
September 18-19 - Yom Kippur
September 23-20  - Sukkot
September 30 - Simchat Torah
Hillel would ask: "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am for myself only, what am I? If not now, when?" Join the Temple Israel community in asking ourselves these questions as our guide through the 5779 High Holy Day season.
The Four Shabbatot of Elul
The month of Elul, the 30 days prior to Rosh Hashanah, summons us to prepare. It is a time for reflection and contemplation, allowing us to get the most out of our High Holy Days prayer and celebration. This Shabbat is the last of the four Shabbatot of Elul. We will use a different prayerbook at Qabbalat Shabbat, sing High Holy Day melodies, hear the shofar blast, and lift up some of the themes and ideas of our congregational read, Peace of Mind, by Rabbi Joshua Loth Liebman. 
Congregational Read: Peace of Mind
Our High Holy Day congregational read is Peace of Mind, by former Senior Rabbi Joshua Loth Liebman. As we read Rabbi Liebman's book today, we not only honor his legacy, we also find new meaning and urgency in his words, as we as a society once again find ourselves disturbed by newfound hatreds and institutional violence in the world. We invite you to buy or borrow this book and read it in preparation for the High Holy Day season. You can also find the original version of the book online.
In 5 Days: Rosh Hashanah 5779
Erev Rosh Hashanah for Young Families
5:15 p.m. on Sunday, September 9
Erev Rosh Hashanah will be a beautiful communal gathering for all ages at Temple Israel! Don't forget to bring your own shofar!
  • Blue Family Service (Ages 7-13). Spoiler Alert: This may be the ONLY High Holy Day service you've ever been to that includes jelly beans! If you have kids in the elementary and middle school years, Erev Rosh Hashanah will be an evening not to miss. 
  • Rainbow Service (Up to Age 6). A terrifically fun and engaging service experience that includes singing, storytelling, and a change to connect with other families with young children. 
Erev Rosh Hashanah Community Gathering with hors d'oeuvres
6:15 - 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 9
After the family services conclude and before the adult service begins, join us in Levi Auditorium for hors d'oeuvres!

Erev Rosh Hashanah Service
7:45 p.m. on Sunday, September 9

We look forward to a beautiful evening together as we gather as one community in our Sanctuary to enter the High Holy Day season together! After the service, we invite you to linger for a glass of wine and dessert.

Rosh Hashanah Morning
Monday, September 10
Beginning with early services and running through the afternoon, we will gather for Rosh Hashanah, returning from our scattered places and spaces, with our utmost questions and aspirations. Access the full schedule

Second Day of Rosh Hashanah
10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 11
Temple Israel members, families, and friends are invited to join a lay-led service at 10:00 a.m. with prayer, music, and discussion followed by a dairy/vegetarian pot-luck lunch. No tickets are required and everyone is welcome.
tendays
Please join us as we engage in righteous action during the 10 Days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur...and beyond! We invite you to participate in TIkkun Central's 10 Days (or more) of Awe/Racial Justice Reflections with us, as we open our minds and hearts to discuss justice and take action for a better world, using a racial equity lens. Here's how it works:
  • You will be provided with a variety of activities for each of the 10 days by joining the 520+ members in our Facebook group or by visiting on our website.
  • Participate in some or all of our 10 Days, pick one or more of the activities, participate during the 10 Days or throughout the year, and then use the discussion prompts as a way to reflect on the activity.
  • Engage with your family and friends - this project is not limited to people in our synagogue or even to Jewish people. We've included age recommendations for those who want to participate with children.
"I am now proud to be part of Temple Israel, a Jewish community that is not afraid to ask questions and challenge exclusionary Jewish laws, traditions, and practices. A Jewish community with female and queer role models. A Jewish community that teaches inclusion and recognizes that Judaism is social justice. TI teaches that we cannot practice our Judaism without being accountable to the community - not just to Jewish people, but to all people. I'm excited to be working in collaboration with a talented group of lay-leaders to create 10 Days (or more!) of Awe/Racial Justice Reflections - a process that connects Judaism's High Holy Days directly with social justice." Read Tali Puterman's full blog post.
In 14 Days: Yom Kippur 5779
Kol Nidre
Tuesday, September 18. 
Yom Kippur, our Day of Atonement, is our most vulnerable day. We remind ourselves of our imperfect selves, our brokenness, and our failings. 

Yom Kippur
Wednesday, September 19. 
We spend the day together, affirming that we are here to be pursuers of peace, agents of repair, and champions of justice and truth. Between the morning and afternoon services, there are opportunities in the Spiritual Practice Lab to reflect, connect, and prepare for the conclusion of Yom Kippur. After the Yizkor service to remember our loved ones and the concluding Neila service, we will break the fast together as a community. 
In 19 Days: Sukkot 5779
Sukkot, September 23 - 30
On Erev Sukkot, Sunday, September 23, at 7:00 p.m., please join us for a festive service and vegetarian potluck celebration under the Sukkah of Justice and Compassion, together with outside partners from The Urban Farming Institute and other faith communities. Let us know what dish you plan to bring when you RSVP to Tali Puterman. In addition to our scheduled programs; the sukkah is yours! We hope you will get enjoyment by inviting your friends and family to sit under our sukkah.
In 26 Days: Simchat Torah: Dancing in the Street!
A Temple Israel Block Party!
Simchat Torah: Dancing in the Street

Sunday, September 30, at 6:00 p.m. You're invited to a Simchat Torah Festival service for all, followed by a joyful celebration and dancing in the street! Bring family and friends to enjoy live music, energetic dancing, delicious food, and valuable time together.
High Holy Day Ticket Information
High Holy Day tickets will be mailed in the last week of August to members who have paid at least 25% of their annual dues. For any questions about dues, please contact Dekel Luban, Director of Membership and Engagement, or Dalia Williams, Accountant.

