We are honoring Rabbi Joe Rooks Rapport for his many years of service with a Celebration Party on May 21, 2022, It will be a wonderful evening and a time for us to express our appreciation for all that he has meant to the Congregation, its members, and the whole Louisville community.
We are honoring Rabbi Rapport for his many years of service with a Celebration Party on May 21, 2022, It will be a wonderful evening and a time for us to express our appreciation for all that he has meant to the Congregation, its members, and the whole Louisville community.
Watch the YouTube vdieo here: https://youtu.be/QHnoPgLBXOM
Rabbi Rapport has served the congregation since 1988. He teaches in a variety of adult education classes, as well as teaching the Religious School’s sixth grade class and the High School of Jewish Studies, guiding The Temple Confirmation Class, and working closely with Bar and Bat Mitzvah students. Each summer, he works with Jewish children during a two-week session at Goldman Union Camp Institute in Zionsville, Indiana. He oversees many congregational programs, serving as rabbinic liaison for the Brotherhood, the Temple Archives, and the Building Committee, among others. In all of these areas, he brings a particular commitment to social action and Tikkun Olam – repairing the world.
Thank you for being a part of Passover 2022 at The Temple. Please share your feedback to help us improve the experience by completing this short survey. Your responses will be received anonymously unless you request follow-up by providing contact information.
Event Descriptions:
Passover 2022
Dear Temple Family,
This year for Passover, The Temple is excited to announce a hybrid celebration! We will host four different Seders to attend either in person or virtually AND the option to pick up a Passover meal by Chef Z, with a new Haggadah featuring artwork from our members.
Four Seder options:
Annual First Night Seder – Friday, April 15 at 6:00 pm
Congregational Passover Seder led by our Confirmation Class – Saturday, April 16 at 6:00 pm
Young Adult Seder – Monday, April 18 at 6:00 pm
Annual Gaylia R. Rooks Women’s Seder led by the WRJ/Sisterhood- Thursday, April 21 at 6:00 pm
In-person attendance will require vaccination (unless under 5) and be limited to one family per table (unless two or more households mutually want to sit together).
Please sign up below!
2. Whether celebrating at home or at The Temple, you can order a Passover meal made by the amazing Chef Z. This year’s Passover menu offers the following options:
Tender beef brisket topped with a savory gravy
Marinated grilled chicken breast piccata
Chef Z’s famous vegetable frittata
All meals include matzo ball soup, a mixed green salad, roasted root vegetables, and chocolate mousse for dessert.
The regular price per meal for Temple members is $20 and $25 for non-Temple members. HALF PRICE member meals for $10 will be available for the first 200meal orders and all members attending an in-person Seder. If you are picking up a meal, you can also order a Seder Plate for $10. Order today and for information and dates about meal pickup.
3. The Temple will also provide a beautiful Haggadah featuring artwork from our members for those attending our First Night Seder. Starting in March, the Haggadah will be available (1) online (put link here) or (2) by request at the Front Desk for you to pick up, and (3) for out-of-town members by mail.
We are thrilled to offer so many different Passover options this year. If you have questions, please contact Santa at (502) 212-2028.
Wishing everyone a joyful and meaningful Passover,
Your Temple Team Andrea, Benji, Craig, Erin, Gene, Jennifer, Kinnereth, Santa, Sarah, Terry, Rabbi David, and Rabbi Rapport
As part of the hiring process, The Temple Clergy Search Committee created a video to showcase our Temple. Here is the video they prepared that helped us recruit and hire Cantor Lauren Adesnik.
Message from our Temple President with the announcement:
Dear Temple Members,
As you know, our congregation made the decision two years ago to hire a cantor as the next clergy person upon the retirement of Rabbi Rapport. After an extensive search process by our search committee, I am thrilled to announce that Cantor Lauren Adesnik will be that person. She will start her new position here in Louisville in July 2022. Cantor Adesnik is moving here from the Atlanta area with her husband Moshe, nine-month-old daughter Lavender, and their beloved poodle, Wally. She and her husband are thrilled to move to Louisville and start a new chapter in their lives. They cannot wait to join our Temple family and I expect they will be an excellent fit.
