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B'nai Mitzvah Clergy Message
Exciting times ahead
Dear Friends,
Your beloved child who was born almost thirteen years ago will soon enter the congregation of Israel as an adult member. By doing so, your family is affirming a tradition that has lasted thousands of years, adding a link to the chain of Jewish history, and taking a big step towards ensuring that our rich heritage will continue to flourish in the future. This is both a privilege and a responsibility. We share your pride in your child’s accomplishments and look forward to seeing your child as he/she continues to grow and reach their full potential.
A young boy will be known as a “bar mitzvah.” According to our earliest rabbis, a male child upon reaching puberty at the age of “13 years and a day” could be counted in a minyan, be a witness in court and sign a contract. In other words, at 13 and a day, a boy was considered to have reached the age which he could function as an adult.
The term “bat mitzvah” was first used in 1922 when the daughter of Reconstructionist Rabbi Mordechai Kaplan chanted from the Torah before her father’s congregation. With the advent of the feminist movement, liberal Judaism began to encourage girls to become bat mitzvah in the same way as their male counterparts.
Parents are the most powerful teachers and role models for their children. We hope that you will teach them that their Jewish learning does not end at "13 + a day." Judaism presents a unique opportunity to facilitate lifelong learning, engagement, social justice, and community building. It is our hope that you will encourage your child to continue his or her education through confirmation and to become active in youth group programs of learning and leadership.
As your family embarks upon the journey toward your child reaching adulthood, we encourage you to learn together, to enjoy our synagogue community together, and to make yourselves known to each other and to our community so that when your child becomes a bar or bat mitzvah, the experience will be richer and more meaningful for all of you.
We look forward to getting to know you and helping you along the way!
MAZAL TOV!
Rabbi Jennifer Jaech
Rabbi Wendy Pein
Thu, April 25 2024
17 Nisan 5784
Temple israel Happenings
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Thursday ,
AprApril 25 , 2024Brotherhood Lecture - How Do We Make Music After Oct. 7th?
Thursday, Apr 25th 7:30pm to 9:00pm
As Jews, we know how to hold both poles of the emotional spectrum, delight and despair, often at the same time. Join Cantor Dan Sklar as he wrestles with repertoire that fits the moment we are living in. Featuring music from Israeli composers and popular American music, we will find a way to celebrate life's joyous moments, even as we hold the hostages in our hearts. -
Saturday ,
AprApril 27 , 2024Shabbat Yoga with Robin Wald
Shabbat, Apr 27th 10:30am to 11:30am
Join us for a joyful and peaceful Shabbat morning yoga and contemplative practice. Together we will explore Jewish wisdom around Shabbat and the Torah parsha through embodied movement, breath, meditation and personal rest and reflection. The program will be accessible for all levels of physical and meditation practice - beginner through advanced. -
Sunday ,
AprApril 28 , 2024Fullerhouse Center for Housing with Brotherhood-Offsite
Sunday, Apr 28th 9:00am to 12:00pm
Please join us to help address homelessness in Westchester by volunteering for a build event. This is a great opportunity for our teens to participate in some very important community service and earn community service credits. Please note that teens should be accompanied by an adult. -
Monday ,
AprApril 29 , 2024Passover Yizkor Service
Monday, Apr 29th 10:00am to 11:00am
Yizkor is a memorial service held on the last days of festivals and on Yom Kippur. We will gather with Rabbi Pein at Temple Israel on the 7th day of Passover for this brief service, as we remember and honor our loved ones who have died. To help us with planning, please register if you are planning to attend this Yizkor service.
Events
Today's Calendar
Chol Hamoed Passover |
Friday Night
: 7:00pm |
Candle Lighting : 7:30pm |
Shabbat Day
: 9:30am |
: 10:30am |
Upcoming Programs & Events
Apr 25 |
Apr 27 |
Apr 28 |
Apr 28 Women's Journal Group Sunday, Apr 28 10:00am |
Apr 28 |
Candle Lighting
Friday, Apr 26, 7:30pm |
Chol Hamoed Passover
Thursday, Apr 25 |