Family education is a central theme in our Temple's comprehensive program for life-long learning. We provide a variety of programming to help each member grow and develop his/her Jewish identity. The programs provide opportunities for each individual to acquire tools for Jewish living and to ensure the transmission of Jewish knowledge and values from one generation to the next.
Some family education programs are based on the cycle of the Jewish year. Others focus on stages of human development. Parents with both small and grown children can study together with their children, experiencing and exploring Jewish ritual, Bible, or ethics. Nursery school families can participate in the "Parent Connection" which is an opportunity to share books with Judaic content and prepared guide questions. Our older nursery school families participate in a "Jewish Super Heroes" series that enables them to learn about biblical heroes, to incorporate Jewish values into their daily lives and to make a variety of holiday-related crafts. Each religious school grade has an opportunity to bring parents into the classroom to study Torah, Jewish holidays, prayers, and life-cycle events.
Adult Education Adult Education provides a wide range of educational opportunities, including formal classes, informal study groups, and scholar programs and lectures with renowned experts. Classes cover such areas as Hebrew and Yiddish, Jewish living, ritual skills, Torah and Talmud study. Temple Israel also participates in the United Synagogue Mishnah Yomit program and sponsors a weekly Mishnah study group.
In addition to formal classes, Adult Education sponsors lecture series and cultural programs. They include the Benson Rowe Scholar-in-Residence program and the First Friday Lecture program, held in conjunction with Shabbat services, beginning at 7:45 p.m. on the First Friday of each month. Guest lecturers have included professors from Harvard, Brandeis, and Tufts University; visting Israeli dignitaries; world-famous authors; as well as Temple Israel members with special expertise.
For further information about Adult Education, please contact either the Temple office at (508) 650-3521, email us at adulted@tiofnatick.org or go to our web page.
Sisterhood is Temple Israel's affiliate with the Women's League for Conservative Judaism. Its mission is to "enrich, support and educate our community of Jewish women"--our community, which currently consists of almost 300 women of all ages. Sisterhood's general meetings provide a time to meet, socialize and experience everything from music and creative movement for Chanukah to a field trip to Jewish Boston. Our monthly Rosh Chodesh ("New Moon") group explores women's spirituality in a unique group, while our annual Sisterhood Shabbat challenges our members to learn new ways to participate in services.
Along with fellowship, Sisterhood members join together to serve the Temple and wider community. Kiddush and Oneg Shabbat are usually provided for and set up by Sisterhood, twice-yearly rummage sales are a surprisingly fun fund-raiser, and the "Torah Fund" provides major assistance to the Jewish Theological Seminary. The opportunity to be of service also gives women the opportunity to grow in leadership.
For further information about Sisterhood, please contact either the Temple office at (508) 650-3521, email us at sisterhood@tiofnatick.org or go to our web page.
The Judaica Shop of Temple Israel is located directly across from the administrative offices and is managed by Sisterhood. The Judaica Shop offers a wide variety of ritual objects to enhance the celebration of Shabbat and other festivals. Whether you seek candles or kippot, menorahs or talesim, the Judaica Shop can assist you in your search! We also carry Jewish art, tapes, and books that will transform your house into a Jewish home. The Sisterhood Judaica Shop is open Sunday mornings for "drop-in" shopping, and also by appointment.
For an appointment please contact: The Temple office (508) 650-3521
The New Men's Club is off to a great start and enthusiastically welcomes new members!!! Check our list of upcoming events and feel free to join us at any of them.
Our primary method of communication is e-mail. We use a Listserv provided by The Jewish Theological Seminary of America to facilitate discussion about what is going on. If you are interested in being in the loop then feel free to sign up.
Temple Israel of Natick is a Conservative synagogue and thus is a member of the United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism (USCJ). The youth programming therefore falls under the auspices of USY, which stands for United Synagogue Youth and is the youth arm of the USCJ. There are 17 regions throughout the United States and Canada, which make up International USY. Membership in a local USY chapter entitles your child to participate in programs at the chapter, regional, and international levels. K'vutza is Temple Israel's specific program for 3rd and 4th graders. Kadima is the name given to the grouping of 5th and 6th graders, Junior USY is for 7th and 8th graders, and Senior USY serves high school age children (graders 9-12).