The Cantorial Search Committee was overwhelmingly impressed by Cantor Adesnik’s many talents and warm, engaging personality. Her evaluation process included several Zoom interviews, many phone calls with our committee chairpersons and staff, references, and a three day in person visit to Louisville in early January. At the end of her visit to our congregation, the search committee met and universally chose to offer her our cantor position. I am pleased to announce that her contract was formally signed last Wednesday evening.
Many thanks to our committee chairpersons, Margie Kommor and Steve Shapiro. Their leadership has been exceptional. I would also like to thank the entire Cantorial Search Committee for their dedication and professionalism. It has been a grueling and time consuming process but I truly believe we got the best candidate.
A transition team is already in place and planning for Cantor Lauren’s arrival. We expect to hold many events in the coming year to help bring them into our family and introduce them to the community. I encourage all of you to participate in welcoming them to their new home.
Thank you, Michael Salamon, President
Message from Cantor Lauren:
Dear Temple Members,
Wayfarer there is no path Wayfarer, the only way Is your footprints and no other. Wayfarer, there is no way. Make your way by going farther. By going farther, make your way Till looking back at where you’ve wandered, You look back on that path you may Not set foot on from now onward. Wayfarer, there is no way; Only wake-trails on the waters
-Antonio Machado (Proverbios y Cantares)
I wrote these words to my current synagogue as a part of my beginning goodbyes and announcement of my thrilling and humbling acceptance to be your cantor at The Temple. I imagine the poet contemplating his journeys in life as he is walking along a beach, or rowing a boat amidst a crystal flat lake. In front of him lies open space, no trail, no markers or signs directing him where to go. Each path in life he forged by imprinting his footprints forward, farther and farther until such point he turns to reflect and savor one moment or another and notices the indentations his feet have left in the sand grains, or the ripples extending outward behind his boat. And then, quite simply, he continues on his way, knowing he will stop here and there to collect his thoughts and stay awhile before continuing forward once again.
Throughout this placement journey, I have felt like that wayfarer. I stop, recollect, and see the line of markings in the sand, the ripples in the water extending back in time to 2013, when I became an ordained cantor and Moshe and I came to our first home in Atlanta. They extend through my time in seminary, to Israel, and to the moment I heard my call towards the cantorate. A new ripple is forming now, as Moshe, Lavender, Wally (our standard poodle) and I begin to make our way to our new home, with all of you at The Temple in Louisville, Kentucky.
As I stop in this moment I hold the thrilling and humbling joy and gratitude I am experiencing in becoming your cantor. Our first conversation began just a little over three months ago. I have truly loved moving along with each one of the clergy, staff, lay leadership, and search committee in this process. I think we have a beautiful shidduch (match), and I am looking forward to all of the moments we will share together in prayer, healing, laughter, learning, singing, and building upon this fantastic community I feel so lucky to be a part of. I look forward to weaving the colors of music through our connection, to God, and back down again surrounding each of us.
“Wayfarer”explains that we may look back and review our journey, however, we may not step backwards into that path we forged. The only way to continue the journey is to move farther forward. I am blessed to have built a beautiful journey from California, to Israel, to New York, Atlanta and now I am so excited to be creating new ripples, journeys, imprints, and memories with all of you and with the extended Jewish and greater communities of Louisville. Each step of guidance, mentorship, partnership, collaboration, and leadership along the way has shaped my life and cantorate and the abundance of our future together is so very bright. I cannot wait to create amazing “wake-trails on the waters” together.
Kentucky was hard hit last week by multiple tornados and we are just now beginning to reckon the scope of the damage and loss of life. At least 74 Kentuckians in 10 counties have died, thousands of homes have been destroyed. Governor Beshear has declared a State of Emergency, the National Guard has deployed rescue teams across the State, and President Biden is on his way to survey the damage tomorrow. It seems clear that this will be remembered as the worst tornado event our Commonwealth has ever endured and our friends and neighbors in Western Kentucky have been hardest hit. We offer our prayers and support, particularly to the cities of Mayfield, Dawson Springs, and Bowling Green where dozens have died and homes have been devastated.
There will be much to do in the weeks and months ahead, but for now, the focus will be on rescue and recovery and The Temple can and must play a part in these efforts. We are gathering critical supplies for relief efforts, in partnership with the JFCS Sonny & Janet Meyer Food Pantry, which we will be driving down to Mayfield thanks to the wonderful support of our BSA Scouts in Troop 30/30GT. And all of us can play a part.
