Latest News
Increase in Joy
Celebrating Religious Freedom Rabbi’s Message – March 2, 2021 “Mi shenichnas l’Adar marbim b’simcha.” When a person enters into Adar (the current Hebrew month), he or she increases in joy. Today, progressive Jews are exuberant, celebrating religious freedom with Reform and Conservative Jews in Israel. Yesterday, Israel’s High Court of Justice ruled that […]
The Feeling of Insecurity
Insecurity, Vulnerability, & Empathy Rabbi’s Message – February 16, 2021 Last year I read a powerful book by Isabel Wilkerson: The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration. This historical study of the the movement of almost six million African Americans out of the Southern United States to the Midwest, Northeast, […]
What’s “Wrong” May Be Right
Celebrating Women the Right Way Rabbi’s Message – February 23, 2021 This week, we welcome in the holiday of Purim and its famous narrative. Which also means the annual question of how to present the beginning of the Book of Esther to children arises – you know, the part where the drunk King asks Queen […]
Equal Access for a Brighter, Safer Future for All
Addressing Equality for All Rabbi’s Message – February 9, 2021 There’s a well-known rabbinic parable where a community is saving babies that are found floating in the river and how they go through more and more steps to save these babies, utilizing precious resources and time, until someone in the town gets the brilliant idea […]
Building a Better Future
Building a Better Future Rabbi’s Message – February 2, 2021 Before we begin, let’s take a collective breath and slowly exhale. I’m not sure if it is a deep breath or a lingering sigh…. Last month over the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. weekend we celebrated American advancements in civil rights. We gave honor […]
Temple Israel Information During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Temple Israel Information During the Covid-19 Pandemic For centuries, synagogues have played a central role as places of holy gathering, learning, prayer and service. Our Sages teach there comes a time when the Jewish community is confronted with sha’at had’chak, an hour of duress, when lives and safety are at risk and the kehillah must adjust accordingly. […]
It’s Not Easy Being Green
It’s Not Easy Being Green Rabbi’s Message – January 26, 2021 Tu B’Shevat marks the beginning of yet another new year – the new year of the trees. The Talmud explains that Tu B’Shevat delineates between last year’s crops and produce that will be assigned to the next year. It is traditionally a time […]
Choosing Our Destiny
The Choices We Make Rabbi’s Message – January 19, 2021 This week we read from Parashat Bo, where we complete the narrative of the plagues in Egypt and receive the commandment to celebrate Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the future. (The Red Sea crossing happens in next week’s portion.) In this generally […]
Pursuing the Work of Justice
Shabbat Tzedek Rabbi’s Message – January 12, 2021 This coming weekend we will honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his efforts in the Civil Rights movement. We come to this MLK weekend and Shabbat Tzedek, our Justice Shabbat, after many challenges to human dignity and rights have manifested since this time […]
The Story We Tell
The Story We Tell Rabbi’s Message – January 5, 2021 Last week Rabbi Bodney-Halasz wrote of the liminal space that we find ourselves in as we entered 2021, and how we might try to open ourselves to new and different possibilities amid the uncertainty of our current situation. As we begin the book of Exodus […]
Standing on the Threshold
In Our Liminal Space Rabbi’s Message – December 29, 2020 “We plan, God laughs.” An easel sits in the corner of my office, filled with a year of programing plans. It is as useful as a paperweight today, but it remains to remind me life’s ephemeral nature. We naturally make assumptions that certain things will […]
Moving Forward with Light
Moving Forward with Light Program Director’s Message – December 22, 2020 The darkest day of the year has passed us. Starting today, we are officially heading towards days filled with more light. (Whew!) My hope is that this additional light in the world will inspire us to focus on bringing light and joy to everyone, […]
The Healing Powers of Music
The Healing Powers of Music Music Director’s Message – November 24, 2020 “Music can lift us out of depression or move us to tears – it is a remedy, a tonic, orange juice for the ear. But for many of my neurological patients, music is even more – it can provide access, even when no […]
COVID-19 Resources
COVID-19 Resources for our community Physical and Mental Health: CDC (Center for Disease Control) is the source for how to protect yourself and what to do if you think you are sick as well as resources regarding travel, childcare, businesses, and community organizations NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) provides resources and information on topics […]
Mi Shebeirach – A Prayer for Healing
Mi Shebeirach – Our Prayer for Healing All of us could use some healing right now amid the COVID-19 outbreak. We may feel isolated, overwhelmed, or concerned about the health of a loved one or ourselves. To help ease your fears, listen to the calming voice of Courtney Cummings as she reads the Mi Shebeirach […]
Temple Israel on Synagogues 360
Temple Israel has been selected as one of the synagogues around the world to be archived in an exhibit of historic and exceptional synagogues around the world. Select Temple Israel, Dayton, Ohio in the search. Check out the website here.
Upcoming Events
Virtual Israel Trip
Travel to Israel with Us! On March 8-11, from 5:00 – 6:00 pm. each day, we will travel to Israel with our Tour Guide, Muki Jankelowitz, exploring four different regions of the country, all without leaving the couch. Where will we be going? We’ll visit the Desert, Galilee, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem. Even if you’ve […]
Coffee with Clergy
Craving Connection? Our wonderful rabbis are always here for you, but we have carved out a special space for conversation and time to catch up. Join Rabbi Bodney-Halasz or Rabbi Sobo on Zoom each week. Coffee not required…
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Support Our Dayton Community
Gift cards for those in need
The Social Action Committee is requesting donations of $10 gift cards for St. Vincent de Paul from Walmart, Kroger, or Meijer for shelter residents transitioning to stable housing. They have a very large number of families moving through the shelter entering housing with very few needed supplies. These retailers are all located on bus lines, providing easy access for the shelter residents. Please bring your gift card donations to the Temple office and Amy Margolin will take them to St. Vincent de Paul.
School Supplies for ESOL program
Do you have extra school supplies that you can donate? St. John's English for Speakers of Other Languages is in need of folders with pockets, spiral notebooks, erasers, and white chalk supplies for their students. They are also seeking an industrial quality pencil sharpener. Please place any donations in the bin in the Temple lobby.
Nutrition Equality in the Miami Valley
Volunteers from Temple Israel are needed to transport fresh, high-quality frozen foods from Trader Joe's to the House of Bread for them to use as a part of their free hot lunch program. On the third Saturday of each month, we will load up a van, truck, or SUV and transport the items. The trip only takes about 20 minutes and the activity is ideal for families and couples. Contact the Temple office for more information.
February Tablet
