December 2024

Letter from the Rabbi

Dear Temple Israel Community,

Hodesh Tov! Wishing you a good new month of December and of Kislev! As we approach the end of 2024, we find ourselves in the start of Winter, preparing for the shortest days of the year, and our Festival of Lights Hannukah, which will accompany us into the year 2025!

Our holy work to bring light to the world continues to be of great need as we continue to pray for the immediate return of the Israeli hostages held in Gaza, an end to the ongoing war, and a greater peace for Israel and the world. Our relief at the news of a ceasefire with Hezbollah has this week been overshadowed by the heartbreaking news of the death of Omer Neutra ז״ל, a young Israeli from New York who was deeply involved in Conservative Jewish life and community.

As we continue to pray for peace and security throughout land of Israel, we look forward to joyous events in our local Jewish community this month and beyond! On the first Shabbat of December 12/6, a large group of Kids, Families and community members will gather to celebrate a Shabbat together with prayer, dinner, and play. If you haven’t yet RSVP’ed, you are still welcome to join us!

Later in December, on Sunday 12/22 from 10 AM – Noon, we will have our next TI/TC Adult Education program here at Temple Israel! I will be sharing powerful creative words of contemporary Israeli women compiled through. You can read more about the program (insert where in the bulletin there’s a description)

Beyond December, I’m excited to announce that in March we will welcome a good friend of mine Zach Mayer for a special Musician-in-Residence Weekend! Zach will join us on Purim Day through Shabbat and Sunday morning, bringing traditional and new Jewish music for us to sing and enjoy together! A forming group is working to plan several events for March 14 – 16 and we could use your support! Everyone’s help would be appreciated: musicians who’d like to join a Saturday night concert and Purim-Shabbat party planners alike!

In these dark Winter days, we have the change to come together and to cultivate the light of Shabbat and Hannukah and to strengthen our special local Jewish community!

Rabbi Micah R. Friedman

הרב מיכה שמחה פרידמן