Rabbi Stanway received this note in early December 2011

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Dear Rabbi Cy,

I was amazed at how Julia appeared so composed and confident during her cantorial experience in singing this past Friday and Saturday.
With less than an hour’s preparation, Julia went to temple with the book of music I prepared for her.  John Shaeffer, our organist, was kind enough to give Julia a short rehearsal before the beginning of services on Friday night.   I was truly in awe as a parent, watching my 19 year old college student glide through the service, leading the congregation in song, and chanting prayers in front of the Arc. How did this happen?  I watched the faces of her Religious School teachers and friends in the congregation and I came to a realization.  Julia, like so many other children at TBM, “grew up” in Temple.

Having made a family practice of coming to services at least three times a month DID SOMETHING.  Julia and Leanna both knew the service, the prayers, the songs.  Once I had the flu on a Friday night. My then 4 and 6 year olds wanted to go to Temple services, so I dropped them off at the front door.  They immediately ran into the arms of welcoming women, teachers and friends, and I knew they were safe.  I’ll never forget that night.

Attending two days a week of Religious school DID SOMETHING. I am so grateful for the vision and passion of Stella Stanway as our Principal, for the programming that made my children want to go to school.  First as students and then as a teacher’s assistants, the experience was stimulating
and a spiritual awakening for both of my girls.  They weren’t afraid of Torah, but embraced it with understanding and gained pride in reading Hebrew.  Having a Rabbi who was available to the children and believes in a child friendly Bima DID SOMETHING. Running up with a group of friends to the Bima to sing prayers during services was a regular experience all the kids.  They all gained a sense of trust and comfort on the Bima.

With your encouragement, we also had the opportunity to send our children to a URJ Summer camp.  The experience gave my children a sense of belonging, love and pride, inspiration and self confidence.  Their trip to Israel was a life changing chapter that they will have always.  Their  perspective of everything matured and they seemed to have come home with new-found wisdom, and maturity.

Last but not least, I can’t say enough about their experience in the Temple Youth Group.  We as parents have so much to be thankful for
that these Groups are thriving at TBM.  Together, with much love, passion and fun, the children learned responsibility and that to give back was a very valuable part of life.

I wanted to share all this with you because of my enormous gratitude for for everyone that makes this magic happen at Temple Beth Miriam.
We have profound memories that we can cherish beyond our wildest dreams. Thank you for giving a proud parent one more of these memories this past weekend.

Sincerely,

Sophia Spector

What a fun and exciting start to the year! Our first meeting as Danna and I exchanged positions in Membership (she is stepping down from her Chair position to focus on other pressing items, and this was my first time to Chair  the meeting) was exciting, informative and very lively!!! It is a good thing we all can stay focused because as well as the GREAT ideas flowing back and forth – the humor and jokes were flying JUST as fast!!!

One of the best ideas to come from our meeting was a Hot Chocolate Havdallah to be held Saturday December 11th! You will see out initial poster a little further down in this blog as well as the Rabbi will be sending out in Elijah! We will be sending postcards to all of the children in the Religious school personalized to them! We will also be inviting via postcard all of our newest members! They may not be used to where things are and when they are yet, so it will be a good idea that we help them!

We will be embarking on some new programs and efforts this year so keep an eye out for information here in our blog as well as in the monthly newsletter and in Elijah!!!!

See you all soon!
Tom

We are so happy you are here with us!  Our community is something very special and we invite you to become a part of it!

Our Sanctuary is filled with the sounds of spirituality, as well as the music of our cantor, temple musicians, adult choir and children’s voices. In the newly renovated Eisenberg-Bierman Religious School you can see our young eager minds learning about their Jewish heritage and preparing for their B’nai Mitzvahs. During the week and on weekends you will find our Rabbi teaching various courses of Adult Education on subjects from Introduction to Judaism to Theology, and Talmud. Our Affiliate Groups engage every age and interest from those with teenage social action aspirations, parenting questions, Sisterhood, and Brotherhood, to those whose lifestyles will enjoy our 55+ Renaissance group!

We are a liberal congregation that embraces all Jews, showing warmth and comfort to all genders, races, sexual orientations, marital and parental statuses. We warmly welcome interfaith families, those seeking to learn more about Judaism, and unaffiliated Jews.

Become a part of our worship experience, educational opportunities, children’s programs, Youth Groups, and Affiliates.  There is something here for everyone!

Whether you are single, partnered, have a family, are an empty nester, young or just young in spirit, we invite you to become a part of this warm and welcoming congregation.

If you are looking for a spiritual home where you can experience Judaism in so many ways, become a member of our Temple Community. You will be joining an extended family that is vibrant, happy and so ALIVE!

To learn even more about us you can call our office at 732-222-3754 or contact me directly at tpjgjr@gmail.com and we would be happy to tell you more about our congregation! If you would like an application immediately just click on this link.

We are looking forward to seeing you!

Tom Gavin

Chairman, Membership Committee