Temple Life
K’Sharim
K’Sharim means connections. This committee plans and implements temple-wide programs that enhance a sense of shared community for all temple members. Congregants often express a desire to share important Jewish celebrations as a community: A congregation break-fast at Yom Kippur, a second night Passover Seder, Havdalah programs, celebrations for Yom Ha’Atzmaut are just a few of the programs offered by K’Sharim. Creating opportunities for temple members to weave together social events and Jewish celebrations into a single living tapestry allows us to nurture a strong sense of belonging to this wonderful community: a place where everyone feels connected. Check our Temple bulletin, HaKinnor, for any upcoming events sponsored by K’Sharim.
Social Action
Temple Beth David is committed to helping those in need in the greater Boston area. In 2005, Temple Beth David was awarded the prestigious Irving Fein social justice award for its ongoing work at United Homes in Dorchester MA.
The fourth Thursday of each month for the past 5 years, the synagogue has cooked a meal and traveled to Dorchester to serve it to100 of Boston's hungry and homeless. The synagogue also has an ongoing collection of clothes and toiletries to help these folks in need.
The temple is also active with a battered women's shelter, the local food pantry, and Family Table (the Boston Jewish community's response to hunger). In 2005, Temple Beth Davis also spearheaded the local temple response to hurricane Katrina . Three members of the congregation drove a large rental truck filled with donated goods from members of the congregation, and others, down to Gulfport, Mississippi to help those devastated by the hurricane.
The congregation is dedicated to political advocacy work on issues of concern to our community: health care access, a woman's right to choose, gay and lesbian rights, amongst others. In 2005, Rabbi Judson was given a special award at the statehouse for his advocacy to extend the rights of marriage for gays and lesbians.
Outreach
Temple Beth David is active in the Reform movement’s Outreach and Synagogue Community effort. What does this mean? The following description comes from the Union for Reform Judaism’s web site.
“Outreach and Synagogue Community is the new name for a new generation of Reform commitment to actively welcoming all and building vibrant, inclusive congregational communities. Outreach and Synagogue Community activities center on the mitzvah of ahavat ger, loving the stranger-anyone who feels distanced from God, Torah and Israel. Outreach and Synagogue Community provides resources to help congregations succeed in growing as sacred communities that welcome and integrate a diversity of Jews and their families -- interfaith and inter-racial couples, new Jews and seekers, Jews of color, gay and lesbian individuals and families, single adults and blended families, rich and poor, young and old and in between, women and men.”
Click here to learn more about Outreach and Synagogue Community at the URJ site.
Temple Beth David is proud to have a large contingent of interfaith families. In fact, groundbreaking work was recently done by a task force devoted to exploring the role of the non-Jew at Temple Beth David. Learn more about Interfaith families and the Jewish community by visiting InterfaithFamily.com.
For more information about other Boston-area Outreach efforts, visit Reform Judaism Boston
To learn more about Outreach and Synagogue Community at Temple Beth David, contact Membership.
Youth
The Youth Committee oversees programming for four (4) youth groups.
SCRAFTY for out 9th through 12th graders, is led by a paid Youth Advisor. Programming for SCRAFTY includes both regional and local events. Regional events may include the Levi Leap Dance in the fall, Winter Wonderland ski weekend in February, conclavettes and shul-ins. Local programming may include coffee houses, trips to sports events or IMAX movies, and parties. Social action programming may include car washes and bake sales with monies used to provide supplies for a homeless shelter.
The two younger groups are Bet Gimmel, for grades 4 and 5, and Jr. SCRAFTY, for grades 6, 7 and 8. Parents volunteer for chaperoning. Programming for both groups may include pizza and movie nights, excursions to cosmic bowling or apple picking. The 7th and 8th grades participate at a shul-in in Brookline each year that attracts 150+ participants from the northeast and Canada, and is a highlight of the year for the kids.
Chaverim K’tanim includes Kindergarten through grade 3. Programming takes place on Sunday afternoons after the conclusion of Religious School and may include featured performers (like the Sharpe family juggling routines), a game day, arts and crafts sessions, Passover event culminating with the baking of matzah pizzas, and a mini shul sleep over.
Spirituality Chavurah
The Spirituality Chavurah enhances Shabbat and holiday experiences in ways that are meaningful and creative. Authentic Jewish worship experiences can come in many different forms; the Spirituality Chavurah creates opportunities to examine and share new ways to seek God in our lives. This is in addition to our more traditional Shabbat and holiday worship, and in no way detracts or distracts from this. Programs explore prayer and ritual through a prism of meditation, movement, creative writing and other forms of personal expression that bring the wonder, joy and richness of Judaism into our lives. Check our Temple bulletin, HaKinnor, for any upcoming events sponsored by the Spirituality Chavurah.
Brotherhood
Brotherhood is an auxiliary group made up of adult male Temple members that serves to assist the Temple in fundraising and programming not provided by other Temple committees. Regular programming includes: building and dismantling the Temple Sukkah; sponsoring Chanukah and Passover suppers, Purim Carnival, end of school year family barbecue; Sunday brunches with featured speakers; and co-sponsoring events with the Temple’s other auxiliary group, Sisterhood. Brotherhood also participates in building and ground duties and various building projects to maintain and enhance the facilities.
Brotherhood seeks to encourage and develop a sense of camaraderie and friendship amongst its members, while supporting the temple.
Sisterhood
Temple Beth David Sisterhood is a diverse group of women with a common commitment. Consisting of members of the Temple and active members of the wider Jewish Community. The group's mission is to foster and further the highest ideals of Judaism as expressed through the synagogue; to promote closer fellowship among our members; and in cooperation with the Temple, to be a mentor for religious, social and educational activities.
Each year Sisterhood contributes funds from fund raising efforts to support temple programs and building improvements, including the furnishing and redecorating of the Rabbi's study and the upkeep, stocking and cleaning of the temple kitchen.
Sisterhood members organize the Oneg Shabbat schedule with Oneg captains and crews, provide treats during the festive holidays and present gifts to bar/bat mitzvah students and confirmands.
Perhaps Sisterhood is best known for the variety of programs - informative, social and fundraising - planned throughout the year for members, the temple family, and the community. Temple Beth David Sisterhood strives to have something for everyone and encourages the involvement of all female members of the Temple and local Jewish community.
