Temple Beth Shalom

The New Syria: New Enemy or New Friend
2026-07-14 15:30 - 16:30 (US/Eastern) | Online
Syria is one of the most consequential and least understood countries in the Middle East, and few Western Jews have had the opportunity to witness its dramatic transformation from the inside. Join Rabbi Asher Lopatin for a fascinating firsthand account of his groundbreaking visits to Syria in 2025, beginning just months after the fall of the Assad regime and continuing through two subsequent missions. Rabbi Lopatin will share the remarkable story of how these journeys came about, what he encountered on the ground, and whether a new chapter in Syria’s relationship with the West, and perhaps even with Israel, may be possible. Drawing on candid conversations with government officials, business leaders, educators, cultural figures, and ordinary Syrians from all walks of life, he will offer a rare glimpse into a country long viewed as one of Israel’s most implacable adversaries. Combining personal stories, political insight, and on-the-ground observations, this promises to be an extraordinary look inside a nation at a historic crossroads. Presented by the Orange County Community Scholars Program and sponsored by TBS Adult Learning.
Rabbi Asher Lopatin is the rabbi of Kehillat Etz Chayim in Detroit and the Director of Community Relations at the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor. He is a Rhodes Scholar with an M.Phil in Medieval Arabic Thought from Oxford University. He has rabbinic ordination from Rav Ahron Soloveichik and Yeshiva University and is a permanent member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Rabbi Lopatin is married to Rachel Tessler Lopatin and they have four children.

Erev Shabbat Service
2026-07-17 18:15 - 19:45, 2026-07-24 18:15 - 19:45, 2026-07-31 18:15 - 19:45, 2026-08-14 18:15 - 19:45, 2026-08-21 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.

Lay-Led Shabbat Morning Service
2026-07-18 08:30 - 09:00, 2026-07-25 08:30 - 09:00, 2026-08-01 08:30 - 09:00, 2026-08-08 08:30 - 09:00, 2026-08-15 08:30 - 09:00, 2026-08-22 08:30 - 09:00 (America/New_York)
Join in virtually, or join us in person in the Beit Midrash! Please refer to your Shabbat Shalom email for the Zoom information.

Lay-led Torah Study
2026-07-18 09:15 - 10:15, 2026-07-25 09:15 - 10:15, 2026-08-01 09:15 - 10:15, 2026-08-08 09:15 - 10:15, 2026-08-15 09:15 - 10:15 (America/New_York)
No previous experience with Torah study is required…just an open mind and a desire to learn more!

Ocean Explorers: A Family Sensory Adventure
2026-07-19 10:00 - 11:30 (US/Eastern) | Simon Hall
Join us for a morning of ocean themed sensory play designed for children ages 6 months to 3 years and their families! Older siblings are welcome to join the fun as we explore the wonders of the sea through sensory exploration, water play, art, music, and movement.
As we play and learn about ocean animals and habitats, we’ll also discover simple ways even young children can help care for our oceans and beaches. Children are invited to bring spare change to contribute to a collection benefiting the Massachusetts chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, supporting efforts to protect our local beaches and waterways.
This event is free and open to the entire community so bring your friends. Come make a splash, connect with other families, and help make a difference. One small act at a time!
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” -Aesop

Israeli Dance
2026-07-20 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-07-27 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-08-03 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-08-10 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-08-17 19:00 - 20:30 (US/Eastern) | Simon Hall

ConNEXTions+ Book Club
2026-07-21 10:00 - 12:00 (US/Eastern) | Chesed Room

Shabbat Happy Hour- Picnic Edition!
2026-07-24 16:00 - 18:00 (US/Eastern) | Outside of Temple
Celebrate Shabbat together with open-ended sensory activities, music and a kid-friendly picnic dinner. Designed for families with children ages 6 and under. All are welcome! Bring a blanket and meet at Cricket Field. Members of Temple Beth Shalom: Use coupon code “member” for a 15% discount. Family Ticket $30. Individual tickets are also available.

Exploring the Masterpieces of Art
2026-08-06 13:00 - 14:00 (US/Eastern) | Online
Join acclaimed artist Tobi Kahn for a captivating three-part adventure through the artistic soul of Italy, where every stone, canvas, and canal tells a story. From the eternal layers of Rome, where ancient sculpture, Renaissance genius, and contemporary vision meet in the Vatican Museums, Galleria Borghese, Musei Capitolini, Palazzo Barberini, and MAXXI; to Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, where Michelangelo’s David, Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, and Brunelleschi’s soaring Duomo forever changed the way humanity sees beauty; to the magical waterways of Venice, where Byzantine splendor, Renaissance masters, Murano glass, delicate lace traditions, and daring engineering created a city unlike any other. Together, we will explore not only Italy’s greatest masterpieces, museums, and architectural wonders, but also the artists, patrons, ideas, and innovations that transformed Italy into one of the world’s most extraordinary centers of creativity and civilization. Presented by the Orange County Community Scholars Program and sponsored by TBS Adult Learning.

Summer Vibes Indoor Picnic
2026-08-07 17:00 - 19:00 (US/Eastern) | Outside of Temple
Find food, friends, fun, and that Shabbat feeling on the first Friday of the month! Relax with an indoor picnic of pizza, fruit, veggies, drinks, and frozen treats for all. Entertainment for the little ones will be provided by Knucklebones. $8/person with a $30 family cap.
If you’re joining us for the service but not for dinner, there is no need to register.
Because of the anticipated heat and rain, the program has been moved indoors at TBS. Questions? Contact Jessica Baim.

Erev Shabbat Service
2026-08-07 18:15 - 19:45 (America/New_York)
This evening’s Shabbat service is held outside the temple in connection with our Summer Vibes picnic.

Berlin's Forgotten Trailblazers: The Jewish Women Who Shaped a City
2026-08-11 13:00 - 14:00 (US/Eastern) | Online
The story of Berlin’s extraordinary Jewish community is often told through the names of great men: Mendelssohn, Geiger, Einstein, and others. Yet behind this familiar history stands another remarkable story: generations of bold Jewish women who challenged expectations, broke barriers, and transformed the cultural life of one of Europe’s most dynamic cities. From the brilliant salon hostesses of the 18th century who shaped intellectual society, to the daring writers, artists, poets, and cabaret performers of the Weimar era, Berlin’s Jewish women navigated a world that marginalized them twice over and still left an unforgettable mark. Join us as we rediscover their voices, their creativity, and their rightful place at the center of Berlin’s Jewish story. Presented by the Orange County Jewish Community Scholars Program and sponsored by TBS Adult Learning. Questions? Contact Adult Learning.

Get Out the Vote Postcarding Event
2026-08-19 19:00 - 20:30 (US/Eastern) | Outside of Temple
Are you interested in protecting reproductive freedom and marriage equality? You can make a difference. Join Sisterhood (address for the event will be sent to registrants) in postcarding to Virginia voters, encouraging them to vote on important ballot measures. We are fortunate in Massachusetts to have strong laws protecting a woman’s right to have an abortion and individuals’ rights to marry the person they love. Citizens in Virginia are facing ballot measures that may impact their rights. Postcarding works by increasing voter turnout and ensuring that all voices are heard. We will provide the postcards, voter lists, pens, and refreshments. We ask participants to bring postcard stamps if they’re able. If purchasing stamps would be a hardship, we’ll provide them so that everyone can participate. Questions? Contact Sisterhood.
