News

A New Vision for Temple Sha’arey Shalom

News release

A New Vision for Temple Sha’arey Shalom

The Temple will continue as a strong Reform Jewish presence, building on 60+ years of success remaining a strong and vibrant congregation under the continued clergy leadership of Rabbi Renee Edelman and Cantor Jason Rosenman.

A new membership fee structure makes a Jewish education and belonging to a warm, welcoming, liberal Jewish community more affordable for everyone. As has been our philosophy we always welcome young families, couples, individuals, LGBTQA and inter-faith families.

Based in Springfield, the Temple serves all surrounding communities. Offering a young couples group, Shabbat and holiday services, religious school (grades 3-10), including Bar/Bat Mitzvah training and Confirmation, Shabbat morning study minyan, adult education classes, social events, social justice activities, Brotherhood, Sisterhood and Renaissance (a strong social program for Senior adults), and more.

We have operated virtually due to the pandemic with much success and look forward to meeting in person when conditions permit. To join the Temple , enroll in Religious School, or for further information, call the Temple Office at 973-379-5387 or email scroll@shaarey.org. Visit our website www.shaarey.org, our Facebook page, facebook.com/shaarey.

3 Powerful Films from United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

 

As The Holocaust Documentation & Education Center continues to feature a wide variety of online programs, we are delighted to add these “three powerful films” from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum for you to view.

Testimonies about Rescue, Resistance, and Survival
“Why did the rescuers do it? My mother said to me, ‘You know we can get killed.’ But you know even if it’s the last thing you do, you have to do it. Because you can’t live with that injustice and not do anything and then live with yourself, knowing you didn’t do everything you could. I wouldn’t want to live in a world where nobody cares a damn.” —Tina Strobos, Jewish member of a resistance group

 

The Path to Nazi Genocide and European Antisemitism from Its Origins to the Holocaust introduce the Holocaust and antisemitism, providing background essential for classroom and community conversations about this history.

The Path to Nazi Genocide

European Antisemitism from Its Origins to the Holocaust
“To future generations it must be told: Once man did this to his brothers.”
—A commentator learning about the Holocaust in the immediate aftermath of World War II

 

[SAVE THE DATE] Special Congregational Meeting on July 26

July 14, 2020

Dear Temple Sha’arey Shalom Members,

We hope you and your loved ones are well.

The purpose of this letter is to provide you with the requisite ten (10) day notification of a Special Congregational Meeting.

We have received an offer to purchase the Temple Building. This offer will enable us to continue as a congregation.

Our By-Laws require approval of the Congregation to authorize the sale of real estate. We are calling a Special Zoom Meeting for this purpose on Sunday, July 26, 2020 at 10 AM. The Zoom information is listed in the email from TSS Office on July 16th.

For informational purposes, I look forward to discussing the Board’s plans for continuation of our congregation. To create a Budget we need to know how many of you want to continue your membership at Temple Sha’arey Shalom; and how many kids will be enrolled in Religious School. We will have a Rabbi, Cantor and Religious School. We expect services to continue on Zoom for awhile. If possible Religious School will be in person. We are working on a new dues structure which will reflect current realities, and are searching for a location to rent (many options are available in Springfield). Sisterhood, Brotherhood and Renaissance will start up as soon as possible. We are anticipating adding texting as another way to communicate with our members.

Longtime member Vivienne Cohen can’t wait to send out acknowledgments for donations to our Designated Funds in honor of a birthday, an anniversary or other special occasions, or in memory of someone. Sandy has ordered more trees. It is still possible to order scrip (gift cards).

WE have been given an opportunity to look at new ways to do things, If you are interested in helping us create the new TSS or even just to remain a member, please send an email to ediebee@netzero.net, a text to 908-603-9908 or a note to the Temple scroll@shaarey.org .

I hope you are as excited as I am that we have a positive future for our Temple family.

Wishing you all good health. Looking forward to seeing you on Zoom.

Shalom,
Edythe Ben-Israel President

Official Update on TSS Status

 

 

June 26, 2020

Dear Temple Sha’arey Shalom Congregants,

I would like to clarify the confusion about the future status of our Temple. There was a vote at the June 14th congregational meeting which gave the Board permission to explore a path forward if one could be found to keep our Temple family together. We are working hard to accomplish this.

We recognize that this is an urgent matter and that time is of the essence. Several committees were established on June 18 to begin this exploration. One will determine what revenue would be required, another is investigating Religious School options, a third is exploring both alternative local renting possibilities and membership choices. The Board is meeting again Monday, June 29 to assess the information gathered by then. We hope to make our determination in July.

