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Sh’mini (Leviticus 9:1−11:47)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Sh’mini (Leviticus 9:1−11:47)

There are 304,805 letters in the Torah and according to the Talmud the middle letter of the Torah is found in this week’s Portion Sh’mini. That middle letter is the letter “vav” which seems appropriate because the shape of the letter is barely more than a straight line, a dividing line between the beginning of the Torah and its end. The letter “vav” standing in the middle of Leviticus 11:42 is called the “heart” of the Torah.

The Torah is our guide for becoming just and righteous people and building together a just and righteous society. Are we halfway there in learning these lessons from the Torah? Are we halfway there in living these lessons and making them real in our lives and our world? And if not, maybe we need to pick up the pace a little bit. In the words of our teacher Hillel: “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am for myself alone, what am I? And if not now when?”

Rabbis’ Shabbat Dinner for more than 100

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Over 100 people came to our Middle Eastern Cuisine Rabbis’ Shabbat Dinner.  We host regular Rabbis’ Shabbat Dinners before services throughout the year with fun themes and dinner menus.  These events are made possible thanks to a generous grant from the Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence.

Shabbat (the Sabbath) is a key part of Jewish life. It is a day of rest and spiritual rejuvenation. Shabbat takes place from nightfall on Friday to nightfall on Saturday. In the home and synagogue, blessings are made and candles are lit to welcome Shabbat and signify the start of the festival. The Kiddush prayer is recited to represent the holiness of the day. Blessings are made over wine and challah.

Tzav (Leviticus 6:1−8:36)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Tzav (Leviticus 6:1−8:36)

This week’s portion from the Torah includes the command: “Fire shall be kept burning upon the altar continually (tamid), it shall not go out.” This is the Biblical origins of our Ner Tamid, the Eternal Light. But, from what we know of the Ner Tamid in Temple times, that “Eternal Light” was kindled again and again every day.

The Ner Tamid is a symbol of God’s Eternal presence among our people and throughout the world. For our ancestors, that meant an Eternal promise, for us it means keeping that light burning always. Keeping that light burning means being partners with God in the kindling of God’s light every day in and every age. How do you bring light to the world each day?

Senior University 2019

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Thank you all for coming to Senior University 2019! A full day of learning, lunching, and celebrating Purim with your Temple family.

Grab your favorite hamentaschen and join your friends for Senior University 2019! New UofL President Dr. Neeli Bendapudi will kick off the day sharing her vision for the future of the university. Our shpiel will continue with a variety of speakers and workshops including:

Abby Glogower, Curator of Jewish Collections and the Jewish Community Archive at The Filson Historical Society
Bourbon 101, including history AND tasting
A festive closing performance by our own Jennifer Diamond
Also, it wouldn’t be Senior University without Mickey and Carol Heideman’s famous mushroom barley soup for lunch. Let us know that you’ll be joining your friends from 9:30 am-3:30 pm for this engaging, fascinating, enriching shpiel-day at The Temple.

House of Boom After School Party!

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House of Boom After School Party!

Thank you everyone from The Temple Religious School for coming out to House of Boom After School Party!

 

THE CHESTER B. DIAMOND RELIGIOUS SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT:

Our learning community strives to create a caring atmosphere of friendship.  Additionally, encouraging meaningful understanding and a dedicated commitment to Jewish life – in school and at home.  The wonderful teaching faculty is diligent that all classroom experiences are valuable and nurture a positive Jewish identity.  In addition, our goal is for each student to participate in enjoyable experiences that are part of Temple life, be exposed to and internalize our biblical stories, and to embrace Jewish culture as well as Reform ethical beliefs and values.

THE CHESTER B. DIAMOND RELIGIOUS SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT:

Our learning community strives to create a caring atmosphere of friendship.  Additionally, encouraging meaningful understanding and a dedicated commitment to Jewish life – in school and at home.  The wonderful teaching faculty is diligent that all classroom experiences are valuable and nurture a positive Jewish identity.  In addition, our goal is for each student to participate in enjoyable experiences that are part of Temple life, be exposed to and internalize our biblical stories, and to embrace Jewish culture as well as Reform ethical beliefs and values.

Purim Party at The Temple

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The Temple Religious School and The Temple Brotherhood hosted a fantastic Purim Party at The Temple! Thank you everyone for coming out to our Purim Party!

Purim is celebrated by the reading of the Scroll of Esther, known in Hebrew as the Megillat Esther.  This relates the basic story of Purim. Under the rule of King Ahashuerus, Haman, the King’s prime minister, plots to exterminate all of the Jews of Persia. His plan is foiled by Queen Esther and her cousin Mordechai, who ultimately save the Jews of the land from destruction. The reading of the megillah is typically a rowdy affair, punctuated by booing and noise-making when Haman’s name is read aloud. Our Purim Carnival is always loads of fun with costumes, games and family fun for all ages.

THE CHESTER B. DIAMOND RELIGIOUS SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT :

Our learning community strives to create a caring atmosphere of friendship.  Additionally, encouraging meaningful understanding and a dedicated commitment to Jewish life – in school and at home.  The wonderful teaching faculty is diligent that all classroom experiences are valuable and nurture a positive Jewish identity.  In addition, our goal is for each student to participate in enjoyable experiences that are part of Temple life, be exposed to and internalize our biblical stories, and to embrace Jewish culture as well as Reform ethical beliefs and values.

Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1−5:26)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1−5:26)

The opening word of Leviticus that gives the book and this first parashah its name is Vayikra, which means, “And God called.” God calls us from the pages of Leviticus. God calls us to holiness, to a life of meaning, to a path of harmony. God calls us to a sense of connectedness to a world within ourselves, within our families, and within all life upon this planet. The question at the heart of Vayikra is, how will you answer God’s call?

Wedding at Temple Scholars Class

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Rabbi Rapport married Susan and Ray Allen in a mock Wedding Ceremony as part of his Torah of Our Lives Temple Scholars Class.

The Torah of our Lives

The Torah and Traditions within Jewish Lifecycle ceremonies from birth to death and everything in between. Learn about the many customs, traditions (and a few superstitions) associated with every stage of Jewish Life. Birth, Bris, Baby Naming and ceremonies that begin our study of Torah – all this in just our first few years as a Jew! Special sessions on unique customs of Jews in other lands, Jewish food and music which accompany many life cycle events.  Additionally, learn about the evolution of Jewish Wedding and Funeral ceremonies from The Bible and until today. Each class is presented as a stand-alone lesson and all are welcome to attend.  Please join!

Educators from Kurdish Iraq visit The Temple

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The World Affairs Council hosted a delegation of educators from Kurdish Iraq. Since their project was titled, “Religious and Public Education Curriculum Development in the U.S”  they visited several sites in Louisville to explore curriculum development and ‘after/out-of-school’ methodologies for religious education.  They met with Sarah Harlan, Principle, and Rabbi David to learn more about our Religious School and Judaism.

THE CHESTER B. DIAMOND RELIGIOUS SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT:
Our learning community strives to create a caring atmosphere of friendship while encouraging meaningful understanding and a dedicated commitment to Jewish life – in school and at home. The wonderful teaching faculty is diligent that all classroom experiences are valuable and nurture a positive Jewish identity. In addition, our goal is for each student to participate in enjoyable experiences that are part of Temple life, be exposed to and internalize our biblical stories, and to embrace Jewish culture as well as Reform ethical beliefs and values.

Religious School Cemetery Trip

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Religious School Cemetery Trip.

Grades 6, 7, & 8 of Religious School joined with LBSY to visit The Temple Cemetery and Community Mikveh.  At the cemetery, Rabbi David led a short service to bury holy books.