Temple Emanuel

First Friday @ Shabbat Alive!: Hametz-Palooza
2025-04-04 18:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Leventhal-Sidman Community Court, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
It’s April and that means Passover is coming soon! Before it arrives, join us at First Friday for Hametz-palooza. Start with services, stay for a delightful dessert bar overflowing with favorite Hametz-filled treats. You won’t want to miss it!
View the First Friday 2024-25 Calendar HERE→

Ruach Shabbat Services: Grades K-6
2025-04-05 10:45 - 12:00, 2025-04-12 10:45 - 12:00, 2025-04-19 10:45 - 12:00, 2025-04-26 10:45 - 12:00, 2025-05-03 10:45 - 12:00 | In Person – Temple Emanuel, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
For Grades K-6. Join Jon Tatelman on Shabbat morning in Room 22 at Temple Emanuel for a fun children’s service!

Minyan Ma’or Lunch & Learn with Passover Scholar-in-Residence-Rabbi Mishael Zion
2025-04-05 12:30 - 14:00 | Reisman Hall, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
Rabbi Mishael Zion will lead an interactive discussion on Wicked: 20th Century Lessons from the Art of the Wicked Child at Minyan Ma’or’s Lunch & Learn in Reisman Hall following Ma’or’s service, which starts at 9:30 a.m.
Wicked: 20th Century Lessons from the Art of the Wicked Child
Forget the food, family and texts – Passover night is the night of Jewish Art, with the generations of artistic renditions of the Four Children and illuminated Haggadot serving a central role in the Passover experience. Taking an in-depth look at the Art of the four children, and specifically on the wicked child in 20th century art, provides a powerful re-telling of modern Jewish stories, ideas and politics in an accessible and surprising way.
About Rabbi Mishael Zion
Rabbi Mishael Zion comes from a Haggadah-filled home: he is co-author of A Night to Remember: The Haggadah of Contemporary Voices (2007) and The Israeli Haggadah (2024), together with his father Noam Zion, who is the author of A Different Night: The Family Participation Haggadah (Hartman, 1997). Mishael was ordained by Yeshivat Chovevei Torah in New York, has served as co-Director and rabbi of the Bro nfman Fellowships, and founded the Mandel Program for Leadership in Jewish Culture for Israeli Arts, Culture and Media leaders. He is also leader of the Klausner Minyan in Talpiot, Jerusalem, the neighborhood he was born in and in where his wife Elana, and their four daughters, live.

Baby Brunch
2025-04-06 09:00 - 10:00 | In Person – Temple Emanuel, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
Join us for a brunch in the Rabbi Marshall R. Lifson Library Foyer! This is a great opportunity to meet other parents with infants, share stories, and enjoy a delicious FREE breakfast together.
Register Today!
Sponsored by TE Sisterhood and the Cindy Levinson Fund for Parenting Education

Mishael Zion's Seder Survival Kit: How to turn your Passover table into a Night to Remember
2025-04-06 09:30 - 10:45 | Adelson Community Hall, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
A Seder workshop from the home that brought you “A Different Night” and “A Night to Remember”, for parents, grandparents, Seder hosts and participants. We’ll delve into the educational goals the rabbis set for this special night, and see how the structure of the seder helps unlock the creativity of the night. Loads of ideas, suggestions and creative options for any Seder. Walk-ins welcome!
Join us in-person or via livestream!
Register→
Rabbi Mishael Zion comes from a Haggadah-filled home: he is co-author of A Night to Remember: The Haggadah of Contemporary Voices (2007) and The Israeli Haggadah (2024), together with his father Noam Zion, who is the author of A Different Night: The Family Participation Haggadah (Hartman, 1997). Mishael was ordained by Yeshivat Chovevei Torah in New York, has served as co-Director and rabbi of the Bronfman Fellowships, and founded the Mandel Program for Leadership in Jewish Culture for Israeli Arts, Culture and Media leaders. He is also leader of the Klausner Minyan in Talpiot, Jerusalem, the neighborhood he was born in and in where his wife Elana, and their four daughters, live.

