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

Tag Archive for: Rabbi David

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

Simchat Torah with Rabbi David

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Simchat Torah with Rabbi David for our preschool.

Simchat Torah, Hebrew for “rejoicing in the Torah”, celebrates the completion of the annual reading of the Torah. Simchat Torah is a joyous festival, in which we affirm our view of the Torah as a tree of life. At The Temple we welcome our first grade students with a service of Consecration, the Torah scrolls are taken from the ark and carried or danced around the synagogue in a special family oriented service that is shared by all.

The Temple Trager ECEC fosters a learning environment.  We encourage intellectual, social-emotional, spiritual and physical experiences for ages 6 weeks – Kindergarten. The Temple Trager Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) is a Liberal Jewish Preschool. It presents a broad-based curriculum within the context of moral and ethical values. Our students study the Jewish holidays as they arise throughout the year such as Simchat Torah with Rabbi David. At the Temple Trager ECEC, we learn about their Biblical and historical basis as well as the songs, foods, symbols and games associated with each.

Simchat Torah with Rabbi David for our preschool.

Simchat Torah, Hebrew for “rejoicing in the Torah”, celebrates the completion of the annual reading of the Torah. Simchat Torah is a joyous festival, in which we affirm our view of the Torah as a tree of life. At The Temple we welcome our first grade students with a service of Consecration, the Torah scrolls are taken from the ark and carried or danced around the synagogue in a special family oriented service that is shared by all.

The Temple Trager ECEC fosters a learning environment.  We encourage intellectual, social-emotional, spiritual and physical experiences for ages 6 weeks – Kindergarten. The Temple Trager Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) is a Liberal Jewish Preschool. It presents a broad-based curriculum within the context of moral and ethical values. Our students study the Jewish holidays as they arise throughout the year such as Simchat Torah with Rabbi David. At the Temple Trager ECEC, we learn about their Biblical and historical basis as well as the songs, foods, symbols and games associated with each.

Pride Shabbat at The Temple

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Thank you, everyone, for coming to our Pride Shabbat at The Temple!  It was an incredible day of equality, inclusion, spirituality, and rainbows!  Thank you INNER VOICES of Kentuckiana and everyone for making it such a success!

The Temple commemorates Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning (LGBTQ) Pride Month with our Fifth Annual Pride Shabbat. The Temple represents the only Jewish congregation in Kentucky that commemorates LGBTQ Pride Month with a special Shabbat Service.

The Temple has always promoted the two central ideals in Jewish teachings “Love thy neighbor” and “all people are created in God’s image.” Throughout The Temple’s 175 year history Rabbis and lay leaders have been active in civil rights and in advocating for fair treatment of all people including LGBTQ individuals.

Judaism teaches that the differences between humans are a divine act: God created us different and distinct from each other. Every one of us has our own face, opinions, and orientation. Some of us have one sexual orientation and one gender identity, and some have another. We were all created in God’s image.

Together with our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender members, we celebrate the sanctity of every human life.  Additionally, we seek to realize the divine image inherent in us all. The Temple is leading religious discourse that seeks to welcome LGBTQ members as equals in society at large and in our own community. A genuine invitation to join our community requires recognition of the unique value and life stories of LGBTQ people and celebration of the contribution they make to our Temple.

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.

Family Shabbat Dinner, Tot Shabbat, and Grade 4 Leading Services

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So many families came to our Family Shabbat Dinner, Tot Shabbat and Grade 4 Leading Services.  Shabbat Shalom!  Check out more at our Facebook Page!

Family Services are held during the school year when our Religious School classes take turns leading services. These “Family Services” are usually held on the second Friday of the month and take place after a Family Shabbat Dinner.
Shabbat (the Sabbath) is a key part of Jewish life; it is observed as 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.

MLK Mitzvah Day packed over 11,000 meals

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MLK Mitzvah Day!

Thank you to all our volunteers who showed up on MLK Mitzvah Day and helped us pack 11,000 meals for hungry children and families through Love the Hungry, Inc.!

Chavurat Shalom Draws Huge Crowd to Learn with Rabbi David

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More than 40 people enjoyed learning with Rabbi David about the current state of the government of Israel at Chavurat Shalom.

We are a unique opportunity for seniors. Every Thursday from noon until mid-afternoon, a group of seniors meet socially. They share intellectual and spiritual activities at The Temple.  We call it Chavurat Shalom, Circle of Friends, and we’d like to invite you to join us.   If you’re over 60, we invite you to experience Chavurat Shalom’s warm and welcoming “Circle of Friends” every Thursday as we enjoy a catered lunch and a great program. There’s room for you! Please contact Sarah Harlan for more information on how you can be part of the community.

Simchat Torah at ECEC

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Rabbi David teaches our preschool about Simchat Torah.

Simchat Torah, Hebrew for “rejoicing in the Torah”, celebrates the completion of the annual reading of the Torah. Simchat Torah is a joyous festival, in which we affirm our view of the Torah as a tree of life. At The Temple we welcome our first grade students with a service of Consecration, the Torah scrolls are taken from the ark and carried or danced around the synagogue in a special family oriented service that is shared by all.

The Temple Trager ECEC fosters a learning environment.  We encourage intellectual, social-emotional, spiritual and physical experiences for ages 6 weeks – Kindergarten. The Temple Trager Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) is a Liberal Jewish Preschool. It presents a broad-based curriculum within the context of moral and ethical values. Our students study the Jewish holidays as they arise throughout the year. At the Temple Trager ECEC, we learn about their Biblical and historical basis as well as the songs, foods, symbols and games associated with each.

The Temple Young Adult Group Goes Axe Throwing!

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Over 25 young adults joined us for an evening of socializing and axe throwing. The Temple Young Adult Group is for all young adults 22-36 in the Louisville area.

The Temple Young Adult Group offers fun social outings for adults age 22-36. Past events included Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, Young Adult Seder, Hanukkah Party, and Painting Event. For more information, please contact Benji Berlow.  Join the Young Adult Group on Facebook 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!