Temple Emanuel

Summer Shul
2025-08-30 08:30 - 09:30 (America/New_York) | Slater Conference Room, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
‘Summer Shul’, now in our 14th year, is a lay-led Torah Study prior to Shabbat morning services .We meet weekly, beginning June 21 through August 30, from 8:30-9:30am in the Slater Conference Room and via Zoom. All are welcome to join and add your voice to these thought-provoking discussions – or simply come and listen to your fellow congregants as we journey through the parasha together.
Can’t attend in person? Join us on Zoom by clicking HERE→
Zoom Password: [REDACTED]
For further details please contact Martin Paley.
Darshan Schedule Below:

June 21: Shlach – Frank Aronson
June 28: Korach – Velda Shaby
July 5: Chukat – David Diamond
July 12: Balak – Marty Paley
July 19: Pinchas – Steve Bookbinder
July 26: Matot-Masei – Avi Seidmann
August 2: Devarim – David Rozenson
August 9: Vaetchanan – Cliff Corenblith
August 16: Ekev – Sharlene Finkel
August 23: Reeh – Howard Zilber
August 30: Shoftim – Joel Sherman

Sundaes on Sundays
2025-08-31 18:45 - 19:30 | Benjamin Vestry, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
After a long hiatus, Sundaes on Sundays is back! Please join us Sunday evenings at 6:45pm prior to evening minyan for ice cream and toppings. Looking forward to renewing this iconic tradition!

First Friday @ Shabbat Alive!: Back to Shul
2025-09-05 18:30 - 20:30 | In Person – Temple Emanuel, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
Join us as we come back together again from far and wide for an extra special First Friday as we kick off our 18th season of Shabbat Alive! Come home, come back to shul.
What is First Friday? Start with an inspiring musical Shabbat Alive! Service in the Rabbi Samuel Chiel Sanctuary or Minyan Ma’or led Kabbalat Shabbat in the Gann Chapel, then stay for a beautiful post-service Oneg filled with delicious food and fellowship.
Who is First Friday for? First Fridays are for everyone, age 0 on up!
Why come to First Friday? To lift your spirit. To be inspired by ancient words animated with new melodies. To connect with a community of friends – old and new. To stand generation to generation, together.
We can’t wait to see you there!
Rabbi Michelle Robinson and Cantor Elias Rosemberg
View the First Friday 2025-26 Calendar HERE→

TE Community BBQ
2025-09-07 16:00 - 18:30 | In Person – Temple Emanuel, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
Join the Temple Emanuel Community for our annual BBQ, as we celebrate the beginning of the year with a great afternoon of food, friends and fun for all ages! Activities will include an obstacle course, Touch-A-Truck with the Newton Fire Department, cotton candy, and kids arts and crafts.
Rain or shine!
Register→
We are looking for volunteers! Interested? Sign up here!
Blanket and Towel Drive Sponsored by Sisterhood and Brotherhood
Join us by donating clean, new or like-new blankets and towels with no rips or stains. Drop off items at the Welcome Home bins located at the Ashford and Ward Street Entrances anytime between September 2nd – 21st. Don’t have items to donate? Shop for Welcome Home online!

Conversation with Avraham Infeld
2025-09-08 20:00 - 21:30 | Gann Chapel, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
As one of the most compelling and visionary Jewish educators of our time, Avraham Infeld has spent decades helping Jews of all backgrounds grapple with questions of belonging, peoplehood, and purpose. His unique ability to weave history, humor, and heart makes him especially resonant in this moment of pain and resilience.
Avraham Infeld is former President of Hillel International, Director of Planning for Taglit Birthright Israel, Director of the Hartman Institute, and Founder of Melitz. His classic talk, “The Five-Legged Table” explains the intersection of Jewish Identity via memory, family, covenant, Israel, and Hebrew.
Register→
This program is presented in partnership with IAC New England

Commission on Combating Antisemitism
2025-09-09 19:30 - 20:30 | Virtual
Join a state-wide gathering to hear about the important work of the Massachusetts Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism.
The program is free and everyone is welcome.
Featuring: Senator Cynthia Creem, State Representative Simon Cataldo (Commission Co-Chair), State Senator John Velis (Commission Co-Chair), and moderated by NBC10 News Anchor Jeff Saperstone.
Zoom link will be sent upon registration.
Register→
For more information, please contact Sharon Wyner at (978) 565-4450 or email swyner@lappinfoundation.org.
Program Co-Sponsors
ADL New England
AJC New England
Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP)
Hadassah Northeast
Holocaust Legacy Foundation
Israeli American Council (IAC) New England
Jewish Community Center of the North Shore
Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston
Jewish Family Service of Metrowest
Jewish Federation of Central Massachusetts
Jewish Federation of the Berkshires
Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts
Massachusetts Antisemitism Synagogue Task Force
New England Friends of March of the Living
North Suburban Jewish Community Center

Introduction to Yiddish: Words, Music, and Humor with TE Member, Arnie Glick
2025-09-11 18:30 - 19:30, 2025-10-09 14:00 - 15:00 | In Person – Temple Emanuel, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
Arnie Glick, a Yiddish enthusiast and singer, and the creator of the Yiddish-themed cartoons called “Shmoozin,” will be leading a two-session program about Yiddish words, expressions, humor, and music.
Session Information
First Session: Thursday, September 11 @ 6:30 pm
Yiddish in the Sukkah: Thursday, October 9 @ 2:00 pm
This will be followed, on November 18th by an afternoon concert of Yiddish music, sponsored by L’CHAIM at Temple Emanuel, that Arnie will be giving along with pianist David Sparr and klezmer clarinetist Glenn Dickson.
Come to some or all! Everyone is invited! No prior Yiddish knowledge is required.
Register→

Final Sounding of the Shofar at Morning Minyan
2025-09-21 08:00 - 09:00 | Gann Chapel, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
With the exception of the morning prior to Rosh Hashanah, each weekday morning in Elul the Shofar is sounded to announce the coming of the New Year. This year, the final blasts of Shofar in 5785 will be Sunday morning, September 21st. I like to call this “The Big Blow Out!” Any and everyone, with a Shofar or not, is encouraged to sound the Shofar or to hear it’s call!
Please join us in the Gann Chapel for morning Minyan at 8:00am. At the conclusion of the service, we will adjourn to the Leventhal-Sidman Community Court to be enveloped by the vibrations of many Shofarot. Looking forward to seeing you all there!

Main Shabbat Morning Service with Guest Speaker Ofir Amir, Co-Founder of the Tribe of Nova Foundation
2025-09-27 09:30 - 12:00 | Rabbi Samuel Chiel Sanctuary, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
On Sunday, September 28, two buses are leaving from Temple Emanuel at noon to go to the Nova Exhibit. Limited seating is still available. If you are interested in joining us, please register here.
On Shabbat, September 27, we are having a special guest speaker, Ofir Amir, who survived Nova, and who co-founded the Tribe of Nova Foundation. His story of resilience, renewal, and affirmation of life and hope are the inspiring message we all need to hear between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Please join us for his sermon on Shabbat morning, and please join us at the Nova Exhibit.
About Ofir Amir
Ofir Amir is co-founder and CFO of the Tribe of Nova Foundation, established after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on the Nova Music Festival. Wounded while escaping, Ofir survived and later helped transform tragedy into a movement of healing and resilience.
Before the attack, he was deeply involved in building the Nova community of music, unity, and love. Today, he co-produces the Nova Music Festival Exhibition, an international initiative honoring victims, supporting survivors, and raising funds for mental health care and Beit Nova—a permanent center for remembrance and recovery in Israel.
Through his leadership and testimony, Ofir amplifies the voices of survivors and ensures their stories of courage live on.

Temple Emanuel Visits The Nova Music Festival Exhibition
2025-09-28 12:00 - 16:00 | In Person – Other, MA, United States
The Nova Exhibit is coming to Boston from September 26 through October 21, during our High Holiday season. This bids us to remember, to renew, and to return with ever greater conviction. We need to remember the atrocities that were committed on that awful day. We need to renew our commitment to the Jewish people, to the State of Israel, and to the strengthening of the bonds of community and connection among all people of goodwill. We need to return to our noblest selves and to our most committed Jewish selves as we approach the two-year anniversary of October 7.
Join your fellow Temple Emanuel members to visit this powerful exhibit about the Nova Music Festival on October 7, 2023. The Exhibition is recommended for ages 12+ due to the sensitive and graphic nature of some of the content.
Transportation will be provided. Buses will leave from Temple Emanuel on Sunday, September 28, at noon and return by 4:00pm. Reservations are on a first come first serve basis with a max capacity of 100 people. All ticket holders will receive final details by September 25th. Tickets will be distributed prior to boarding the bus.
Cost: $36, which covers the price of admission and transportation.
This event is for Temple Emanuel members only.
Register→
Coordinated by the TE Israel Connections Committee

