Rabbi Judah the Prince was born in 135 CE, a time of terrible upheaval in Judaism. The Temple and Jerusalem had been destroyed 65 years earlier, and just before his birth, the Bar Kochba revolt ended disastrously for many of the Jews remaining Land.
Growing up in the Lower Galilee, Judah was given a strong Jewish and Greek education. His knowledge of secular philosophy and Greek eventually made him an important intermediary with Roman leaders. He had a close friendship with “Antoninus,” most likely Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, who would consult Judah on various worldly and spiritual matters.
Seeing the Jewish people scattered, politically powerless, and vulnerable to Roman persecution, Rabbi Judah knew that he had to do something. With the Temple destroyed and the Sanhedrin no longer functioning as a high court, he recognized the threats to tradition. The transformation had begun with Rabbi Yohanan Ben Zakkai, who reimagined Judaism as a movement rooted in rabbinic leadership and learning rather than in the Temple.
Rabbi Judah took the next vital step by organizing and codifying oral teachings from the previous three centuries (100 BCE–220 CE), and compiling them into the Mishnah. He recognized the challenge of his time and innovated boldly to help Judaism survive.
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As I reflect on the past century, I see a time of upheaval and innovation that is similar in scope, though different in nature. Like leaders before us, we are called on to take stock of our Judaism: to cherish the tradition to which we are heirs and plot the path forward for the future. In what follows, I lay out my vision for Temple Emunah.
Much of this vision is grounded in the work of our Long-Range Planning Committee – deep thanks to Arleen Chase, Norma Gaffin, Eric Gornstein, Lia Meisinger, Stephen Quatrano, and David Russell – as well as the insights gathered from our survey, which over 100 congregants thoughtfully completed. It also reflects countless conversations with our devoted lay leaders. And some of it comes from me personally, as someone who has had the profound privilege of serving as the religious leader of this extraordinary community for the past 21 years – a community that has continued to grow and thrive, even in the face of significant challenges.
While some parts of this vision can be realized in the coming months, others may take years. But none of it will be possible without you, without your time, your active engagement, and, yes, your generous financial support.
So please, join me as we move mei’ hayil el l’ hayil, from strength to strength – from where we are today to the even more vibrant future we can build together.
The Challenges
Over the past 80 years, we Jews endured the unimaginable loss of half our people in the Shoah. Yet from that devastation, we rose to establish the modern State of Israel and to build an exciting American Judaism – one that honors tradition while embracing modernity.
In more recent decades, however, new challenges have emerged. In the United States, an estimated 1.5 to 2 million Jews have assimilated out of Judaism. Our centrist Masorti/Conservative movement has faced significant decline in members, reflecting a broader global trend: the erosion of the center as societies polarize and gravitate toward the extremes.
The trauma of October 7, 2023 – Israel’s darkest day – has profoundly shaken us. The ensuing war has brought immense suffering to both Israelis and Palestinians, with many hostages still in captivity. Meanwhile, here in the U.S., we are witnessing a resurgence of anti-Semitism at a level not seen in decades.
Let our response begin by acknowledging a foundational truth: we are fortunate to have our thriving synagogue.
Our shul is active every day of the week with religious services, educational programs, and social events. We support one another, care deeply about the Jewish people and Israel, and strive to bring Jewish values – especially justice – into the broader world.
We have much to celebrate. Our synagogue is blessed with dedicated staff, visionary lay leaders, and a vibrant array of religious and social programming. Recent survey results affirm this, with members giving high marks across the board. Our financial health is strong, thanks to sound management and the generosity of our community.
I believe that the role of the synagogue has never been more vital. In an age of remote work, instant delivery, and limitless information, society has become increasingly fragmented. The disconnection described in Bowling Alone by Lexington resident Dr. Robert Putnam has only deepened in recent years.
As our survey showed, people crave connection. Studies show that those who regularly attend religious services live longer, healthier, and happier lives. Humans evolved to live in communities, not isolated in front of screens, fed by delivery apps.
While synagogue life is an antidote to this isolation, it requires more effort and resources than ever before.
While we don’t need to write a new Mishnah, we must ask: what innovations will preserve our tradition today? Just as Rabbi Judah responded boldly, so too must we.
At Temple Emunah, with continued care and investment, we have the opportunity to nurture our sacred community.
Our primary goal remains fostering community.
We do this in many ways, but especially by welcoming people with smiles and open arms.