Scouts from Troop 30/30GT will be organizing pickups for the critically needed items on the list below Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. We will be loading the supplies on “The Eagle”, Troop 30/30GT’s truck, which they will drive down to Mayfield, delivering them to needy families through the Mayfield-Graves County United Way.
Please bring the following items to The Temple Klein Center parking lot at the designated times where you will be met by Scouts from Troop 30/30GT who will help load your contributions and send them on their way to Mayfield.
Flash Lights and Headlamps
Batteries
Water
First Aid Medical Supplies
Utility Gloves
Gas Cans (empty because we cannot transport fuel that far)
New Socks
New Underwear
Gently Used: Blankets, Clothes, Coats, Shoes
Toiletries and feminine hygiene products
Diapers (Kids and Adult all sizes)
Baby Formula and Baby Bottles
Unwrapped New or Gently used Toys
Non-perishable Food
Paper products
Pillows
Sleeping bags
Tarps
For those of us who wish to make financial contributions to the relief effort, the Jewish Community of Louisville has identified the Kentucky Red Cross as a partner organization and established a fund for contributions which we can contribute to at: jewishlouisville.org/kentucky-tornado-relief-fund/.
And let us all pray for the strength and courage for those affected by this storm and for the will of our Commonwealth to rise up together and fulfill our motto: United We Stand, Divided We Fall. May the Governor’s words become our own: “We are here for you, we love you, we are praying for you.”
Thank you Everyone for joining us last night for Hanukkah! We had an Outdoor Hanukkah Menorah Lighting, Young Adult Crafts, Goodnight Tots, Religious School Centers, and Indoor Hanukkah Menorah Lighting.
We value your membership and appreciate your ongoing support of The Temple.
Event Descriptions:
Hanukkah Menorah Lighting
As Hanukkah quickly approaches, all of us at The Temple wish you an early Hanukkah Sameach! As we prepare for this year’s Festival of Lights, we want to keep everyone informed on this year’s Hanukkah Menorah Lighting.
On Monday, November 29 and Sunday, December 5, from 5:15 – 5:30pm, we will gather in the Mishkan T’filah (our outdoor chapel, behind the Klein Center) to light up our beautiful Hanukkah Menorah! Everyone is invited for outdoor singing and a brief outdoor service, with hot chocolate and jelly donuts to follow provided by WRJ/Sisterhood. Please RSVP and let us know how many members of your household will attend. Masks are optional, as this is a completely outdoor event.
Young Adult Hanukkah Crafts & Cocktails
Join The Temple Young Adults on Saturday, December 4 in the Heideman Auditorium from 6-8 pm for a night of Hanukkah-themed crafting and cocktails! Decorate your own hanukkiah, dreidels, and other fun crafts while you mix and mingle with other Temple young adults. Our menu will include bagels and other pastries, hot cocoa, and a selection of wine, beer, and hard seltzers. Ages 21+ only, vaccination required. To RSVP, please fill out the form below. Limited spots are available! RSVP by Friday, December 3.
Goodnight Tots, Goodnight Shabbat
Please join us for a Tot Havdalah with arts and crafts, special treats, stories, and songs. Come Zoom in your pajamas to say goodnight to Shabbat (and the adults can then say goodnight to their tots).
RSVPs will be required in order for your tots to receive their special bags. Please make sure to save the date as this will be a wonderful family event!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for The Temple’s Happy Hour and Dinner! We had over 140 Temple members attend. We enjoyed a beautiful night with music, delicious food, and wonderful company. Thanks to all who attended!
We value your membership and appreciate your ongoing support of The Temple.
Event Description:
We’re excited to invite you to an incredible outdoor event where you can safely reconnect with other Temple members!
On Thursday, October 21, Happy Hour and Dinner starts at 5:30 pm in the back parking lot, by The Klein Center. You’re invited to enjoy food from a local food truck and a full bar, courtesy of Heaven Hill. The best part is – the night is free of charge – to show our appreciation for our Temple members!
Please mark your calendar – it’s an evening for-members-only to enjoy live entertainment, delicious drinks, food, and plenty of fun. Please be sure to RSVP here or call Santa at The Temple office 502-423-1818.
