Press Release
Submitted by Rabbi Aaron Rosenberg of Temple Emanu-El
Temple Emanu-El of Waterford to Celebrate its 50th Anniversary
In January of 1960, five couples met in the New London living room of Jeanne and Clem Prokesch to establish a Reform Jewish temple in southeastern Connecticut. Today over 230 families comprise the membership of Temple Emanu-El, which has been located at 29 Dayton, Rd. in Waterford since 1979. Rabbi Aaron Rosenberg and Scott Wolfe, Chair of the 50th Anniversary Celebration, have announced a series of events to commemorate this milestone.
The year’s festivities begin with a 50th Anniversary Service on Friday, January 8th at 8 PM. Guest speaker will be Rabbi Eric Yoffie, President of the Union for Reform Judaism, which consists of 1.5 million Jews in over 900 congregations in North America. His topic will be “Reform Judaism and the Challenges Ahead.” Rabbi Yoffie, President of URJ since 1996, has emerged as an outstanding leader bringing the Reform Movement into a position of dominance in the 21st Century. A progressive thinker he has written and spoken extensively, especially in the areas of interfaith relations and ethical values. The service will also include liturgy from the past half century, the torah chanted by Rabbi Ari Rosenberg of Hevre of Southern Berkshire Congregation, honoring past presidents, and music led by Cantorial Soloist Sherry Barnes with the Temple Emanu-El Band and Choir.
Other events for the 50th Anniversary year include a Sisterhood Service on Fri., January 22, and a Brotherhood Service on March 19. Both will feature creative liturgy and Reflections on the Past Half Century. On Friday, June 11, Rabbi Peter Knobel who served Temple Emanu-El from the late 1960’s until the summer of 1980, will return for a Service of Remembrance. In addition to being the Senior Rabbi of Beth Emet, the Free Synagogue of Evanston, Illinois, Rabbi Knobel has been a national Jewish leader, including being a Past President of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. The Fort Street Gang, members of long-standing, will also help lead the service.
On October 15, the congregation will honor Rabbi Aaron Rosenberg for his 30 Years of Spiritual Leadership. The grand finale for the year of celebration will be a Gala at Port ‘N Starboard on Saturday, October 16.