K'tonton Pre-K Dropoff Program
2025-04-06 10:00 - 12:00 | TE Preschool, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
Our much loved “K’tonton” program for Pre-K students, ages 3-5 is returning twice a month! This program will meet two Sundays a month from 10:00-12:00 and is the perfect “taste of Religious School” for our littlest friends.
Discover the joy of Jewish learning with your pre-k friends!
Please note: K’tonton is now at capacity. Contact us HERE to join the waitlist!

Kitah Daled (4th Grade) Kabbalat Haggadah
2025-04-06 11:00 - 12:00 | Adelson Community Hall, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
All year, Kitah Daled (4th grade,) has been exploring the question “What makes a good seder?”
After participating in and creating a Rosh Hashanah seder and a Tu Bishvat seder, their learning culminates with the Kabbalat Haggadah program.
Grown-ups should join their students at 11:00 for performances and presentations about the Passover seder as well as a special Kabbalat Haggadah ceremony where each family will receive their very own copy of the A Night to Remember Haggadah.
Special for this year: We are so very lucky to have the author of the A Night to Remember, Mishael Zion, here as a scholar in residence to join us in our ceremony and talk to us about our new Haggadah!
Grown-Ups: Don’t forget to join us earlier, at 9:30 for a special parent/grandparent presentation – Mishael Zion’s Seder Survival Kit: How to turn your Passover table into a Night to Remember

Kitot Gimel-Hey/Grades 3-5 Lunch
2025-04-06 12:00 - 13:00 | Solomon Youth Lounge, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
For Grades 3-5
Enjoy a delicious pizza lunch with friends in the Youth Lounge!
Cost: $15
Save the date(s) for future lunches:
October 20
November 17
December 15
January 12
February 9
March 16
April 6
May 4
Register Here→

Second Nurture Foster Family Support Group
2025-04-06 13:30 - 15:30 | In Person – Temple Emanuel, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
Help support a gathering of local foster families who meet monthly for discussions (and snacks!), with supervised kids’ activities in an nearby room. Martha Hausman, The 2N Family Support Specialist (FSS) facilitates these informal meetings with each parent taking a turn to share what’s happening in their lives, and everyone offering their wisdom. The Cohort soon becomes its own little community.
Volunteers will:

Sign people in
Help kids get snacks
Show adults and kids the rooms we will meet in
Supervise/play with kids while their adults meet

Sign-up to volunteer HERE→
Contact Martha with any questions!

Artful Events
2025-04-09 12:30 - 14:00 | Reisman Hall, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
“Artful Events” is an interactive art appreciation and art making program for ACTIVE OLDER ADULTS, with a new theme each time! No charge, all are welcome! Please RSVP to Tracy Schneider at Tracys120@yahoo.com.
March 5 – Artist Appreciation: Anni AlbersJoin Michele Marram as she explores the creations of Anni Albers, a weaver and printmaker. Ms. Albers, who coined the term “pictorial weaving”, is one of the most well-known textile designers of the twentieth century. She studied at the Bauhaus in Germany and then came to the United States to join the faculty at Black Mountain College in western North Carolina. In her later years she turned to printmaking. Following the presentation we will make some of our own Albers-like creations.
Michele Marram (M.A., M.L.S.) is a research librarian and art educator who leads interactive Artist Workshops for multiple ages. Through her presentations and hands-on workshops attendees explore both the historical context and style of the subject’s life and creative works.
April 9 – Artist Appreciation: Betty WoodmanBetty Woodman (American, 1930-2018) had a nearly 70-year career as a clay artist. Her colorful clay sculptures are the evolution of her studying at the School for American Craftsmen in Alfred, NY, and in Italy. She exhibited internationally and has artwork in museums across the world. She had the first solo exhibition by a living woman artist at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2006. Join us to view a variety of her sculptures across her long career. Following, be inspired to sculpt your own work of art in clay! Instruction, materials and tools provided.
Carolyn Melbye has a BFA with a concentration in ceramics. After college she worked in the art collections field. A few years later, she became aware of the power of art to heal, and pursued her MA in expressive arts therapies. She counsels primarily adults and older adults, creates artwork for self-expression, and presents on art history. Carolyn is passionate about sharing her interests in looking at art, and exploring how it can more deeply connect us to our past, to others, and ourselves.