Looking forward to seeing you!
Your Temple Team Avery, Benji, Craig, Gene, Santa, Sarah, Terry, Rabbi David, & Rabbi Rapport
Thank you to everyone who joined us for The Temple’s Happy Hour and Dinner! We enjoyed a beautiful night with music, delicious food, and wonderful company. Thanks to all who attended!
We’re excited to invite you to an incredible outdoor event where you can safely reconnect with other Temple members!
On Thursday, October 21, Happy Hour and Dinner starts at 5:30 pm in the back parking lot, by The Klein Center. You’re invited to enjoy food from a local food truck and a full bar, courtesy of Heaven Hill. The best part is – the night is free of charge – to show our appreciation for our Temple members!
Please mark your calendar – it’s an evening for-members-only to enjoy live entertainment, delicious drinks, food, and plenty of fun. Please be sure to RSVP here or call Santa at The Temple office 502-423-1818.
Looking forward to seeing you!
Your Temple Team
Avery, Benji, Craig, Gene, Santa, Sarah, Terry, Rabbi David, & Rabbi Rapport
Temple Support for United States Veterans Having a Difficult Time with the fall of Afghanistan
The Temple sincerely appreciates and supports all its members who served our country in the armed forces. Right now veterans of all wars, but especially veterans who served in Afghanistan, report nationwide having a lot of emotions as we all watch images of those left behind in harms way trying to escape the Taliban. The Temple offers prayers for every one of our veterans and for those persons from all nations still in harms way. Additionally, the following resources might be of help for you or for someone you know struggling at this time.
For emergency mental health care, you can also go directly to your local VA medical center 24/7 regardless of your discharge status or enrollment in other VA health care.
This is the second in a four-part series about Afghanistan Veterans and how they can get help through VA. Read the other parts:
Part 1: Afghanistan: How Veterans can reconcile service
The second part of this series focuses on how those who served in Afghanistan can learn from those who served in Vietnam.
While the conflicts are different, there are parallels.
Each operation had U.S. involvement for about two decades. Both countries had a low initial amount of forces. Both later had a surge in forces. U.S. forces in both theaters fought an enemy that hid among the people. The U.S. participation in the Vietnam War started ending in 1973 with the signing of the Paris Peace Accords. The U.S. withdrew, leaving the country to determine a path ahead. In Afghanistan, the U.S. withdrawal will leave Afghans to determine their own future.
Emotions on Afghanistan
When the announcement came that U.S. forces would leave Afghanistan this year, it triggered a complicated wave of emotions through those who served in the country. Air Force Veteran Scott Watson is one of them.
Watson spent a year in Afghanistan from July 2009 to July 2010. He worked for Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan as the Afghan National Army fuels officer, the top level of the supply chain when it came to fuel. He spent a year separated from his daughter.
“It was a mix of disappointment and relief,” Watson said about hearing the news. “I’m disappointed that we’re leaving, and I don’t feel like we’re done training the Afghan security forces. At the same time, I’m relieved that I don’t ever have to go see names of people that I know redeploying to this place where it’s just Groundhog Day every day.”
The Temple is Getting Ready for Your Return. While our members continue to stay safe at home, The Temple staff has been busier than ever! In preparation for your return, we completed much-needed upgrades and improvements throughout our building and campus. Thank you for being a Temple member – we value your ongoing support and look forward to seeing you again in person soon!
Director, Producer, & Editor: Benji Berlow
The Temple is Getting Ready for Your Return. While our members continue to stay safe at home, The Temple staff has been busier than ever! In preparation for your return, we completed much-needed upgrades and improvements throughout our building and campus. Thank you for being a Temple member – we value your ongoing support and look forward to seeing you again in person soon!
The Temple is Getting Ready for Your Return. While our members continue to stay safe at home, The Temple staff has been busier than ever! In preparation for your return, we completed much-needed upgrades and improvements throughout our building and campus. Thank you for being a Temple member – we value your ongoing support and look forward to seeing you again in person soon!
The Temple is Getting Ready for Your Return. While our members continue to stay safe at home, The Temple staff has been busier than ever! In preparation for your return, we completed much-needed upgrades and improvements throughout our building and campus. Thank you for being a Temple member – we value your ongoing support and look forward to seeing you again in person soon!