Temple Israel of Manchester is preparing to celebrate its Golden Jubilee, fifty years at its present location on Salmon Street as a Conservative Jewish Congregation.  Previously it had been located on Central Street for about 40 years under the name of Anshe Sephard and it had been an Orthodox Congregation for some 60 years total including years when the congregation had met in private homes.  There are plans for a gala weekend in May to mark this milestone.

            In September, Temple Israel engaged a new rabbi, Edward Friedman, to serve as its spiritual leader.  The rabbi and his wife Janice moved to Goffstown from Bloomfield, CT, and he immediately began introducing a variety of exciting programs and activities in the congregation.  Arriving just before the High Holidays in September, the rabbi was enthusiastically received by the congregation and many in the community have come by to see what the excitement is about.  The congregation under the leadership of Rabbi Friedman and its President Irma Wallin has ambitious goals of attracting new families and bringing back former members who had drifted away during a period when the congregation had no rabbinic leadership.

            Virtually every Friday night, the congregation has had some different type of program to appeal to a wide range of congregants.  Though many traditional Jewish congregations do not allow musical instruments to be used at Sabbath services, it seems that a number of congregation in recent years have begun experimenting with the use of acoustic guitars and other instruments to accompany and enhance the Sabbath worship experience.  Rabbi Friedman has invited local musicians to assist him at a monthly service dubbed “Shabbat Shirah,” “A Sabbath of Song” and following the services, at the oneg Shabbat reception a sing-along of old favorites has followed with the enthusiastic participation of congregants.  The next Shabbat Shirah is scheduled for March 9^th at the Temple at 8:00 p.m. and, like all Temple programs, is open to the public as well.

            Another innovation has been the establishment of a monthly Tot Shabbat service.  This early service, held at 6:30 p.m. is geared to young children even as it includes the basics elements of the Sabbath service for adults who might wish to attend and worship.  The abbreviated service features singing, a story for the kids related to Jewish values or holidays, and a Cupcake Oneg Shabbat Reception to follow.  The next Tot Shabbat is on February 23^rd at 6:30 p.m. and, generally, these services have taken place on the final Friday of the month, though one should check with the Temple office to be sure (603-622-6171).

            Yet another new service the rabbi has suggested is a monthly Shabbat On the Road which takes the synagogue service to the homes of members living in the Manchester suburbs.  Those attending are urged to participate not only in the worship service, but also in a pot-luck dairy Sabbath dinner at the home of the host.  The first of these Shabbat on the Road events was on the first night of Chanukah at the home of Rabbi Friedman and his wife Janice in Goffstown.  In January the group moved to Hooksett to the home of congregant Judith Shapiro.  The February event was to have been in Chester at the home of Pam and Steve Saulten, but weather forced its cancellation and rescheduling to April.  The next Shabbat on the Road will be in Bedford on March 23^rd.  RSVPs are a must for these events and the Temple office can give interested people more detail about the event.  We welcome people who’d like to get to know our congregation in a less formal way by coming to the Shabbat on the Road.

            Aside from these three types of services, the Temple has also hosted guest speakers at Friday evening services.  Adam Solender of the Jewish Federation of New Hampshire spoke earlier this month about the work of the Jewish Federation and Irma Wallin, the synagogue president, will be speaking on March 2^nd at the 8:00 p.m. service about her recent trip to Israel and Jordan and particularly about Jordan as part of the Holy Land.  This event also is open to the community.

            Sabbath services also take place every Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. with a spirited traditional worship and are also open to the community.  Indeed, every day, the congregation opens its doors for morning worship at 7:00 a.m. on Monday through Friday and at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday and secular holidays.

            Jewish holidays are also well celebrated.  Aside from the Chanukah Shabbat on the Road, the congregation had a major Chanukah party during Chanukah week including a wonderful performance by a local magician and a lovely lunch.  A Tu BiShvat Seder was held in spite of poor weather earlier in February with fruits and nuts and wine served in honor of the new year of the trees.  The celebration of Purim will soon be upon us with events planned for Saturday evening March 3^rd at 6:00 p.m. and Sunday morning, March 4^th at 9:00 a.m.  More details will follow in the next column.

            The Temple encourages people to visit and join our community and we welcome your interest and hope you will stop by to check us out.