Caring Community

"Above all that you hold dear, watch over your heart, for from it comes life" — Proverbs 4:23

When each of us opens our hearts to others, we become a closer, more caring community. We become whole when we understand that acts of kindness spiritually rejuvenate both the giver and the receiver.

If you are confronting the challenges of illness, bereavement or divorce—or if you simply need a shoulder to lean on—please don’t hesitate to call on the Shaaray Tefila Caring Community. We will listen to your troubles in complete confidence, and through the power of community we may be able to ease you burden.

If you are seeking opportunities to get more involved in your community, please consider joining the Caring Community. Add your name to ours and answer the call to cook a meal, make a call, write a note or deliver a challah or yahrzeit candle. Contact co-chairs Harriett Zeller at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Diane Albert at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn how you can help.

Crisis Response
We help congregants with short- and long-term emergencies, usually related to illness or hospitalization. The Caring Community helps by sending flowers, baskets or other gifts; organizing and delivering meals; making visits at home or the hospital; arranging for pet care and sending cards or notes. Contact Diane Albert at 238-3966 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or contact Leslie Weissman at 666-8289 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Bereavement
We assist grieving families in whatever ways possible, including making phone calls, sending notes, helping with shiva arrangements, sending sympathy baskets, accompanying family members to the funeral home or cemetery, and preparing and delivering a Shabbat meal. The Caring Community plants a tree in Israel in memory of the one who has passed. We also send notes, deliver challahs on Shabbat and yahrzeit candles on the first anniversary of the passing of a loved one. Contact Bereavement chair Lynne Schneider at 238-1209 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact Enid Linden at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Also available for Bereavement Support  is Shari Baum, WJCS coordinator of Partners in Caring, who can be reached at 761-0600 ext145 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Simchas
We help celebrate our community’s milestones and accomplishments through acknowledgements for new babies, marriages and college graduations. Simcha volunteers may also help the community celebrate new homes, new jobs or promotions and significant anniversaries by sending notes, arranging for the planting of trees in Israel, the purchase of appropriate gifts, and arranging for donations. To volunteer for this committee, please contact Erica Wu at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Shabbat Calls
We connect with congregants each Shabbat through a phone call to say “Shabbat Shalom.” Any congregant who wishes to receive a call can be put on this list for any reason, especially those who are going through a divorce, illness or are feeling isolated. These weekly phone calls connect Temple members to others in our community and let them know that we are thinking about them. Contact Diane Albert at 238-3966 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Come Share the Holidays
A group of Temple members open their homes on Rosh Hashanah, Pesach, Hanukkah and other holidays for a family meal. If you would like to be connected with a sharing temple family, or if you have room at your table for a new friend, contact Vicki Gelbtuch at 234-0001 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or contact Kayle Petefish at 203-894-9188 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .