August 2025 – Av 5785
One night a woman came to evening minyan to mark the yahrtzeit of her mother. While there she shared two stories.
It was June 7, 2001. That day my mother walked to Temple Emanuel and asked the receptionist to see the Executive Director. Do you have an appointment she was asked. No. I don’t have an appointment. I don’t need an appointment today. Today I am here to book Temple Emanuel fornmy daughter’s wedding! On December 22, 2001, I got married at Temple Emanuel.
The second story: My mother was always proudly independent. But she had to spend the last years of her life in an assisted living facility. She did not love it. She loved her independence. She said to me: I’ll do anything for life and living. If I need to be here to live, I’ll do it. That spirit of life and living, my mother embodied it, and she transmitted it.
Life and living. Hanging in there together through the harder times. Celebrating together in the joyful times. This daughter grew up at Temple Emanuel. Got married at Temple Emanuel. Said a loving farewell to both of her parents at Temple Emanuel. Recalls her mother’s legacy and channels her resilience in the Gann Chapel on a summer night. Temple Emanuel—where we experience lifein all its intensity through the years, together.
All of us have our own version of how we do life and living at Temple Emanuel. Because of all the ups and downs that inhere in the human condition, all of us need two things to get through life. A seat belt. And a spiritual home. Where we heal. Where we process. Where we celebrate. Where we get strength from one another.
Our spiritual home, Temple Emanuel, is here for us every day. This is the season where we get to be here for Temple Emanuel by supporting our Annual Appeal. Our Annual Appeal is absolutely essential to Temple Emanuel’s ability to thrive.
More than 20% of our revenue comes from our Annual Appeal, helping us to provide the security that keeps us safe; the technology that keeps us connected; the programs and personnel that keep us engaged; and the resources that allow us to be a shul for all, including families who cannot pay our full dues.
Please give as generously as you can. Your gift will help Temple Emanuel help all of us do life and living, together, for another year.
Shanah Tovah,
Wes, Michelle, Elias, Aliza, Dan, Clergy Team
Erin Moseley, Executive Director
Liz Goldstein, President
Amy B. Klein and Adam Suttin, Chairs of our Annual Appeal
Annual Appeal Videos