September 11, 2018/5779
Family Tashlich at the Muddy River yesterday
Calendar On the Calendar
6 Tishri, 5779
Torah portion:
Vayeilech
Deuteronomy 31:1-30

Haftarah portion:

Hos. 14:2-10, Mic. 7:18-20, Joel 2:15-27
Shabbat Shuvah
Friday, September 14
6:00 p.m. Qabbalat Shabbat

Katya Sacharow will chant Qiddush

Saturday, September 15
9:00 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service & Torah Study

10:15 a.m. Shabbat Service -
Mazel tov! Katya Sacharow's Bat Mitzvah
Life Cycle Events

We mourn the loss of:
Jan Brinch
September 3, 2018 (23 Elul, 5778)
Mother of Adam Brinch
Sister of Judy Katz (Grant Rhode)
Cousin of Barbara Levy


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 18-19 - Yom Kippur
September 23-30  - 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.
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.
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 7 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 12 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 19 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.
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 gave 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 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Yom Kippur (Wednesday, September 19). Register now to secure your child's spot. Registration has been extended.
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 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.
staffWelcome New Staff!
Alona Weimer
Alona Weimer is Temple Israel's first Racial and Immigrant Justice Organizer, as part of the JOIN for Justice Organizing Fellowship. Her background is in Black Diaspora studies, with particular interest in the way race and migration manifest in America, and the role of community in empowering meaningful change. She will be working alongside Tali Puterman, Rabbi Soffer, and Tikkun Central, to help TI live out Judaism through righteous impact.
Fallon Rubin
Fallon grew up in Cleveland and has been in Boston for the last 7 years. She is currently pursuing her Masters Degree in Jewish Education from Hebrew College specializing in experiential and special education. Fallon is passionate about the field of Jewish education and Jewish overnight camp. When she is not working, Fallon enjoys spending time outdoors and with friends and family.
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.
newsTemple Israel's Making Headlines
September 4, 2018
Stress Eating, Texting, And Tears: How Rabbis Prepare For The Holiest Days Of The Year
The Forward - featuring Rabbi Suzie Jacobson
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.