5101 US-42 • LOUISVILLE, KY 40241 • (502) 423-1818

Behind the Scenes with The Temple Staff

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Join us Behind the Scenes! While our members continue to stay safe at home, The Temple staff has been busier than ever!

For a peek behind the curtain of what goes on in a typical day, we created a quick video! While we may not see you in person, The Temple continues to facilitate an expansive array of educational classes, religious services, meetings, mailings, ZOOM calls, emails, technology advancements, building updates, membership, volunteers, Tikkun Olam, maintenance projects, fundraising, Covid-19 protocol, religious school, preschool, special events, inter-congregational alliances, etc. All require an enormous amount of legwork! In short, it takes a lot to run a congregation from a very small team and the goal is to continue to engage our members safely each month and maintain The Temple’s continuity in your life.

Thank you for being a Temple member – we value your ongoing support and look forward to seeing you again in person soon!

Behind the Scenes Video Director, Producer, & Editor: Benji Berlow

Join us Behind the Scenes! While our members continue to stay safe at home, The Temple staff has been busier than ever!

For a peek behind the curtain of what goes on in a typical day, we created a quick video! While we may not see you in person, The Temple continues to facilitate an expansive array of educational classes, religious services, meetings, mailings, ZOOM calls, emails, technology advancements, building updates, membership, volunteers, Tikkun Olam, maintenance projects, fundraising, Covid-19 protocol, religious school, preschool, special events, inter-congregational alliances, etc. All require an enormous amount of legwork! In short, it takes a lot to run a congregation from a very small team and the goal is to continue to engage our members safely each month and maintain The Temple’s continuity in your life.

Thank you for being a Temple member – we value your ongoing support and look forward to seeing you again in person soon!

Behind the Scenes Video Director, Producer, & Editor: Benji Berlow

Drive-In Movie Night

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Thank you to everyone who joined us for The Temple’s first-ever Drive-In Movie Night! We enjoyed a beautiful night under the stars with snacks, assigned parking spaces, social-distancing and donated non-perishables for our local food pantry. Thanks to all who attended!

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Event Description:

You’re invited to a date at the drive-in! On October 17, The Temple will host a family movie night, under the stars, in our front parking lot. We’ll set up a big screen in our front parking lot and every car gets free snacks as they enter.

Based on an overwhelming member vote – we’ll feature The Secret Life of Pets 2. If you have not yet RSVP’d, please do so ASAP.

The Temple will follow social-distancing guidelines and require all participants to RSVP prior to the event and wear masks. Cars will be spaced out to maintain a social distance so everyone can relax and enjoy the movie. Restrooms in the building will be available, children will need to be chaperoned.  Safety is our #1 priority.

This event is free of charge with your donation of a blanket or food pantry item. See you at the drive-in!

Thank you everyone for joining us for our first Drive-In Movie Night. We passed out snacks and treats, assign spots at a social distance, and donated goods for local causes. Thank you everyone who came!You’re invited to a date at the drive-in! On October 17, The Temple will host a family movie night, under the stars, in our front parking lot. We’ll set up a big screen in our front parking lot and every car gets free snacks as they enter.Based on an overwhelming member vote – we’ll feature The Secret Life of Pets 2. If you have not yet RSVP’d, please do so ASAP.The Temple will follow social-distancing guidelines and require all participants to RSVP prior to the event and wear masks. Cars will be spaced out to maintain a social distance so everyone can relax and enjoy the movie. Restrooms in the building will be available, children will need to be chaperoned. Safety is our #1 priority.This event is free of charge with your donation of a blanket or food pantry item. See you at the drive-in!

The High Holy Day Experience

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Thank you everyone for joining us for the High Holy Day Experience for 2020/5781. Please see the images below. A schedule of the program can be found here and videos can be found on our YouTube page.

The vision of creating new prayer books for these High Holy Days came from the hope that we might provide for our congregation a way to bridge the distance of the virtual services which we are streaming into their homes, by placing in their hands these familiar words of prayer in an accessible and familiar form. The services are designed specifically for our congregation, drawn with Hebrew and English prayers selected from the current and historic prayer books of Reform Judaism, other High Holy Day resources and prayers, and blessings written by rabbis of The Temple as well. Editing these new prayer books was a labor of love – with Rabbi David carefully selecting the prayers to fit well within an online format, while Rabbi Rapport designed and edited each page of the 150-page work. And none of this would have been possible without the support of The Temple Women of Reform Judaism / Sisterhood and The Temple Brotherhood who sponsored the project so that every Temple family could receive a copy of the prayer books delivered to their homes for the High Holy Day experience.

