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WRT AT A GLANCE
Scroll down for details about these events and our regular classes
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In Case You Missed it!
Moving Through Suffering
Rabbi Sasha Baken
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Friday Evening Services
Annual Service of Responsibility with Guest Speaker, Dr. Alvin H. Rosenfeld
Friday, May 3 at 6:15 pm (in-person at WRT)
Our entire community gathers each year around Yom Ha-Shoah, Holocaust
Remembrance Day, to honor the victims of the Shoah and to address antisemitism,
genocide, and hate in our time. Our Sixth Grade Class will accept the
responsibility to remember a child who perished in the Holocaust.
We will welcome guest speaker Dr. Alvin H. Rosenfeld, Professor of English
and Jewish Studies, and Director of the Center for the Study of Contemporary
Antisemitism at Indiana University.
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Sharing Shabbat
Saturday, May 4 at 9:00 am (in-person in the CJL)
Our engaging, musical Shabbat service for children in Grades K-6 and their families is open to the congregation and community. This weekly service is led by our clergy and followed by engaging learning and conversation organized by cohort – a special JLL curricular experience for the children, and time for the adults to concurrently study, sharestories, and ask questions together with a member of the clergy team. All are welcome!
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Torah Study
Saturday, May 4 at 9:00 am (in-person in the Sifriyah or Zoom)
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.
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Programs and Special Events | |
May is Jewish American Heritage Month, a great opportunity to celebrate the important contributions Jewish Americans have made to America since the first group of Jews arrived in New Amsterdam in 1654. | |
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Adult Learning: Talmud Shiur (Class)
Led by Rabbi Jonathan Blake
Thursday, May 2 at 10:15 am (on Zoom)
Thursday mornings, eager learners from our WRT community gather with Rabbi Blake to learn Talmud together. This spring, Rabbi Blake will be teaching on subjects related to the spring holiday calendar: Purim, Pesach, and Shavuot.
Class meets for 90 minutes, over Zoom, each Thursday from 10:15 AM to 11:45 AM.
We also record every session, and you can view previous classes here: https://www.youtube.com/rabbiblake
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Spring Chair Yoga Series at WRT
Thursday, May 2 at 2:00 pm
Our fall series was a resounding success, and participants have asked for more! We invite you to come back or try this series to nurture your body and soul. RSVP via email to receptionist@wrtemple.org or call the temple office at 914-723-7727.
Upcoming dates: May 9, 23, 30
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Meditation with Rabbi Baken & Norm Goldstein
Friday, May 3 at 11:00 am (in the CJL Living Room)
Many of us are aware that mindfulness and meditation have become increasingly present in people’s lives as a set of tools to navigate stress, increase calmness and clarity, and to promote joy. We at WRT are excited to be continuing our Meditation Lab, which utilizes Judaism as a context for meditation and explores Jewish meditative techniques. While each of us continues to navigate our emotions and responses to the ongoing crisis in Israel and Gaza, we will also continue to use meditation as a way of creating more space in our hearts and minds.
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Writer's Circle for the Spiritually Curious
Friday, May 3 at 12:00 pm
In Westchester Reform Temple’s first writers’ circle, writers of all levels will explore the power of words as an expression of humanity and spirit. Through freewriting exercises and explorations of select texts from Beatrix Wainwright’s Yiddish Folklore, writers will discover different forms of spiritual writing to unlock their own divine potential. Whether you dream of publication or a deeper understanding of your innermost thoughts, in this six-week course, writers will advance their work in form and substance.
Upcoming date: 5/17
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Annual Men of Reform Judaism Retreat with Rabbi Blake featuring guest scholar Dr. Alvin H. Rosenfeld
Saturday, May 4th, 12:30-2:45pm in the CJL
This year's annual MRJ retreat will feature Rabbi Blake in conversation with our guest scholar Dr. Alvin H. Rosenfeld on contemporary antisemitism and the state of the post-October 7th Jewish world. Dr. Rosenfeld is the Director of the Center for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism at Indiana University. Lunch will be served.