Join us on Zoom!
Sponsored by the Agress Family in Memory of Al & Trudy Agress

Drop-In Play
2025-04-09 15:30 - 17:30, 2025-04-16 15:30 - 17:30, 2025-04-23 15:30 - 17:30, 2025-04-30 15:30 - 17:30 | Housman Activity Center, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
Join us for Drop-In Play to help your little one burn off excess energy in our Housman Activity Center!
Register Today!
This program is generously sponsored by the Cindy Levinson Fund for Parenting Education

Seated Zumba Gold
2025-04-10 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-04-17 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-05-01 09:00 - 10:00 | Virtual
With Ketty Rosenfeld
Thursday mornings| 9:00 – 10:00am
Session Dates: Sept 11, 25; Oct 23, 30; Nov 6, 13, 20; Dec 4; Jan 8, 22, 29; Feb 5, 12, 19; March 5, 12; April 16, 23, 30; May 21, 28
Join us Online via Zoom
Meeting ID: 871 2457 6849
We are grateful for the Temple Emanuel Senior Fund for supporting Zumba Gold this season. No RSVP needed – No Charge – All are welcome. Questions? Please contact Tracy Schneider.

A Taste of Shabbat Alive
2025-04-11 17:45 - 18:15 | Rabbi Samuel Chiel Sanctuary, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
Join us for our last young family dinner of the season! We’ll meet outdoors for a musical Kabbalat Shabbat service filled with singing, dancing, and stories, geared specifically for families with young children from birth to age 5. After services, we’ll share a free festive Shabbat dinner in Adelson Community Hall – a perfect place to meet other young families!
Registration appreciated.
Register Today→
Generously supported by the Dr. Trudy Karger Family Education Fund

Contemporary Shabbat
2025-04-12 09:30 - 12:00 | Rabbi Samuel Chiel Sanctuary, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
For over fifty years, the Contemporary service on the second day of Rosh HaShanah has been a beloved Temple Emanuel experience. Every year we hear some version of, “That was great! Can we do that more often?” This year, the answer is an enthusiastic, “Yes!”
Join us on Shabbat mornings February 15, March 15 and April 12 in the Rabbi Samuel Chiel Sanctuary as we extend the joyful energy of the Contemporary Service to Shabbat. What to expect? We’ll start at 10am with Torah service and then build to an hour of sacred song that will speak straight to your soul, followed by an inspirational sermon and uplifting concluding prayers. As always, when services conclude, you are warmly invited to stay for community connection at kiddush.
Access the Siddur Lev Shalem HERE→
Make sure to check out the Contemporary Shabbat Playlist to listen to the various melodies of this service!

Let My People Sing: A Community Passover Seder
2025-04-13 18:30 - 21:00 | Adelson Community Hall, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
Come together for a Community Passover Seder on the Second Night of Passover with Rabbi Michelle Robinson and Cantor Elias Rosemberg together with a group of wonderful musicians and singers.
Cost: Adults – $80 (TE members) or $100 (non-TE members)
Children under 13 – $36
Children under 3 – Free
Seats and tables this year will be unassigned and dinner will be served buffet style.
Tables are reserved for groups of 6 or more.
Registration is now closed. Contact Saffron to join the waitlist!

