November 13 , 2018/5779
RYFTI Fall Kallah
Calendar On the Calendar
9 Kislev, 5779
Torah portion:
Vayeitzei
Genesis 28:10−32:3

Haftarah portion:
Hosea 12:13-14:10
Friday, November 16
6:00 p.m. Qabbalat Shabbat

Jason Ribatt will chant Qiddush

Baby naming for  Nikola Judah Drouin, son of Anya Potter & Matthew Drouin

6:45 p.m. Riverway Project (20s & 30s) Shabbat in the 'bridge

(Watch Live Stream)
Saturday, November 17
9:00 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service & Torah Study

10:00 a.m. Thank Goodness It's Shabbat!

10:15 a.m. Mazel tov! Jason Ribatt's Bar Mitzvah
Life Cycle Events

Mazel tov!
We celebrate the birth of:
Isaac Charles Spekman
November 7, 2018
Rachel Spekman and Robin Smith (parents)

Judah Quinn Stahl
November 7, 2018
Noah Stahl and Emily Zametkin (parents)
 We celebrate the marriage of:
Shayna Packer and Matthew Abrams 
November 11, 2018

Genessa Trietsch & Andrew Clemenza 
November 11, 2018
Genessa is the daughter of David & Rhoda Trietsch

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.
Burstein Scholar-in-Residence Weekend with Jonathan Weisman
After tweeting an excerpt from an editorial about the rise of fascist tendencies in the US, Jonathan Weisman, deputy Washington editor of The New York Times and author of (((Semitism))): Being Jewish in America in the Age of Trump, found himself the target of the "alt-right." He received a tidal wave of online hate, which forced him to face the startling state of American antisemitism. Read more.

Friday, November 30
  • 6:00 p.m. Qabbalat Shabbat. Join us for our Qabbalat Shabbat service, featuring a presentation by Jonathan Weisman. Festive oneg to follow. Babysitting and children's programming available. Contact Mike Fishbein for more information.
Saturday, December 1
  • 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. Shabbat Morning Torah Study. Join us as we learn from the research and personal experiences Jonathan Weisman shares in (((Semitism))).
  • 4:00 p.m. Havdalah, Wine, & Cheese. Join us for a panel conversation with ADL Boston Executive Director Robert Trestan and ADL National Chair Esta Epstein and moderated by Rabbi Elaine Zecher, as we consider our community's recent and current responses to today's antisemitism and the steps we can take going forward.
Bereavement Group at Temple Israel
Monday mornings, 10:30-11:45 a.m.
11/26, 12/3, 12/10, 12/17; final two class dates determined by the group
Have you experienced the loss of a loved one and are looking for a sense of connection and spiritual support as you navigate your grief? Temple Israel is hosting a bereavement loss group facilitated by Barbara Sternfield, M.A. bereavement coordinator for the JF&CS Betty Ann Greenbaum Miller Center for Jewish Healing. We welcome all who have experienced the loss of a loved one and who can commit to attending a majority of sessions. This is not a drop-in group; there is an intake process with Rabbi Gubitz to determine if this group is the best fit for your needs. Please email Rabbi Jen Gubitz for questions or to join.
immigrantTIkkun Central
TI Immigrant Support Volunteer Stories: An Evening of Wine, Cheese, and Inspiration
Thursday, November 29 at 7:00 p.m.
While the news can feel overwhelming, small, meaningful acts make a lifetime of difference. Our neighbors are fighting for their right to remain in Boston. Join us for an intimate evening of story-sharing and conversation. Learn about our interfaith partnership, Boston Immigration Justice Accompaniment Network. Find out what TI members are doing, how immigrants are organizing to support each other, and how what you can do to help.
For more information, contact Alona Weimer.
chanukahCelebrate Chanukah with Temple Israel!

How will  you  spread the light?

Lighting opportunities with TI
Giving Suggestion
Candle 1
Sunday, December 2
11:30 a.m. Chanukah Warm-Up with the Religious School
6:45 p.m.  Riverway Project (20s & 30s) Neighborhood Lighting in Cambridge. For more information, contact Nikk Modell-Wasserman.
Candle 2
Monday, December 3
Lighting with the Tent, a Jewish learning community for greater Boston teens at Temple Israel of Boston
6:30 p.m. Riverway Project's Mid 30s-40s Chanukah Party  For more information, contact  Nikk Modell-Wasserman .
Candle 3
Tuesday, December 4
5:30 p.m. Lighting with the Religious School
6:45 p.m. Lighting with the Board of Trustees
6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Riverway Project (20s & 30s) Olive Oil Tasting, Lighting and Celebration!  For more information, contact  Nikk Modell-Wasserman .

Candle 4
Wednesday, December 5
3:00 p.m. Lighting with the FJECC Preschool
6:15 p.m. Lighting with Evening Minyan
6:45 p.m. Riverway Project (20s & 30s) Neighborhood Lighting in Jamaica Plain.  For more information, contact  Nikk Modell-Wasserman .
Candle 5
Thursday, December 6

5:30 p.m. Lighting with the Religious School and musical guest Dan Nichols
7:00 p.m. Lighting with Intro to Judaism class


  A Musical Chanukah Shabbat and 
Weekend with Dan Nichols
Dan Nichols is a singular talent in the world of Jewish music. He is one of the most dynamic, influential, and beloved Jewish musicians in North America. Dan's melodies have become an integral part of the spiritual and liturgical experience of countless individuals and Jewish communities. This weekend is generously supported by Gabe Padawer.

