Welcome to Temple Shalom 

    An embracing, supportive, and  vibrant Jewish community committed to observing Jewish traditions and promoting Jewish values, education, and culture, in a progressive and contemporary setting.​ 

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT​

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​Dear Temple Shalom Community,

By Friday, my head ached from fear, my stomach clenched with anxiety, and my heart was heavy with sadness and anger at the uncertain future. But as we lit the Sabbath candles, pressed “play,” and heard Cantor Scheff’s familiar voice beckoning the Sabbath Queen, I felt comfort. When directed, the boys opened the door to welcome the Sabbath. Toby came back to the dinner table, looked around, and asked where the Queen was. In the flame and in our hearts, I told him. She must be very small, Toby said with equal parts skepticism and the innocence of a four-year-old. The Sabbath was a much-needed reminder to pause our worry and sit in awe of G-d’s creation. The daffodils continue to bloom; the peepers are not stopped by pandemic; the world keeps spinning.

The coronavirus crisis has affirmed the importance of Temple Shalom to me. I miss the camaraderie of our new women’s group, and the support of the parents in the Torah Tots program. I miss worshiping together on Friday night, and the lovely chit chat during our tasty Oneg Shabbat.

We will undertake a number of activities in the coming weeks and months to maintain our connection to each other and G-d, and maintain the building. This list includes, but is not limited to:
  • Offering Shabbat services via Facebook Live, and making a recording available on Facebook and the Temple website.
  • Sharing web-based lectures and study sessions offered by other national and local organizations.
  • Implementing member-to-member outreach through weekly phone calls.
  • Continuing with major building repairs that can be done safely, such as remedying the wiring on the roof.
  • Lowering the temperature in the building to a more economical 60 degrees, and visiting the building twice weekly. Temple Shalom will be deep-cleaned prior to reopening.

You are key to keeping our community safe and engaged. Please contact the Temple if you have ideas, or would like to help by making phone calls or writing letters to our members and friends. Please contact the Temple if you need assistance of any kind. Email templeshalomrhodeisland@gmail.com or call 401-846- 9002.

Sincerely yours, Abigail

​P.S. This is a sneak-peek of our fresh, new Temple Shalom logo. A clean, updated look for our web and stationary is in the works!

Mi Shebeirach

Mi she-bei-rach a-vo-tei-nu
M’kor ha-b’ra-chah l’i-mo-tie-nu
May the Source of Strength
Who blessed the ones before us
Help us find the courage
To make our lives a blessing
And let us say Amen.
Mi she-bei-rach i-mo-tei-nu
M’kor ha-b’ra-chah l’a-vo-tei-nu
Bless those in need of healing
With r’fu-ah sh’lei-mah
Renewal of body,
Renewal of spirit, and let us say Amen.

- Debbie Friedman and Drorah Setel


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​​Interested in joining Temple Shalom?
Do you have questions or concerns about the cost? We can probably make it work! We offer a range of membership options and can provide partial relief from membership dues on a case-by-case basis. Contact Martha Ullman at marthaullman@gmail.com or templeshalomri@gmail.com
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For event information click here

​​SHABBAT AND HOLIDAY SERVICES

JOIN US FOR A VIRTUAL SHABBAT SERVICE APRIL 10TH AT 5:30PM VIA FACEBOOK LIVE!
GO TO THE TEMPLE'S FACEBOOK PAGE:  
Temple Shalom Middletown Rhode Island

 THE CANTOR WILL ALSO BE DOING A FACEBOOK LIVE YItzkor reading on Wednesday, April 15 at 7:00 pm
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  Click on the following link for copies of our siddur  (The images from our siddur have been made available due to a generous grant from the jewish alliance of rhode island)
​siddur_-_temple_shalom.pdf
oR PURCHASE A SIDDUR OF YOUR OWN FROM AMAZON
https://www.amazon.com/Chaveirim-Kol-Yisraeil-Fellowship-Progressive/dp/0881256803
TO WATCH THIS WEEK'S SHABBAT SERVICE CLICK THE LINK
https://www.facebook.com/Temple-Shalom-Middletown-Rhode-Island
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Cantor Scheff’s Online Guide to Passover
 
