• For bet mitzvah students if you’re not at home, or to listen to recordings of different prayers: https://eastendtemple.org/torah-and-prayer-resources/

A word about “bet mitzvah”:
Last spring, following careful study, the Central Conference of American Rabbis issued a recommendation that Reform communities use the term “Bet Mitzvah.” Bet is the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet and does not have a gendered connotation. It stands for Bar, Bat, or B’Mitzvah at the same time and provides our children and their families with the flexibility not to share more of their gender identities than they would like to at their Jewish coming-of-age ceremonies. Bet also references the Hebrew word for “home,” so that the term Bet Mitzvah references the “Home of Mitzvah.”   

Bet mitzvah at East End Temple:
At East End Temple, we view bet mitzvah in the greater context of one’s Jewish life and Jewish education. Rather than approaching this as an ending point of learning, it as a significant marker in the education and Jewish life of our students. The emphasis of the experience is put on the learning process, on the weekly accomplishments of the students, on their pride in working diligently and thoughtfully on learning prayers, blessings, Torah and Haftarah portions as well as the d’var Torah.

This process is made richer and more meaningful by family participation and involvement. Studying the portion together helps to emphasize the value of lifelong learning and models to our students the true lessons and values within the Torah. We emphasize the excitement and pride each student feels in themselves as they progress, engaging in significant studies, confidently leading services, and reading from the Torah. In this way, it is the quality and experience of learning that each student undertakes, not only the service itself, that we celebrate on the day of the bet mitzvah.

Requirements

• Bet mitzvah is only open to members of East End Temple.
• It is understood that all students who are becoming bet mitzvah at East End Temple are raised solely in the Jewish tradition.
• Students are required to have three years of participation in the East End Temple religious school or its equivalent prior to becoming bet mitzvah, in addition to two years of bet mitzvah tutoring.
• Students must fulfill all religious school requirements, including regular attendance, participation, and completion of work.
• Note that students who join the religious school later than the 4th grade may require additional tutoring in Hebrew beyond that offered by the religious school.

Religious School Parent Page
If you are a registered parent in the East End Temple Religious School, CLICK HERE for all school links, calendar, and more.

WHO WE ARE

An integral and lively component of East End Temple, the Religious School provides a warm and inclusive community of teachers, students and families.  It is a place for children to expand their minds, their hearts, and their understanding of the world around them within the context of an open, progressive Jewish environment.

Our curriculum places focus on Jewish experience, as opposed to just content. We instill a love of Judaism, build strong Jewish identity, and teach our students the skills and knowledge for a full Jewish life.

We ask: What are Jewish values and how do we live by them? We come together as a community to celebrate holidays and Shabbat, take part in important customs and traditions— but also work for social justice, cultivate an inquisitive mind, and become active members of the Jewish community and responsible, ethical citizens of the world.

WHAT WE DO

EET’s Religious School students attend once a week. We engage students in Jewish curriculum topics ranging from Torah, holidays, mitzvot, Jewish values and Jewish history through varied activities such as drama, arts and crafts, technology, and debate. 

At the beginning of our afternoon together, we gather in the sanctuary for t’filah (prayer), which parents, family and friends are welcome to join. T’filah is led by our clergy or songleader, and students participate throughout the service. T’filah allows our students to gain comfort with the language, order, and command of the prayers while forming a connection to their meaning.

Hebrew is taught with the primary objective of reading fluency. We teach the students the skills they need to prepare for their bet mitzvah. Hebrew learning is individualized and self-paced in 3rd through 6th grade.

DAYS & TIMES

Each grade meets once a week. For days and times, please contact Director of Congregational Learning Mindy Sherry (educator@eastendtemple.org).

MEMBERSHIP & TUITION

East End Temple’s Religious School is open to synagogue members. For more information about membership, please see our Welcome page. For tuition information, click here.

ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMING

Students and their families are encouraged to engage in Jewish learning and living throughout the year.  Gatherings such as Shabbat B’Yachad: Intergenerational Shabbat, Simchat Shabbat, holiday celebrations, and tzedakah (charity/justice) programs provide fun and enriching occasions to come together in answering the question: What does it mean to live a Jewish life?

LEARN MORE

Please see our EET Religious School Curriculum for more detailed information by grade. If you would like someone to be in touch, please fill out our Interest Form.

REGISTRATION

We love to welcome new families and new students to our Religious School!  If you would like to discuss further details of the program with our Director of Congregational Learning Mindy Sherry, you can reach her at educator@eastendtemple.org.

