Garden Club: Starting with Mums
2025-11-12 19:15 - 20:45 (US/Eastern) | Simon Hall
Beth Shalom Garden Club presents “Starting with Mums”, a floral program when four of our own talented club members will create unique fall floral arrangements, using some of the same materials. All four club members start with the same bundle of flowers but end up with totally different arrangements. Watch with fascination how designers create floral arrangements before your own eyes. Everyone is invited. First time visitors are free. After that visit, the fee is $10. Questions: please email gardenclub@tbsneedham.org.
Contact: Garden Club

Erev Shabbat Service featuring Rick Recht
2025-11-14 18:15 - 19:45 (America/New_York)
Join us as internationally known Jewish rock musician Rick Recht returns to TBS for a super special Shabbat evening service! Rick is one of the most influential and celebrated Jewish artists and leaders of our time. His innovations in Jewish music, media, and leadership have had a profound impact on Jewish life in the U.S. and around the world. To listen to a sampling of Rick’s music, click here.
If you are a TBS member who would like to join us virtually, please check your Shabbat Shalom email for the link.

Rummage Sale
2025-11-16 14:30 - 17:30 (US/Eastern) | Simon Hall
It’s that time of year again to volunteer for Sisterhood’s largest fundraiser! Don’t forget to clean out your closets and donate clothes and household items. Volunteers will help sort clothing during the morning drop off time. We also need help with the actual sale on Sunday afternoon and Monday evening to pack leftover items. Please sign up your teenagers and spouses to help as well! Great snacks provided! This is a fun event to help with and a great way to volunteer and get to know other Sisterhood members. *The money raised during the Rummage Sale is used to donate to camp scholarships, youth group trips, B’nei Mitzvah and Confirmation gifts, and Sisterhood’s other charitable goals.*

Leroy Davis Sports Breakfast
2025-11-23 09:30 - 11:30 (US/Eastern) | Carmen Hall
The TBS community is invited to join Brotherhood and Sisterhood for our 50th Annual Leroy Davis Sports Breakfast. Hear from Trenni Casey, from NBC Sports, about how women in sports broadcasting are breaking the glass ceiling in the industry. Enjoy a traditional Brotherhood bagel and lox breakfast. A 50-50 prize drawing will also take place. All proceeds from the breakfast will benefit The Nature Conservancy of Massachusetts in honor of Trenni Casey. While we appreciate advance sign-ups, walk-ins are welcome on the morning of the event.
Cost – $18.00 per person; $36.00 per family cap.
Questions? Contact Brotherhood.

Winter Artisan Market
2025-12-07 10:30 - 16:00 (US/Eastern) | Carmen Hall
Come shop local for the holidays!
Discover unique, handmade gifts at our TBS Artisan Market. Join us for a festive shopping experience featuring local crafters and artisans, perfect for holiday giving. Support local talent while finding one-of-a-kind treasures for everyone on your list.
Open to the public!

Brotherhood Annual Texas Hold 'Em Tournament
2025-12-11 18:30 - 23:00 (US/Eastern) | Simon Hall
For one night only, a part of TBS transforms into a little bit of Vegas (or maybe Everett). And as we all know, what happens at TBS stays at TBS. So, join your TBS brothers for a festive dinner from Michael’s Deli and the gritty competition of elimination poker.
Your $75 entry fee covers dinner and a generous prize pool. Please register by December 8th to reserve your seat at the table. You do not want to miss out on this fun event. Questions? Contact Brotherhood.

Scholar-in-Residence Weekend
2025-12-14
Exploring Jewish Identity and Politics (and Kosher Fish)
with Professor Howard Lupovitch
To register for all Scholar-in-Residence Weekend Events, click here.
Contact: Adult Learning

Brotherhood Blood Drive
2025-12-14 08:00 - 14:00 (US/Eastern) | Simon Hall
Continuing our minhag (tradition), Brotherhood is seeking volunteers to donate blood at the TBS December 14 drive. Please help the American Red Cross save lives! Your mitzvah will be acknowledged with the heartfelt appreciation of the Brotherhood, not to mention a bagel and lox feast. Use the following links to donate blood or to volunteer on the day of the blood drive. Questions? Contact Brotherhood.
To donate blood: t-b-s.me/giveblood
To volunteer: t-b-s.me/bloodvolunteer

