The East End Temple Men’s Club fosters fellowship, provides service, and promotes education within our community. We are planning a robust slate of events for the coming year, so watch this space for more information. Any questions or ideas can be emailed to mensclub@eastendtemple.org.
The Boomers of East End Temple (BEET) is a chavurah (group) formed to build connections among the baby boomer (officially defined as born between 1946 and 1964) community. We look to schedule programs that may interest the generation who grew up through massive social changes which strongly influenced who we are today. During these programs, most of which are open to the general baby boomer community, we enjoy sharing special memories unique to our generation as well as educating and supporting each other as we continue on our current life’s journeys. One of our most popular events is our intimate (members-only) Friday, Shabbat potluck dinners where we share our thoughts on a boomer-related topic, ensuring that everyone gets to know something about each other.
And, as we say, the BEET Goes On!
Belong. Connect. Grow.
The Sisterhood of East End Temple brings together women in all stages of life in friendship, leadership, and intellectual and spiritual growth. We listen to women’s voices and promote their interests, passions, ideas, and concerns. Together we engage in tikkun olam by producing timely and relevant programming, fundraising, and advocating for social justice, while nurturing the life of the congregation, its leaders, and the community at large.
We offer a number of programs in different formats — in person, on Zoom and hybrid. Unless otherwise stated, the entire community, friends and family, is welcome to join us! Please send any questions and RSVPs to sisterhood@eastendtemple.org, except where noted.
Food For Families
Sundays at 12:00pm: Oct. 15, Nov. 12, Dec. 3, Jan. 7, Feb. 4, Mar. 3, Apr. 7
For over 30 years, multiple generations of our community have made meals to feed hungry New Yorkers. Advance sign-up will be required (look for the link in an upcoming eblast). All participants must be age 12 or older (ages 12-15 must be accompanied by an adult). Each participant should bring five loaves of whole wheat bread and 16 pieces of fruit (preferably apples and oranges) and wear a hat to comply with Department of Health regulations.
Getting to Know You — First Wednesdays Lunchtime Speaker Series (Zoom)
Wednesdays at 12:00pm: Dec. 6, Jan. 3, Feb. 7, Mar. 6, Apr. 3
Bring your lunch and join us as we introduce a fascinating member of our community. More details to come.
Rosh Chodesh Study and Discussion: “Rebekah, Our Second Matriarch” (in person and via Zoom)
Sundays at 10:30am: Jan. 7, Feb. 4, Mar. 3, Apr. 7
We continue our celebration of Rosh Chodesh, a holiday traditionally connected to women. When Rebekah, second matriarch of the Jewish people, sends Jacob to Mesopotamia to find a wife and escape his brother Esau’s wrath, he introduces himself to his cousin (and future wife) Rachel not as the son of Isaac, but as the son of Rebekah (Gen 29:12). What might this suggest? Join us for lively sessions led by Fern Stampleman, Elissa Macklin and Laurie Treuhaft. We’ll spend time together in conversation, share a potluck brunch and participate in evaluating Rebekah’s impact on the covenantal promise.
No prior knowledge necessary! Registration required (coming soon). All reading materials emailed to registrants in advance of each date.
Stitch-A-Thon
Sundays at 1:00pm: Jan. 7, Feb. 4, Mar. 3 (in person)
Gather for a while with other stitchers. Show off your latest projects; get help from our experts; make a hat or scarf for our Cold Weather Project for donating to New York’s needy.
Mah Jongg Play and Lessons
First and third Thursdays from 11:30am to 1:30pm: Starting October 5 (in person)
Interested in learning to play mah jongg or finding players? $5 to play, $10 for a lesson. Coffee and snacks. More to come. Please let us know your interest by completing this form.
A Day Of Mah Jongg – Play, Lunch, and Prizes
Save the date — Sunday, January 21
More information coming soon!
Sisterhood Board Meetings (Sisterhood members only)
Thursdays at 6:30pm: Sept. 28, Nov. 9, Dec. 14, Jan. 25, Mar. 7, Apr. 11, May 23, June 27 (in person and via Zoom)
All Sisterhood members are invited to join our bi-monthly board meetings when we share thoughts about our upcoming and past events, social action initiatives and what we can do to support each other and the EET community. RSVP requested to sisterhood@eastendtemple.org.