Teen Life at East End Temple

East End Temple is committed to ongoing learning for all ages. This is especially true for our tweens and teens who dedicated themselves to learning about, living and sharing their Judaism, from Pre-K to middle school. We have a menu of teen and tween options to choose from — please see below. 

Junior Youth Group (grades 7-8) 
Meets weekly in the late afternoon. Students vote on learning topics for the following week. We begin our afternoons eating together and sharing our days. Then we choose between Hebrew, t’filah (prayer) and “Ask Your Jewish Question.” We base our content on a menu of teacher- and student-generated topics. Previous topics include:

• Does Judaism dictate our politics?
• What is the Hebrew language, where did it come from, how was it resurrected?
• Why don’t Jews seem to agree on anything?
• History of antisemitism — on the right and the left
• Why would someone hate Jews?
• How did the Middle East get so messed up?
• What is genocide?
• Startup Nation — how and why does Israel create so many successful tech ventures?
• Jewish approached to gender
• What is kosher and how do different people keep it?
• Why do people say Jews are successful?
• Judaism and relationships: friendships, romantic relationships, parental and sibling relationships

We spend half an hour of social time with our Youth Group teens (grades 9-12). For more information about tuition and membership or to register, please contact our Director of Congregational Learning (educator@eastendtemple.org).

Youth Group (grades 9-12) 
Meets weekly to build a strong social community through holiday celebrations, trips and other bonding opportunities during this pivotal time in their development. When so much is changing in teen lives, EET Youth Group is a constant second home for our teens. Our programing stays conscious of typical teen deadlines and stress points in the year. For more information about cost, membership or to register, please contact our Director of Congregational Learning  (educator@eastendtemple.org).

Ozrim (Teacher’s Aides) (grades 8-12)
What better place to have your first professional experience than at your temple? Teens who are accepted to this program will receive four official professional development sessions. They will be supervised by our Director and Associate Director of Congregational Learning, Mindy Sherry & Tehilah Eisenstadt. Students will be guided on etiquette and expectations for professional communication when running late or needing to be absent. Ozrim learn the value of their work in the Religious School, and students in their classrooms reinforce how precious each of the Ozrim are in our community. Students can choose to be paid or to gain volunteer hours. This experience also gives teens one more potential recommendation letter for high school and college purposes. Family membership is required for teens to participate in this program. For more information contact teisenstadt@eastendtemple.org, or to register email educator@eastendtemple.org.

Genius Bar(Mitzvah)
For tech experts (a.k.a. grades 7-12)
Join us on the last Thursday of each month from 5:45-6:30pm to support adults in our community with small but persistent tech questions and needs. Students receive volunteer hours and the invaluable awe of elders in their community! Adults in the community get to connect with teens they’d never meet otherwise and get help on questions their own families haven’t had the time (or frankly, might be too/perceived as too frustrated) to help with. This experience also gives teens several more (staff and congregant) potential recommendation letters for high school and college purposes. All participant families (teens and adults) must be EET members. To get more information on accessible EET membership please contact the office (info@eastendtemple.org). If your family is already a member and your child would like to join our Genius Bar(Mitzvah) roster, please email teisenstadt@eastendtemple.org  

The rabbi and cantor are proud to work with many individuals toward conversion to Judaism.

The Jewish community in the United States grows ever more diverse, and one way people without a Jewish background join the community is through conversion. The cantor and rabbi meet with students for conversion individually to guide them through Jewish learning, living, and spiritual reflection. Students also participate in an appropriate Introduction to Judaism class.

At the end of their process, usually lasting about a year, students meet with a bet din (a rabbinical court), are immersed in the mikvah, and are given a blessing in front of our community celebrating their new status as Jews. The EET community is proud to have so many Jews-by-Choice in our midst.

You choose us, and we choose you!

Please contact us for more information.

Introduction to Judaism (2026-2027)

This class, taught by Cantor Olivia Brodsky and Assoc. Dir. of Cong. Learning Tehilah Eisenstadt, welcomes all who are interested in learning more about Jewish tradition and wisdom. In approx. 30 sessions, it will provide the basis for further learning or a Jewish life. Sessions will take place online from 12:00-1:00pm on Thursdays: Oct: 8, 15, 22, 29; Nov: 5, 12, 19; Dec: 3, 10, 17; Jan: 7, 14, 21, 28; Feb: 4, 11, 25; Mar: 4, 11, 18, 25; Apr: 1, 8, 15; May: 6, 13, 20, 27; June: 3, 10. Interfaith couples, people of all faiths exploring Judaism or conversion to Judaism, and those seeking a deeper connection to Judaism are all welcome. ALL SESSIONS OF THIS CLASS WILL BE HELD ONLINE, VIA ZOOM.

Discover what could be meaningful to you in liberal Judaism. Explore a modern take on Jewish life. Engage with Jewish values, celebrations, spirituality, and community in an Introduction to Judaism class.

Everyone is welcome. The class is perfect for interfaith couples, those raising Jewish children, spiritual seekers, individuals considering conversion, and Jews who want a meaningful adult Jewish learning experience. Ask your questions, engage with multiple perspectives, and explore Jewish life through a Reform lens.

East End Temple Intro to Judaism Registration Form

The cost is $360 per person ($720 per couple) for non-members. Please email info@eastendtemple.org with any questions.
The class is free for members of East End Temple — please email info@eastendtemple.org for the member registration link.

_________________________________________________

Adult Study — Joyful Judaism

Weekly Programs

Fridays at 5:00 with Rabbi Josh
Join Rabbi Josh every Friday for meditation or thoughtful conversation:
— Mindfulness — First Fridays (monthly, in person)
Join Rabbi Josh in the EET library for quiet reflection, followed by the recitation of Mi Shebeirach, and the Mourner’s Kaddish. This is an offering specifically for adults.
— Politics & Power — all other Fridays (in person)
We will look at Jewish approaches to power and politics through the books of Joshua, Samuel and Kings. (2nd through 4th Fridays at 5pm.) Study the Books of Joshua, Samuel, and Kings and reflect upon approaches they suggest (or critique) to power, politics, and public life. Learn about the leadership styles of Joshua, Saul, David, and Solomon and reflect upon their dilemmas, choices, missteps, and impact on society.

Monday Midrash/Tuesday Torah with Tehilah Eisenstadt
Mondays at 12:00pm (Zoom)
Tuesdays at 6:45pm (in person)
Our Torah and life classes continue! In this class (same topic on both days each week), we will look at the weekly Torah portion read by Jews around the world. We will weave in ancient and contemporary Midrash (Torah fan fiction, or exegesis) with our own understanding of how the weekly Torah portion speaks to our own lives, our challenges, questions, and visions for the future.
Cost: $36/person for members / $72/person for non-members

• Register here

Adult Hebrew (Reading, Prayers, and/or Bet Mitzvah)
This year we would like to offer 3 different adult Hebrew experiences. All three classes require a minimum of 10 students per class for us to run the class — please email teisenstadt@eastendtemple.org to let us know you’re interested:

— Hebrew Reading (with Elyssa Mosbacher)
Tuesdays from 6:30-7:30pm (in person, approx. 30 sessions)
Learning the letters and how to read. Cost $360/student
— Hebrew Prayer Reading (with Mindy Sherry)
Tuesdays from 7:00-8:00pm (in person, 6 sessions)
Each session focuses on a different selection of prayers from the siddur (prayer book) and includes reading practice with an experienced instructor and a classroom community. We will also explore the meaning of the prayers, learn key Hebrew prayer vocabulary, and hear common prayer melodies. Our course assumes participants are familiar with the sounds and shapes of the Hebrew letters and can slowly sound out Hebrew words. Cost $180/student.
— Adult Bet Mitzvah (with Tehilah Eisenstadt)
Thursdays from 6:30-7:45pm (in person, approx. 30 sessions)
This skill-based, community-building, and meaning-focused class is a 1-year deep dive into what it means to live as a Jewish adult who wants to bring greater knowledge and know-how into your life and your community. If you have questions please reach out to Tehilah (teisenstadt@eastendtemple.org).
Basic Hebrew reading skills required. Cost $540/student

Monthly Programs

Choir
Tuesdays from 6:30-8:00pm
Join Cantor Olivia for a community choir, focusing on Jewish liturgy, exploring the meaning of various prayers, and, of course, on creating beautiful music. The choir will be invited to help lead various special Shabbat services throughout the year and participate in broader Jewish community outreach. No previous experience required, and all ages (high school and older) are welcome!

• Dates: Oct 6, 20; Nov 3, 17; Dec 1, 15; Jan 5, 19; Feb 2, 23; March 9, 30; April 13; May 18; June 1, 15

The East End Lens: “Bringing the World Into Focus” with Joy Newman
Evenings from 6:30-8:30pm
The film club will serve as a community window onto the wider world, as we watch documentary films and discuss them together. 

