Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom

Get Connected- Get Involved!  

Temple values the ideas and input of each and every one of our members.  That’s why we offer a myriad of opportunities for you to draw on your unique talents and put them to use for the good of our congregation and our community at large.  Joining one of our committees is not only personally rewarding, but also a great way to meet new people and learn new skills.  Here are just a few ways you can get involved:

Next Dor at the Temple

Next Dor at the Temple is Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom's new young adult initiative (“Dor” means “generation” in Hebrew.) “Next Dor at the Temple” is a hub of young adult Jewish life in Montreal, with potlucks, discussion groups, classes, celebrations, bar nights, and everything in between. The goal is to build relationships and strengthen the young Jewish community, inside and outside the synagogue's walls. Temple is proud to be the first Canadian congregation to join the Next Dor network – a group of congregations dedicated to reaching our young adults, where they are, whatever their background or interests. For more information, please contact Valerie at Valerie@templemontreal.ca

Temple West

Temple recently introduced “Temple West”, a new initiative to bring liberal Judaism to the West Island.  As a synagogue that prides itself on offering something for everyone, the West Island Jewish population is the latest demographic to benefit from Temple’s outreach. For more information, please contact Valerie at Valerie@templemontreal.ca
 

Adult Education

Jewish education is a life-long endeavour that is highly encouraged at Temple.  Weekly sermons, Torah study classes and discussion groups offer meaningful opportunities for adults to enhance their knowledge of Judaism and Jewish values. Temple also regularly hosts a variety of enlightening guest speakers, lecture series, films and musical productions.  The Adult Education Committee plays a leading role in seeking out Jewish learning opportunities for Temple members and members of the community at large. For more information, please contact Valerie at Valerie@templemontreal.ca

Human Trafficking

The Temple Committee against Human Trafficking (TCAHT) works to address the issue of modern slavery, and female commercial sexual exploitation in particular. Members of the committee work with other human rights organizations to press for better law enforcement, stronger and more severe punitive laws, increased youth education and protection, as well as recovery programs for victims. For more information, please contact TCAHT@templemontreal.ca

Temple Aron Museum

Since its creation in 1953, the museum has assembled one of the finest collections of Judaica in Canada. The Museum Committee is responsible for the care of our collection and hosts guided tours for visitors from all religious backgrounds.  If you are interested in preserving Jewish history and its artefacts, this is the committee for you!

Art Committee

The Art Committee’s mandate is to “bring art to the community and bring the community to art”.  This is achieved by showcasing selected works by local artists in the Temple’s “Hallway of Artists” and hosting a variety of artistic and cultural events.  

Bikur Cholim

The mitzvah of Bikur Cholim literally means visiting the sick. However, Temple volunteers also provide friendly visits to housebound elderly, individuals recovering from surgery, patients in convalescent facilities, and even new mothers who simply need a sympathetic ear and some adult conversation.   Many of our volunteers find that they enjoy the visits as much as those who request them!  If you enjoy friendly conversation and meeting new people (while at the same time doing an important mitzvah!), this is the committee for you!

Dialogue Judéo-Chrétien

Ce comité réunit des participants francophones des deux religions autour d’un même thème. Deux conférenciers développent ce thème selon chacune des perspectives et un débat amical suit la conférence. Le Dialogue a été créé dans les années 70 par Sœur Marie-Noëlle et repris dans les années 80 par Thérèse Klein et son comité. Le Dialogue Judéo-Chrétien bénéficie aujourd’hui de l’hospitalité du Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom.  Si le rapprochement vous intéresse, ce comité est pour vous! Alors, l'invitation est lancée. Joignez-vous à nous et vivez une expérience des plus enrichissantes.

Gift Shop

Members of the Gift Shop Committee have the fun, yet important task of selecting unique gifts, religious articles and other items for sale at the Temple gift shop.  If you have a flair for gift-giving and love to shop, our gift shop committee would love to have your input!

NEW!  Montreal Jewish Interfaith Family Forum

One of Temple’s newest initiatives is aimed at offering programs of interest to couples who have extended families of different faiths.  Programs will focus on finding fun and meaningful ways to share holidays and celebrations and also create opportunities to discuss shared issues and challenges. If you would like to join our committee or simply have ideas to share, please contact Valerie at Valerie@templemontreal.ca.

Kids First/Tweens First

Are you the parent of young children? Want to meet others with similar interests and concerns? Consider joining this committee and having a say about our children's first exposure to Judaism, holidays, traditions and history. Make a few phone calls, exchange a few e-mails and help plan and organize our regular parties and celebrations.  The goal of this committee is family fun!

If you would like to join our committee or simply have ideas to share, please contact Melanie Alter at 514-937-3575, ext. 210 or melanie@templemontreal.ca.

Shiva

In order to ensure that bereaved members of our community benefit from the comfort of communal prayer during their time of need, Shiva Committee members offer support by leading evening home prayer services.  Training is provided to all committee members. 

Social Action

Members of this group put the idea of Tikun Olam, repairing the world, into action.  They touch on all aspects of the community through programs such as friendly visits, food and clothing drives and anti-Malaria programs.

Calling all Writers

Have you written a story that you’d like to share? Harvest-Ha’Asif, Temple’s literary anthology, is always looking for written material and budding writers.  Send your prose, poetry, fact, fiction, a memoir, travelogue, humour or other original work to theharvest@sympatico.ca. The next deadline is May 31, 2011 for publication in our 6th edition, planned for next Succot (the Harvest festival).