Helene Spring Library Event
Sunday, March 17 at 2:00pm
Our annual celebration of our beautiful library includes a featured author speaking about their book, followed by a book sale and signing, and our always-popular homemade dessert buffet.
Lilith Seder
Thursday, April 25 at 6:00pm (in person)
We look forward to praying, singing and dining together as we all participate in the telling of Passover story, with a focus on the women’s role in that story. We will sing songs written by Debbie Friedman, pray with personalized prayers and feminized language from our own Haggadah and honor four women of valor.
Sisterhood Shabbat (in person and Livestream)
Friday, March 8 at 6:15pm
Celebrate 75 years of Sisterhood and International Women’s Day, in prayer and song. Enhanced oneg to follow.
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Engaging in tikkun olam – our fundraising and advocacy programs
Sisterhood supports a number of worthy causes for those in need as well as temple staff, clergy and building projects. If you are interested in donating to any of our funds and/or honoring a loved one, please refer to the Contribute page.
Birthday Fund
In its 10th year, Jodi Malcom chairs this outreach fund supported by donations honoring Sisterhood member birthdays, the birthdays of their loved ones, and other life events. Monies are directed to two local organizations selected annually that support the lives of women and girls. Last year, donations were given to Hot Bread Kitchen‘s Bridge Training Services; and CASA-NYC, court-appointed special advocates which give free legal help to vulnerable children within NYC’s Family Court/Foster Care system.
Food For Families Funds
Led by a team of Sisterhood women for almost 30 years, we gather to make meals to feed hungry New Yorkers, which are picked up and distributed by City Harvest. Donations to these funds are used to buy the meal-making ingredients and materials.
Helene Spring Library Fund
A jewel of the temple, our library houses an extensive collection from which temple members may browse and borrow. Named for one of EET’s founding members, who is both a past temple president and Sisterhood president, we raise funds to keep our library beautiful and well-stocked.
Sisterhood Leadership Development Fund
We are dedicated to creating leaders who can develop programs to enhance our EET community and to raise funds to support meaningful projects. Women of Reform Judaism, along with other leadership organizations, provides us with access to many development tools, from conferences to training presentations. Monies in this fund will be used to take advantage of those tools in order to support the enhancement of leadership skills of current Sisterhood members and to develop future Sisterhood leaders.
East End Temple’s Young Professionals meet monthly for Shabbat services and a dinner conversation, connect for Jewish holidays, and gather socially at each other’s homes. This growing constituency is comprised of people who want to be Jewishly involved, Jews by choice, people in relationship with Jews, and those who are Jewishly interested and seeking meaning amid busy lives.
Get connected
Email Rabbi Josh Stanton, jstanton@eastendtemple.org. And to receive the EET Weekly Eblast so you are up-to-date with what’s going on across the Temple, send your email to EET office at info@eastendtemple.org.
Our mission is to cultivate relevant Jewish life through connected community. We seek to expand avenues into Torah (Jewish learning and practice), God (all forms of spiritual connection) and the Jewish people (locally and globally) to help one another live lives of meaning.
We do this through:
We welcome all in the Jewish community: young and old; single, partnered and married; LGBT and straight; interfaith families; Jewish-born or converted; those with and without mental and physical disabilities; financially struggling or well-off. If you choose us, we choose you.
We encourage full participation, enfranchisement and leadership through education and relationship-building.
We strive to know and care for one another through the cultivation of relationships between and among members.
We aspire to a high quality of synagogue life, and give of time and resources to create that quality. Our members who derive the most from their East End Temple experience are often those who give the most.
Tikkun Olam (Hebrew for “world repair”) has come to connote social action and the pursuit of social justice. The phrase has origins in classical rabbinic literature and in Lurianic kabbalah, a major strand of Jewish mysticism originating with the work of the 16th-century kabbalist Isaac Luria.
There are myriad opportunities for the East End Temple Community to participate in Social Justice initiatives, including in-person and virtual programs. For more information about East End Temple’s Social Justice activities, please email info@eastendtemple.org.
In response to the devastating Hawaiian wildfires, Jewish Federations of North America launched a Hawaii Wildfire Fund for urgent humanitarian aid, including toiletries, first-aid kits, non-perishable foods, baby supplies and more, that will support those affected by the fires. Jewish Federation partners are on the ground to assess additional needs. Click here to donate.
from The Ukrainian Institute of America:
What can I do?
Welcome Cantor Olivia Brodsky!
