Welcome
Temple Concord is a community of warmth and awareness where every individual matters. From singles and families, LGBTQ or straight, near or far, Jews by birth or by choice, our members come from diverse backgrounds and work in conjunction with one another to make this amazing community.
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Our Shabbat and holiday worship services are open to all, in person or online. There is never a formal dress code or fee required to attend.
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Rabbi's Leiah's Reflection
“She had some feelings which she was ashamed to investigate. They were too much like joy, senseless joy!” — Jane Austen, Persuasion
In our prayers, we refer to this time as z’man geulateinu, “the time of our redemption.” As is often the case in our tradition, this label applies both forward and backward in time — it is not only the time for remembering the redemption of our ancestors, but also when we anticipate redemption for ourselves and our descendants.
Generations of Jews have wrestled with the challenge of maintaining faith in a coming redemption while living in the midst of a decidedly un-redeemed world, a world of hardship and struggle, persecution and oppression. Does it really make sense to open the door every year for Elijah, to look outside in expectation of news of redemption, when life is so hard? Or does opening that door merely leave us more vulnerable to the pain and disappointment life has in store for us?
In general, Jewish people have never flinched from looking frankly at how hard life can be. But nevertheless, the most fundamental teaching of our tradition is the possibility — no, the certainty — of redemption, not only in a spiritual sense, but in this very body, in this very life. That promise of redemption, and the optimism it brings, can give us the courage to hold on, and even to contribute in some small way to bringing the day of redemption nearer. It is this hope for redemption that gives courage to the activist standing up for justice, to the poor person helping out their fellow while barely scraping by themself, to the trans person finally breaking through their shell and speaking their truth for the first time.
What this season teaches us is that however bad it may be, it is never embarrassing to hope for a better tomorrow. Keep opening that door — maybe this year, Elijah will come.
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L'shalom,
Rabbi Leiah Moser (she/her)
Announcements
Mitzvah of the Month
We invite you to engage in acts of Tikkun Olam, the repair of the world, by connecting our community through service and action.
This month we are collecting some non-food items for Temple Concord's CHOW Food Pantry such as dish soap, laundry detergent, paper towels, toilet paper. That these items can be purchased for $1.25 at any of our local dollar stores.
To participate in this important mitzvah, please deposit these items in the box in the Temple office.
Please contact the Social Action Committee or attend a meeting to help us seek new opportunities to engage in social justice activities and welcome your input regarding populations that could benefit from our help.
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Thank you!
Jewish Mysticism Classes weekly on Wednesdays at 6:00 PM
Rabbi Leiah is exploring Kabbalah, a tradition of mystical Judaism which has played an enormous role in Jewish theology and practice from the middle ages down to the present day.
The class is designed to be accessible to anyone regardless of their past experience or lack of experience with this material. If you’ve ever been curious about what Kabbalah is and how it connects with modern Judaism, this class is for you!
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For a Zoom Link, contact the Temple Office.
Don't forget to use your voice
Vote Reform at the World Zionist Conference by May 4th
​The Union for Reform Judaism is sending out a call reminding members of the Reform movement who wish to advance Reform values in Israel — including democracy, religious equality, and “a secure Israel alongside a peaceful Palestinian state” — to vote the Reform slate in the World Zionist Congress elections.
For a look at the platform and the slate up for election, you can visit the website here. Voting is ongoing, and will be over on May 4th.
Tuesday Morning Book Club
May 6, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Social Action Committee Meeting on Tuesday, May 20 at 7:00 PM
We encourage our members, families, and friends to join our monthly Social Action meetings here at Temple Concord. Our initiatives include our weekly CHOW food pantry, social justice work, and partnering with other local groups - all in the interest of improving our local community. For more information, please contact our office at (607) 723-7355, or email templeconcordaa@gmail.com.
Volunteer!
Support our CHOW Pantry
When your brother becomes impoverished and loses the ability to support himself in the community, you must come to his aid. Help him to survive whether he is a stranger or a native.
- Leviticus Behar 35
As always, thank you for helping our most vulnerable community members. Contact the Temple office if you have any questions.
Please take a moment to look in your pantry and gather unopened, non-expired food and household supplies. Or, simply add a few items to your next trip to the store.
Our most current needs are: toilet paper, canned soup, crackers, cold cereal, instant potatoes, white rice, bottled juice, pasta sauce, pasta, peanut butter, jelly, and canned tuna.
You may drop your goods off at Temple Concord, or donate funds directly to our CHOW pantry online or via check, cash, or credit card and indicate the Social Action/Helping Hands Fund. Please contact our office if you have any questions at (607) 723-7355. We are grateful for your help!
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Rummage Sale Volunteers Needed!
We are in need of people to help staff our monthly rummage sales. Here are the dates that need coverage:
April 6th, May 4th, and June 1st.
Please contact juliebyersceramics@gmail.com if you would like to join us! THANK YOU!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Join our Temple Choir!
We are in the process of expanding our Temple Choir, and are looking for folks interested in joining! At the moment the primary focus will be on music for the High Holidays, but in time we hope to expand the choir’s role to other events throughout the year.
People of all ages and levels of musical experience are welcome and encouraged to participate.
Contact Rabbi Leiah if you wish to join.
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The Judaica Shop at Temple Concord
Let us help you celebrate every day! Please come when the office is open, Tuesday through Friday 10:00 am-2:00 pm or by appointment. See what we have!
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Pictures from our Recent Events
Purim Spiel put on by the Religious School with students.
Fruits and goodies at Tu BiShvat Seder
Purim Spiel put on by the Religious School with students.
Join us in person or online
You can participate in our weekly Shabbat services, holiday services, and adult learning events in person or remotely via Zoom or Facebook live.
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Zoom links found on our calendar.
Weekly Schedule
TUESDAY-THURSDAY
5:30 PM Prayer Service (in Person Only)
FRIDAY:
7:30 PM Shabbat Services
SATURDAY:
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Shabbat School
9:15 AM - 10:30 AM: Torah Study
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM: Shabbat Family Services
​​Shabbat evening Zoom
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