Rabbi Aaron Rosenberg has served Temple Emanu-El as spiritual leader since 1980. In addition to teaching, preaching, and reaching out to help members of our congregation, he is active in the community. A graduate of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, he is the Jewish chaplain at Connecticut College and past president of Waterford Rotary Club. Rabbi Rosenberg and his wife, Karen, have three sons, Ari, Elon, and David, and live in Waterford.

January 1, 2010

Dear Friends,

The year was 1960. Albert Sabin developed the oral polio vaccine, Adolf Eichmann was arrested.  The movie Exodus was a hit at the box office.  JFK was elected President.  And five couples gathered in the living room of the late Jeanne and Clem Prokesch to establish what was originally called "The Reform Temple of New London County".  Within a year the fledgling congregation renamed itself Temple Emanu-El after the largest congregation in the country, located in Manhattan.

Five decades have transpired since those humble beginnings.  Hundreds of individuals played an important part in our growth and vitality.  Over the years we have been served by a retired rabbi, student rabbis, student cantors, Rabbi Peter Knobel in the 1970's, and since 1980, it has been my privilege to be your spiritual leader.  How fortunate we are to have Sherry Barnes as our Cantorial Soloist for the past 8 years.  Countless congregants have served on our Board of Trustees, been leaders in Sisterhood and Brotherhood, taught in the Religious School, and enriched our programs and services immeasurably.  Through the decades we have prayed in the Mohegan Hotel, an office on Montauk Ave., the All Souls Unitarian Church, Crossroads Presbyterian Church, our first building on Fort St. in Groton, and since 1979, at 29 Dayton Road in Waterford.

Our biblical forebears observed a Jubilee Year every 50th year.  It was a time to sound the shofar and proclaim liberty throughout the land.  We too have festive plans to mark this 50th Anniversary for Temple Emanu-El.  It is only fitting that we launch this year of celebration with a service on Friday, January 8 at 8 PM featuring the President of the Union for Reform Judaism, Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie.  His predecessor, Rabbi Alexander Schindler, helped us get our temple going a half century ago, and returned to speak at our 25th and 30th Anniversaries.

Let the festivities begin!

Rabbi Aaron Rosenberg

Sherry Barnes joined Temple Emanu-El in 1987. In May of 1989 she became an adult bat mitzvah and began teaching in the Religious School that fall. In 2001 Sherry became Temple Emanu-El's first full-time Cantorial Soloist. She enjoys teaching an adult Hebrew classes, B'nai Mitzvah students, as well as congregants interested in chanting Torah. She has the pleasure of leading the Temple Emanu-El Choir. Sherry can be reached by e-mail at shirie3860@aol.com.

January 1, 2010

We will begin celebrating our 50th Anniversary this month! Since I also will be turning 50 this year, I like to think of Temple Emanu-El as 50 years young and full of life!

I joined this Temple in 1987 and the people here quickly became part of my extended family. Rabbi Rosenberg and our Cantorial students always made services the place I wanted to be on Shabbat. It was very easy to get involved in Adult B'nai Mitzvah classes, Sisterhood, the Temple Board and the Religious School.

Like everyone, I have gone through my share of tough times and was so fortunate to not only have my family, but my Temple family there for me, too. I will always be grateful for that. Kol hakavod Temple Emanu-El for 50 years of worship, friendship and ruach!

Sherry Barnes