TBS December Coffeehouse
2025-12-18 19:30 - 21:30 (US/Eastern) | Carmen Hall
Join us for our third monthly coffeehouse, featuring Bob Littman and the Boston Scottish Fiddle Orchestra.The Boston Scottish Fiddle Orchestra plays traditional and contemporary music of Scotland, Shetland and Cape Breton arranged to create a unique fresh sound. Questions? Contact DJ Fortine.
Once a month on Thursday evenings, Temple Beth Shalom will transform Carmen Hall into a cozy, café-style space for live acoustic music. Each Coffeehouse event will showcase talented artists with personal ties to our TBS community—whether members, alumni of our music programs, or friends of the congregation.
Come relax with friends, enjoy coffee and a nosh, and take in the sounds of singer-songwriters, ensembles, and performers who bring creativity and heart to our shared space. With a thoughtfully-crafted ambience, casual seating, and an intimate atmosphere, the TBS Coffeehouse is more than just a concert—it’s an opportunity to gather, connect, and celebrate the vibrant spirit of our community.
Join us each month as we lift up the music and relationships that make Temple Beth Shalom such a special place.

Project Ezra
2025-12-25 07:00 - 12:00 (US/Eastern) | Simon Hall
TBS will once again join hands with the Needham Community Council to provide dinners on Christmas Day. Each year the need seems to increase, so please help us; we cannot do this mitzvah without you.
Volunteers are needed to:

carve the turkeys
prepare the vegetables and fixings
assemble the dinners
deliver the dinners

Please participate! Know of someone who needs a dinner on Christmas Day? Please let us know.
Contact: Lois Sockol, Anne Braunstein, and June Atkind at projectezra@tbsneedham.org

Surviving Cuba: A Jewish Journey
2026-01-05 19:00 - 20:30 (US/Eastern) | Online
Dr. Edgar Alain Basto, the son of Jewish immigrants, wanted more from life than Havana offered. But he couldn’t have imagined the treacherous journey that awaited him as he traveled to the U.S. Dr. Basto will share his dramatic story with the TBS Adult Learning Committee in a special, interactive Zoom session. He will provide our community – and especially those joining our upcoming Cuba trip – with the opportunity to hear about Cuba from a Cuban and Jewish perspective.

Tu B'Shevat Challah Workshop with Nomad Bakery
2026-02-01 10:00 - 12:00 (US/Eastern) | Simon Hall
Explore the holiday of Tu B’Shevat by creating a fragrant, artisan homemade challah! Cheryl Holbert from Nomad Bakery will demonstrate several techniques for creating gorgeous challah loaves with seasonal fillings, toppings, and braids. Cheryl will guide us through the process from start to finish, including mixing the dough from scratch!
Designed for adults and teens ages 12+.
$18 per person

Jody Kipnis: Holocaust Legacy Foundation
2026-02-04 19:15 - 20:15 (US/Eastern) | Carmen Hall
TBS is proud to welcome a special guest speaker, Jody Kipnis, President of the Holocaust Legacy Foundation, who will give us the background and an update on the new Holocaust Museum Boston which will open later this year. Jody is also a board member of Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters and part of our state’s Special Commission on Antisemitism. This presentation is part of the TBS Leadership Council meeting that evening, and is open to the entire TBS community. Contact: Programs

Canceled: "Our Tears Are the Same": Bereaved Israelis and Palestinians Reach for Peace
2026-02-24 19:00 - 20:30 (US/Eastern) | Sanctuary
Due to the snowstorm, this program has been postponed until further notice.
Join us as we welcome two inspirational speakers – Israeli and Palestinian – from The Parents Circle – Families Forum. The Parents Circle-Families Forum is a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization made up of more than 800 bereaved families. Their common bond is that they have lost a close family member to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But, instead of choosing revenge, they have chosen a path of reconciliation and of pursuing a peaceful, safe shared society in the Middle East. Tens of thousands of Israelis and Palestinians have been positively impacted by the work of The Parents Circle and by their shared embrace of the sanctity of human life. We are honored to welcome Elana Kaminka (an Israeli-American whose son was killed on October 7th) and Arab Aramin (a resident of East Jerusalem whose sister – at the age of ten – was killed outside her school by a border officer). This promises to be a moving and meaningful evening. If you have any questions, please contact Rabbi Jay (jperlman@tbsneedham.org).