Welcoming
We can achieve this by being more welcoming than ever. A visit to Grace Chapel on a Sunday morning demonstrates the power of hospitality. Newcomers receive VIP parking, are greeted in their cars, are given a gift certificate to their café, and are personally escorted through the facility. While that may exceed our current capacity, we can still make our community more hospitable.
How wonderful it would be to have members of our community greet congregants and guests at every service, especially on Shabbat, in coordination with our security staff. Nothing compares to the warmth of a smile upon entering shul.
We must do more to integrate new members into our community. One way to achieve this is through volunteer mentor families who can invite newcomers for Shabbat dinners and help them feel truly welcomed, something that our members stressed in the survey.
We also recognize that much of community building does not happen in the synagogue – it happens in people’s homes. We will need to create a large-scale initiative to increase hakhnasat orhim, the Jewish value of welcoming guests.
Matching families, couples, and individual members to share Shabbat and holiday meals together and to form havurot – small groups that foster deeper connections through monthly gatherings in members’ homes – will also strengthen our community for the future. In times of need, a strong web of relationships ensures we have a reliable social safety net.
Food plays a central role in Jewish life. In Temple times, pilgrimage festivals were marked by sacred communal meals. When I arrived at Emunah, one of my first initiatives was to expand Shabbat lunches so everyone could participate. Today, we should continue elevating these meals into culinary experiences. As I like to say, people can come: “JFK! (Just For Kiddush).”
Our Campus
Physical spaces also matter. We are exploring the creation of a new entryway and lounge to foster connection. This welcoming space would feature comfortable seating, soft lighting, books, and a warm aesthetic – embracing the “resomercial” style that blends residential comfort with communal functionality.
Our vision includes opening the ground floor walls to create a light-filled lounge that integrates the Bines Library, the Sisterhood Gift Shop, and the Rubenstein Conference Room. Imagine a fireplace, a communal counter (ideal for weekday coffee and conversation), and café-style seating. On Shabbat, this area could offer gourmet coffee and treats, while on Sundays, a professional barista could serve drinks, as we had this year – thanks to the generosity of the Ladle Fund, which sponsored Café Emunah (our coffee cart) this year.
This summer, we’re upgrading our main bathrooms and the doors to Founder’s Hall – improvements we hope will be just the beginning. Looking ahead, we envision reorganizing janitorial spaces, redesigning the front office to create a more functional and welcoming reception area, and adapting the multipurpose room to include a Shabbat apartment for guests who do not drive on the Sabbath. Our Executive Director, Raveetal Celine, is thoughtfully assessing our current needs and anticipating what they may be in the future.
Looking ahead, future projects could include a major kitchen renovation, increasing natural light in the Rubinovitz Social Hall, adding a glass-enclosed meeting area facing the courtyard, and enhancing the connection between the rabbinic offices and the Pious Chapel. In the Main Sanctuary, we are exploring ideas to improve security, update technology, and enhance aesthetics. One possibility is replacing the fixed pews with flexible seating, allowing us to better scale the sacred space for both smaller and larger gatherings.
Outside, we envision a walking path through the woods with a spiritual circle built into the terrain. We could upgrade the firepit with an amphitheater, add pickleball lines and a gaga court, revitalize our meditation square, and enhance outdoor seating to encourage year-round use, including heated elements.
We will continue to add more accessible, gender-neutral restrooms, including ones that are ADA compliant and have automatic bathroom door openers.
Programming, Retreat, and Trips
Beyond space, we must continue building community through innovative programming. We are considering regular Shabbat yoga, more social outings (Red Sox, Celtics, Lowell Spinners games), expanded breakfasts for seniors, more musical events, and additional Café Emunah gatherings. Our June 8 picnic, sponsored by the Bess Ezekiel, z”l, Fund, will be a prototype for future celebrations.
Education and Israel
Education is a cornerstone of our community, and our adult education program continues to serve as a model for others. Still, we are committed to broadening our reach and deepening engagement. We’re exploring new offerings for parents, both introductory and advanced classes, expanded and additional scholar-in-residence weekends, enhancements to our Ivrit Lakol/Hebrew program, and the addition of new Adult B’nei Mitzvah cohorts. We also hope to introduce an annual community-wide book read as another way to learn and grow together.