The Days of Awe are upon us

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Dear Temple Members,

The Days of Awe are upon us. Rosh Hashanah begins this Friday night and Yom Kippur just ten days beyond that. We have been preparing for this High Holy Day experience for so long it has seemed at times as if this moment would never arrive. But now we have all but arrived at our day of days.  We have prepared New Prayer Books for our hands, Streaming Services for our eyes, the haunting melodies of these days through the voices of our socially distant choir for our ears, and now it is time to prepare our hearts for repentance and return.

Planning for the High Holy Days was always the plan. The entire month of Elul was to be dedicated to day-by-day reflection in preparation for the shofar’s call to return. This age old tradition has not traditionally included prerecording a video message from the governor, sending an HDMI cable to connect your computer device to the flat-screen TV, figuring out a way to gather your beloved collection of family and friends without actually physically gathering, or gathering all the ingredients for a holiday meal from touchless delivery at the grocery store. 

These High Holy Days we have prepared in different ways, we know they will not feel the same once they arrive, but it is our hope that these days might be memorable for more than the pandemic which has created the need for all these preparations, but rather for the message of unity amidst adversity, and the strength of a community of faith which they have taught.

Shanah Tovah, from your rabbis, your Temple leadership, and from all your Temple staff who have worked so hard to make this High Holy Day experience one we will remember: for blessing and not for curse, for sweetness and not for sorrow, for beginnings and not for its end. May the One who has opened the gates of repentance and welcomed us in love through generations of our people, bless you all and those you love in this New Year and for many years to come. 

L’Shanah Tovah, may it be a year of goodness and blessing for us all.

Rabbi Joe Rooks Rapport
Rabbi David Ariel-Joel

Ice Cream Social (Distance)

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Thank you to everyone who joined us for The Temple’s Ice Cream Social (Distance)! We enjoyed a fun night of music, sweet treats, social-distancing, and donated non-perishables for our local food pantry. Thanks to all who attended!

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Event Description:

The Temple’s Ice Cream Social (Distance) Get Together and Tikkun Olam Opportunity
Wednesday, August 26
6:00 – 7:30 pm in The Temple Front Parking LotJoin us for an outdoor evening gathering to reconnect with your Temple family (socially distanced) and do a mitzvah for our community. Comfy Cow ice cream will be provided free of charge when you bring a donation to the JFCS Meyer Food Pantry (preferably toilet paper, cans of vegetables, cans of fruit, cans of soup, peanut butter, and cereal).The Temple will be following social distance guidelines with designated tables for families to sit, REQUIRING ALL PARTICIPANTS TO WEAR MASKS, AND RSVP PRIOR TO THE EVENT.We will start with three shifts for families (6:00 pm, 6:30 pm, and 7:00 pm) and will open up more if there is more interest than we can safely accommodate. More details and guidelines to follow.

The Temple’s Ice Cream Social (Distance) Get Together and Tikkun Olam Opportunity Wednesday, August 26 6:00 – 7:30 pm in The Temple Front Parking Lot Join us for an outdoor evening gathering to reconnect with your Temple family (socially distanced) and do a mitzvah for our community. Comfy Cow ice cream will be provided free of charge when you bring a donation to the JFCS Meyer Food Pantry (preferably toilet paper, cans of vegetables, cans of fruit, cans of soup, peanut butter, and cereal). The Temple will be following social distance guidelines with designated tables for families to sit, REQUIRING ALL PARTICIPANTS TO WEAR MASKS, AND RSVP PRIOR TO THE EVENT. We will start with three shifts for families (6:00 pm, 6:30 pm, and 7:00 pm) and will open up more if there is more interest than we can safely accommodate. More details and guidelines to follow.

Sandwich Making 2019

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Sandwich Making at The Temple!  On Christmas Day, dozens of volunteers made over 1500 sandwiches for St. Vincent DePaul Men’s Shelter. What’s a Jew to do on Christmas Day? Help others

Social Action Committee

After many years of a Social Action Committee, we streamlined some annual volunteer opportunities into the Merry Mitzvah Project. These are advertised throughout the Jewish Community and we get several non-Jewish participants.  The Merry Mitzvah Project was initiated by Rabbi David Ariel-Joel to offer Jewish volunteers on December 25 to local agencies to assist their clients; it has expanded to about 6 weeks of diverse Holiday volunteer options.