First Annual Sisterhood Hamantaschen Swap!
2026-02-26 19:00 - 20:30 (US/Eastern) | Carmen Hall
Come join us on February 26th from 7:00 – 8:30 pm at TBS for our first annual Hamantaschen Swap! Come with two dozen of your favorite homemade hamantaschen (and your recipe!) to share with other TBS women along and go home with a box of everyone else’s hamantaschen. Light refreshments will be provided.

Oh Snap! It's a 90s Purim!
2026-02-28 19:30 - 22:00 (US/Eastern) | Carmen Hall
Wassup?!?! This adults-only evening of music, revelry, friends and fun is going to be da bomb! Join us as we celebrate Purim with our live and in-person house band and not-quite-ready-for-prime-time cast members. This year’s music will be drawn from the biggest hits of the 1990s. So get ready to throw back some refreshments and hamentashen while we stage a musical throwback to the heyday of grunge and boy bands alike. Grab your jelly shoes, mood rings and fanny packs, and get your tickets today! Favorite 90s gear or other costumes encouraged. Heavy appetizers, themed beverages, and dessert will be served.

Purim Palooza
2026-03-01 09:00 - 14:30 (US/Eastern) | Simon Hall
Wear your costumes, bring your noisemakers, and come join the Purim fun! Purim Palooza will begin in the sanctuary with a spirited retelling of the Purim story and brief megillah reading. The fun continues with games, crafts, dancing, hamantaschen-making, and more!
Four Rounds:

9:00 am-10:15 am – For Families with Young Children (ages 6 and under)
10:30 am-11:45 am – Open to All
12:00 pm-1:15 pm – For Families with School-Age Children (grades K-6)
1:30 pm-2:45 pm – Sensory-Friendly Celebration*

*The sensory-friendly celebration is designed for families with children who are sensitive to noise, lights, and other stimuli, and/or who are easily overstimulated by large crowds. Registration is limited in order to keep the crowd small.

Erev Purim Megillah Celebration
2026-03-02 19:00 - 20:30 (US/Eastern) | Beit Midrash
Join us for a great evening-of-Purim! We will share in a brief music-filled service and abbreviated Megillah reading appropriate for all ages. Bring your grogger! (We will have plenty, if you don’t have one at home!) Come in costume! (Or a fun mask or hat or….!) And come prepared for some sweet, delicious hamantaschen!

America@250: Our Nation, Our Democracy, and Our Jewish Community
2026-03-05 19:00 - 20:30 (US/Eastern) | Sanctuary
This summer, the United States will celebrate 250 years of independence. In Judaism, historic milestones invite introspection and a repledging of oneself to foundational values. Over the past several years, non-partisan organizations like Bright Line Watch, which regularly monitor the health of American democracy have noted that democratic norms and institutions have weakened. These groups consider such values-rooted conventions as the state of free and fair elections, free speech, and equal application of the law. As well, importantly, the Jewish community is directly affected by the state of our democracy. Historically, the safety of Jews and our ability to flourish have long been dependent upon healthy American democratic norms and protections.
As an essential outgrowth of Temple Beth Shalom’s Tzedek/Justice work, TBS is organizing to support the strengthening of our democracy. This engagement is rooted in our commitment to both civic responsibility and to Judaism’s core values of fostering a righteous, fair society. To this end, on Thursday evening March 5th, we are grateful for the opportunity to welcome Aaron Dorfman, the CEO of A More Perfect Union: The Jewish Partnership for Democracy. The Jewish Partnership for Democracy is a non-partisan initiative that has brought together over 200 Jewish organizations – across denominations, geographies, and political beliefs – to fortify American civic life. As we commemorate our nation’s semiquincentennial, join us as we partner to reinforce and uphold the democracy that both binds our nation and grounds our Jewish community.

