This Shabbat marks Shabbat Shirah, the Sabbath of Song, named for the Song of the Sea, which the Israelites chanted as they crossed the Red Sea having escaped slavery in Egypt. Read more...

Shabbat Evening Services (live streamed)

With the advice of the medical experts on our Reopening Task Force, we are taking some additional precautions to provide for the health and safety of our community. As a result, our Friday Night services will be brought to you online only, until the end of January. We hope to resume in-person services again very soon.  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. 

Speaker Dr. Joellyn Zollman, who holds a Ph.D. in Jewish history from Brandeis University, will talk to us about an aspect of American Jewish Life. We will discover what brought American Jews to the West, where they settled, how the Jews of these communities were shaped by their broader environment, and the significant role they played in creating the American West as we know it. Click here to sign-up for the Zoom link.

Rabbinic student Sasha Baken will lead us in meditation and study using the Mussar method, a Jewish spiritual practice that gives concrete instructions on how to live a meaningful and ethical life. No previous experience is necessary. All are welcome. This class is presented by WRJ. Please register here. 

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (observed)

* See MLK - related activities below in the Tikkun Olam (Repair of the World) Section.

Join the Book Group for a discussion on the book title of the month “Hamnet” by Maggie O’Farrell. Please RSVP Lenore Rosenbaum at papoobeads@optonline.net for the Zoom link.

This Support Group meets to create community for those in mourning over the loss of a parent, and to help find comfort and process feelings of loss through caring discussion and in sacred Jewish context. 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.

Please join this webinar with Anat Hoffman, Executive Director of the Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC) and Chair of the Board of Women of the Wall, and Advocate Orly Erez-Likhovski, Director of IRAC. The speakers will present and discuss the question asked “is the Israeli Government walking away from the agreement on an egalitarian prayer space at the Kotel?” Register here for link.

Earlier this week, at least 17 people died and many more were injured in a fire at a Bronx apartment building. If you are interested in donating to help those effected, the New York Board of Rabbis has recommended that the best place to give is to The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, here: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/fund/initiatives/bronx-apartment-building-fire.page.

On MLK Day weekend, join UJA and scholars from Ammud: The Jews of Color Torah Academy and the Shalom Hartman Institute for an evening of learning to explore when we have felt at home, when we haven’t, and what it will take for everyone in America to feel like they belong. Click here to register.

Cooking4HOPE: A Family Way to Celebrate MLK Day 

We invite ECC, Sharing Shabbat and JLL families to join us preparing lunch and snack bags on MLK Day. Participating families will pick up supplies that morning and pack 44 bags at home (instructions and address for pick up and return of bags will be sent to you). You can also add your own individually wrapped baked goodies to the bags. Volunteers must notify Yoel (yoel.magid@gmail.com) by this evening (1/13), so we can organize enough supplies for everyone.

The unimpeded right to vote is embedded in our Jewish values and teachings. In the Talmud, Rabbi Yitzhak taught that “A ruler is not to be appointed unless the community is first consulted.” Learn more about the Freedom of Voting Rights Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, the Reform Movement’s position on the voting rights, and what you can do.

Join UJA and nonprofit partners to volunteer and make a difference. There are many in person and virtual opportunities to choose from. You can pack food and winter items to keep people nourished and warm; donate blood to help save lives; call isolated seniors to bring warmth and cheer to their lives; and more. Click here for volunteer opportunities.

Please see the JLL Eblast for links to all classes and programs. Please note there are NO CLASSES Saturday, January 15 - Monday, January 17 as we celebrate MLK weekend. Questions? Email JLLAdmin@wrtemple.org.

Registration is now ongoing for everyone.

For additional information, please contact Ellen.Rosenberg@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.