January 28, 2012   4 Sh'vat 5772
Temple Emanu-El Oak Park MI 
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We are a neighborhood congregation that knows and cares about its members, yet is large enough to provide quality professional and lay leadership that is able to respond to the many and diverse needs of today’s Jewish families. We welcome you into our family with the promise that we will always be here for you. We encourage you to worship with us, learn with us, and find your own place within the many activities of our congregational community, knowing that it is here where one is best able to find and express one's authentic Jewish self.

For those who are considering membership in Temple Emanu-El-- we are a family-friendly Reform synagogue with a strong emphasis on adult and children education, social action activity in the community, and inclusive, personally meaningful worship experiences. I invite you to visit our congregaton and meet our professional staff. We are a full-service synagogue with a small congregational feel, ready and anxious to welcome you into our community-family. Please contact me with questions, or come by for a chat. My door is always open.
Rabbi Joseph Klein

Get Ready For ....  

What When Interested?
Temple Emanu-El's 60th Anniversary Year 1952-2012 Special events throughout 2012 Susan Kirschner 248-967-4020

CASINO & VINO Annual tasting event WITH Vino Bar, Appetizers, Desserts, Gaming, Silent Auction and Prizes

Saturday, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. Casino Chic Attire. No jeans please. Adults only.
Reading Exodus Again for the First Time Rabbi Klein will teach a class to inform, entertain and provide a fresh perspective about Exodus 7:30 p.m. Thursdays Jan. 26, Feb 2 & 9 offsite at 2599 Harvard St. in Berkey, the Song and Spirit Institute for Peace Rabbi Joe Klein 248-967-4252 Ext. 207
Kaballat Shabbat preceded by a Wine & Cheese Oneg Friday, Jan. 27 Pre-Oneg at 6 p.m. and Services at 6:30 p.m. Free! Everyone welcome!
Shabbat Morning Services Saturdays at 10:30 a.m.

Torah Study 9:30 a.m.

Share Shabbat Dinner Middle Eastern Food from Pita Cafe Friday, Feb. 3 from 6-7 p.m. Adults $8, kids age 5-13 $4 RSVP to Geoff Berdy 248-967-4024
Tu Bishvat Seder with Cantor Sharlein and Steve Klaper family-friendly with special seder foods, service and activities Sunday, Feb. 5 at 12:30 p.m. Vegetarian potluck lunch. $6 per person and $12 per family. RSVP 248-967-4020 w/ Last name A-J main dish; K-S salad; T-Z dessert
Temple Game Night for adults Euchre, Bridge, Hearts, Maj, Boggle... Saturday, Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. Bring wine and snacks to share RSVP Rabbi Klein 248-967-4252 Ext. 207
Religious School Winter Break No school Feb. 17-Feb. 26 Classes resume Monday, Feb. 27
A Taste of Talmud Rabbi Klein will present a brief introduction and a few Talmudic texts from 3rd C Mishna and 6th C Gemorah which determine both civil and Rabbinic law 7:30 p.m. Thursdays April 5, 12 & 19 at Emanu-El. Temple members $25/ $30 couple; Non-members $30/ $35 couple RSVP to Rabbi Klein 248-967-4252 Ext. 207
Prime Time Members, active, mature, & gently aging empty nesters. Feather Bowling and Dinner at Cadieux Cafe in Detroit Sunday, March 4 from 3:45 - 7 p.m. $8 person RSVP by Feb. 15 to Susie 248-559-1766
60th Anniversary Choir Reunion Concert & Religious School Reunion Saturday, March 3 Cantor Sharlein 248-967-4020
PURIM CARNIVAL Sunday, March 4 Geoff Berdy 248-967-4023
Brotherhood Annual Chili Party Sunday, March 11 at 5 p.m.

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Our Members' Stories  

Are you curious?

Are you interested in learning more about Judaism or more about Temple Emanu-El? Have you ever thought about conversion, about becoming a Jew-by-Choice, or membership? Contact Rabbi Joseph Klein for more information about opportunities for personal study or joining our temple family.

“My Jewish Story” By Vivian DeGain  The sage Rabbi Hillel, born a generation before Jesus, was known for his kindness and his willingness to welcome converts. Jewish texts quote him as saying, “If I am not for myself, then who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, then what am I? And if not now, when?” and “That which is hateful to yourself, do not do to your neighbor! That is the whole Torah, the rest is commentary. Now go and study.” Brilliant! When I decided to become a Jew by choice, I knew I needed a Rabbi. Rabbi Klein agreed to become my teacher and mentor with engaging adult education classes here at Temple Emanu-El, meaningful Shabbat services and holidays, a wonderful reading list, and one-on-one study. He recommended Anita Diamant’s Choosing a Jewish Life which I loved. Jews are known as the people of the book – The Torah – and as a writer, this is a perfect fit. I became Jewish to join the people who believe in one God but not an exclusive faith and that our human intention is to make the world a better place. Jews call this Tikkun Olam, “to heal the world.” I chose Temple Emanu-El because here, we welcome interfaith families (my husband of 30 years is secular Christian), people of all races, backgrounds and sexual preferences. I am Jewish and it continues to be a wonderful journey!

