December 4 , 2018/5779
Jonathan Weisman, our 2018 Burstein Scholar in Residence
Calendar On the Calendar
30 Kislev, 5779
Torah portion:
Haftarah portion:

Zechariah 2:14 - 4:7
Friday, December 7
5:00 p.m. Shabbat Mishpachah

6:00 p.m. All-Community Chanukah Shabbat with musical guest Dan Nichols
(Watch Live Stream)
Saturday, December 8
9:00 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service & Torah Study

4:00 p.m. Meditative Chanukah Gathering with Rabbi Elaine Zecher and Rabbi Suzie Jacobson

6:15 p.m. Communal Havdalah

Life Cycle Events
We celebrate the marriage of:
Sarah Zink & Ethan Jaffee
December 1, 2018

Adam Maurer & David Francis
November 29, 2018
We mourn the loss of:
Karl Heinz Helmling
November 22, 2018 (14 Kislev, 5779)
Father of Steffen Helmling (Jessica Berns)
Grandfather of Lily and Oliver Helmling

Are you or is someone you know celebrating a wedding? An engagement? A new baby? Do you know someone who is ill or in need of a friendly, supportive call? Please let Rachel Daniels know.
nicholsA Musical Chanukah Shabbat with Dan Nichols
Dan Nichols is a singular talent in the world of Jewish music. He is one of the most dynamic, influential, and beloved Jewish musicians in North America. Dan's melodies have become an integral part of the spiritual and liturgical experience of countless individuals and Jewish communities. This weekend is made possible by a generous gift from our member Dr. Gabriel Padawer.


All-Community Chanukah Shabbat with Dan Nichols
Friday, December 7 
5:00 p.m. Shabbat Mishpachah dinner - all families invited
6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Service and celebration
Celebrate Chanukah and Shabbat with us! This family friendly Chanukah Shabbat is open to the entire Greater Boston community! Beginning with Shabbat Mishpachah at 5:00 p.m., followed by Qabbalat Shabbat with musical guest Dan Nichols at 6:00 p.m.  Read more.

Chanukah Havdalah & Coffeehouse with Dan Nichols
Saturday, December 8
4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Spiritual Practice Lab  Meditative Chanukah Gathering with Rabbis Zecher and Jacobson
We know Chanukah as a time of family and lights, dreidels and delicious fried foods. But have you considered the spirituality of Chanukah?  As the sun sets, we will gather around the lights of the Chanukiah and the Havdalah candle and explore the spiritual practices of Chanukah.
6:15 p.m. Communal Havdalah 
Join us for a musical evening celebrating Chanukah with our musical guest, Dan Nichols. Listen to a preview.
chanukahCelebrate Chanukah with Temple Israel!

How will  you  spread the light?
Lighting candles at home? Every night of Chanukah, our clergy will join you at home in your email inbox with blessings, learning opportunities, and songs! Share your photos with us on social media any night during Chanukah using #TISparks. Read more about Chanukah with Temple Israel.

Lighting opportunities with TI
Giving Suggestion
Candle 3
Tuesday, December 4
5:30 p.m. Lighting with the Religious School
6:45 p.m. Lighting with the Board of Trustees
6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Riverway Project (20s & 30s) Olive Oil Tasting, Lighting and Celebration! Register.  For more information, contact  Nikk Modell-Wasserman .
Giving Suggestion:

Candle 4
Wednesday, December 5
3:00 p.m. Lighting with the FJECC Preschool
6:00-8:00 p.m. Riverway Project (20s & 30s) Neighborhood Lighting in Jamaica Plain.  For more information, contact  Nikk Modell-Wasserman .
6:15 p.m.  Lighting with Evening Minyan
Giving Suggestion:
Candle 5
Thursday, December 6

5:30 p.m. Lighting with the Religious School and musical guest Dan Nichols
7:00 p.m. Lighting with Intro to Judaism class
Giving Suggestion:


  A Musical Chanukah Shabbat and  
Weekend with Dan Nichols
Dan Nichols is a singular talent in the world of Jewish music. He is one of the most dynamic, influential, and beloved Jewish musicians in North America. Dan's melodies have become an integral part of the spiritual and liturgical experience of countless individuals and Jewish communities. This weekend is made possible by a generous gift from our member Dr. Gabriel Padawer.

Candle 6
Friday, December 7
5:00 p.m. Shabbat Mishpachah
6:00 p.m.  All-Community Chanukah Shabbat with musical guest Dan Nichols. 
Giving Suggestion:
Candle 7
Saturday, December 8
4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Spiritual Practice Lab  Meditative Chanukah gathering with Rabbis Zecher and Jacobson
6:15 p.m. Communal Havdalah 
Giving Suggestion:
Candle 8
Sunday, December 9
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Family Chanukah Party with musical guest Dan Nichols for Religious School, FJECC preschool, and the Village for Families with Young Children (kids age 0-1st grade). Please contact  Roberta Bergstein for more information.
5:00  - 7:00 p.m. 50s & 60s Chanukah Party at a congregant's home.  Register.
6:00-8:00 p.m. Riverway Project (20s & 30s) Neighborhood Lighting in Cambridge.  For more information, contact  Nikk Modell-Wasserman .
Giving Suggestion:

Mitzvah Lights
At Chanukah, we tell the story of how at a moment of catastrophic challenge, a determined community of Jews rose up and prevailed against overwhelming odds. It has been almost two months since the UN report predicted global catastrophe if we do not take dramatic action on climate change in the next dozen years. It's easy to feel that we are up against impossible odds. If we, like the Maccabees, rise up, we can overcome. Read more about how you can be involved in the campaign this Chanukah!
Put Racial Justice on your Chanukah Shopping List
This year for Chanukah and all your holiday giving, put racial justice on your shopping list. Quite literally, when you choose to buy from a Black-owned business in the Boston area, you contribute to the wider effort to address a scandalous wealth and opportunity gap in our city and country. Check out our Racial Justice Initiative's Gift Giving and Party Catering Guide.
cajl
Registration for the Fall semester of the Center for Adult Jewish Learning is open! Be sure to see the full list of courses, register, and follow CAJL on Facebook!
Exploring the Ethics of Touch through Dance
with Ilya Vidrin of Reciprocity Collaborative
Sundays, 10:00-11:30 a.m., January 6, 13, 27; Cost: $75 (members)/$105 (non-members)
What can we learn about ethical, social practice from movement? Inspired by movement practices such as the Tango, Swing, and Latin/Ballroom, we will investigate what it means to partner. This workshop will focus on basic weight-shifting patterns to practice leaning, gliding, and supporting each other through movement. Comfortable clothing recommended, no previous dance experience necessary. Register.
Travel to Charleston & Savannah with Dr. Hasia Diner and Rabbi Zecher
May 26 - 31, 2019
Travel with us to the South. Join Professor Hasia Diner and Rabbi Elaine Zecher for "Jews of the American South: Charleston and Savannah," a study tour with Professor Hasia Diner, Steinberg Professor of American Jewish History at New York University. See full trip details and register.
SOStepping Out 2019 - Save the Date!
Saturday, April 27, Time TBD
Save the date to celebrate Temple Israel's 165th Anniversary! If you would like to be involved with the host committee or if you have auction items that you would like to contribute, please email Shoshanna Goldberg or call 617-566-3960.
newsTemple Israel's Making Headlines
November 27, 2018
Ella Bunnell '19 and Matthew Wigler '19 receive 2 of 12 Mitchell Scholarships
The Stanford Daily - featuring Ella Bunnell
Living Judaism together through discovery, dynamic spirituality, and righteous impact.