Temple Emanuel serves our community and the wider world through initiatives coordinated by different groups including our TE ECC, TE Religious School, and many different committees and affiliates (WRJ and Brotherhood).
There are ways to help on a one-time basis for a specific event, from home, or with a group at Temple Emanuel or in the local area. Learn more about upcoming specific projects below.
Additional details on ongoing volunteer opportunities at Temple Emanuel can be found here.
TE Brotherhood’s many projects include their Sunshine Committee which sends cards and prepares meals when members are in need and an annual clean-up of the grounds every August before Temple Emanuel Religious School convenes. Learn more about their work and contact them to get involved in their social and service projects!
We are always looking for artists to exhibit their work in the HaMakom. The HaMakom gallery is a space for Temple Emanuel members and local artists to show their art or craft for the Temple community to view. We want to display a minimum of 15 items and they need to be ready to hang on hooks. Also, if you like you can sell your art and host a reception. For more information, please contact Lori Gordon.
CSAC promotes and helps organize activities locally that allow opportunities to perform mitzvot, supports related activities throughout the congregation, and strengthens the ability of all Temple volunteers to make a difference in our community. Over the summer, the CSAC Community Garden needs your help! All of the vegetables are donated to the Shepherd’s Table homeless shelter in downtown Silver Spring. In 2023 we delivered just shy of 400 lbs! CSAC looks forward to seeing you in the garden every Sunday from 9a to 11a! New (experienced or novice) gardeners are ALWAYS welcome. Please let coordinators Ian DeWaal and Matt Koch know if you will be there.
The Israel Engagement Committee is the leader in Temple Emanuel’s effort to increase awareness and interest in all issues cultural and religious related to Israel, and to link our synagogue community to efforts to increase religious pluralism in Israel. We accomplish this by developing cultural and religious programs of interest to the greatest number of members of the Temple community throughout the year. We realize that this is a particularly difficult time for Israel and the American Jewish community, and that makes diverse programming about cultural, political, and religious activities in Israel of great importance to our congregation. We are always looking for new members for our committee, who can add their expertise and interests to our programming efforts. If you would like to join us in the coming year, please reach out to Allan Mufson
Learn more about planned trip to Israel in February 2025.
GMP raises funds for disadvantaged international families and communities. New members are invited to help make a significant difference in overcoming poverty. Learn more about their work here.
The Kulanu Committee supports and sponsors gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender inclusion and programming at Temple Emanuel and the community.
“Serving on the Meal of Comfort Committee has been one of the most meaningful and appreciated mitzvot that I have performed as a Temple member.”
The Meal of Comfort Committee is looking for volunteers to continue the Temple tradition of providing meals to bereaved families returning from the cemetery. There are several ways to help, each requiring an infrequent, small commitment of time. But in order to provide this service to families, we need a large number of volunteers so that, on short notice, we can be certain to have sufficient volunteers available.
Join a potluck lunch on Sunday, October 6 at noon in Hamakom to learn more. RSVP here
If you cannot join but have questions, please contact Bobbi Fishback or Linda Wolpert.
Interested in helping our vibrant community grow? Are you a connector who can help make new and prospective members feel welcome? Are you active in online discussion groups in Montgomery County? The Membership Committee is looking for you! We’re looking for people to join our committee, or if committee meetings aren’t for you, we welcome your help as an ambassador of Temple Emanuel to the broader community. Please contact Camellia Jacobs and/or Steve Weiss for more info.
The religious practices committee is looking for congregants interested in occasionally leading Shabbat services and shiva minyans. We will be offering training for these roles. If you’d like to participate — or even if you just want to find out more about what’s involved — please reach out to co-chairs Dan Halpern or Jessica Bernstein.
The Tech Committee needs two or three volunteers to support Zoom services. Help setup and break down the camera and audio equipment used to stream services. Typically, two to three volunteers are scheduled per streamed service who operate the Zoom session and the equipment used to feed video and audio. Usually, setup starts two hours prior to the service and finishes about an hour after the service ends. Prior experience is not necessary. Contact chair John Miller to learn more.
Women of Reform Judaism has many ongoing projects including monthly soup making, support for new immigrants, meals for families, and collection drives for local organizations. September – May they staff a bagel table at Religious School which serves as an important fundraiser.
Learn more about their work here and contact them to get involved.
WRJ, in conjunction with Brotherhood, and the Community Social Action Committee through the nonpartisan organization Religious Action Center (RAC) hosts regular Postcard Writing parties this fall. Postcards, addresses, and scripts provided. Stamps available for $11. Bring your writing hand! This November, voters will decide who controls the White House, Senate, and House of Representatives. Upcoming dates include October 6 (Sun) 9:30-11:30am (Library) and October 9 (Wed) 7-8:30pm (HaMakom). For questions or to pick up your own package to complete at home, please contact: Esther or Lisa
We urge you to review these mitzvah opportunities and see where you want to make a difference!
Please reach out to the Temple Office via email or call 301.942.2000 if you have questions or trouble connecting.
We hope to see you at one of their many activities soon!