Merry Mitzvah Project

Usually starts in November with the sponsorship of dinner at the Volunteers of America Family Shelter during Hunger Awareness Week, this is when we also start collecting warm weather items. We serve meals with St Vincent DePaul, Cathedral of the Assumption and Volunteers of America; play music at Hosparus, and deliver gloves, scarves, and coats to Coalition for the Homeless, Family Scholar House and Volunteers of America. We make and deliver sandwiches to shelters (especially important on holidays when you are given only one meal a day), and curate packages of baked goods for the rabbis to take on their visiting trips. We are making a difference in the lives of our community. Please come join us for a worthwhile mitzvah opportunity!


Sandwich Making at The Temple!  On Christmas Day, dozens of volunteers made over 1500 sandwiches for St. Vincent DePaul Men’s Shelter. What’s a Jew to do on Christmas Day? Help others

Social Action Committee

After many years of a Social Action Committee, we streamlined some annual volunteer opportunities into the Merry Mitzvah Project. These are advertised throughout the Jewish Community and we get several non-Jewish participants.  The Merry Mitzvah Project was initiated by Rabbi David Ariel-Joel to offer Jewish volunteers on December 25 to local agencies to assist their clients; it has expanded to about 6 weeks of diverse Holiday volunteer options.

Merry Mitzvah Project

Usually starts in November with the sponsorship of dinner at the Volunteers of America Family Shelter during Hunger Awareness Week, this is when we also start collecting warm weather items. We serve meals with St Vincent DePaul, Cathedral of the Assumption and Volunteers of America; play music at Hosparus, and deliver gloves, scarves, and coats to Coalition for the Homeless, Family Scholar House and Volunteers of America. We make and deliver sandwiches to shelters (especially important on holidays when you are given only one meal a day), and curate packages of baked goods for the rabbis to take on their visiting trips. We are making a difference in the lives of our community. Please come join us for a worthwhile mitzvah opportunity!

Religious School goes to Main Event

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Religious School goes to Main Event

The Temple Religious School joined with LBSY to go to Main Event for a day of fun and games!  Fun was had by all!

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.The Religious School curriculum encourages the understanding of:

  • Shabbat, Jewish holidays, and Jewish symbols
  • Blessings, customs, and life cycle events
  • Torah stories and their relevance in our lives today
  • Mitzvot (commandments, values, and good deeds)
  • Connections between Torah, worship, and our lives
  • An appreciation for the people and State of Israel
  • The history of the Jewish people
  • The Holocaust and  anti-Semitism
  • Jewish music, arts & crafts, and children’s literature
  • Tzedakah projects and social action

Components of our Hebrew curriculum:

  • Kindergarten through 3rd grade: reading readiness, basic vocabulary and daily prayers
  • 4th through 7th grade: prayer-based Hebrew, reading fluency and comprehension of liturgy
  • Meets Sunday and Wednesday (4th-7th grade) Weekly student-led services with music

Special Religious School Programming:

  • Rosh Hashanah / Yom Kippur
  • Simchat Torah Consecration Service
  • Families Love Hebrew! – Parent / Student Learning
  • Parent and Grandparent Open House
  • Hanukkah Parties
  • Tu B’Shvat Seder
  • Purim – Megillah Reading and Celebration
  • Passover Experience and Model Seders
  • Open House for new students
  • Travel to fun places like Main Event

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.

The Religious School curriculum encourages the understanding of:

  • Shabbat, Jewish holidays, and Jewish symbols
  • Blessings, customs, and life cycle events
  • Torah stories and their relevance in our lives today
  • Mitzvot (commandments, values, and good deeds)
  • Connections between Torah, worship, and our lives
  • An appreciation for the people and State of Israel
  • The history of the Jewish people
  • The Holocaust and  anti-Semitism
  • Jewish music, arts & crafts, and children’s literature
  • Tzedakah projects and social action

Components of our Hebrew curriculum:

  • Kindergarten through 3rd grade: reading readiness, basic vocabulary and daily prayers
  • 4th through 7th grade: prayer-based Hebrew, reading fluency and comprehension of liturgy
  • Meets Sunday and Wednesday (4th-7th grade) Weekly student-led services with music

Special Religious School Programming:

  • Rosh Hashanah / Yom Kippur
  • Simchat Torah Consecration Service
  • Families Love Hebrew! – Parent / Student Learning
  • Parent and Grandparent Open House
  • Hanukkah Parties
  • Tu B’Shvat Seder
  • Purim – Megillah Reading and Celebration
  • Passover Experience and Model Seders
  • Open House for new students
  • Travel to fun places like Main Event

Bourbon Barrel Painting

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Thank you everyone for coming out to Bourbon Barrel Painting.  And thank you Hue Louisville for leading us in this great program!