Growing up, Cantor Brodsky was touched by liturgical music and recognized it as an accessible and powerful means of connecting with her heritage and community. She believes strongly in the transcendent nature of music, and its unparalleled ability to both convey and evoke emotion and spirituality.
Influenced by the musical styles of both Reform and Conservative cantors, as well as her background in both Musical Theatre and Classical music, Cantor Brodsky recognizes that the musical preferences of our community are as diverse as the people of whom it is composed. Cantor Brodsky makes a concerted effort to keep the music of Shabbat and Holiday services eclectic, participatory, and engaging. With a combination of folk, contemporary, classical compositions and chazzanut, she hopes that everyone will hear music that speaks to their souls and accentuates the meaning of our liturgy.
Enjoy our newsletter, Templet. Stay up to date on the latest events, activities and stories at East End Temple. You can download recent editions of the Templet by clicking the links below.
We are grateful for your support. Tzedakah, or charity, fulfills some of Judaism’s strongest traditions. It also powers the activities and well-being of East End Temple. You may make a contribution in honor of a person or an event, in memory of someone, or just because you care about the EET community.
Click on the following links for convenient ways to support East End Temple:
TEMPLE FUNDS
In 1948, a community of World War II veterans came together to found East End Temple. Through leadership, innovation, and dedication to community, our congregation has grown and flourished.
To launch EET into our next 75 years, we have launched a campaign, 75 for 75, in which we look to raise $75,000 to fund our future and initiatives currently being developed by clergy, Board members and congregants. To donate, please choose Fund for the Future.
It is thanks to the foresight and generosity of those who came before us that EET has entered its eighth decade with strength and vibrancy. We are grateful to them for establishing a spiritual home that cultivates relevant Jewish life through connected community. Now it is our turn to make certain our tradition continues for generations and that EET continues to be a beacon for downtown Jewish life.
The EET Legacy Circle will bring together members like you and us, who are eager to help ensure our Jewish community’s future for generations to come by naming East End Temple as a beneficiary in their estate plans. Planned gifts of all sizes can play a significant role in sustaining our Temple. If you have already included EET in your estate plans, as we each have, please email Judith or simply send this form back to the temple office.
And if you are thinking about including EET in your estate plans, we would love to talk further with you. Please feel free to contact either of us or Rabbi Josh Stanton (jstanton@eastendtemple.org) for a confidential discussion. We are truly grateful for your consideration.
L’Dor V’Dor, From Generation to Generation
L’shalom,
Rebecca Shore and Brian Lifsec, Co-Presidents
Judith Sussman, Chair, The East End Temple Legacy Circle
For the following gift/naming opportunities, please contact the EET office via phone or email:
| Floral (Flowers for the service) | $75 |
| Kehilla Plaque on Sanctuary Lobby Wall | $5,000 min. |
| Memorial Board Plaque | $720 |
| Oneg/Collation | $400 / $250 |
| Simcha Tree Leaf | $234 |
HIGH HOLY DAYS (HHD) purchases/giving: HHD Pledge, HHD Ticket (Member), HHD Ticket (Non-Members), Yizkor.
SISTERHOOD PROGRAMS
Donations to one of the Sisterhood-sponsored programs can now be made online, using one of the above links, under HOW TO GIVE.
However, if you prefer to send a paper check, please make your check payable to EET Sisterhood, indicate the name of the fund(s) and send it to the temple office. Your canceled check is your receipt.
All contributions to East End Temple or Sisterhood will be acknowledged to the person(s) for whom you make a donation, as well as noted in our monthly newsletter, Templet.
Click here to listen to Cantor Shira Ginsburg’s CD, A New Light, which is also available to pick up at EET for free.
Shira with Shira is a group of congregants who sing with our fabulous Cantor, Shira Ginsburg. We have several sessions about three times a year (not unlike the approach to adult ed), and we occasionally sing at services, the annual Holocaust Observance in the City, and the like.
The next sessions of Shira with Shira will take place in November, on three successive Tuesdays, the 5th, 12th and 19th. We rehearse in the sanctuary from 6:30 to 7:45 pm, and we will be preparing for a joint interfaith Thanksgiving service on November 26 with singers from the Village Temple. We hope you can join us.
Singing with Shira with Shira is an opportunity to spend time with Cantor Shira and up to as many as ten or more congregants who love to sing and learn about singing with the Cantor.