Temple Emanu-El of Utica

Prayer Before Election Day Ribbono Shel Olam, Life-Giving-Force of the Universe, As Election Day nears and millions of Americans have already cast their votes, We pray that every voice and every vote count this election.... May we each exercise our sacred duty of voting as citizens of a democracy. And may we not suffer intimidation or fear at any stage in doing so. We pray for the continued strength of our democracy, that the voice of the people will carry the day. And we pray for healing and unity in the days and weeks to come after Election Day. May our country become a beacon of justice and equality, which lives up to our core aspirations, and may each of us encounter everyone with love, even when we disagree. We pray for enduring coalitions of allies, with whom we in our Jewish community may continue to partner towards a more just, compassionate and wholesome world. We pray for no less than a society worthy of Your blessing, God, the realization of Your Prophets’ visions. In the words of Your Prophet Amos, may justice flow like a river, righteousness like a mighty stream. And together we say, Amen. (Rabbi Ethan Bair) See more

Please go to templeemanuel-Utica.org/learning to get all the links for information on this issue and what you can do to help. Post below what you are doing to help and feel free to share this post.

A Statement from the Jewish Community Federation of the Mohawk Valley (jointly with several other Jewish Federations): The bedrock of American liberty is a strong, thriving democracy and an engaged citizenry. The COVID-19 pandemic has altered almost every aspect of the way we live, including how we vote in elections. It’s a longstanding tradition that nonpartisan groups across the spectrum do their part by encouraging their members and the larger community to vote. This year,... these non-partisan efforts are even more essential to ensuring that every vote is counted and everyone can participate in our democracy. We call upon all government leaders, candidates, and elected officials, Democrats and Republicans, at every level and branch of government to recommit to our nation’s core democratic principles and oppose violence emerging from the far right or the far left. In the case of contested or close elections we ask for patience and trust in the system, as we allow for every valid vote to be counted. We ask civic and faith leaders to set a standard of discourse, oppose violence and encourage peaceful engagement in the political process. We must sustain and carry out these ideals and principles in both our words and our actions at this critical moment in our history.

The Jewish Community of the Mohawk Valley did it again! The Temples and the JCC came together today for our second give away! We gave out 180 large bags filled with soap, toothpaste, household cleaners and toilet paper to people in the Utica community impacted by COVID-19’s effect on our economy. Thank you to everyone who gave their time and/or money to help make this possible.

Please join the Members of Temple Emanu-El, The MCAMV (Muslim Community Association of the Mohawk Valley), the Bosnian Islamic Association of Utica, Temple Beth El and the Myanmar Muslim Community of Utica for a virtual workshop as we learn more about this issue, and about what we can do. Oct. 29th 7:00-8:30 PM For the Zoom link for this workshop, please email [email protected]

This fascinating, troubling and inspiring piece addresses food insecurity in NYC. It is notable that here in Oneida Country, some 12% of residents experience food insecurity, and 41% of students living in the Utica City School District come from families living at or below poverty income levels. Which is why our community's recent Food Drive (and subsequent delivery to Hope House) was particularly important. Please know that you can still bring non-perishable food to the Temple to help ensure that among the many challenges facing us and our neighbors, food insecurity not be one.

#ThebigSend Temple Emanu-El may not be that big, but we are mighty! The Temple Emanu-El Social Action Group took on the responsibility of sending personalized letters to people less likely to vote, urging them to participate in the election. This was not aimed at people of one party or the other. We were just encouraging people to have their voice heard. As a group, we sent out 445 letters across the country for VoteForward. In addition, we also sent out 419 letters to local voters!

The NYS Department of Health, in partnership with Apple and Google, recently released a free and optional exposure notification app that allows users to receive alert notifications if they have been exposed. Governor Cuomo shared the following about data security: The app will never track your location and is completely anonymous. Using Bluetooth technology, it can detect proximity to another phone with COVID Alert NY downloaded. The State Department of Health cannot identify who downloads the app, and does not collect your name, phone number or other personal information.

We congratulate former Utica resident (and daughter of former Temple Emanu-El Rabbi Elliott Waldman, z"l) Debbie Waldman on her recently published article in the New York Times.

Our on line Yom Kippur services were meaningful and creative thanks to much hard work on the part many people. Shiviti placards like this were given to all our congregants in the High Holy Day Tool Kits and people were asked to display them so they would show on camera during the services. They were intended to help us create a sanctuary in our homes since we couldn’t gather in our Temple. It was gratifying to see how many people did just that. It was a small but lovely connection between us all.

More photos of Tashlich!

Tashlich, the symbolic casting off of sins into a body of water, was different this year. We were not able to gather together in one spot, but each family at Temple Emanu-El received a little bag of bird seed in their High Holy Day Tool Kit with instructions for a personal Tashlich. Hopefully, everyone had the opportunity to reflect on the past year and cast off their mistakes and sins.

Thank you to Keri Campbell for such a great idea! Even though we couldn't physically be in the Sanctuary for the High Holy Days, we were able to "sit" in the seats.

https://www.cnyhomepage.com//utica-temple-distributes-tak/