Each week, your Weekly Judean, contains feature stories that highlight what's happening in our Temple Judean community and the issues near and dear to our hearts.
Tomorrow night, February 12, 2025, marks the start of Tu B’Shvat, the Jewish New Year of the Trees.
A group of Temple Judea high school students just returned from an epic, action-packed four-day L'Taken trip to Washington, D.C. They toured the US Holocaust Memorial, Air & Space Museum, and Natural History Museum, all while somehow managing to explore Georgetown and survive an extremely cold Havdalah on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial. Talk about a memory!
Happy secular New Year! While Temple Judea offices, ECC, and regular Religious School took a break last week, our Winter Camp Sababa crew shifted into high gear for another session rooted in exploring Jewish values. Think paper Midrashim, art, challah baking, Krav Maga moves, and yoga. Plus, a sprinkle of sleepover magic – featuring over-the-top Shabbat vibes, a talent show, movies, and Chanukah lighting! Ask any Sababa Winter camper – last week was a total blast!
Tomorrow evening, Wednesday, December 25, we begin the celebration of Chanukah — a time to honor the enduring power of light and hope. As we celebrate this remarkable story, we are reminded that even the smallest spark can shine brightly in the darkest of times. Just as a tiny bit of oil burned for eight days and a handful of Jews stood strong for their freedom, Chanukah teaches us that our own small actions and moments of resilience can have an extraordinary impact.
This year, we are thrilled to welcome Joe Buchanan as our 2025 Artist in Residence for his Judea Tour. Joe, a Texas-born singer-songwriter, brings a unique blend of country music and Jewish themes that are shaped by his personal journey into Judaism, which he discovered later in life.
This calendar year has been a year of celebration for Temple Judea’s growing membership. Throughout this year, our spirits have soared and the roots of our community have grown deeper with a variety of worship and holiday celebrations. Attendance at Erev Shabbat services is growing by the week and our High Holy Days were especially meaningful. And let’s not forget our Barbie-themed Purim spiel or our Passover Moon experience - both were one-of-a-kind!
The heart and soul of Temple Judea's success lies in the hands of those who volunteer their time, energy, and expertise without seeking recognition or reward. Whether it’s planning a community event, leading a meaningful discussion, or supporting a new initiative, their efforts are the backbone of everything we do. They are the ones who turn ideas into action, who create spaces for connection and growth, and who help us build a community where everyone feels welcome and supported. As we reflect on 2024, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to the many lay leaders who make our community what it is today. Each of them plays a pivotal role in ensuring that Temple Judea is a thriving synagogue.