We are still Temple Sha’arey Shalom and will continue to hold summer services – led by Rabbi Renee and lay leaders and send out yahrzeit notices. Regular updates will be sent.

The Temple building is for sale at fair market value. The sale of the building does not mean the congregation needs to dissolve. The sale of the building would eliminate our debt and reduce regular expenses allowing TSS to relocate to a local space that better meets our finances and functions. It should also give us a “nest egg” to assist us in future years.

“Shutting our doors” on June 30 was based on extensive efforts to merge or affiliate with another congregation. This did not happen because the agreements were not in our congregation’s best interest. The dissolution plan for the Temple was suspended while the exploration for a path forward is being considered.

If the congregation is to successfully move forward, it will take the commitment of our members. If you would like to join us in our quest, please contact Marci Clarke, Religious School liaison, (MarciKoltenuk@aol.com or 908-209-5185); Ellen Lieberman, local renting and membership chair, (ellen.s.lieberman@gmail.com or 201-207-3117); or Edythe if you want to get involved (ediebee@netzero.net or 908-756-9644).

Sincerely,

Edythe Ben-Israel
President

Download the letter

 

Installation Shabbat – Friday, June 19th @ 7pm

Reminder: Friday Night Service

Please Join Us for Installation Shabbat Service on Friday, June 19th at 7:00pm.
We will be thanking our outgoing board and Installing our Incoming Board. We hope to see you all here.

Please check your email from TSS Office with Zoom Meeting Information.

How to use zoom:

Download zoom from zoom site: www.zoom.us

When you want to use it for this service, please press the code under the join web meeting.
When it asks for meeting id , type in the meeting ID above
It will then ask for your password and you type in the password from above.

You will be sent to a waiting room. If I know you, I will let you in.
When you enter the meeting , you will be muted.
I will be in control of the muting and allowing everyone to speak.
 

 

[SAVE THE DATE] Special Congregational Meeting on June 14th

June 8, 2020

Dear Temple Sha’arey Shalom members,

Your invitation to the Special Congregational Meeting and the Annual Congregational Meeting of the Board of Trustees was previously sent. This letter encloses materials which you would have received at the door had we been able to meet in person. As a courtesy, we are sending them to you in advance via email (the Happenings) from the Temple Office and via postal surface mail.

Date: Sunday, June 14, 2020
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Location: via Zoom (computer or phone).

Connection to the online meeting can be via computer with video and/or audio-only by telephone: At this meeting you will hear updates from committees, vote on motions, and review the finance plan for the upcoming year. You will also hear an update regarding the path(s) forward for our Temple.

All congregants in good standing are permitted to attend this meeting and vote via the online system or by phone. Good standing is defined as satisfying all Temple financial obligations prior to June 5, 2020. If an adult child (18 and older) resides with you, they can be designated to vote in your stead. Please contact the Temple Office or a President to obtain the information.

Zoom Information
Please see email from TSS Office on June 8th for Zoom Meeting Link and Dial-in Number.

Thank you for your support and for your attendance and input at this important meeting.

B’Shalom,
Roberta and Ellen

Celebrate Sha’arey Shalom – to share in the June Scroll

CELEBRATE SHA'AREY SHALOM

Dear Friends,

For over 63 years, Temple Sha’arey Shalom has been a mainstay of a Reform presence in Springfield. You have grown up in her walls. Learned your alphabet and your first Jewish words in preschool. Raised your children and watched them grow, celebrate their Jewish life events and blossom in her hallways, from her Bimah and in her classrooms. You wrote Purim spiels and not only marked your spiritual life but also your social life at Temple Sha’arey Shalom. You studied Torah and taught Torah in many different forms through our traditional books, art, philosophy, through films and literature. You left your mark on Temple Sha’arey Shalom as she and her Rabbis, Cantors and Educators left their mark upon your heart.

Our Scroll is usually where we send out messages for upcoming events, but the June Scroll will be written by you. You have an opportunity to share what the synagogue means to you and how it’s been an important part of your life. Tell stories, teach Torah, write your goodbye to the place and the people who formed Temple Sha’arey Shalom and those who continue to leave their mark here. You can be of any age. Your essays or pages can be a page or under. You can use your creativity; we would love to have art, poetry, or odes to our spiritual home.

Please write and send your pieces in to Sandy at scroll@shaarey.org by June 12th at the latest. Please leave us all with a great big love letter to Temple Sha’arey Shalom.

Fondly,
Rabbi Renee

Letter from the Presidents – Special Congregational Meeting

 

Dear Temple Friends,

We are writing to you for several important reasons. But before business, we hope that you and those you love are healthy and safe. If you need help, please call or email your co-Presidents: Roberta Krumholz (bertkrum@gmail.com, 908-561-4841) or Ellen Lieberman (ellen.s.lieberman@gmail.com, 201-207-3117) or The Temple Office (973-379-5387).