The Temple Young Adult Group offers fun social outings for adults age 22-36. Past events included Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, Pottery Painting, Bourbon Barrel Painting, Young Adult Seder, Pumpkin Picking, Hanukkah Party, Axe Throwing, and Painting Event. For more information, please contact Benji Berlow.  Join the Facebook Group to find out about upcoming events!

If you are new to Louisville, we invite you to look around our website and join us for some of our upcoming events, learn more about our Religious School and top-rated Pre-school, meet our rabbis, and worship with us. For more information about The Temple or the Jewish Community in Louisville, please fill out this form.  We hope to see you soon!

From its earliest beginnings in Louisville, The Temple has taken pride in its commitment to instill in each generation of our congregation, the essential values of our Jewish faith, the deeper understanding of our heritage and our future, and the involvement of our people toward the betterment of our community as a whole. For over 175 years, the rabbis and lay leaders of The Temple have brought strength, vision, and insight into the lives of our members, the broader Jewish community and the city of Louisville at large.

Fill the Freezer 2019

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Thank you to everyone that came out and volunteered for our Fill the Freezer 2019 Mitzvah event! #merrymitzvah #thetemplelouky

Social Action Committee

After many years of a Social Action Committee we streamlined some annual volunteer opportunities into the Merry Mitzvah Project. These are advertised throughout the Jewish Community and we get several non-Jewish participants.  The Merry Mitzvah Project was initiated by Rabbi David Ariel-Joel to offer Jewish volunteers on December 25 to local agencies to assist their clients; it has expanded to about 6 weeks of diverse Holiday volunteer options.

Merry Mitzvah Project

Usually starts in November with sponsorship of dinner at the Volunteers of America Family Shelter during Hunger Awareness Week. This is when we also start collecting warm weather items. We serve meals with St Vincent DePaul, Cathedral of the Assumption and Volunteers of America; play music at Hosparus, and deliver gloves, scarves, and coats to Coalition for the Homeless, Family Scholar House and Volunteers of America. We make and deliver sandwiches to shelters (especially important on holidays when you are given only one meal a day), and curate packages of baked goods for the rabbis to take on their visiting trips. We are making a difference in the lives of our community. Please come join us for a worthwhile mitzvah opportunity!

For more information about Fill the Freezer 2019 or the Social Action Committee, contact Mary Jane Baker or Bonnie McCullagh.

High Holy Days Survey Results

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Here are the High Holy Days Survey Results from 5780/2019:

HHD Survey Results
Download Now!

WHAT ARE HIGH HOLY DAYS​?

​As Fall approaches, Jews throughout the world prepare for a unique ten-day period of prayer, self-examination, fasting, and repentance. It is time for the Yamim Noraim, the Days of Awe, the High Holy Days: Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. These holidays are preceded by a month of reflection: the Hebrew month of Elul. During this time, morning worship includes special penitential prayers and concludes with the blowing of the shofar as a reminder of the approaching season of atonement.  High Holy Day services at The Temple are led from Mishkan Hanefesh, the new Machzor of Reform Judaism, Creative Children’s Services feature storybook themes, and Classical Services are led from the Sinai Edition of the Old Union Prayer book.  Every year we conduct a High Holy Days Survey to learn from our congregants.

Rosh HaShanah
Rosh HaShanah (literally, “Head of the Year”) is the Jewish New Year, a time of prayer, self-reflection, and repentance. We review our actions during the past year, and we look for ways to improve ourselves, our communities, and our world in the year to come. The holiday marks the beginning of a 10-day period, known as the Yamim Nora-im (“Days of Awe” or “High Holidays”), ushered in by Rosh HaShanah and culminating with Yom Kippur (the “Day of Atonement”). Rosh HaShanah is widely observed by Jews throughout the world, often with prayer and reflection in a synagogue. There also are several holiday rituals observed at home.

Rosh HaShanah is celebrated on the first day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei, which – because of differences in the solar and lunar calendar – corresponds to September or October on the Gregorian or secular calendar. Customs associated with the holiday include sounding the shofar, eating a round challah, and tasting apples and honey to represent a sweet New Year.