Every time I'm in Long Beach, California, I look so forward to attending all the activities at
Temple Israel. It is the most welcoming and accepting congregation ever! I have a place in Long Beach where I feel I belong. The people that attend are from so many diverse backgrounds and are anxious to get to know one another.
My father's family, the Schneider family, was one of the founding families of Temple Israel. My dad's Uncle Irving was the leader of the extended Schneider family (all my dad's aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents lived in Belmont Shore in Long Beach) and Uncle Irving is remembered for being one of the founders and leaders of the Temple Israel congregation. There's a wall in the temple's lobby that remembers the deceased loved ones who are remembered by members of the congregation, and my mother, uncle, grand-parents, some of my great-uncles and great-aunts, and my great-grandparents are on that wall.
My dad remembers being part of Temple Israel's religious school in the 1930s and 1940s. The picture of his confirmation class is somewhere in the temple's archives and he also taught at the religious school when he was a teen. My parents were married by Temple Israel's Rabbi Grafman in 1950 and Rabbi Steven Moskowitz conducted my mother's funeral service in 2011.
Our family's history made me and my dad begin to attend Temple Israel's activities starting about three years ago whenever we were in Long Beach. Shortly after that, we became members because we just loved everything that goes on at Temple Israel.
We found ourselves never missing Torah Study on Saturday mornings or Tanach Study on Thursday mornings when we were in Long Beach. When
Cantor Sara Hass came to the temple, the music and services became so lively and meaningful that I didn't want to miss any of the services, so even when I'm in Colorado, I tune into the
livestream of the services so I don't miss the wonderful Temple Israel services.
I really enjoy Cantor Hass's and Bill Shafton's once a month
Shabbat HaNefesh services and I also love
"Got Shabbat," a special service sponsored by Debbie and Rob Feldman featuring the Shabbatones that goes on at the temple on Friday nights about every four to six months. The music is wonderful and lifts my spirit! In the summer, we've attended Shabbat in the Park and
Shabbat at the Beach!
"The Blessing of the Animals" took place at the park on a Friday evening during a Shabbat service at the park and was a blast.
One service I really enjoyed was a Collaborative Shabbat where everyone sat in a circle and each person did a part of the service. During "Got Shabbat," everyone joins hands and dances during L'Chad Dodi. And...at the end of every service, everyone joins arms and sings together. Then, when we drink wine and eat Challah, just before we say the motzi for the Challah everyone touches someone who is touching someone who is touching the Challah! That really is a great way to feel connected! Also, my dad and I got to attend a
Shabbat at Home dinner at the home of Paul L. which was the best experience ever. The best part was that we made some special friends that evening including Sharon, Gail, Moshe, Tila, and Jeannette. My dad went to the Alhadeff's home for Passover and went to another home for a Sukkot meal.
Cantor Hass taught an adult Bat Mitzvah class and the ladies in the class all had a group Bat Mitzvah! The cantor's
music is on the temple's website for everyone to enjoy.
Rabbi Steven Moskowitz tells the children at the temple that "Temple Israel is the best temple in the world" and I believe he's right. The children get so excited about their Judaism that it is amazing. The educational director, Sharon Amster Brown, seems to smile all the time and her smile is infectious since all the children at the temple seem to be so, so happy every time I see them. They really want to be there.
Then there is the most amazing volunteer named
Jay Alhadeff. Jay is what I call a "super volunteer" and he is so knowledgeable about Judaism. Once in awhile, when the rabbi or cantor can't be present, he runs Torah Study or leads services. Whenever I arrive at Temple Israel, after being away in Colorado, Jay always gives me a hug and says, "Welcome home!" He organizes the greeters, works with the religious school, and gets the religious school kids to help during the monthly Shabbat Fellowships lunches and he does many more things. Temple Israel is so thankful for Jay.
The learning opportunities at Temple Israel make me want to learn Torah and Tanach. The Thursday Tanach group of learners have discussions that are so interesting that I can't wait to go back. The Tanach Study is led by Joan Leb who does a wonderful job every Thursday and keeps the group in order as we discuss Psalms or the Prophets or other books in the Tanach. Joan is also the temple's librarian and works so hard to keep the library stocked with wonderful books related to Judaism. (She's even put my skating autobiography,
My Skating Life, in the library since I'm a temple member.)
On Saturday mornings, more than 50 people study and read the Torah together.
Rabbi Steven Moskowitz is an intellectual Jewish teacher who loves art, so he usually shares
artwork related to the Parsha and teaches us from a study sheet he's prepared. Each person that attends has a chance to share their thoughts and I look forward to Shabbat in California so much since I learn so much.
By the way, Rabbi Moskowitz is a great rabbi and his wife Ana is so cute and sweet. He is a rabbi of a huge congregation, but takes the time to give each person in his congregation his full attention. He's amazing!
Monthly, there is a Shabbat Fellowship after Shabbat services which includes a meal and entertainment. Ann Martin works hard to get the best entertainment ever, so whenever I'm in Long Beach the first Saturday of the month, I can't wait to be at Shabbat Fellowship. I've heard the best music and entertainment because of Ann's hard work.
There are also "field trips" and special speakers. My dad and I had the best time going to an Israeli Restaurant in the Fairfax District with a group from the temple. We ate the best food and made new friends.
Some of the visiting speakers have shared interesting stories.
Dr. Ron Wolfson, a professor at the American Jewish University in Los Angeles, was part of the "Scholars in Residence" program and entertained the congregation with his stories. I especially enjoyed his presentation about his book
The Best Boy in the United States Of America.
In 2017, one of the most fun special events I attended was when after the Shabbat service there was a potluck dinner followed by Israeli dancing! People of all ages gathered together and danced. It was a blast.
My dad attends the Men's club on Tuesdays when he is in town. I've heard that the men that attend regularly really enjoy my dad. The Men's club even went on a boating trip together one Sunday. My dad loved it!
In addition to all the things I've shared about in this post, there are special events such as a Tu B'Shevat Seder and a Purim Spiel. Those opportunities are just plain fun, but the learning and time with others in the temple is great.
The office staff, run by Charmaine and Jackie, make every member feel important. Jackie even took the time to print out a Schneider family census for me from the 1920s. Charmaine is so complimentary and thankful every time I call or email her with any questions about temple activities.
Anyway, yes...it is true....like Rabbi Moskowitz says, Temple Israel may be the best temple in the world. The best thing is that Temple Israel has really helped me love being Jewish and has made me want to learn more and more about God and Judaism.
Some Other Of My Blog Posts About Temple Israel:
