Temple Sha'arey Shalom, Springfield Celebrates "A Greek Chanukah"

Temple Sha'arey Shalom, Springfield, will celebrate Chanukah this year in a very special way. On Friday night, December 30, at 7:30pm our service will include a concert of Sephardic and Ladino music of Jews from Greece, Turkey, Israel and North Africa, performed for us by our own Cantor, Amy Daniels, her brother, Cantor Marty Eisenstein, and their cousins, playing authentic Middle Eastern instruments. Members and neighbors are invited to bring their own menorahs so they can participate in our customary Chanukah Light-In. Temple Sha'arey Shalom is at 78 South Springfield Avenue, Springfield. For more information, call the temple office at (973) 379-5387.

Temple Sha’arey Shalom is a mid-size Reform congregation affiliated with the Union For Reform Judaisn (URJ) serving Springfield and the surrounding towns of Union, Essex, and Somerset counties. The synagogue welcomes children, young adults, singles, seniors, and families of all shapes, ages, and sizes.

There is a wide array of educational, informational, entertaining and social programs to enhance the temple experience. Included are lectures, workshops, panel discussions, an active Sisterhood and Brotherhood, community-service opportunities and Youth and Renaissance group activities. Adult bar/bat mitzvah, conversational Hebrew classes, book discussion groups, guest speakers, concerts, and trips are offered.

Shabbat services are creative and varied. There are Family Shabbat services at 7:30 p.m., on the first Friday of each month; 8 p.m., other Fridays. A creative format for Jewish learning with flexible “drop-in” options is available for students in grades K -two and is open to the community. Monthly Tot Shabbat services, perfect for pre-school families take place at 6 p.m., on the third Friday of each month. Adult Study minyans are held on Saturday mornings.

Religious and Hebrew school classes for grades three-seven are held on Tuesday and Thursday, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Grades eight-10 meet on Tuesday, from 5:45-7:45 p.m., which includes pizza dinner and time to socialize. The Preschool serves children ages 2 through Pre-K, and offers not only 2, 3, and 5-day programs, but also before- and after-care. For infants, toddlers, and their caregivers, weekly Mommy & Me and Stay & Play sessions are hosted.