First Friday @ Shabbat Alive! Breakfast Break-Fast
2025-10-03 18:30 - 20:30 | In Person – Temple Emanuel, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
What to do the day after Yom Kippur? Start your new Jewish year with the joy of Shabbat Alive! Keep the marvelous Break-fast energy going with our special breakfast Break-Fast first Friday Oneg.
What is First Friday? Start with an inspiring musical Shabbat Alive! Service in the Rabbi Samuel Chiel Sanctuary or Minyan Ma’or led Kabbalat Shabbat in the Gann Chapel, then stay for a beautiful post-service Oneg filled with delicious food and fellowship.
Who is First Friday for? First Fridays are for everyone, age 0 on up!
Why come to First Friday? To lift your spirit. To be inspired by ancient words animated with new melodies. To connect with a community of friends – old and new. To stand generation to generation, together.
View the First Friday 2025-26 Calendar HERE→

Main Shabbat Morning ServiceWith Guest Speaker Rabbi Ravid Tilles
2025-10-04 09:30 - 12:00 | Rabbi Samuel Chiel Sanctuary, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
Join us for a special Shabbat morning service with guest speaker, Rabbi Ravid Tilles.
Sermon Topic: Now Is the Best Time to Be Counter Cultural!
Judaism has always, from the very beginning, been a counter point to the surrounding culture. Most of us have grown up in a Jewish community that has struggled to blend our surrounding culture with our ancient tradition. But as the culture around us becomes unbearable, maybe this is the exact time to reclaim our roots!
About Rabbi Ravid Tilles
Rabbi Ravid Tilles is the School Rabbi and Director of Jewish Life and Learning at Schechter Boston. He and his wife, Yaffa, and three sons are members of the Temple Emanuel family.

Sisterhood Opening Event: Music and Mingling
2025-10-08 19:00 - 21:30 | Adelson Community Hall, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
Please join us for a joyous evening with beautiful music, delicious food and socializing. Musical entertainment will be by our own Lisa Litant and the TE Klezmer band! Connect with old friends and meet new ones as we gather together to start the new year.
New Sisterhood members are invited to come at 6:30pm for a special welcome!
Dinner is complimentary for Temple Emanuel members. Non-member tickets are available for $36 each.
Register→
For questions, contact Julie Lipsett.

5th Annual Mystery Scotch in the Sukkah
2025-10-09 19:00 - 22:00 | In Person – Temple Emanuel, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
5th Annual Blind Scotch Tasting & Dinner in the Brezniak Sukkah!
Hosted by Temple Emanuel Brotherhood – open to all!
Join us for an unforgettable, spirited evening in the sukkah with:

Unlimited blind tastings of top-shelf scotch (guess what’s what!)
Rami’s buffet dinner + non-alcoholic drinks
Your own custom tasting glass to take home

Admission

$50 per person

2nd Annual Raffle – Back by Popular Demand!
Purchase raffle tickets to enter one or more of many prize bundles, each worth $250+! Last year, 6 prizes totaled over $3,000 in value! Past prizes included rare spirits, golf outings, fine dining, Red Sox tickets, and more.
How it works:

We will have several prizes, each with its own “fishbowl” or separate raffle.
Drop as many tickets as you like in each “fishbowl”—one ticket for a single chance at a single prize and additional tickets in one fishbowl for better odds at a single prize.
Per below, buy 12 tickets for half price!
One prize per person (if you’re drawn more than once, pick your favorite prize won, and we redraw the other.)
Must be present at the final scotch reveal to win. If you leave early, leave your ticket and designate a friend to accept on your behalf.

Raffle Tickets

$12 each or $72 for 12 tickets ($6 each; half-price!)

Over 120 people attended last year! Reserve early for yourself and a friend—this event may sell out!
Register Here→
Questions, contact Josh Ehrenfried

Lunch in the Sukkah
2025-10-10 12:00 - 13:00 | In Person – Temple Emanuel, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
The TE community is welcome to bring their own lunches to the Brezniak Sukkah. Enjoy our Sukkah with the TE community!
The Sukkah will be open for members to eat lunch from 12-1pm on October 10th.
No registration required.
Contact LauraSue with any questions.

Erev Simchat Torah Celebration
2025-10-14 18:30 - 20:00 | Leventhal-Sidman Community Court, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
Join us for a community celebration in the Leventhal-Sidman Community Court, featuring Hakafot led by the TE Children’s Choir and Tizmoret Teen Band!