Erev Shabbat Service + HIAS Refugee Shabbat
2026-03-13 18:15 - 19:45 (America/New_York)
If you are a TBS member who would like to join us virtually, please check your Shabbat Shalom email for the link.
TBS joins HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in recognizing the eighth Annual Worldwide Refugee Shabbat. We are so pleased to welcome Needham’s own Heather Yountz, Senior Immigration Staff Attorney of the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, as our guest speaker. Together, we recognize the profound impact of the global Jewish movement working on behalf of refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced people. We celebrate the work that has been done and gather our energy for the work that lies ahead, especially in these chaotic times. Recent cuts in funding to the U.S. Refugee Resettlement program and other international humanitarian efforts have been devastating, dramatic, and targeted – designed to overwhelm us. However, TBS will not waiver in our deep commitment to the Jewish values of supporting, protecting, and welcoming the stranger as we celebrate Refugee Shabbat with congregations all over the world.

Aya Korem Pop-up Concert
2026-03-19 19:00 - 21:00 (US/Eastern) | Sanctuary
Thursday, March 19, 7:00 PM

Aya Korem has been described as “one of the most talented, independent, and beloved singers of Israel’s younger generation!” Her music beautifully blends literary lyrics with thoughtful pop and folk influences. She has enjoyed collaborating with some of the best-known musicians in Israel. Aya just finished a incredibly successful U.S. tour that brought her to Palo Alto, Los Angeles, Seattle, Austin, and New York City. Due to the violence in Middle East, Aya’s planned return to Israel has been delayed and she has agreed to come to Boston for a pop-up ‘one night only’ concert at Temple Beth Shalom. This promises to be an incredible evening! Questions? Please contact Cantor DJ Fortine.

Tickets for TBS members are available at the subsidized rate of $18/person. If you are trying to purchase tickets as a TBS member and the link is not working, please check which email address you’re entering, or contact programs@tbsneedham.org for assistance. If you are not a TBS member, please click here to purchase tickets at $45/person (also a subsidized rate).

Community Seder
2026-04-02 17:15 - 19:15 (US/Eastern) | Simon Hall
Registration:
Member (age 13-Adult): $25.00
Child (age 6-12): $15.00
Child (Up to age 5): $10.00
Non-Member + $10 on each price
Celebrate the festival of freedom with your TBS community, and enjoy a seder experience for adults and families, led by our TBS clergy. Join us for blessings, songs, stories, and.a delicious catered Passover dinner, including matzah ball soup, entree with vegetarian option, sides, and dessert.
Led by our TBS Clergy, a seder experience for adults & families, including a delicious catered Passover meal!
Questions? Contact the program team.

Passover Seder for Families with Young Children
2026-04-05 17:00 - 18:00 (US/Eastern) | Carmen Hall
Join us for a celebration of Passover geared towards families with young children. We’ll tell the story of Moses and the exodus from Egypt, dip parsley into salt water, sing, and enjoy a simple chicken dinner with all the fixings. Geared towards families with children ages six and under.
Register: t-b-s.me/fwycseder
Cost:

$15.50/person (adults and children aged 13+)
$5/child aged 3-12
Free for children 2 and under
$41 family cap

Contact: Ellen Dietrick at edietrick@tbsneedham.org

Needham Community Yom HaShoah Commemoration: Reflections on a Family Legacy
2026-04-13 19:30 - 21:00 (US/Eastern) | Beit Midrash
Please join us as Dr. Alan Stern shares his family’s story of Holocaust survival and strength. Alan will reflect upon his father’s and uncle’s childhood growing up in an antisemitic and war-torn Germany. Theirs is an inspirational journey of bravery, hope and resilience. Although discussing a personal Holocaust story is challenging, Alan feels it is crucial for as many people as possible to hear these stories. Alan will be speaking this night in memory of his father, Sam; his grandmother, Karolina; his grandfathers, Arthur and David; and in memory of the six million whose stories need to be told. Our evening will conclude with prayers of memorial and light refreshments. If you have any questions, please contact Rabbi Jay Perlman (jperlman@tbsneedham.org).
Dr. Alan Stern has resided Needham since 1971. His parents, Sam and Doris, settled in Needham after stints in Florida and Baltimore. Alan has been a primary care pediatrician for over 30 years and has given back to our Needham community through his service on the Needham Board of Health and as the Needham school physician. Alan is also an Instructor at Harvard Medical School and is a speaker for Facing History and Ourselves. Alan joyfully shares his life with his wife, Lori and together they are proud parents of Reuben, Jeremy, and Celia.