Candle 6
Friday, December 7
5:00 p.m. Shabbat Mishpachah
6:00 p.m.  All-Community Chanukah Shabbat with musical guest Dan Nichols. 
Candle 7
Saturday, December 8
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.  Meditative Chanukah gathering with Rabbis Zecher and Jacobson
6:15 p.m. Communal Havdalah 
Candle 8
Sunday, December 9
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Family Chanukah Party with musical guest Dan Nichols for Religious School, FJECC preschool, and the Village for Families with Young Children (kids age 0-1st grade). Please contact  Roberta Bergstein for more information.
5:00  - 7:00 p.m. 50s & 60s Chanukah Party at a congregant's home.  Register.

Lighting candles at home? Share your photos with us on social media any night during Chanukah using #TISparks! Read more about Chanukah with Temple Israel.
Mitzvah Lights
Chanukah commemorates the purification of the Temple following the defilement caused by a powerful enemy. You know the story - when the Jews re-entered the Temple, they found only one jar of oil, sufficient only for one day. Yet that jar of oil burned for eight days. That jar of oil sounds like the ancient equivalent of an LED light bulb! LED bulbs use 1/8 the electricity of standard bulbs and can last much more than 8 times as long--a modern-day Chanukah miracle. 

In the spirit of Chanukah, consider joining Temple Israel's Mitzvah Lights campaign! Between now and Chanukah:
  1. Go through your house identifying all the light bulbs that are on for over one hour per day
  2. Replace those bulbs with LEDs
  3. Let the Green Team know what you've done, so we can tally up and celebrate our impact!
cajl
Registration for the Fall semester of the Center for Adult Jewish Learning is open! Be sure to see the full list of courses, register, and follow CAJL on Facebook!
Exploring the Ethics of Touch through Dance
with Ilya Vidrin of Reciprocity Collaborative
Sundays, 10:00-11:30 a.m., January 6, 13, 27; Cost: $75 (members)/$105 (non-members)
What can we learn about ethical, social practice from movement? Inspired by movement practices such as the Tango, Swing, and Latin/Ballroom, we will investigate what it means to partner. This workshop will focus on basic weight-shifting patterns to practice leaning, gliding, and supporting each other through movement. Comfortable clothing recommended, no previous dance experience necessary. Register.
Travel to Charleston & Savannah with Dr. Hasia Diner and Rabbi Zecher
May 26 - 31, 2019
Travel with us to the South. Join Professor Hasia Diner and Rabbi Elaine Zecher for "Jews of the American South: Charleston and Savannah," a study tour with Professor Hasia Diner, Steinberg Professor of American Jewish History at New York University. See full trip details and register by Thanksgiving.
interfaithDessert and Discussion with InterfaithFamily
Thursday, November 15 at 7:00-8:30 p.m. at Juicy Greens
Are you in an interfaith or intercultural relationship? Do you or your significant other enjoy dessert? Join Rabbi Jen Gubitz, Rabbi Liaison for InterfaithFamily/Boston, for discussion and dessert (on us!)!  These monthly Dessert & Discussions in Jamaica Plain are informal get-togethers aimed at meeting new friends, learning from one another, engaging in interesting conversation and asking any questions you might have as you navigate life as an interfaith/intercultural/ diverse couple.  Register and see who else is coming!
libraryDr. Arnold L. Segel Library Center
Last Tuesday Book Group
November 27 at 12:00 p.m.
The Last Tuesday  Book   Group  will meet to discuss  Dirty Wars and Polished Silver: the life and times of a war correspondent turned ambassatrix . We're delighted to welcome author Lynda Schuster, via Skype, who will talk about her autobiography. For more information, please contact  Ann Abrams ,  Librarian . This event is free but an RSVP the Friday before is appreciated.
newsTemple Israel's Making Headlines
November 8, 2018
Union for Reform Judaism Invests in LGBTQIA+ Leadership Development
URJ Blog

Mazel Tov to Carolin Dorn, a Riverway Leadership Team Member and leader of Nice Jewish Queers, for being selected as a JewV'Nation Leadership Fellow!
Community Events
The Urgency of Now: Strengthening Your Congregation Through the Pursuit of Justice, with Rabbi Jonah Pesner
Thursday, November 15, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.  at Temple Israel of Boston
Join Rabbi Jonah Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center and Senior Vice President for the Union for Reform Judaism, for a session on how congregations can bring justice closer to the center of congregational life. This session will also offer participants an opportunity to reflect on their congregation's social justice priorities and think about how justice work can strengthen their community through leadership development and building skills that will allow our community to take action on issues that our community most deeply cares about. Since Rabbi Pesner will be speaking shortly after the mid-term elections, he will offer some analysis and lay out opportunities going forward. RSVP.  The event is for the URJ Communities of Eastern MA, RI, and Southern NH.
Living Judaism together through discovery, dynamic spirituality, and righteous impact.