July 04, 2009   12 Tamuz 5769
Union Temple of Brooklyn, NY
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Movie Night, Wed. June 24  

  Making Trouble:   MORE
making Trouble

160th Anniversary Commemorative Journal Remarks  

by Rabbi Linda Henry Goodman  MORE  and  Gala a Huge Success! by Beatrice Hanks

The People's Temple  
A Special Place by Elizabeth Zelma, NY Family Brooklyn Magazine   MORE 
Mazal Tov  
Mazal Tov to Nicole Lebenson upon being chosen the Graduation Speaker of her class for the commencement exercises at Brooklyn College of The City University of New York.
Union Temple School of Religion  

UT RSUnion Temple' School of Religion is accepting registration for 2009-10.

For more information call our office at 718-638-7600.

More on the UT School of Religion

2007 Winner of Fain Award for Social Action  

2007 Irving J. Fain Social Action Awards
Union Temple has received this prestigious award in recognition of the work of the congregation has done in behalf of Social Action – a commitment to helping others, to tikkun olam.  When congregants have invested countless hours in bringing a worthwhile program to fruition, they deserve some kavod – public recognition and honor. That is why the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism instituted the Irving J. Fain Awards – to grant public recognition to those congregations whose programmatic efforts in social action have been exemplary. 

  Union Temple Social Action Fain Award  

(l to r) Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism; Jean Shaffer; Bea Hanks; Zeva Roschko; Jane B. Wishner, Chair URJ Commission on Social Action;  Rabbi Marla Feldman, Director of URJ Commission on Social Action.    More

Brotherhood and Sisterhood  

Members of both consist of diverse and dedicated individuals who come together to serve the temple, share experiences, and learn. In the course of activities ranging from Sukkah building and educational programs we find friendship and connection.

Brotherhood Sukkah building 

The Brotherhood of Union Temple 

Annual Sukkah Building

Benefits for Temple Members  

Tickets for High Holy Day services

Union Temple Preschool Discount

School of Religion Discount

Pastoral Counseling and Services

Eastern Athletic Club Discount

Look what's happening! LINKS  

  Calendar                     Events

Congregational Participation  

Our Religious School students, our junior choir, and our Brotherhood and Sisterhood, all assist in conducting the services at various times during the year. Music is an organic part of our services in the gifted hands of Dr. Jonathan Hall, in addition to our wonderful cantorial students, as they encourage congregants to participate actively in the musical life of the congregation.

Greetings from our Rabbi  

Special Officer Stephen Johns - In Memoriam

Our entire congregation is both outraged and heartsick over the brutal murder of Special Officer Stephen Johns, as he stood at his post at the entrance of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC.  Johns was often characterized as a "gentle giant" by the museum staff, whom he greeted each day with friendliness and courtesy, as he greeted all who entered the museum in peace.  Johns was married, and had an 11-year-old son.  He was 39 years old.   His death reminds us that we still have a long way to go in our nation in our quest to eradicate anti-Semitism and bigotry of all kinds, and the violence that it all too often spawns.  We remain committed to that quest, in the hope that one day all of God's children will be able to live together in peace and mutual respect.

In this spirit, and in keeping with the practice of tzedakah, the Jewish community has established several funds for the family of Special Officer Johns. The information appears below.  Many thanks.

Zecher Tzaddik Liv'rachah - May the memory of the righteous be for a blessing.

Rabbi Linda Henry Goodman 

1)  Checks payable to USHMM Officer Johns Family Fund may be mailed to USHMM, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Pl. SW, Washington D.C. 20024.   Contributions can also be made by calling 877-91USHMM (877-918-7466) from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or going to the museum's Web site:  http://www.ushmm.org/memoriam/detail.php?content=johns

 2)  The American Jewish Committee has set up a fund for donations in memory/honor of Special Officer Johns.  Please mail checks payable to the American Jewish Committee, with "Holocaust Museum Memorial Fund" on the memo line, to: American Jewish Committee Washington Chapter, c/o Melanie Maron Pell, 1156 15th St. NW, Suite 1201, Washington D.C. 20005. Donations will also be accepted at the AJC Web site:  http://www.ajc.org/johnsfund

3)  Wackenhut, Johns's employer, asks that contributions be made by check or money order payable to Zakia Christina Johns in care of WSI Wachovia, 4440 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. 33410.