Teen Ice Cream Party after Simchat Torah
2025-10-14 19:30 - 20:30 | Solomon Youth Lounge, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
Come and join us in the Solomon Youth Lounge for ice cream after Simchat Torah services!
All Temple Emanuel teens, grades 6-12 ,and parents are invited to join.
No RSVP required.

Introduction to the Dead Sea Scrolls with Dr. Sidney Kadish
2025-10-18 12:45 - 13:45 | Slater Conference Room, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
The Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947. Since then, they have been intensely studied. We will inquire about how they were found and studied, what they tell us about Jewish life 2000 years ago, and what they mean to us today. Join us in the Slater Conference Room after Shabbat morning services for this incredible program.
Session Dates: 10/18, 11/22, 11/29, 12/6, 12/13
Register→
About Dr. Sidney Kadish
Dr. Sidney Kadish was born in Butler, NJ. His Hebrew education began with home schooling, and later he attended Camp Massad, a Hebrew speaking camp in the Poconos. After grade school, he attended Yeshiva University HS. He obtained a BA from Columbia (1963) and an MD from U of Chicago (1967). After internship, he came to Boston for a residency in Radiology at Mass General Hospital. After Army service, he returned to New England and served as a radiation oncologist, principally in Worcester. He retired in 2013 and has been a member of the Harvard Institute for Learning in Retirement (HILR) where he gave a course on the Dead Sea Scrolls. He has been married to Helen for 43 years and has 2 grown children, Michael and Emily. Sidney has been a member of Temple Emanuel since 1976.

Brotherhood Wellness Series: Strengthening our Mental Well-being by Building Resilience and Managing Stress
2025-10-20 18:00 - 19:30 | Benjamin Vestry, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
We are all facing stress from work, family and current events. How do we manage to keep our heads above water? The goal of this session is to give our participants the tools they need to build resilience and manage stress and trauma.
Schedule:
6:00 pm – Light Dinner
6:30 pm – Lecture and Q&A
Register→
About the Speaker
Dr. Irle Goldman has been a clinical psychologist and teacher of psychotherapy for the past 50 years. He tries to help people become our “best selves” by tuning in to our hopes, our talents, our possibilities…instead of just noticing our challenges and disappointments and failures.

You, Too, Can Cantillate: Learn to Read Torah
2025-10-20 18:15 - 19:30, 2025-10-27 18:15 - 19:30 | Slater Conference Room, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
There is a rich history to Torah Cantillation. During these sessions you will learn not only methodology, but the history behind the creation of the cantillation system. At the conclusion. anyone who so wishes will have the opportunity to chant Torah on a Shabbat morning, Shabbat Mincha, or weekday morning service.
A reading knowledge of Hebrew is required.
Session Dates: October 20, 27, November 3, 10, 17, 24
Register→
View the teaser below!

Loud and Clear: Leadership Perspectives of a Senior Israeli Air Force Pilot with Brigadier General (ret.) Iftach Spector
2025-10-20 20:00 - 21:00 | Gann Chapel, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
Brigadier General (ret.) Iftach Spector, a distinguished former fighter pilot in the Israeli Air Force, is regarded as one of the leading flying aces in the history of the IAF. He is also an expert on organizational performance and military tactics.
Spector has served, among other roles, as Commander of the Ramat David and Tel Nof Airbases, as Head of the Air Operations department and head of the F-16 induction project. He participated in the 1981 attack on the Iraqi nuclear reactor at Osirak.
Spector invented the “HALO” system, an avionics system for helicopters operating on the battlefield, whose core features have been adopted in many military forces worldwide.
In 2003, Spector was a signatory of the of the “Pilots’ Letter” in which he and 27 other pilots stated their refusal to bomb targets in the West Bank and Gaza when collateral damage would likely be severe.
Spector holds a bachelor’s degree from Tel Aviv University, and a master’s degree from UCLA. In 2023, he received a doctoral degree from Bar-Ilan University for his dissertation titled: “The Richthofen Symptom: Task Focus – Contributions, Costs, and the Harms of Excess.”
His 2009 memoir, “Loud and Clear,” is available in English. He is also the author of a prize-winning novela.
Register→
Sponsored by the Israel Connections Committee

Yasmin Garfunkel in Concert
2025-10-22 19:30 - 20:30 | Rabbi Samuel Chiel Sanctuary, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
Join Yasmin Garfunkel (soprano) and Silvia Gerszkowicz (piano) from Buenos Aires, Argentina, for a concert celebrating the beauty of Sephardic songs in a chamber-like style. The evening will also feature a special selection of songs in Yiddish. Don’t miss this poetic and musical journey, free of charge!
Register→

