At Temple Emanuel, our community isn’t just about learning, celebrating, and coming together—it’s also about connection, friendship, and sometimes, love! Over the years, our halls and events have been the backdrop for countless relationships that blossomed into lifelong partnerships.
In this special blog series, we’re thrilled to highlight couples who met and fell in love at Temple Emanuel. We asked them to share their stories, reflections, and photos so we could celebrate the magic of meeting your person right here in our community. From first meetings to meaningful moments, these love stories remind us how community can spark something truly special.
Q&A with Yaffa Willer & Barry Lewin
What first brought you to TE?
(Y): I wanted to meet a single Jewish man. It all began when I went to Shabbat Alive services and joined the temple soon thereafter. Little did I know that because of Shabbat Alive I would meet my “Beschert”.
(B): I started attending Shabbat Alive services after meeting Yaffa.
How did you meet – or start talking:
(Y): Five years after going to services on Friday, the woman who sat in front of me loved my singing and insisted I join Kol Emanuel. I was hesitant but she was adamant.
The following week I joined the choir. There is nothing like our choir. We have the loveliest group imaginable. During a “get to know each other” lunch, she asked me if I was single. At the time I was, and she said she had a wonderful man for me to meet.  He was a widower and was ready to start a new chapter in his life.
(B): My wife had recently passed away after a long illness. I was ready for some fun in my life. My sister said her lifelong friend had a woman she wanted me to meet.
Was there a moment you realized this was something special?
(Y): Barry emailed me before we met with a bio of himself. When we met for lunch, I felt we already knew each other. We both felt comfortable with each other and knew we wanted to meet again as our attraction was mutual. Over the ensuing months, as we got to know each other better, we realized how much we had in common.
(B): I loved how we built on our shared experiences: a special Shabbat dinner after services every Friday, walks in Westford, practicing together for our High Holiday chanting. Yaffa was willing to get out of her comfort zone and grow together.
What role did Temple Emanuel play in your relationship?
(Y & B): If not for TE, we would never have met.
Favorite TE memory together?
(Y): I think learning to chant Torah together for the High Holidays has been the most incredible experience. Dan Nesson was our teacher, and we chanted at Barry’s temple on Day 1, then at TE on Day 2.
(B): Making new friends with the spouses of the choir, having Aliza marry us in 2024.
Finish this sentence: Temple Emanuel is a place where…
(Y): You can make your dreams come true. Shabbat Alive, Kol Emanuel, Sisterhood, our amazing clergy. It really is the community that I was seeking when I first joined. Meeting Barry was my dream come true.
(B): Jews can embrace their heritage in a warm and welcoming community.
