A synagogue is a beit midrash, a house of study. At Temple Emanu-El, our children come to learn Hebrew and the traditions of Judaism. Adults come to study with renowned Scholars-in-Residence and to take part in our Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah program. Interfaith families come to learn how to create Jewish homes. We join together for weekly opportunities to study Torah.

A synagogue is a beit tefillah, a house of prayer. At Temple Emanu-El, we join together in worship for Erev Shabbat and Shabbat morning services, festivals and the High Holy Days.

We celebrate the birth of children, and share in the joy as they become Bar or Bat Mitzvah and are confirmed. We pray for those who are ill and comfort each other at times of loss. In song, we lift our voices to God and bring holiness into our lives. Temple Emanu-El is all of this and more. We are a warm, open, and welcoming family. We are dedicated to bringing sacredness into our lives, and into the world. Join us in this wonderful and sacred journey.

SHABBAT SERVICES: These are held on Friday evening at 8:00 p.m. except for Family services. Intimate Shabbat Morning Services are held on Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m.

FAMILY SERVICES: These are held one Friday each month at 7:00 p.m. All children having birthdays during that month are blessed by the Rabbi.

YAHRZEIT REMINDERS: These are sent to members who have submitted the names of their departed loved ones. These names are read during the corresponding Shabbat service.

AN ONEG SHABBAT: This is held after every erev Shabbat service.

TOT SHABBAT SERVICES: These are held monthly. This is a wonderful way to introduce toddlers to six year olds to Judaism with songs and crafts.

SISTERHOOD takes an active role in the Religious School, is involved in activities for Temple youth, assures that our college students are kept abreast of Temple activities, contributes new books to the Temple library, raises funds for various projects within the Temple, and assumes a leadership role in the Middlesex County Jewish community.

SOCIAL ACTION is an integral part of our Temple life. Our congregation is involved in and supports many community activities and causes. We open our hearts and our homes to resettled Soviet Jews, and seek to do our part in alleviating the burdens of homelessness and hunger. On our annual Mitzvah Day, adults and children join together to work on social action projects.

THE OUTREACH PROGRAM at Temple Emanu-El warmly welcomes interfaith couples and families, as well as Jews by choice and their families. Outreach sponsors discussion groups and programs which allow members to meet others, share experiences, ask questions and discuss important concerns.

BAR/BAT MITZVAH & CONFIRMATION

Judaism has to be taught as an alive and active force. Our Religious School aims to instill pride and value in being a Jew. We have teachers who create excitement in the classroom and assist our children in identifying as Jews in today’s society. We also have a state-of-the-art media center available to students in the Religious School. Our school program begins at kindergarten and continues through grade twelve. Grades and ages generally parallel those in the child’s secular school. Grades four through seven meet twice each week, while other grades meet once. Special Education classes are also offered.

THE PURPOSES OF OUR PROGRAMS ARE:

To instill in our children knowledge of their heritage;

To create Jews with commitment; To develop self-understanding and love for Judaism; To teach the application of ethics, ideals and social justice; To spark an interest in Jewish current affairs; To keep Judaism alive.

OUR CURRICULUM INCLUDES: Celebration of holidays & customs, participation in rituals, Modern Hebrew language, Jewish literature, music and art. Becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah at Temple Emanu-El represents the attainment of a significant level of Jewish knowledge through study tailored to the individual needs of the student. Participation of the child as well as the family is stressed. To be eligible, students must attend Religious School from the third grade or be otherwise qualified. We view Bar and Bat Mitzvah as the beginning of a lifetime of Jewish learning. All of our students are encouraged to continue their studies through Confirmation.

Confirmation occurs at the end of the tenth grade. In preparation, our students tailor their studies to their own interests, take on greater roles in the life of the congregation, and engage in social action projects. Our students complete their studies with a trip to Israel or an alternate location of Jewish significance.

ADULT EDUCATION programs include: Hebrew, Reform Judaism, Contemporary Issues and Jewish Culture. Lectures, trips and a Scholar-in-Residence program provide additional opportunities for learning.

ADULT BAR/BAT MITZVAH CLASSES meet once a week for approximately one hour over a two-to-three-year period. The curriculum includes Jewish history, customs, holidays and related contemporary issues, as well as the study of Hebrew.

TORAH STUDY is offered with two wonderful opportunities: Lunch and Learn, where you bring your lunch and the Rabbi, together with a dedicated group of students, provides the study by reading the Torah, verse by verse and exploring traditional and some nontraditional commentaries Also, on the first and third Saturdays of each month, following the Shabbat morning minyan, a lay-led group meets to explore our sacred texts. NASHIM meets several times yearly to discuss and study issues of interest to women. The sessions may include studies of biblical characters, book reviews, films, or topics of current interest.

Music is part of our everyday lives. Our cantor leads services with endless enthusiasm and a deep sense of spirituality.

FOR OUR CHILDREN: A vibrant music program, with a highly qualified music teacher, is an integral part of our Religious School education. All students may join our youth choir, which performs at Family and Holiday services.

FOR ADULTS: Our adult choir rehearses on weeknights and performs monthly at Shabbat services, Holy Days, festivals and special events.

YOUTH GROUPS

Because the future of Judaism lies in our youth, Temple Emanu-El sponsors three youth groups: a junior junior youth group (JJYG) for eight to ten year olds, a junior youth group for eleven to thirteen year olds and a senior youth group for teenagers of high school age. Programs include holiday parties, ice-skating, volunteer services, participation in erev Shabbat services and a great deal more. Meetings are held during the school year and membership is open to all youngsters in the community. Through the warm and friendly atmosphere of the group, a strong Jewish identity can develop as lasting friendships flourish. Our youth groups are affiliated with the National Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY).