As we navigate the pause mandated by state officials, we remain available to take your calls during business hours at 401-331-6070.
If you need to pick something up or drop something off at Temple, we ask that you call first so that we can safely accommodate your needs. All staff are working regular hours and checking email and voicemail.
Message from Cantor Judy Seplowin
During this Festival of Lights, we are reminded by Rabbi Hillel that the Hanukkah miracle grows each night as the light increases. Hanukkah is about courage, strength, feeling a sense of hope during our darkest days with the promise that better times are ahead. During Monday’s ceremonial election dating back 200 years, Rhode Island’s Secretary of State, Nellie Gorbea, reminded us that our 400-year-old state’s motto is “Hope.” We witnessed a record-breaking voter turnout of over 520,000 citizens exercising their constitutional rights during a global pandemic and an unprecedented election season.
Another first, another miracle this week was the arrival of the Covid-19 vaccine to our front line health care workers, our country’s heroes who are sacrificing much to keep the rest of us alive. There is some hope and promise this week to be cautiously optimistic. Baruch ata Adonai, rofei chol basar umafli la’asot - Blessed are You, Adonai, who heals all flesh, working wondrously.
Here’s to another first - it will be my privilege and honor to host Cantor Barbara Ostfeld, the first ordained woman cantor in Jewish history, at our celebration of Sabbath in Song/Shabbat Shira, on January 29, 2021 (that’s right - good-bye, 2020!). Cantor Ostfeld has inspired a generation of men and women with her musical talent, candor, humor and beautiful writing. She will speak about her memoir, Catbird: The Ballad of Barbi Prim. We have several copies for purchase. Please call the Temple office at 401-331-6070 if you are interested.
YAHRZEITS Etta Eysman H. Jack Feibelman Rose Fischer Anna Grace Phyllis Greenfield Anna Cohen Haberman Herman Haberman Lawrence Hoffman LuClare Hutchinson Donald Jaffa Farrel A. Jaffa Jean Moverman Jaffa Sloan Myles Jaffa Alvin Kurzer Maxwell Mann Joan Adler Mark Sheila G. Miller Hyman Nasoff Eileen Parker Lenore Rakatansky Cathy Reitman Faye Rozovsky Sherry Royall Eugene Schwartz David Sherman Stanley Smith Judith Spindell Rita Steigman Florence Tilles Norman Toobe Walter Tauber
YIZKOR ELOHIM The Congregation joins in mourning the death of Howard Nachbar Elaine Buckler Sylvia Cohen Harvey Benatovich Joan Fallon
Shabbat Morning Service
Saturdays January 9th February 13th March 13th April 10th 9:00 AM
If you enjoyed our 2nd Day Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur afternoon services, this service will provide a similar sense of community involvement and prayerfulness.
To be included on the email list, please contact Judith Gilson. jgilson@temple-beth-el.org
If you are interested in participating with a reading or blessing in English or Hebrew, please contact Kit Haspel. katherinehaspel@gmail.com