History of the Jews in the Americas
2025-10-22 19:30 - 21:00, 2025-10-29 19:30 - 21:00 | In Person – Temple Emanuel, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
History of Jews in the Americas, 1492-present will be the subject of a course this fall with BU Professor Deeana Klapper. We will examine the history of Jews and Jewish communities in North America, South America and the Caribbean over 500 years. Taking a thematic and chronological approach, we will consider the diversity of American Jewish culture and American Jews’ engagement with other sectors of society.
Session dates: Oct. 22, 29, Nov. 5, 12 and 19, and Dec. 3.
The fee is $125/person for all sessions.
Payment can be sent via Venmo, Zelle, or by check. Instructions will be sent in your registration confirmation email.
Register→
Contact Sandy Remz with any questions
Sponsored by Minyan Ma’or

Community Shabbat Dinner
2025-10-24 18:30 - 21:00 | Adelson Community Hall, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
Join us for a joyous Fall Community Shabbat Dinner on Friday, October 24th as we come together to celebrate Shabbat with great food and community spirit. Enjoy a delicious meal and connections with others from our Temple Emanuel Family.
The program will begin with Shabbat Alive services at 6:30 pm. We will then all join together for dinner in Adelson Community Hall. Special reserved tables will be available for all new 2025-26 TE members. We look forward to seeing you.
Pricing:
Adults: $36 each
Children: $18 each
Registration is now closed. Please reach out to LauraSue HERE to join the waitlist.

Cradles to Crayons Clothing Drive
2025-10-26 - 2025-11-09 | In Person – Temple Emanuel, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
Have clothes for kids ages 0-12 that you don’t need anymore? Come donate new or gently used: Clothing, Jackets, Shoes, PJ, Socks (new), and Underwear (new)! There will be donation bins in the front vestibule and next to the Rabbi Marshall R. Lifson Library. Help families to get the everyday essentials their children need!
There will be an event on November 9th for 6th-8th graders to help sort all the donations!

Family Ice Skating with Brotherhood
2025-10-26 12:15 - 14:00 | Warrior Ice Arena, 90 Guest Street, Boston, MA, 02135, United States
Immediately after Religious School, bring your child with you for An Afternoon of family fun! Public ice skating at Warrior Ice Arena in Brighton!
Public skating starts at 12:30pm and ends at 1:50pm. Warrior has “ice walkers” for children and adult beginners as well as skate rentals ($6) for those who need to rent. Adults and children are both welcome. We’ll provide lunch at Warrior so everyone can grab a bite before skating.
Only $9 per person including admission and lunch!
Register→

Sisterhood Fall Fundraiser featuring Comedian Ophira Eisenberg
2025-11-02 09:00 - 12:30 | Adelson Community Hall, 385 Ward Street, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
Join us for a fun-filled morning with Ophira Eisenberg, a standup comedian, writer, and host of the award-winning comedy podcast Parenting Is A Joke.
Ophira has also hosted NPR’s Ask Me Another where she interviewed and played games with hundreds of celebrities including Rosie Perez, Yo-Yo Ma, Roxanne Gay, Nick Kroll, and Chelsea Handler. She appears frequently as a storyteller with The Moth and her stories have been featured in The Moth Radio Hour and the Moth’s best-selling collections.
Enjoy a delicious, seated buffet brunch, great company, and laughter. Shop a small group of boutiques, including both favorites and new vendors, and take a chance on a fabulous raffle!
RSVP by October 23rd!
Boutiques, Hor d’Oeuvres, and Raffle Sales at 9:00 AM
Brunch Buffet and Ophira at 10:30 AM
Please note NO recording is allowed at the event.
Register→
Donate & Buy Raffle Tickets→
Become a Sponsor→
Help support the causes and nonprofits that Sisterhood champions!
Proceeds support Sisterhood and Temple Emanuel programs, as well as community initiatives including Newton Food Pantry, Project Manna, and Leket Israel
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Platinum Level Sponsors
Levine Chapels
The Village Bank
Diamond Level Sponsors
Catering by Andrew
Gold Level Sponsors
Pestex Inc.
Central Steel Supply
Silver Level Sponsors
Fox’s of Newton
Marquis Jewelers
Waterstone at Wellesley
West Newton Hearing Center
Bronze Level Sponsors
Fenway Group
Zayde’s Market