Dr. George Tiller - In Memoriam

As Rabbi of Union Temple, I express both deep sadness and moral outrage at the brutal murder of Dr. George Tiller on Sunday, May 31st, as he greeted his fellow parishioners in church before the start of Sunday services.  I add my voice to those of countless Americans of faith, who support the right of women to exercise their moral agency in making decisions over their own reproductive lives. 

Dr. Tiller was an obstetrician.  He devoted his life to saving life, and providing women with the highest quality health care. He also performed abortions for women in greatest need – women with late-term complications and emergencies, some of them with crushing medical conditions, who often had nowhere else to turn.  In the face of threats, intimidation, and physical assaults, he was determined to ensure that safe and legal abortion, and high quality medical care, remained available for ALL women.   Once women got past the gauntlet of angry demonstrators outside his clinic, they found a warm and welcoming refuge inside:  a compassionate staff, a well-run medical practice, and the sense that they were respected and safe.

A proud veteran, Dr. Tiller hung the American flag at his clinic every day.  He believed that providing safe and legal abortion services to women was upholding the rights and freedoms for which he and his compatriots fought.  He believed that those who harassed and threatened abortion providers were tyrants, determined to undermine our most basic freedoms as Americans through coercion and violence.   George Tiller himself was continually harassed.  His home, his church, and his clinic were picketed.  His clinic was burned down, and he was shot in both arms by a demonstrator who is now in jail.  Yet, he stood his ground. 

His fellow parishioners at Reformation Lutheran Church of Wichita, KS, said in a statement:

“We reject any notion that violence against another human being is an acceptable way to resolve differences over any issue. We must always strive to engage in peaceful discussion. Our faith calls us to this. Our humanity demands it."

Dr. George Tiller was an American hero.  He lived his life according to his values and his faith, with great fortitude and courage.  We extend our deepest condolences to his family, his friends and colleagues, his staff and patients.  We pray that reason and respectful discourse ultimately will prevail against the forces of fanaticism and violence.   At this time of such distress, we all pray for peace and healing.  May the memory of George Tiller be for a blessing -   Zecher Tzaddik Liv’rachah.

Rabbi Linda Henry Goodman

Rabbi, Union Temple of Brooklyn;

Vice President, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, NYS Affiliate;

Clergy Advisory Board, Concerned Clergy for Choice, Albany, NY

  


The congregation of Union Temple is a diverse, yet closely knit group of thoughtful and compassionate people who draw together in times of joy as well as times of sorrow. It has been a privilege for me to serve as Rabbi since 1992. On behalf of our congregational family, I invite you to celebrate our past, share our present, and be a part of shaping our future.   Dr. Linda Henry Goodman  Click here to read the Rabbi's Message

Shabbat and Yom Tov Services  

Beginning Sept. 7 and thereafter, all Friday services will begin at 6:30 PM, except for the 4th week of each month, when they will begin at 8:00 PM.  The first Friday of the month we will have our potluck dinner following services as usual.  Saturday morning services remain at 10:30.

Chick here for our Shabbat Service Schedule
Who We Are  

Union Temple is an egalitarian, inclusive Reform Congregation, spanning the generations. Founded in 1848 by a small group of German and Alsatian Jewish immigrants living in Williamsburgh, since 1929 Union Temple has been located in a magnificent building at Grand Army Plaza. We are a house of worship, a house of study, and an intimate community of mutual support for our members. We reach out to the diverse communities of Brooklyn and warmly welcome individuals and all types of families to join us. As a congregation we are dedicated to Tikkun Olam, the repairing of our world, through the pursuit of social justice and active participation in the larger Jewish and general communities. Union Temple is a member congregation of the Union of Reform Judaism

Read more about the History of Union Temple...

Union Temple Preschool  

Open to all children in the community, the Union Temple Preschool is a morning program for two, three, and four year olds with some extended day options. Our dedicated, nurturing staff provides a child-centered environment with a curriculum enhanced by a Jewish perspective, and enrichment programs.

Programs and Events  

We join together through Adult Education, Brotherhood, Sisterhood, and the Social Action Committee for a wide variety of educational, social, and cultural activities including:

    • Shabbat Morning Study Hevre

    • Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah Class

    • Shabbaton with Notable Speakers

    • Concerts  *  Films  *  Lectures

    • Book Discussions  *  Game Nights

    • Dances  *   Theatre Outings

    • Walking Tours of Jewish New York

We view all our programs as opportunities to bring our congregational community together to socialize, to learn, and to celebrate our heritage.

Bar Mitzvah Photo

 
Jewish World News  


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