Embracing Shabbat  

Shabbat allows us time to relax with friends and family, to rejoice with our community, to reflect on the past week, and refresh ourselves for the one to come. This year, we are committed to “Embracing Shabbat” with our new Shabbat siddur, Mishkan T'filah, as well as with thoughtful ways to make our worship meaningful.

Upcoming Shabbat Services

  • First Friday Shabbat services begin at 7 p.m. to embrace families with children
  • Most Erev Shabbat services are at 8 p.m. and Shabbat Morning services are at 10:30 a.m.
  • Occasional Kabbalat Shabbat services begin at 6:30 p.m. with a Wine & Cheese Pre-Oneg at 6 p.m.
  • All Summer Shabbat Services in July-August begin on Friday evening at 7 p.m. outdoors, weather permitting


Mishkan T'filah

We are using the new Reform prayerbook, Mishkan Tefillah, as our regular Shabbat siddur.

Dedicate a copy of Mishkan T'filah in honor or memory of family or friends.

What's New  
Sign up for the "Monday Mailing" Email  

If you're not already receiving it, sign up to receive Rabbi Klein’s “Monday Mailing” email which includes a two-week listing of congregational events, as well as special announcements, discussions of interesting issues, and the more than occasional bad pun.

Look Back On . . .  

See pictures from:

RJ.org - The Reform Blog  

The Gift of the Shabbat Table

RJ Blog
by Evelyne Klein When our (fabulous) Membership Director asked if I would host a Shabbat dinner at our house, as a way to have long-standing members meet new members, I thought:  What a terrific idea!!  There were so many new members we did not know, and members we saw at temple events only.  What better way to bring old and new together, get to know other members better, than around the Shabbat dinner table? I was amazed at the synergies between the old and new members who came: the conversation flowed around the table, with everyone introducing themselves, and topics ranging from the impact of Hillel on college students to training for boards, to activities for disabled youngsters and numerous other topics, both personal and otherwise. The conversation was lively and vigorous the entire evening. When our kids were young, my father would insist we come for Shabbat dinner on [...]

Do We Have The Courage for a Real Tikkun For Our Teens?

RJ Blog
by Craig Parks I am a very rare breed in the Reform Movement.  Out of over 900 congregations I am one of the very few full time Directors of Youth Programming that has been in my job over ten years.  I have now spoken at my third national Biennial in a row and do so with great fervor.  When those attendees come to my presentations and hear about the 60 -70 kids coming to our Teen Shabbat Jam 2 hour Friday  night service once a month or our well over 100 9-12 graders participating in our  programs such as the social action youth group Tikkun Project, or the summer camp that brings in gobs of kids and teens who work on staff I sometimes have to reach for napkins to wipe the drool off the faces.  I can’t even tell you how many times I have heard the phrase “Can [...]

The Torah In Haiku: Bo

RJ Blog
The Obama’s dog? No, it’s not that “Bo” my friend We’re talking Torah! In this week’s portion Pesach observance described A law for all time Kids are gonna ask What’s this seder mean to you? You must answer them   Exodus 12:26-27 Your children may ask you, ‘What is this service to you?’ You must answer, ‘It is the Passover service to God. He passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians, sparing our homes.’

Why I Love Being a Reform Jew

RJ Blog
by Rabbi Henry Jay Karp In my first installment in this series, I spoke about the merger discussions between our congregation and the Tri City Jewish Center.  At that time I stated that since I addressed institutional reasons for why the resulting congregation should affiliate with the Reform movement in my answers to the Merger Task Force’s questionnaire, therefore in this series I would restrict the focus of these articles to personal ideological reasons for my love of and commitment to Reform Judaism.  However, as I now conclude this series, I wish to remove that self-imposed restriction and revisit why I feel so strongly about our congregation’s connection to the institutions and organizations of Reform Judaism. While ideology, practice, culture, all are important, they do not exist in a vacuum.  They do not spring up overnight, born of thin air.  Rather they are the product of like-minded people coming together [...]

Pastor at a Yizkor Service

RJ Blog
by Mark Wendel My Rabbi motions me to come up to the bemah. I am reading a Psalm in front of the congregation. The week before we were worshiping in a church I had actually looked forward to being in a church - the first time in decades. I remember Dad reading Psalms in front of our congregation back when I was a Christian. Because of Dad I am now part of a religion again, I never even cared to talk to him about religion back when I was anti-religious. Last year we had plenty to talk about. This year he is gone. Now I am reading a Psalm at the Yizkor service where we remember our loved ones who have died the past year. I recall telling Mom the day before. She loved to hear how we remember our loved ones and how I am honoring Dad at my [...]


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