WRT AT A GLANCE
Scroll down for details about these events and our regular classes
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Shabbat Service
Friday, January 31 at 6:15 pm (at WRT)
Shabbat service features the rituals, melodies and warmth of our congregation. The service includes a sermon or presentation by one of our rabbis, cantors, or special guests. Participate alongside fellow congregants in-person, or join us on any of our live-streaming platforms.
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Sharing Shabbat
Saturday, February 1 at 9:00 am (in-person in the CJL)
Our engaging, musical Shabbat service for children in Grades K-6 and their families is open to the congregation and community. This weekly service is led by our clergy and followed by engaging learning and conversation organized by cohort – a special JLL curricular experience for the children, and time for the adults to concurrently study, share stories, and ask questions together with a member of the clergy team. All are welcome!
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Torah Study
Saturday, February 1 at 9:00 am (ECC Room 2/4 or Zoom)
Each Shabbat morning we gather informally to read and discuss the week’s Torah portion. The morning begins with a brief Shabbat service at which mourners who wish to say Kaddish are warmly welcomed. The group is led by volunteers, with clergy participation. No prior experience with Torah is necessary.
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In Case You Missed It!
This past week, Rabbi Platcow delivered a sermon from our bimah entitled The Jewish Way of Strength. Her words are a powerful reminder of WRT's values: "Being gibur [a person of strength] is not hardening our hearts to those most marginalized – the refugees, the LGBTQ+ community, asylum seekers – the most disadvantaged in our society. We must not give in to the impulse to grow callous, lest that callousness become our master. Real strength is about cultivating an openness and willingness to hear the cries of those most vulnerable, even when it’s uncomfortable. For this is the Jewish way."
View Rabbi Platcow's sermon below.
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Programs and Special Events | |
The Text and Context of Israel’s Declaration of Independence
Thursday, January 30, 10:15 am - 11:45 am (on Zoom)
In May of 1948, a foundational text was added to the chain that links the Jewish people across time and space: the Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel.
Over four sessions on consecutive Thursday mornings in January 2025 (9, 16, 23, 30 from 10:15 am - 11:45 am), we will study the Declaration and seek to put the text in multiple contexts: historical, political, literary, spiritual, and social. We plan to address questions that include:
- Who was involved in crafting the Declaration of Israel’s Independence?
- What makes the Declaration a Jewish text?
- How does a document composed in 1948 inform our understanding of Israel in 2025?
- Why has the Declaration become an increasingly significant document during the last few years?
Our guides for this study will be two outstanding educators: Rabbi Jan D. Katzew, Ph.D., Professor (retired) of Education and Hebrew Union College (and Rabbi Blake's mentor and study partner), and WRT's own Noam Vinokor-Meinrath who is a full time educator in the Jewish Learning Lab and will bring his own experience as an Israeli to our study.
If you would like to watch any past classes click HERE.
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Chair Yoga Series at WRT
Thursday, January 30 at 2:00 pm
RSVP via email to receptionist@wrtemple.org or call the temple office at 914-723-7727. Upcoming dates: February 6, 13, 20 & 27
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Meditation with Norm Goldstein
Friday, January 31 at 11:00 am (in the CJL Living Room)
Many of us are aware that mindfulness and meditation have become increasingly present in people’s lives as a set of tools to navigate stress, increase calmness and clarity, and to promote joy. We at WRT are excited to be continuing our Meditation Lab, which utilizes Judaism as a context for meditation and explores Jewish meditative techniques. While each of us continues to navigate our emotions and responses to the ongoing crisis in Israel and Gaza, we will also continue to use meditation as a way of creating more space in our hearts and minds.
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Winter Film Series: Israeli Film Festival at WRT
Israel has had a significant cultural impact with many celebrated films over the years.
Please join the FreeBirds to view three landmark Israeli movies, presented in conversation with WRT Clergy.
Bring a friend and we’ll bring the movie, snacks, and beverages. All programs begin at 2:00 pm at WRT. Although there is no charge for these events, you must register separately for each film you plan to attend.
Any questions? Contact Lori.gertzog@gmail.com
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Incitement / Yamim Noraim (2019)
Sunday, February 2 at 2:00 pm
This film by director Yaron Zilberman is a provocative look at what inspired a 25-year-old religious extremist to assassinate Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995. Rabbi Blake will draw on his experience during this same year, which he spent in Israel as a rabbinical student, as he referred to in his remarks this past Rosh Ha-Shanah.
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Rosh Chodesh 5785
Led by Cantor Amanda Kleinman
Tuesday, February 4 at 11:30 am (in-person)
Join Cantor Kleinman and a diverse group of women for a monthly, midday infusion of study and sharing as we mark each new month on the Hebrew calendar. We will come together as a community to celebrate happy occasions, and to hold space for one another in times of challenge or healing.
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NEW Living with Care Support Group at WRT
Wednesday, February 5 at 11:15 am (at WRT)
Caring for an aging or infirm loved one requires tremendous reservoirs of spiritual and emotional strength and resilience. It can feel lonely, burdensome, and depleting of one’s time and energies. This winter, WRT will offer a new support group for congregants who are providing care for loved ones. Skillfully guided by Cantor Laura Stein, LCSW, and Jane Slevin, LMFT, who have led our Bereavement Support Groups, this six-week program will provide a safe and confidential space for working through the difficulties of Living with Care in a mutually supportive environment.
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Dealing with Death: a Shiur with Rabbi Platcow
Thursday February 6, 13, 27 & March 6th, 10:15 - 11:45 (via Zoom)
The final life cycle moment occurs when a person is no longer in this world. Together, we will explore the basis for our mourning rites, these rituals themselves, and what our tradition has to say about the afterlife. Throughout these four sessions, we may come to understand that when we interact with death, we are more intentional about the way we live our lives.
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First Annual WRT Flea
Sunday, February 9, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Only a few more days to donate. Tell your friends and follow @wrtflea on Instagram to see some of the wonderful items that will be for sale for a great cause!
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WRT and DOROT Present: Aging Alone Together Workshop
WRT is proud to partner with DOROT to bring their flagship Aging Alone Together workshop to our congregants this spring. This free six-week series, held on Mondays from 10 AM to 12 PM (March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, and April 7), is designed for individuals, age 70+, seeking support in planning for their futures while building meaningful connections with others at a similar stage in life.
The program explores vital topics such as refreshing social networks, health care and end-of-life decisions, and considerations for aging in place versus relocating. Each session features engaging videos, small group discussions, and lunch.
Remaining space is limited—please register today. Click HERE for more information.
For any questions or additional information, contact Cynthia Samwick at Cynthia.Samwick@gmail.com.
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Inspired Giving
It is only through the generosity of our members that we are able to fully carry out our mission, attract and retain world-class staff, uphold the highest standards of learning and worship and offer engaging and innovative ways to experience Jewish Life. We hope you will consider making a gift to WRT's Inspired Giving Annual Fund.
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Visit the Early Childhood Center (ECC) | | | |
Visit the Jewish Learning Lab (JLL) | | | |
For WRT members: If you would like to receive notifications of birth announcements and deaths within the WRT community, please email receptionist@wrtemple.org with your full name and email address. Please specify if you would like to be added to one or both of these notification lists.
For more information about Inclusion at WRT, click here.
For more information about Our Jewish World, click here.
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