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Rosh Chodesh 5784
Led by Cantor Amanda Kleinman
and Cantor Danielle Rodnizki
Tuesday, May 7 at 11:30 am (in-person)
Join our cantors and a diverse group of women for a monthly, midday infusion of study and sharing as we mark each new month on the Hebrew calendar. We will come together as a community to celebrate happy occasions, and to hold space for one another in times of challenge or healing, so consider inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"
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Bereavement Group
Wednesday, May 8 at 12:00 pm (in-person)
These support groups are for those in mourning over a loss, 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 & Family Therapist from Westchester Jewish Community Services) and Cantor Laura Stein, LMSW, a social worker specializing in spiritual care.
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Friday Evening Services (5:30 pm) - Lab Shabbat
Friday, May 10 at *5:30 pm (in-person at WRT)
Shabbat service features the rituals, melodies and warmth of our congregation. The service includes a sermon or presentation by one of our rabbis, cantors, or special guests. Participate alongside fellow congregants in-person, or join us on any of our live-streaming platforms.
*Please note the 5:30 service time is for our community Shabbat Service including JLL's "Lab Shabbat." Lab Shabbat is an opportunity to welcome Shabbat with a family friendly service designed for families with children in Kindergarten through fifth grade. Each LabShabbat will include participation by a particular Jewish Learning Lab grade's students to showcase their learning.
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Israel Independence Day Concert featuring renowned Israeli musical duo Yonina
Monday, May 13th at 6:30pm (at Beth El Synagogue Center)
We’re excited to be co-sponsoring a Yom Ha’atzmaut program at Beth El Synagogue Center. Come join us as we gather with congregations across Westchester for a short Yom Hazikaron Memorial Service and a concert by the wonderful Israeli musical duo YONINA! Come at 6pm to enjoy Israeli food and festive drinks. Sign up for tickets here: Bethelnr.org/YONINA.
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Evening Book Group - Cantor Issac Sonett-Assor will be our guest facilitator
Tuesday, May 14 at 7:30 pm (in-person)
Interested in joining the evening book group? This month's book selection for discussion is “Time’s Echo” by Jeremy Eichler. To RSVP, please contact Lenore Rosenbaum at papoobeads@optonline.net.
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Game Night 2024
Thursday, May 16th at 7:00 pm
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Annual Meeting of the Congregation
Tuesday, May 21 at 7:30 pm
We convene as a sacred community to review the last twelve months and to look to the year ahead. To that end, we will vote on the proposed budget for the fiscal year 2024-2025, vote to ratify a new slate of trustees /officers and to honor three outgoing Board Trustees: Lauren Bender, Josh Block and Allison Friedland.
By clicking the link below, you will find the Report of the Nominating Committee 2024, which identifies the slate of trustees and officers for next year.
Report of the 2024 Nominating Committee
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Celebrate Israel Parade
Sunday, June 2 in New York City (more details to come)
The annual Celebrate Israel Parade in NYC will take place on Sunday June 2, 2024. This year, more than ever, it is so important that Westchester unite in support of Israel. The theme this year is One Nation, One Heart. Stay tuned for more details coming shortly.
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*Important information: Crossway Water Main Replacement Project
Regarding upcoming Crossway Water Main Replacement project, construction is anticipated to begin April 1 on Crossway from Weaver Street to Mamaroneck Road. Construction activity will occur between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., excluding weekends and holidays. During this construction, the Village’s contractor will be replacing the existing water main with a new pipe in segments, with an anticipated project completion date in November. Read more HERE.
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Visit the Early Childhood Center (ECC) | |  | |
Visit the Jewish Learning Lab (JLL) | | | |
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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.
For more information about Inclusion at WRT, click here.
For more information about Our Jewish World, click here.
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