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
Sat, July 27 2024
21 Tammuz 5784
Temple israel Happenings
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Tuesday ,
JulJuly 30 , 2024Sisterhood Book Club - "The Women"
Tuesday, Jul 30th 6:00pm to 8:30pm
We will discuss the book over dinner at someone's home. You will get their address the day before the event. Please bring your own dinner or something to share as pot luck. We are looking forward to hearing your opinion! -
Wednesday ,
AugAugust 7 , 2024Cocktails at the Lake with Sisterhood
Wednesday, Aug 7th 4:00pm to 7:00pm
RAIN DATE THURSDAY, AUGUST 8th. All women of Temple Israel and their friends are invited to a social, relaxing sunset potluck dinner at Stillwater Lake in Ossining. Come at 3:00 if you'd like to take a refreshing swim in the beautiful, clear lake with a sandy beach. To keep this cost-free, please sign up to bring something for the potluck AND register to attend below. Come for the whole time or stop by after work for a drink, snack, swim & shmooze. -
Friday ,
AugAugust 9 , 2024Shabbat Shabbang
Friday, Aug 9th 5:00pm to 6:00pm
Join our clergy for songs, music, crafts, challah, pizza, and yummy treats! We welcome families with children 7 and under (and their older siblings). Bring a friend to share in our Shabbat! -
Monday ,
AugAugust 12 , 2024Community Service Through Flowers
Monday, Aug 12th 11:00am to 12:30pm
The program promotes a sense of peace and unity within our community and beyond through acts of loving kindness and social justice. Our goal is to bring joy into the lives of the elderly by creating floral arrangements which are distributed to local nursing homes and to build community among volunteers through this process.
Events
Today's Calendar
: 9:30am |
Friday Night
: 7:00pm |
Shabbat Day
: 9:30am |
Upcoming Programs & Events
Jul 28 Matt Mansfield Sunday, Jul 28 2:00pm |
Jul 30 |
Aug 7 |
Aug 8 Private Memorial Service Thursday, Aug 8 10:00am |
Aug 9 |
This week's Torah portion is Parashat Pinchas
Shabbat, Jul 27 |
Erev Tishah B'Av
Monday, Aug 12 |