Temple Israel K'vutza/Kadima/USY programming includes social, cultural, religious, and educational events.
Our synagogue has an active lay Youth Committee, currently chaired by David Tursky. Youth Educator Cyvia Scharf is the advisor for our Senior USY and our K'vutza youth groups. Our other advisors are David Finstein (Kadima) and Stephanie Schimkowitz (interim Junior USY).
K'vutza, Kadima, and USY open doors for our children to interact with other Jewish young people in an organized and safe environment. These interactions between children happen within our chapter as well as in the larger community and beyond. These relationships and experiences strengthen their Jewish ties and encourage their active involvement in Jewish life. During the course of the year, parents can expect to be asked by staff to assist with transportation and/or chaperone duties, or to help with chapter events. Your participation in this part of your child's life demonstrates the value you place on Jewish community.
For further information, please call (508)650-3521x101 or youth@tiofnatick.org or visit the Temple Israel USY homepage.
Temple Israel of Natick Social Action provides the congregation and the community at large the opportunity to engage in "Tikkun Olam" (repairing the world through deeds of righteousness and loving kindness). Our mission is to create open dialogue with the congregation and the public about social action, address social injustices, improve human welfare and take action for social change.
For more information on Social Action, please contact either the Temple office (508) 650-3521 or email socialaction@tiofnatick.org
The role of the Early Childhood Education Committee (ECEC) is to provide education in many forms for the youngest members of the Temple Israel community, ages birth through grade two. Our goals and responsibilities include creating and presenting Shabbat and Holiday programs; we run periodic Family Shabbat Dinners, bi-monthly Shabbat morning services during the school year, and holiday children services for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Pesach and Shavuot. In conjunction with other arms of the Temple, we coordinate and/or sponsor other festive and educational programs such as a Temple-wide Purim Dinner, a Hanukah celebration, and a Fall holiday workshop.
We oversee certain aspects of the Judy Gordon Nursery School (JGNS) and are a resource for the lower grades of the Religious School. Our programs are not specific toward only the JGNS, Religious School or Day School student; our mission is to be inclusive and integrate all Temple Israel children in all ECEC programs.
Please join us! We need your ideas and energy as we plan some of our upcoming events. For further information about the Early Childhood Education Committee, please contact Temple Israel at (508) 650-3521
The Chaverim Club welcomes singles, couples and families new to the MetroWest area to the Temple Israel community. The Club meets primarily as a social group that sponsors at least one event per month. There are a mix of events that are "family-friendly" and others that are in the evening without children. Past programs have included a family Shabbat luncheon, Yom Kippur break-the-fast dinner, Canoeing, Apple Picking, Wine Tasting, Game Night, Progressive Dinner, Family Chanukah Party, and Passover Pizza party. Each year we sponsor an educational program with the Rabbi and/or the Cantor.
The Chaverim Club is an arm of Temple Israel but membership to the Temple is not a prerequisite to participating in Chaverim activities. All members receive their first year free. Annual membership dues are $25 per family and $12.50 for singles.
For further information, please either contact our co-chairs, Halye and Rich Sugarman at (508) 653-1354, chaverim@tiofnatick.org.
Would you like to celebrate Shabbat with another Temple Israel family? Their place or yours? Then sign up for the Shabbat Connection Program.
The Shabbat Connection program matches families for Shabbat lunches and dinners. The goals of the Shabbat Connection program are to:
If you want to participate in this program please either email Gail Windmueller or fill out our on-line form.
If you have signed up to be a host and would like to give us feedback on the status of your match you can fill out this on-line form.
The mission of the Gay-Straight Group of Temple Israel of Natick is to create an environment in which all Jews, regardless of their sexual orientation, are included and welcomed into our Jewish community.
The Gay-Straight Group:
Contact the Gay-Straight Group at gaystraight@tiofnatick.org with your questions and comments or to find out how you can participate.