Yisod Prince of Egypt Shabbat Dinner
2025-04-18 18:30 - 22:00 | Reisman Hall, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
Join us for a special Shabbat dinner during Passover as we journey back to ancient Egypt with a “Prince of Egypt” themed evening at Temple Emanuel. Immerse yourself in the timeless story of the Exodus and celebrate our heritage with great friends and food!
Register→

Yom HaShoah Annual Commemoration
2025-04-24 19:00 - 20:00 | Rabbi Samuel Chiel Sanctuary, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
Please join us for our annual Yom HaShoah Commemoration. In addition to our yearly rituals, we are privileged to welcome Sabine von Mering for a special talk titled “Pastors, Spies, Assassins: Is this a “Bonhoeffer Moment”?. In this talk, Professor von Mering will tell the story of her grandfather, who in 1934 became a member of the “Confessing Church”, an organization of Protestant pastors co-founded by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. In that context she will discuss the controversy around the recent film “Bonhoeffer. Pastor, Spy, Assassin” (2024), produced and heavily promoted by Christian Nationalists, and consider the lessons to be drawn for the present moment.
We will also be blessed with a special video from our beloved Rabbi Michelle and Hazzan Elias direct from Poland as they are leading our members on a March of the Living journey. We are with them in spirit on this most solemn and inspirational day and wish them safe travels.
About The Speaker
Sabine von Mering is Professor of German and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Director of the Center for German and European Studies at Brandeis University. She holds a Ph.D. in German Studies from the University of California, Davis. Together with Monika Hübscher, she co-edited Antisemitism on Social Media (Routledge, 2022). The updated German translation, Antisemitismus in den Sozialen Medien was published with Verlag Barbara Budrich in May 2024). Previous co-edited volumes include Right-Wing Radicalism Today: Perspectives from Europe and the US (2013) and Russian-Jewish Emigrants After the Cold War: Perspectives from Germany, Israel, Canada, and the United States (2006). She also co-edited The Routledge Handbook of Grassroots Climate Activism (2025) and is currently working on the connection between climate denial and right-wing extremism. Since the beginning of the pandemic she has been hosting the popular CGES Online Webinar series.

Pirke Avot Study
2025-04-26 12:45 - 13:45 | Slater Conference Room, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
Since the 10th century, CE Jews have studied the 6 chapters of Mishna Pirke Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) between Pesach and Shavout on Shabbat afternoons. We at Temple Emanuel search the wisdom together with lively discussion for, as Ben Zoma taught: “Who is wise? Those who learn from everyone”. (4:1)
Facilitator Schedule:
4/26 – Sid Kadish
5/3 – Howard Zilber
5/10 – Marty Paley
5/17 – Hy Kempler
5/24 – David Rozenson
5/31 – Molly Peddar and Roberta Gross-Torres
We’ll meet in the Slater Conference Room (or on Zoom) from 12:45 to 1:45 each Shabbat.
As Rabbi Tarfon taught “The day is short and the work is great….It is not incumbent upon you to finish the task, but neither are you free to desist from it.” (2:20-21). A nice version, including translation and commentary, appears in Siddur Lev Shalem p. 235 – 262