Our connection to Israel must deepen, especially during this time of internal and external threats. We must cultivate a deep love for Israel’s people and culture, even amid critical conversations about its government and its policies. Through music, dance, Hebrew, history, and literature, we aim to foster pride while embracing complexity. And we will find more ways to support a Jewish and democratic Israel, one which welcomes all Jews, allows for religious freedom, and speaks to our values of pluralism and justice.
Jewish education for our children is a communal responsibility. With outstanding staff in place, we plan to grow and innovate. Under Laura Cohen-Gordon’s leadership, the Preschool is exploring rebranding, expanding scholarships, coordinating with FwYC (Families with Young Children), and creating multigenerational programming. Additional goals include extending Kaytana hours, offering gap camps during school breaks, and strengthening professional development.
Our Director of Congregational Learning, Me’ir Sherer, has built an inspiring program over the past decade. Tova Weinronk and Sydney Bluman have deepened engagement with young families, and future plans include creating an art room, launching school-to-school partnerships with Haifa, and formally extending religious school through 12th grade.
Spirituality and Prayer
As we look ahead, deepening our spiritual lives remains central. While we cherish the beauty and structure of our traditional davening, we are also committed to exploring additional formats that speak to our community’s diverse spiritual needs, including more creative services with learning, text-study, and our Niggun Saloon spirited singing. We will continue to grow Emunat HaLev, our meditation and mindfulness institute led by Barbara Neustadt, integrating contemplative practices into our Shabbatot, festivals, and daily experiences, as well as spiritual retreats.
We should thoughtfully consider how to evolve our Shabbat services. We hope to bring more people into our Friday night gatherings, where they can experience the pure joy of song, dance, and communal energy – something that only a portion of our community currently enjoys. Rabbi Willis and I are committed to incorporating more of that spirit into our Shabbat morning services as well.
As we work to preserve the traditional essence of the main service, we will also explore ways to shorten its length and thoughtfully introduce new elements that enhance the experience while honoring our core values.
Caring Community
Our tradition guides us through every stage of life – from birth to b’nei mitzvah, from weddings to funerals. We are working to enrich our lifecycle offerings by crafting new rituals and personalized ceremonies that reflect our members’ diverse lives, especially those for couples where one partner is not Jewish. Whether it’s a new baby naming blessing, an adult b’nei mitzvah journey, or support during times of loss, we aim to make every lifecycle moment feel sacred and supported. Working with the Community Hevra Kadisha of Greater Boston and the Mayyim Hayyim Mikveh of Greater Boston, we hope to introduce more of our families to these beautiful and meaningful lesser-known parts of our people’s practice.
Our Hineni Committee and Hineni Care Team – working in collaboration with staff and volunteers – continues to provide meals, visits, transportation, and emotional support to members in need. As part of this commitment, we plan to pilot the hiring of a part-time case manager to help coordinate resources, support families facing health and eldercare challenges, and ensure that no one in our community faces hardship alone.
But hesed (loving-kindness) extends beyond our immediate community. We are committed to strengthening our efforts in social action and social justice. This includes streamlining our leftover food donation process and engaging our students in meaningful mitzvah and hesed projects that make a tangible difference.
We also hope to deepen our involvement with the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO), to work with those most in need and build bridges with other faith communities. Racial justice, inclusion, and LGBTQ+ equality will continue to be central to our vision for both our community and the broader world.
Emunah’s sponsorship of a new immigrant family marks the beginning of a new chapter in our commitment to supporting the “stranger.” As these needs grow, we aim to expand this work – another opportunity to build strong interfaith partnerships and amplify our collective impact.
Leadership
Developing lay leadership like takes time and dedication, and we are fortunate to have individuals who approach their roles with such commitment. Finding and nurturing new leaders, while treating them and our entire membership with kindness and respect, is a community-wide priority. Bringing in volunteers helps ensure that there is new creativity and vitality in our leadership and that our current leaders do not “burn out.”
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the future of Temple Emunah – and most of all, to dreaming together.
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None of this will happen overnight, and none of this will happen without you. To fund these dreams, we hope to launch a new Capital Campaign to support building projects, grow our endowment, and provide for ongoing needs. We hope to complete this effort by 2029–2030, in time for Temple Emunah’s 70th anniversary.
Community, sacred space, social connection, education, spirituality, loving-kindness, and justice are the pillars of our faith – and our Emunah family.
After 21 years, I know what a truly special spiritual home this is. I look forward to writing the next chapter with you.
With Emunah – faith in our future,
Rabbi David Lerner
Monday – Thursday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Friday, 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
