Pickleball is a fun new way to stay active at The Temple!
Event Description:
Intro to Pickleball Clinic January 19, 2:45 pm – 4:45 pm January 26, 2:45 pm – 4:45 pm
This is a free clinic with the talented Trish Kline. Trish will instruct participants on the basic rules and techniques. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the game and meet other Temple members who play. Please wear comfortable athletic shoes and bring a water bottle.
You will need to fill out a Pickleball Waiver before beginning the lesson Space is limited!
The new Pickleball court is open in the Heideman Auditorium!
Join us for this FREE and exciting way to stay active this Winter. Registration opens every Friday for slots the next week. Tuesdays from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Thursdays from 2:45 pm – 4:45 pm
At least two of the four players need to be members of The Temple. Be sure to sign the waiver and bring your own ball and paddles. Please enter via the Main Office.
The new Pickleball court is open in the Heideman Auditorium!
Join us for this FREE and exciting way to stay active this Winter.
Registration opens every Friday for slots the next week.
Tuesdays from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Thursdays from 2:45 pm – 4:45 pm
At least two of the four players need to be members of The Temple.
Be sure to sign the waiver and bring your own ball and paddles.
Please enter via the Main Office.
We hope everyone enjoyed our Annual Hanukkah Dinner! A big thank you to Temple Brotherhood, Troop 30/Troop 30GT Scouts, Hanukkah Hootenanny musicians, and everyone who made the night a blast!
Event Description:
Annual Temple Hanukkah Dinner | Sunday, December 18 at 5:00 pm Sponsored by The Temple Brotherhood
After a pause during the pandemic, our annual Temple Brotherhood Hanukkah Latke Dinner finally resumes this year! There will be loads of latkes, fun and games for the kids, a Hanukkah Hootenanny sing-a-long by Cantor Lauren and other members, and our Troop 30/Troop 30GT Scouts will provide excellent service.
PS: Don’t forget to BYOM (Bring Your Own Menorah)!
From ReformJudaism.org WHAT IS HANNUKAH?
Hanukkah, one of the most widely observed Jewish holidays, is a festive eight-day celebration that for many people falls during the darkest, coldest season of the year. Also called the Festival of Lights, the holiday brings light, joy, and warmth to our homes and communities as we celebrate with candles, food, family, and friends. Light comes literally, with the lighting of an additional candle each day, and metaphorically, through a newer emphasis on charitable donations and a commitment to tikkun olam during the holiday. Hanukkah (alternately spelled Chanukah), meaning “dedication” in Hebrew, commemorates the victory of a small group of Jewish rebels (led by Judah Maccabee and his brothers, collectively known as “the Maccabees”) over the armies of Syria in 165 B.C.E. and the subsequent liberation and “rededication” of the Temple in Jerusalem. Modern celebrations of Hanukkah focus on family and friends and include the lighting of the Hanukkah menorah (also called a hanukkiyah); singing and playing special songs and games (dreidel); and eating foods prepared in oil including latkes, sufganiyot, bimuelos (fried dough puffs) and keftes de prasas (leek patties).
Hanukkah Dinner
Thank you to everyone for sharing your Hanukkah Lanterns! We hope you have a Hanukkah filled with light and joy.
From ReformJudaism.org WHAT IS HANNUKAH?
Hanukkah, one of the most widely observed Jewish holidays, is a festive eight-day celebration that for many people falls during the darkest, coldest season of the year. Also called the Festival of Lights, the holiday brings light, joy, and warmth to our homes and communities as we celebrate with candles, food, family, and friends. Light comes literally, with the lighting of an additional candle each day, and metaphorically, through a newer emphasis on charitable donations and a commitment to tikkun olam during the holiday. Hanukkah (alternately spelled Chanukah), meaning “dedication” in Hebrew, commemorates the victory of a small group of Jewish rebels (led by Judah Maccabee and his brothers, collectively known as “the Maccabees”) over the armies of Syria in 165 B.C.E. and the subsequent liberation and “rededication” of the Temple in Jerusalem. Modern celebrations of Hanukkah focus on family and friends and include the lighting of the Hanukkah menorah (also called a hanukkiyah); singing and playing special songs and games (dreidel); and eating foods prepared in oil including latkes, sufganiyot, bimuelos (fried dough puffs) and keftes de prasas (leek patties).
Hanukkah Lanterns
Thank you to everyone who came to Bagels and Belonging! We hope you enjoyed the morning of community and bagels!
Event Description:
Bagels and Belonging Sunday, December 4 at 9:30 am
Join us for brunch and to learn more about the benefits of Temple membership. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet and greet Temple Clergy and members and to learn more about all of The Temple’s offerings and activities.
Brunch will begin at 9:30 am in the Heideman Auditorium, and our Clergy will kick off our informational session at 10:00 am.
Thank you to everyone who came to Bagels and Belonging! We hope you enjoyed the morning of community and bagels!
Bagels and Belonging
Sunday, December 4 at 9:30 am
Join us for brunch and to learn more about the benefits of Temple membership. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet and greet Temple Clergy and members and to learn more about all of The Temple’s offerings and activities.
Brunch will begin at 9:30 am in the Heideman Auditorium, and our Clergy will kick off our informational session at 10:00 am.
Thank you to everyone who came to Bagels and Belonging! We hope you enjoyed the morning of community and bagels!
Bagels and Belonging
Sunday, December 4 at 9:30 am
Join us for brunch and to learn more about the benefits of Temple membership. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet and greet Temple Clergy and members and to learn more about all of The Temple’s offerings and activities.
Brunch will begin at 9:30 am in the Heideman Auditorium, and our Clergy will kick off our informational session at 10:00 am.
Thank you WRJ Gift Shop for opening your doors to Religious School students to shop for Hanukkah!
About WRJ/Sisterhood Gift Shop at The Temple
Welcome to the WRJ/Sisterhood Gift Shop at The Temple. We’re utilizing the strictest COVID safety measures so you can shop comfortably. We’ve got a large selection of B’nei Mitzvah and wedding gifts, Judaica items for your home observance of all the holidays, beautiful jewelry and artwork, books, and more!
Thank you WRJ Gift Shop for opening your doors to Religious School students to shop for Hanukkah!
About WRJ/Sisterhood Gift Shop at The Temple
Welcome to the WRJ/Sisterhood Gift Shop at The Temple. We’re utilizing the strictest COVID safety measures so you can shop comfortably. We’ve got a large selection of B’nei Mitzvah and wedding gifts, Judaica items for your home observance of all the holidays, beautiful jewelry and artwork, books, and more!
We’re thrilled that Ben Norton is a member of the 2022-23 cohort of the Sing Unto God Teen Songleading Fellowship. Led by Cantor Rosalie Will, 21 teens from across North America will be meeting regularly over the next several months to sharpen their songleading, leadership, and community building skills. The Temple will be integrating Ben into the life of our community as we look to engage emerging leaders in our worship and work.
The SUG Teen Songleader Fellowship Program Overview
Open to 8th – 12th grade teens from across North America, this prestigious, application-only, 8-month fellowship includes both instructional and experiential learning:
A three-day retreat November 11-13, 2022, in synagogues in Baltimore. You’ll lead Friday night and Saturday morning worship for the congregation; master class with each other how to teach music; build religious school music rotations and lead them in real time on Sunday morning; and receive useful feedback from peers and congregation professionals.
Support from a local, on-the-ground staff mentor (clergy or educator) who will help you complete monthly “action assignments” such as teaching and leading music in your community, and will offer you professional development and support.
8 monthly Zoom meetings from October through May with subject experts on teaching repertoire, pedagogy of working with early childhood students in music, religious school music rep and strategy, prayer and teen leadership, working with staff/professionals, how to memorize songs, how to choose repertoire, how to pivot and have “back-pocket” song plans, and more.
The opportunity to learn from a group of like-minded peers who share a love of singing Jewish music, building networks and friendships to last beyond the Fellowship.
Ongoing consideration for participation in future songleading gatherings and community programs and events as you move through your leadership journey.
Thank you everyone for joining us with our Fill the Freezer Family Mitzvah Event! We estimated that we made more than 1400 cookies for our Clergy to bring to members in need. Thank you!
Event Description:
Sunday, November 13 Beginning after Religious School at noon A Wonderful Family Mitzvah Event
After a two-year pause for COVID, please join us again for a family-friendly mitzvah event!
All adults and accompanied children are invited to help “fill our freezer” as we bake cookies together that our Clergy will bring to our congregants when they visit them throughout the year. A pizza lunch will be served in the Heideman Auditorium immediately following Religious School at 12:00 pm, and then baking will begin!
Thank you everyone for joining us with our Fill the Freezer Family Mitzvah Event! We estimated that we made more than 1400 cookies. Thank you!
Sunday, November 13
Beginning after Religious School at noon
A Wonderful Family Mitzvah Event
After a two-year pause for COVID, please join us again for a family-friendly mitzvah event!
All adults and accompanied children are invited to help “fill our freezer” as we bake cookies together that our Clergy will bring to our congregants when they visit them throughout the year. A pizza lunch will be served in the Heideman Auditorium immediately following Religious School at 12:00 pm, and then baking will begin!
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.