Blessing of the Backpacks- Erev Shabbat Service
As a new school year begins, let’s send our students, teachers, and families into the year with encouragement and blessings!
Join us for our Blessing of the Backpacks Shabbat Service on Friday, August 21 at 6:30 p.m. Bring your backpack (or just yourself!) as we celebrate new beginnings.
We’re also partnering with Sligo Middle School by collecting new backpacks, pencils, and 3-ring binders to help local students start the school year with the supplies they need. Your donations will make a meaningful difference for families in our community.
If you can’t bring school supply donations in person, use our Amazon Wish List!
Let’s bless the year ahead—and help every student start strong.
Ice Cream Oneg to follow services!
Let’s Do Lunch with Cantor Emily Short!
Pack your favorite lunch and join us for a casual midday gathering!
This is a wonderful opportunity to schmooze, ask questions, share stories, and get to know Cantor Short in a relaxed and informal setting. Whether you’re a longtime member or new to Temple Emanuel, we’d love to see you there.
Thursday, August 27
12:00 PM
Bring your own lunch
Space is limited to 20, so be sure to RSVP.
Come for lunch, stay for the conversation, and help us continue giving Cantor Short a warm Temple Emanuel welcome! 💙.
Death Cafe #7- August 30, 12:30pm
PLEASE NOTE THE START TIME
A Death Cafe is a group directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes. It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counselling session. Rabbi Adam and Sue Berman will facilitate this conversation. Our objective, borrowed from the deathcafe.com website is ‘to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives.’
At a Death Cafe people, often strangers, gather to eat cake, drink tea and discuss death. While this will not be an information session about death or funeral practices, we will have resources available that may support you and/or your family. From there we hope that a conversation will arise that will take the group on an agenda-free discussion where everyone who wants to will get a chance to speak.
Please RSVP by Wednesday, August 26 so that we know how much food to prepare. Call the office at 301-942-2000.
While it’s not a requirement, it might be helpful to watch the PBS documentary Being Mortal especially if this is your first Death Café.
POSTCARD WRITING
Wednesday September 2, 10:00am
Write postcards to under-represented voters in key states for the upcoming midterm election!
Working with the WRJ and the Religious Action Center, we provide the cards, addresses, non-partisan messages, and will have stamps available for purchase.
Can’t make it? Postcard kits are available “to go” if these times are not convenient! Contact Lisa Shames for more info.
March With TE at the Kensington Labor Day Parade!
Can you believe summer is almost over?
Which means it’s time to plan for the Kensington Labor Day Parade on Sept 7th! We had such a great time out there with the community last year. And we need YOU this year! Sign up to march and be a “candy ambassador” (perfect for kids with the added bonus of getting to also eat the candy) and/or staff the TE booth.
