Voice Newsletter

click here to download the entire November Voice Newsletter as a 4 MB pdf

Rabbi's Message

The Power of Prayer in an Unsettling Time

Recently, Barbara Bailey and I were discussing the question:  What do we as Jews receive from prayer?  Do we expect an answer to our petitions before God? Do we expect God to wave a miraculous wand and make our lives better?

Friends, these are tough and unsettling times.  During the High Holy Day Services, I asked you to take a twenty-four hour break from the media, from cable news, from network news, from the newspapers.

The Judaism I believe in asks us to let go of controlling everything in our lives.  Yes, we can control so much which affects us.  No, we cannot control everything.  Becoming what is called "a control freak" places us in God's territory.  We must remember that God created us as human beings with all the flaws and warts that humans possess. 

The answers God can give our prayers are the powers of strength, patience, love, optimism, and shalom.  This is why tradition calls God the “Tzur Yisrael" the Rock of Israel.  This is why rabbinic tradition calls God "Ha-Makom", an incredible source of support we can access anywhere at any time. 

Yes, we have a beautiful sanctuary. Yes, we have a talit draped upon the ceiling of our lobby. Yes, we have a tower of healing on the west side of our Temple collonade. I am ready to embrace you with a Mi Shebarach, a healing prayer for anyone of these very special places.  Yet, if you imagine God as "Ha-Makom", you can connect with God wherever you find peace: at the beach, in a park, looking at a magnificent sunset or cloud formation, even at the golf course. 

Throughout the centuries, our ancestors have struggled through the most vexing and most difficult times.  The great Rabbi, physician, and philosopher Moses Maimonides reminds us that we can step back and imagine God as an overflowing fountain of healing waters. Waters which can help heal a broken heart and a shattered soul.

Tradition teaches us to imagine these waters as "mayim chayim", waters reminding us of our past and inspiring us to be patient with our present. Friends, we have this power, if we only could open our eyes, keep an open mind and truly let God into our lives! 

Yes, keep an open mind. Adonai Oz L’Amo Yitein....Let God give you strength and patience so you will indeed find shalom in the weeks and months ahead!

Rabbi Joel Levine

go to top of page

Shabbat and Holiday Services

Torah Study every Saturday morning from 9:30 AM - 11:30 PM

NOVEMBER 7
7:00 P.M. Wine, Cheese and Fruit Reception
7:30 P.M. Rabbi Levine and Dimitry
3rd grade students will be participating

NOVEMBER 14
Rabbi Levine and Michelle

NOVEMBER 21
Synaplex! Exciting New Format (see insert for details)
Rabbi Levine and Dimitry

NOVEMBER 28
Rabbi Levine and Dimitry
"Endless Light"  Why Kabbalah Continually Intrigues Us

Mazal Tov to our Bnai Mitzvah

November 1st
Alexander Heitman

November 8th
Adult Bar Mitzvah of
Keith Sternberg

November 15th
Michelle Meital Sanabria

Services conducted at 10:15 A.M. by Rabbi Levine and Dimitry

go to top of page

Everything Starts and Ends with Our Support

Reaching Out 

Just prior to having received your November bulletin, you have exercised your right to vote and we have a new administration.
As our new administration asks us for our support, here at Temple Judea, I am asking you to stand up and be counted.
I am sure you have heard many times in your life “Nothing is free in life.”  How true!  Here at Temple Judea, we can relate to that phrase.

We have reached out to you, our congregants, and we have listened to your suggestions!  We have offered stimulating programs through our Book Reviews, Adult Education, Sunday movies and Speakers.  We’ve enjoyed Bingo, a Fashion Show Luncheon and Speakers through our Sisterhood programs.  Our Men’s Club offers Sunday Brunch, with speakers and an opportunity to share stimulating conversation.  All of these programs we share with you, our congregants.

The Rabbi has been there with innovative Friday night services, sharing our Simchas, giving comfort in time of illness and when we have a loss.

Think, think…where is the money to service all of the above programs? And let us not forget the programs for our children in our new Hoffinger Community Learning Center.

Everything starts and ends with our support.  Every one of us is responsible for the success of these programs. Let us not say, “Let Joe do it.”  We are Joe, this is our synagogue, and we must come forward with the financial aid that is necessary to continue these many programs. Speak up so that your voice may be heard.  Step up and let your commitment be counted.

Elayne Rosen

go to top of page

Book Club listings on Calendar page

go to top of page