L'chaim Presents Monte Carlo Night
2026-05-02 19:00 - 23:00 (US/Eastern)
We’re excited to invite you to L’Chaim Presents Monte Carlo Night — an evening of glitz, glamour, and high-energy fun in support of the TBS Annual Fund. On Saturday, May 2, 2026, Temple Beth Shalom will transform into a stylish Monte Carlo playground where the dice are rolling, the wheels are spinning, and the energy is contagious.
So dress to impress, bring your lucky charm, and join us for a night where doing good feels just as thrilling as hitting the jackpot.
Click the link below to be redirected to the L’chaim website for all the fabulous information!

BBQ & Boots Bash: Sisterhood Spring Dinner
2026-05-04 18:30 - 21:00 (US/Eastern) | Simon Hall
Join us for a fun evening of Blue Ribbon BBQ, schmoozing, signature cocktails/mocktails, and country line dancing led by Boston’s own Line Dancing Queens at Sisterhood’s annual Spring Fundraising Dinner! Grab your cowboy boots and hat (sneakers are ok too!). Enjoy food, friends, and fun whether you dance or not. Vegetarian meal options available. We warmly invite you to consider an additional donation. Your generosity helps keep many of Sisterhood’s programs free, provides gifts for TBS b’mitzvah and confirmation students, supports Sisterhood’s contributions to TBS camp scholarships and the Women of Reform Judaism, and helps subsidize the cost of our annual retreat, among other things. Contact: Sisterhood

Community Dinner
2026-05-15 19:30 - 21:00 (US/Eastern) | Simon Hall
Join us for our May Community Dinner, sponsored by Member Engagement in honor of Jewish American Heritage Month. Please register to enjoy a delicious dinner and good company immediately following our 6:15 PM Shabbat service. Free for members.

Becoming Janet: A Holocaust Survivor's Journey
2026-05-17 09:30 - 11:00 (US/Eastern) | Beit Midrash
Child Holocaust survivor, Janet Singer Applefield (originally named “Gustawa”), has touched hundreds of thousands of people as a public speaker over the last 40 years. Her new memoir, Becoming Janet: Finding Myself in the Holocaust, shares her poignant journey as she triumphs over the darkest chapter in human history and maneuvers through terrifying situations that would paralyze most adults. The book reveals how hidden children, periodically viewed as passive victims, are often participants in their own survival. Ironically, in her unique story, the people who inflicted the lasting wounds on Janet were distant relatives, while a few altruistic strangers protected her like family.
“At a young age I learned the importance of secrecy and resilience. Without that, there would likely be no memoir to write. Every time I speak, it’s as if the 1,500,000 murdered children come back to listen. After the war, my father emphasized the need to keep learning about what happened and to retell our story. He instilled in me the duty to speak for those who cannot. It’s a privilege to give voice to those children. That is what continues to give me a sense of purpose.” – Janet Singer Applefield
Please join the TBS Antisemitism Awareness Initiative (ASAI) as Janet shares her personal journey. There will be a Q&A, meet and greet, and breakfast will be served. If you want to learn more, you are welcome to buy a copy of Janet’s book at the event or ahead of time.

Jewish Heritage Night at Fenway
2026-05-27 18:45 - 23:00 (US/Eastern) | Outside of Temple
Celebrate Jewish Heritage Night at Fenway! See the Red Sox take on the Atlanta Braves while celebrating Jewish pride. Your ticket also includes the Red Sox Jewish Heritage Night giveaway. We have limited tickets, so don’t wait to register!

Brotherhood Texas Hold 'Em Tournament
2026-05-28 18:30 - 22:00 (US/Eastern) | Carmen Hall
For one night only, a part of TBS transforms into a little bit of Vegas (or maybe Everett). And as we all know, what happens at TBS stays at TBS. So, join your TBS brothers for snacks and the gritty competition of elimination poker.
Your $50 entry fee covers snacks and a generous prize pool. Please register by May 25th to reserve your seat at the table. You do not want to miss out on this fun event.