• Thurs. Nov 12: “Bring the Family Home” (2026)
• Thurs. Dec 10: “My Architect: A Son’s Journey” (2003)
• Thurs. Jan 7: TBD
• Thurs. Mar. 18: “My Hero Brother” (2016) or “Picture of His Life” (2019)
• Tues. May 11: “My Underground Mother” (2025) or “UnBroken” (2023)
• Thurs. June 3: “Sabbath Queen” (2025)

Complex Conversations with the Cantor
Thursdays from 7:00-9:00pm (in person, location with RSVP)
Join Cantor Olivia to chat about current events and moral dilemmas you’ve been grappling with, from a Jewish perspective. This is an opportunity to meet informally in a small group setting and discuss topics of great complexity and importance. This is a forum for a free exchange of ideas and to get to know one another better, so come with open ears and open minds! 

• Space is limited, so RSVP is required to Cantor Olivia
  (obrodsky@eastendtemple.org). Dates: Nov. 5, Dec. 17, Jan. 28, Feb. 18, Mar. 25, May 6, June 17

Other Programs

Challah Baking with Rabbi Joel Mosbacher
Sunday, October 25, 3:00-5:00pm for Religious School parents: $36/person, includes babysitting. Register here
Sunday, February 28, 3:00-5:00pm for everyone (ages 10 and older): $18/person. Register here

We are sustained as human beings by many essential things, but two of the prime ingredients are food and sacred stories. In this workshop, we’ll have a chance to share both! Join our community for a challah workshop with Rabbi Joel Mosbacher, founder of All Rise Community, as we explore the intersection of sustenance and sacred story. In this 2-hour workshop, participants will have fun together, learn how to prepare challah dough, and go home with ready-to-bake loaves. In addition, we’ll also come away knowing more about each other, what we each need to thrive in our lives, and what our sacred stories can tell us about who we are and what we can envision for the future.

Sacred Service: Caring for Our People with Mindy Sherry and Sharon Shemesh
5 sessions (dates TBD) from 6:30-7:30pm (in person)
Our largest generation is aging, which means many of us are taking care of our parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and chosen family. This five-class series will help us prepare and navigate our sacred duty in the next phase of our relationships. These are stand-alone sessions — join one or join all. These are the topics we will cover:
Tues., Nov. 10 — Advance planning for end of life Jewishly (with Plaza Jewish Community Chapel)
Date TBD — Estate Planning
Date TBD — Palliative Care and Hospice /Assisted Living
Date TBD — Navigating Medicare and Medicaid
Wed., May 5 — Chevra Kaddisha (care for the body after death)

Jewish Tapas: A “Taste” of Judaism
Thursdays from 7:00-8:00pm: Nov. 19, Dec. 3, Jan. 21, Feb. 25
This course is designed to give a space to parents or adults who are new to Judaism and are raising Jewish children of any age. We will cover topics that most frequently bring stress to multi-faith families, so that adults can feel better prepared and even excited for Jewish life. Over the four sessions (including dinner) we will cover:

• Building interfaith Jewish community
• Jewish holidays
• Life cycles with a focus on Bet Mitzvah
• Creating a Jewish home and roles
• Jewish rituals around death and dying

With the intention to build deep community, this class has a cap of 20 students (priority will be given to EET members) and will only meet in person. 

• $36/person, includes dinner)
• Register here

The Joys and Oys of Raising Young Adults with Mindy Sherry and Elyssa Mosbacher
Wednesday, Dec. 2 and Thursday, Feb. 4 from 7:00-8:00pm (in person)
Parenting any age is always an adventure, and parenting young adults can be especially adventurous! In some cases our children are leaving the nest later and later, meaning our active parenting is not done when we expect. In other cases our children are leaving just as we expected, but it’s still hard. Join us as we come together to share and learn from Jewish texts, rituals, and each other.

• Please email Elyssa Mosbacher (info@eastendtemple.org) if you are interested in participating

Hamantaschen Baking
Sunday, March 14 from 3:00-5:00pm
Bring friends and learn how to make these favorite Purim treats!
$18/person

• Register here

“Bark” Mitzvah with Cantor Olivia and Tehilah Eisenstadt
Dates TBD in April/May/June from 6:30-7:30pm (in person)
Do you feel like you and your pet (not just dogs!) have been missing out on a key Jewish life cycle ritual? Join us for 3 classes (people-only at EET), 1 rehearsal and 1 “Bark” Mitzvah ceremony (in the park). We will cover Jewish texts on pet ownership and other relevant topics. One of our goals is to create a joy-focused, intergenerational micro-community of EET pet owners.