Cantor Scheff has collected a variety of online resources to guide your seder, worship, and entertainment. Celebrate well! 
Links are in the order of the seder:

Kiddush for first seder: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZgDNPGZ9Sg If you use this on the second night skip the shehechiyanu. 
For the children here is an animated Four Questions I think the children will like:   
Avadim Hayinu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JpUvn9DGgM  
Dayenu: Kids: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVvXMQzdohk Adults: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZgDNPGZ9Sg  
Explanation of the Pesach, Matza, and Maror. Here is a teen summer camp telling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD3echy7GGc  
Echad Mi Yodea: I have included a few versions to enjoy. The first is an arrangement from the recent movie about the raid on Entebbe: It is choreographed. I don’t recommend trying the dancing. Especially after you finish what I am sure will be a fabulous meal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v6tY_u-Mls  
A kid friendly version. Although the words are not there, a pictorial translation is there. It is fun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGwlcATGwgw   
Two table songs: Ki lo Noeh and Chad Gad ya: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0aF_xnu90I   
AND JUST FOR FUN: Wait for it. Even if you never knew you needed it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZgDNPGZ9Sg
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Online Resources for Jewish Life and Learning During Covid-19
Temple Emanu-El Television: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1U5Rl0Uvse7KwOcc-OQAscegg-rtTKqt6AM3mi7QBe6A/edit#gid=863529117  
Friday Night Live by Craig Taubman. A reform style Friday night Service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTJyOipRDMo&list=OLAK5uy_l5mctkwra6ALxdySO7CeipJelfNK2vdkE
Need a good laugh? Jewish Women's Archive Podcast, Can We Talk?:  https://jwa.org/podcasts/canwetalk PARTNERSHIP2GETHER virtual classes (see flyer below) Agree with friends to watch the same movie or read the same book and then call each other to discuss. Look at  https://www.menemshafilms.com/ for film ideas and download book reviews and reading guides at  https://www.jewishbookcouncil.org/  . Bimbam has video program suited for early childhood, elementary, and teen/adult ages. The videos at https://www.bimbam.com/  are short, but they can lead to interesting discussions.  My Jewish Learning has for written material and videos for teens and adults: https://www.myjewishlearning.com/  Hadar is traditional, egalitarian online learning started by Eli Kaunfer, Rabbi Alvan Kaunfer's son: https://www.hadar.org/     Lab Shul Daily SoulSpa: https://www.labshul.org/event/daily-soulspa-2020-03-23/all/   Comedy! Ask Ronna With Ronna: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ask-ronna/id1483872464  

All IN PERSON services and events will be cancelled for now.
TEMPLE SHALOM MONTHLY TIKKUN OLAM DRIVES 
APRIL- FOOD DRIVE
MAY- DIAPERS AND WIPES
JUNE- SUMMER FUN SUPPLIES (BATHING SUITS, SUN BLOCK & TOYS)
JULY- PEANUT BUTTER
AUGUST- BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLIES
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 PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING TOWARDS PHYSICAL SECURITY UPGRADES OR PROFESSIONAL SECURITY PERSONNEL AT TEMPLE SHALOM. FOR NOW, YOU CAN GO TO "DONATE" ON OUR WEBSITE SIMPLY SELECT "OTHER DONATIONS" AND MAKE A NOTE THAT YOU ARE DONATING FOR SECURITY

IN THE NEWS

Interfaith service celebrates Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
 Read The Newport Daily News coverage of the service here:
https://www.newportri.com/news/20200118/interfaith-service-at-temple-shalom-celebrates-dr-martin-luther-king-jr  

Menorahs in the Morning 
 Read The Newport Daily News coverage of the party here: https://www.newportri.com/news/20191215/temple-shalom-hosts-community-hanukkah-celebration

 Come visit us at:
223 Valley Rd
Middletown, Rhode Island​  02842
​(401)846-9002
Click below to see our Temple newsletter, the Conservator