אט֥וֹב שֵׁ֖ם מִשֶּׁ֣מֶן ט֑וֹב וְי֣וֹם הַמָּ֔וֶת מִיּ֖וֹם הִוָּֽלְדֽוֹ:

"A good name is better than good oil, and the day of death is better than the day of birth." 

Join us in our Main Sanctuary for services, where Vaccinations and Masks are both required for everyone. We will provide distanced seating for anyone who requests it.  

Our evening Kabbalat Shabbat worship takes place every Friday at 6:15 pm. Participate alongside fellow congregants in-person (see above), or join us on any of our live-streaming platforms: Facebook, YouTube, or StreamSpot. 

Torah Study

Each Shabbat morning we gather informally to read and discuss the week’s Torah portion. The morning begins with a brief Shabbat service at which mourners who wish to say Kaddish are warmly welcomed. The group is led by volunteers, with clergy participation. No prior experience with Torah is necessary. 

Join with WRJ as Cantor Kleinman leads us in our Ushpizot Harvest Celebration with Study and Prayers. Sign up here.

Celebrate Sukkot with WRT in an outdoor story and song experience for families with young children led by master storyteller, educator, folk singer, and banjo player, Bill Gordh, along with Cantors Kleinman and Rodnizki. Sitting together in the Sukkah, Bill’s stories and music will transport us and help us reconnect with a sense of inner gratitude. For information and sign-up, click here.

On Simchat Torah we complete the annual reading of the Torah and begin again with the first words from the book of Genesis. Celebrate the joy of the holiday with song and story, joining our voices together with Reform Jews Across North America. Click for more information.

Simchat Torah (“rejoicing of the Torah”) and Sh’mini Atzeret (“the eighth day of assembly”) mark the end of Sukkot, and the end and recommencement of the Jewish people’s annual retelling of the Torah story. Our festival morning service marks these many conclusions and new beginnings, and is followed by a Yizkor memorial service. Join us in-person, or via livestream on our website livestream page.

Join Cantor Kleinman as WRJ and friends bid farewell to Shabbat with one of Judaism’s most beautiful rituals, the ceremony of Havdalah. As the symbols of Havdalah engage our senses and its beautiful melodies feed our souls, we’ll explore how this brief but powerful ritual can nourish our spirits for the week ahead. All are welcome. Havdalah will take place at WRT.

The program will explore the political changes Israel is currently experiencing because of the recent pandemic. Westchester Shaliach, Nadav Shachmon will augment his presentation with slides and videos. This Men's Club breakfast presentation will take place on the CJL patio. Please click here to register.

Join our cantors and a diverse group of women for a monthly, midday infusion of community, ritual, sharing, and study as we mark each new month on the Hebrew calendar. This year, Rosh Chodesh will include opportunities to learn in the style of our “And She Said” class, to celebrate happy occasions, and to hold space for one another in times of challenge or healing. To be added to the email list and receive the Zoom link, please email Suzanne.Saperstein@wrtemple.org.

Spousal Loss Support Group 

The Spousal Loss Support Group will meet for five consecutive weeks to create intentional community for those in mourning over the loss of a spouse or partner. Led by Jane Slevin, LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist from Westchester Jewish Community Services), and Cantor Laura Stein, LMSW, a social worker who specializes in spiritual care. Please RSVP to Suzanne.Saperstein@wrtemple.org.

This program continues taking us into a detailed analysis of the most important and influential book of Rabbinic Literature, the Mishna (“Teaching”), which itself becomes the cornerstone of the Talmud. The Mishna was compiled in the early-mid 3rd Century (CE) and reflects generations of Rabbinic teaching. Click here to register

Designed for families with children ages eight and younger, the service starts with songs and stories led by our clergy, followed by an arts and crafts activity, social action project and family-friendly dinner. Children must be accompanied by an adult for this evening (no drop-offs). RSVP by the Tuesday before the program to Ellen.Rosenberg@wrtemple.org. Join us in-person, or via livestream on our website livestream page.

Please join Men of Reform Judaism for a conversation with Israel's first Reform Rabbi to be elected to the knesset, Rabbi Gilad Kariv. Rabbi Gilad Kariv, MK in the 24th Knesset, a member of the 36th Israel government and Chair of the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee. Click here for registration.

Cooking4HOPE

Cooking4 HOPE will be re-organizing to distribute lunch bag supplies from WRT on Sunday mornings for delivery to our partners on Mondays. We hope to return to the WRT kitchen for cooking (last Monday of each month), details to come. New volunteer packers or bakers: please write to Deb Kolodner at debra.kolodner@gmail.com. You can also support our activities by contributing to WRT’s Hungry and Homeless Fund.

Click here for more.

Contact us at JLLAdmin@wrtemple.org.

For WRT members: If you would like to receive notifications of birth announcements and deaths within the WRT community, please email receptionist@wrtemple.org with your full name and email address. Please specify if you would like to be added to one or both of these notification lists. 

Looking for other ways to connect with and learn from your clergy? We are happy to share recordings of our adult education classes and other engaging experiences on WRT's very own YouTube Channel - please click here.

Westchester Reform Temple is committed to the value of inclusion, and strives to make worship and programming fully accessible. Our building and bima are wheelchair accessible, and the sanctuary is equipped with assistive listening devices and large-print prayer books. ASL interpretation is available for any worship service upon request, and remote viewing of most services is available via webcasting from our website. If you need any additional accommodations to participate in a temple program, please contact Cantor Amanda Kleinman.

WJCS [Westchester Jewish Community Services]: Through the Partners in Caring Program, WRT is able to offer the support of an onsite Social Worker from WJCS, as well as offer social services to congregants in need.

UJA-Federation of NY: We are grateful for a special grant to enable and empower WRT to be the most inclusive congregation we can be. UJA-Federation also facilitates our partnership with the Jewish Deaf Resource Center, to provide ASL interpretation on demand at services and WRT programs.

URJ [Union for Reform Judaism]: Our Reform Movement's synagogue arm; WRT is a proud member of the URJ and celebrates the leadership of URJ President, WRT Rabbi Emeritus Rick Jacobs.

HUC-JIR [Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion]: WRT supports the HUC-JIR, the official training ground for Reform Jewish professionals.

URJ North East Camps: Join us at Crane Lake Camp, Eisner Camp or 6 Points Sci-Tech for an unforgettable summer of discovery and fun. Become a better athlete, artist or scientist while making lifelong friends. Be part of a community of kindness where self-esteem blossoms and Jewish life is truly joyous.