• Suggested donation of $180
• Email Tehilah (teisenstadt@eastendtemple.org) if you are interested in participating

Adult Trip to Mexico City
We are gathering information and will send more details soon about this exciting opportunity!

Join us for holidays when you can, and in the event you cannot, here are some resources for you to celebrate the holiday at home or wherever you are.  

SHABBAT – When most people think of holidays, they think of annual celebrations, but in Judaism there is one holiday that occurs every week – the Sabbath. Known in Hebrew as Shabbat and in Yiddish as Shabbos, this holiday is central to Jewish Life.  As the great Jewish writer Adad Ha-Am has observed: “More than the Jewish people has kept the Sabbath, the Sabbath has kept the Jewish people.” The Sabbath truly has been a unifying force for Jews the world over. Click here for more.

ROSH HASHANAH – (literally, “Head of the Year”) is the Jewish New Year, which marks the beginning of a 10-day period of prayer, self-examination and repentance. This period, known as the Yamim Noraim (Days of Awe or High Holy Days), is widely observed by Jews throughout the world, many with prayer and reflection in a synagogue.  There also are several holiday rituals observed at home.  Click here to learn more about Rosh Hashanah.

YOM KIPPUR – Yom Kippur means “Day of Atonement” and refers to the annual Jewish observance of fasting, prayer and repentance.  Part of the High Holidays, which also includes Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur is considered the holiest day on the Jewish calendar.  Click here to learn more about Yom Kippur.

SUKKOT – a Hebrew word meaning “booths” or “huts,” refers to the Jewish festival of giving thanks for the fall harvest.  It also commemorates the 40 years of Jewish wandering in the desert after the giving of the Torah atop Mt. Sinai. Sukkot is celebrated five days after Yom Kippur on the 15th of the month of Tishrei, and is marked by several distinct traditions.  One, which takes the commandment to dwell in booths literally, is to erect a sukkah, a small, temporary booth or hut.  Sukkot (in this case, the plural of sukkah) are commonly used during the seven-day festival for eating, entertaining and even for sleeping.  Click here to learn more about Sukkot.

SIMCHAT TORAH AND SH’MINI ATZERET – Immediately following Sukkot, we celebrate Sh’mini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, a fun-filled day during which we celebrate the completion of the annual reading of the Torah and affirm Torah as one of the pillars on which we build our lives.  As part of the celebration, the Torah scrolls are taken from the ark and carried or danced around the synagogue seven times.  During the Torah service, the concluding section of the fifth book of the Torah, D’Varim (Deuteronomy), is read, and immediately following, the opening section of Genesis, or B’reishit as it is called in Hebrew, is read. This practice represents the cyclical nature of the relationship between the Jewish people and the reading of the Torah.  Click here to learn more. 

CHANUKAH – Meaning “dedication” in Hebrew, refers to the joyous eight-day celebration during which Jews commemorate the victory of the Maccabees over the armies of Syria in 165 B.C.E. and the subsequent liberation and “rededication” of the Temple in Jerusalem.  The modern home celebration of Chanukah centers around the lighting of the chanukiyah, a special menorah for Chanukah; foods prepared in oil including latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts); and special songs and games.  Click here to learn more.

TU BISHVAT – The “New Year of the Trees,” is observed on the fifteenth day of the Hebrew month of Sh’vat, Tuesday and Wednesday, February 6 and 7, 2015.  Even the trees get a new year of their own!  

Click here to learn more about  Tu B’Shvat: Customs and Rituals.

PURIM – Is celebrated with a public reading — usually in the synagogue — of the Book of Esther (Megillat Esther), which tells the story of the holiday.  Under the rule of King Ahashverosh, Haman, the king’s prime minister, plots to exterminate all of the Jews of Persia.  His plan is foiled by Queen Esther and her cousin Mordechai, who ultimately save the Jews of Persia from destruction.  The reading of the megillah typically is a rowdy affair, punctuated by booing and noise-making when Haman’s name is read aloud.  Click here to learn more about Purim.

YOM HASHOAH – Also known as Holocaust Remembrance Day, occurs on the 27th of Nisan. Shoah, which means catastrophe or utter destruction in Hebrew, refers to the atrocities that were committed against the Jewish people during World War II. This is a memorial day for those who died in the Shoah. The Shoah is also known as the Holocaust, from a Greek word meaning “sacrifice by fire.” Click here to learn more about Yom Hashoah.