The business purpose of this letter provides the requisite ten (10) days notice of a special congregational meeting. While we would like to meet in person it is prohibited by the “shelter in place” and state of emergency that is currently mandated due to Covid-19.

For whom is the meeting intended? Voting members of our Temple.
What is the meeting? Special congregational meeting.
When: Sunday, April 19, 2020 at 10:00 A.M. (ET)
Why? Vote on several issues listed below and attached.
Where? Online meeting with computer or dialing in by telephone.
How? Join Zoom Meeting. (Please refer to the email from TSS Office, Subject: Letter from the Presidents, Date: April 9th for the Zoom meeting information)

The issues presented for vote:

  1. Amendments to by-laws. On April 6, 2020 the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to amend our by-laws (Article V) to permit remote Congregational meetings while a declared State of Emergency exists. The Board of Trustees also voted unanimously to change the by-laws (Article VII) to have a Board composed of a minimum of six (6) Trustees instead of nine (9) trustees based upon a decline in congregant participation due to Covid 19 and anticipated decline. Article XVIII permits these changes and allows the Board to pass amendments, which must then be approved, by the Congregation at a regular or Special Meeting. You will be asked to approve by-law changes.
  2. Authorize a Mortgage on the Temple’s main building. An “Angel Lender” has offered to provide a secured loan of up to $305,000 to help cover expenses for the Temple. The loan is to be secured by a mortgage, which will be subject to our existing mortgages with Valley National Bank. The Temple has already received $50,000 from the Angel Lender as a bridge loan. On March 30th the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the secured loan, which will allow the remaining $255,000 of the loan to be accessed by the Temple for deposit into the Temple bank account, subject to required congregational approval. You will be asked to approve the mortgage in favor of the Angel Lender (as required by Article XV)
  3. Sale of Property. On March 30, 2020 the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the sale of the Temple-owned house located at 46 South Springfield Avenue to Joey Santos for the sum of $225,000 subject to purchase price adjustments as may be negotiated by Joey Santos and Temple Sha’arey Shalom prior to the closing of title. Article XV of our Constitution and Bylaws requires a vote of our members to authorize a sale of real property. You will be asked to approve the sale of the house to Joey Santos.

For informational purposes (not to be voted upon at Special Meeting of April 19):

  1. Slate of Officers and Trustees. In the past, members in advance of the Annual Congregational Meeting have been provided with the proposed slate of officers and trustees in one of the spring issues of The Scroll for review in June. Because the mailing of The Scroll is disrupted due to Covid 19, we are enclosing the proposed slate of officers and trustees, which was prepared by the Nominating Committee reflecting the change in the size of the Board per the by-law amendment described in item 1 above. This slate will be voted on at the Annual Congregational Meeting in June for which you will receive the ten (10) days requisite notice.

Enclosed are copies of the resolutions as prepared by the attorney representing the Temple and also enclosed is the proposed slate of officers and trustees. This letter and enclosures are being sent via email and surface mail. Notice of the special congregational meeting will also be posted on https://shaarey.org/ and on the Temple Facebook page.

Enclosures

Please pay any outstanding obligations to the Temple as soon as possible.

We wish you peace, health and a relaxing Passover.

B’Shalom,
Roberta Krumholz and Ellen Lieberman
Co-Presidents

Passover Greeting from the Rabbi Renee

 
 

To my Friends at Sha’arey Shalom,

As Pesach begins, I wanted to check in. We are living in unprecedented times. Every year at Seder, the attempt to recreate the Egypt experience for ourselves. We dip parsley in salt water to symbolize tears and we eat bitter herbs to remind ourselves of the bitterness of slavery.

This year, these symbols serve a different purpose. They are our own suffering. They honor our tears and our suffering. Many of us are scared, or overwhelmed. It does not help that when we need to turn to family and friends, they are a screen away. Many of us will be celebrating Passover with many empty seats around the table.

We know that many of you are hosting the Seder for the first time. Please be kind to yourself. Let yourself off the hook if you do not have the right ritual items, or cannot determine how to use zoom. These are unprecedented times and your health and wellness are most important.

Know that the message of Passover is that we did pass through the dark and narrow place to freedom and light. I know that we are all suffering and living with uncertainty. Remember that we are doing this together. If you would like to speak tomorrow from 10-3, please do. Or call after the first two Seders.

We are all in this together.

Wishing you a meaningful and happy Passover.

Rabbi Renee

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