Chamber Music Concerts
2025-04-27 15:00 - 16:30 | Rabbi Samuel Chiel Sanctuary, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
Featuring winners of the 2025 Metropolitan Opera Laffont New England Regional Competition!
Performances By:
Josie Larsen, Soprano
Ricky Lee Owens, Jr., Countertenor
Joel Clemens, Baritone
Douglas Sumi, Piano
Join us in-person or on livestream!
About the Performers
Baritone, Joel Clemens, is from Ashburn, Virginia. He is a 2020 BM graduate of James Madison University and as the Miles A. Fish Scholar, he received his MM in 2022 from Boston Conservatory at Berklee. In 2023, he made his debut at Symphony Hall as the baritone soloist in the Holiday Pops, conducted by Keith Lockhart. He has also sung roles with Boston Lyric Opera, Boston Youth Symphony, Boston Opera Collaborative, Boston Conservatory singing in Marriage of Figaro, Cosi fan Tutte, Faust, La Clemenza di Tito, A Midsummer Night’s Dream Dead Man Walking,As One. Recently he was featured as Manfred in Jake Heggie’s For a Look or a Touch with West End Lyric . After completing a year with Chautauqua Opera Company’s Opera in the Schools program, in September 2024, he returned to Boston to premiere Is this America written by Mary Watkins for White Snake Projects. In January 2025, he was selected as Second Place Winner in the New England MetLaffont Competition. This summer he will be a Studio Artist at Chautauqua Opera Company.
Soprano Josie Larson, is from Sammanish, Washington. A 2021 BA graduate from Brigham Young University, she is a recipient of the Presidential Scholarship from New England Conservatory 2023-2025, earning a 2023 MM and Artist Diploma in May 2025. A student of Bradley Wiliams at NEC, she sang Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus, Mimi in La Boheme, Fiordiligi in Cosi Fan Tutte. In summer of 2024, she was at Aspen Music Festival singing in Cosi Fan Tutte (Fiordiligi) Die Zauberflote (First Lady)Don Giovanni (Donna Elvira). This spring she will be singing Brahms German Requiem with NEC Philharmonia and Symphonic choir with maestro Hugo Wolff and singing “From Jewish Folk Poetry” as part of BSO’s Decoding Shostakovich series. In January, she was the 2025 New England, MetLaffont Competition Third Place award winner. This Summer 2025, she will be Lehrer Fellow at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, California.
Counter tenor Ricky Lee Owens, jr. is from Dallas, Texas. A 2022 BM graduate of Prairie View University, a 2024 MM graduate from Carnegie Mellon University, he is currently enrolled at New England Conservatory, studying with Bradley Williams, pursuing a GD in vocal performance, May 2026. Since 2019, he has sung roles in Baroque, classical, modern operas as well as art songs by Vivaldi, Handel, Mozart, Britten. In Pittsburgh, he curated and performed a concert in collaboration with Pittsburgh Festival Opera. In January 2025, he was a Finalist in the NewEngland MetLaffont competition.
Host and pianist Douglas Sumi is a frequent collaborator with many of today’s artists and opera theaters. Having been engaged by LA Opera, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Wolf Trap Opera, among many other theaters, he has collaborated with renowned artists such as Renee Fleming, Placido Domingo, Itzhak Perlman. Currently, he is on the faculty at Boston University School of Music, teaching courses in song literature, lyric diction and opera for pianists. www.douglassumi.com
The Chamber Series is sponsored by Saul B. and Naomi R. Cohen Foundation
THE SAUL B. AND NAOMI R. COHEN FOUNDATION
Founded in 1997, the Foundation supports and promotes the fine and performing arts. It awards grants to promising young artists and especially gifted performing musicians to enable them to further their artistic pursuits. The Foundation also assists in the development of the musical careers of classical artists with assistance in arranging performance engagements, counseling in career strategy, guidance in the selection of live and recorded performances and help in day-to-day living matters.
To receive email communications about the Chamber Concert series, please contact sbc87home@gmail.com.

Temple Emanuel Teen Brotherhood
2025-04-27 15:00 - 17:00 | Solomon Youth Lounge, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
Temple Emanuel Teen Brotherhood is a three-part event series for high school-aged young men to build community and learn about masculinity. In each session we will learn what the Jewish tradition has to say about masculinity and other topics important for high school-aged young men, and there will be an opportunity to be active through playing sports.
Register→
For more information, please reach out to Teen Rabbinic Intern Aaron Berc

Erev Ivrit: What's in a Symbol?
2025-04-30 17:30 - 19:00 | In Person – Temple Emanuel, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
Join the Kesher community for an Israeli-style dinner! This is a fantastic opportunity to explore Israeli and Jewish symbols with your children.
Meals are $18 per person and must be ordered in advance to ensure we have enough food.
Register→