PESACH – Also known as Passover in English, is a major Jewish spring festival, commemorating the Exodus from Egypt over 3,000 years ago.  The ritual observance of this holiday centers around a special home service called the seder (meaning “order”) and a festive meal; the prohibition of chametz (leaven); and the eating of matzah (an unleavened bread).  On the fifteenth day of Nisan in the Hebrew calendar, Jews gather with family and friends in the evening to read from a book called the hagaddah, meaning “telling,” which contains the order of prayers, rituals, readings and songs for the Passover seder. Today, the holiday is a celebration of freedom and family.  Click here to learn more about Pesach.

• Information about our Virtual Seder, which is free and open to all, will be posted soon.

YOM HASHOAH – also known as Holocaust Remembrance Day, occurs on the 27th of Nisan.  Shoah, which means catastrophe or utter destruction in Hebrew, refers to the atrocities that were committed against the Jewish people during World War II.  This is a memorial day for those who died in theShoah.  The Shoah is also known as the Holocaust, from a Greek word meaning “sacrifice by fire.”  Click here to learn more about Yom HaShoah.

YOM HAZIKARON and YOM HAATZMAUT – Israeli Memorial Day and Independence Day.  Since the establishment of the State of Israel, four new holidays have been added to the Jewish calendar – Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day), Yom HaAtzmaut (Independence Day), and Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day).  In Israel, these holidays are observed as national holidays.

• 
  The
  Israeli Knesset established the day before Yom HaAtzmaut as Yom
  HaZikaron, a Memorial Day for soldiers who lost their lives fighting in
  the War of Independence and in other subsequent battles.
  
• 
  Yom
  HaAtzmaut, Israeli Independence Day, marks the establishment of the
  modern state of Israel in 1948.  It is observed on or near the 5th of
  Iyar in the Hebrew calendar, which usually falls in April.
  

Click here to learn more about Yom HaZikaron and Yom Haatzmaut.

LAG BAOMER – Lag BaOmer is a festive minor holiday that falls during the seven weeks between Passover and Shavuot (usually in May or June on the Gregorian calendar).  This period of time is known as the Omer.  An omer is an ancient Hebrew measure of grain, amounting to about 3.6 liters.  Biblical law forbade any use of the new barley crop until after an omer was brought as an offering to the Temple in Jerusalem.  The Book of Leviticus (23:15-16) also commanded: “And from the day on which you bring the offering… you shall count off seven weeks.  They must be complete.”  This commandment led to the practice of the Sefirat Ha’omer, or the 49 days of the “Counting of the Omer,” which begins on the second day of Passover and ends on Shavuot.  Lag BaOmer is a shorthand way of saying “the 33rd day of the Omer.”

Click here to learn more about Lag BaOmer.

SHAVUOT – Shavuot is the Hebrew word for “weeks” and refers to the Jewish festival marking the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, which occurs seven weeks after Passover.  Shavuot, like many other Jewish holidays, began as an ancient agricultural festival that marked the end of the spring barley harvest and the beginning of the summer wheat harvest.  In ancient times, Shavuot was a pilgrimage festival during which Israelites brought crop offerings to the Temple in Jerusalem. Today, it is a celebration of Torah, education, and actively choosing to participate in Jewish life.  Click here to learn more about Shavuot.

TISHA B’AV – Observed on the 9th (tisha) of the Hebrew month of Av, is a day of mourning the destruction of both ancient Temples in Jerusalem.  In contrast to traditional streams of Judaism, liberal Judaism never has assigned a central religious role to the ancient Temple.  Therefore, mourning the destruction of the Temple may not be particularly meaningful to liberal Jews.  In modern times, Jews understand Tisha B’Av as a day to remember many tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people throughout history.  Click here to learn more.

A jewel of the temple, our library houses an extensive collection from which temple members may browse and borrow. The breadth of the collection includes Jewish history, politics, liturgy, Holocaust, fiction, nonfiction, biography, Jewish feminism, life cycle events, holidays, and Jewish cookbooks. Use our Library Thing database to search for specific titles. Click here to check it out today.

Helene Spring Library Event

Our successful 22nd annual Helene Spring Library Event featured journalist and author Jane Eisner, who was met with enthusiasm as she discussed her new book, Carole King: She Made the Earth Move, after which she responded to audience questions. Watch Jane’s presentation here.

12th Annual “Help Our Library Grow” Initiative

Our 12th annual Help Our Library Grow Initiative is now complete. Thank you to everyone who sponsored a book this year!