Please note: Every family will automatically receive a complimentary rainbow (for children up to age 6) ticket by mail. If you do not need it, please share it with someone who does!
Food Drive for Greater Boston Food Bank 
As we fast this Yom Kippur, we will again be collecting food for the hungry in our community. On Rosh Hashanah, we will give you a paper bag courtesy of Trader Joe's, and on Yom Kippur morning, we ask that you return the bag full of non-perishable foods for the Greater Boston Food Bank. Please call Priscilla Golding at 617-327-1404 or Louise Freedman at 617-244-3338 to volunteer to load the Food Bank truck on Yom Kippur. 
Babysitting Information
We are pleased to offer complimentary childcare to TI members during High Holy Day services. Professional, licensed caregivers will be providing onsite care to children up to age 10, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Rosh Hashanah (Monday, September 10), and from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Yom Kippur (Wednesday, September 19). Register now to secure your child's spot. Space is limited. Registration will close on September 4.
Be a High Holy Days Ambassador!
The Membership and Engagement Committee is seeking High Holy Day Ambassadors to provide a warm, personal welcome to congregants and guests attending Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services at Temple Israel. If you would like to serve as a High Holy Day Ambassador, or are interested in learning more, please let us know.
bookNewly Published Book with a Piece by Rabbi Elaine Zecher
Jewish Lights Publishing has newly published a book, titled The Closing of the Gates - N'ilah. In it, is a piece written by Rabbi Elaine Zecher entitled, "Come Back to Life: The Resurrecting Power of the Days of Awe." Learn more.
IILearning Opportunity: Impact Investing
Thursday, September 6, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Temple Israel
Housed within the Racial Justice Initiative at TI and in collaboration with Temple Israel's diverse social and environmental justice initiatives, the Impact Investing Group has developed a plan to engage congregants around the power of impact investing and socially responsible spending that together can have a meaningful impact on racial, social, and economic justice. Please join us to learn more and RSVP.
cajl
Registration for the Fall semester of the Center for Adult Jewish Learning is now open! Be sure to see the full list of courses, register, and mark in your calendar our Town Hall events such as "Transforming Fear" with Rabbi Ebn Leader, Burstein Scholar-in-Residence Weekend, Studio Shabbat, and more. Follow CAJL on Facebook!
A Taste of Judaism
with Rabbinic Intern Jessica Lowenthal
Thursdays, September 20, 27; October 4, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. No cost.
Explore traditional and modern Jewish sources and discuss the ways that Judaism can resonate in our lives. Open to all: Interfaith couples, those with Jewish family heritage, and the simply curious. Register.
Elijah and Elisha: Explore Boldness, Deceit, Treachery, and Kindness with Two Biblical Prophets
with Rabbi Elaine Zecher
Thursdays, 8:45 - 10:00 a.m., 10/4, 11/15, 12/6, 1/10, 2/7, 3/7, 4/11, 5/2, 6/6
The Torah ends with the statement: "Never again did there arise in Israel a prophet like Moses" (Deuteronomy 34:10). Nevertheless, other prophets rose after Moses to face new and different challenges. Join us as we explore two of the early prophets: Elijah and Elisha. Their stories are intertwined with the nascent monarchies and the lives of those who surrounded them. As we explore their stories, we will encounter treachery, deceit, boldness, and kindness. We will delve into various levels of the text, with an eye toward context and world view. Together we will bring forward modern and ancient Midrash as a lens for understanding and contemplation. Open to everyone, no prior experience or text knowledge necessary! Register.
openmindsOpening Minds, One Heart at a Time: A Joint Israeli- Palestinian Human Rights Initiative
Friday, September 28 during 6:00 p.m. Qabbalat Shabbat at Temple Israel
The Parents Circle Families Forum (PCFF) is a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization made up of over 600 bereaved families that have lost a close family member to the conflict. Instead of choosing revenge, they have chosen a path of reconciliation and have joined together to take tens of thousands of Palestinians and Israelis on their personal journeys. Join PCFF's bereaved members, Rami Elhanan and Mazen Faraj, as they share their stories with us. Participate in a discussion on the human side of the conflict and why relationship building, mutual understanding of the "other side," and reconciliation framework are necessary for any sustainable peace agreement.

American Friends of the Parents Circle-Families Forum (AF-PCFF) is committed to supporting the PCFF through raising public awareness, constituency building, and fundraising in the U.S.
gbioGreater Boston Interfaith Organization
GBIO Exploration of New Issues
September 25, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. location TBD
In our TI Conversations this spring, a great deal was said about GBIO's existing priorities in healthcare, housing, and criminal justice reform. We heard other concerns, including racism, immigration, climate change, gun violence prevention, and education. At the Delegates Assembly, a group of 70 new leaders from GBIO congregations gathered to start a conversation and learn how to organize for change. Led by TI's Maddie Barr, a second meeting is being planned. For information, contact Dru Greenwood  or Michael Rubenstein.
Living Judaism together through discovery, dynamic spirituality, and righteous impact.