Not All Wars Are the Same
2025-03-24 19:15 - 20:45 (US/Eastern) | Online
In Jewish thought, there is a profound distinction between a מלחמת רשות Milchemet Rishut, a permitted war, and a מלחמת מצוה Milchemet Mitzvah, a necessary war. Embedded in this distinction are the ethics that infuse a document that animates the spirit of Israel’s military, רוח צה״ל Ruach Tzahal. We will study that document and consider its applicability in the aftermath of October 7th. This program is part of our “Where Are You In Relation to Israel?” series. New participants are welcome at any time.
Register: t-b-s.me/relations
During our series, our topic titles will include:

Israel in Perspective: Zionism as a Response to Modernity
Israel in Perspective: The Zionist Idea
One State, Many Midwives
A State of Ideals is not the Same as an Ideal State
Be Careful What You Pray For
Not All Wars Are the Same
The Story of Hatikvah

All sessions will be recorded. Rabbi Elyse Pincus Abrahams will be joining Rabbi Katzew throughout the series to bring additional wisdom and insight.
Our Teacher: Rabbi Jan Katzew
Rabbi Katzew, PhD is Associate Professor Emeritus of Jewish Thought and Education and Senior Educator of the EMA Program at HUC-JIR. After serving for six years as rabbi/educator at The Community Synagogue in Port Washington, NY, Jan became a Jerusalem Fellow and earned a doctorate at the Hebrew University in Jewish Thought and Education. For fifteen years Jan led a team of educators at the Union for Reform Judaism that was responsible for designing, developing, and implementing curricular resources for early childhood centers, congregational schools, day schools and adult learning communities throughout the world. Since its inception in 2008, Jan has been a senior consultant to the iCenter for Israel Education, mentoring students from multiple graduate schools and seminaries to become Israel educators, a task made even more important after October 7, 2023. Jan is the author of popular and scholarly articles in multiple fields that include Interfaith dialogue, Mussar, Medieval Hebrew Poetry, Israel Education, Moral Development, and educational philosophy and practice.

New Member Coffee
2025-03-25 08:45 - 09:30 (US/Eastern) | Community Court
Drop by Community Court to meet other new members, TBS staff, and clergy. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions, make connections, and get to know your community. Contact memberengagement@tbsneedham.org if you need anything at all on your new member journey.

Jam Baby
2025-03-25 10:30 - 23:15, 2025-04-01 10:30 - 23:15 (America/New_York)
Join in the fun with your child: Sing songs! Play instruments! Dance around and JAM! The first years are critical in a child’s musical development. JamBaby classes provide a fun atmosphere while promoting musical learning, socialization, and the most exciting introduction to the wonder and joy of music. Taught by the amazing musician of Jammin’ With You!
Register here.

Lay-Led Evening Minyan (online)
2025-03-25 18:45 - 19:15, 2025-03-26 18:45 - 19:15, 2025-04-01 18:45 - 19:15, 2025-04-02 18:45 - 19:15 (America/New_York)
Members of our community gather virtually for a warm and inclusive lay-led service. These services take place even if there are fewer than ten participants, last about 20-30 minutes, and are a meaningful way to end your day. Join us on Zoom here.

Israel - The Generational Divide: A Course for Parents Struggling to Understand Their Children's Perspectives on Israel
2025-03-25 19:00 - 20:30 (US/Eastern) | Carmen Hall
Register: t-b-s.me/generationaldivide
The crisis in Israel has caused divides within and beyond the Jewish community. We have heard so many stories of families at odds with each other over Israel, family members who are unable or unwilling to communicate with each other. This course is specifically for parents who are wrestling with their college-age children’s views on Israel. We are hoping to bring parents together to learn and think together about Israel and about family. The course will be a mix of various types of learning. We will be looking at different perspectives on Israel, including that part of the Jewish community which questions Israel, not with the eye to tear down but to try to critically understand this worldview. While primarily designed for parents, other adults with college-age or older high school students in their lives (e.g., grandparents and other caregivers) are also welcome to participate.
Co-Sponsored by Hebrew College and Temple Beth Shalom, Needham
Cost: Free to Temple Beth Shalom Members
Location: In-person at Temple Beth Shalom
For more information, view the flyer or contact adultlearning@hebrewcollege.edu

Orly Erez-Likhovski, Executive Director of the Israel Religious Action Center
2025-03-25 19:30 - 21:00 (US/Eastern) | Sanctuary
The Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC) is the Israeli Reform Movement’s most senior organizing body working to promote equality, democracy, civil rights, and pluralism throughout Israel. With the rise of right-wing political power in Israel, the Reform Movement has been on the front lines to protect vulnerable populations, to fight against discrimination, and to ensure that Reform Jewish values are upheld in Israeli society. Register: t-b-s.me/israelrac
Orly Erez-Likhovski (she/her) received her law degree from Tel Aviv University and her master’s degree in law from Columbia University. She has interned in Israel’s Supreme Court and has served as the Director of IRA since 2021. Through Orly’s leadership, IRAC has brought about significant legal achievements such as making gender segregation on public transportation illegal, ended the Orthodox monopoly on state-funded salaries to rabbis, filing (and winning!) the first ever class action suit regarding exclusion of women, and disqualifying racist candidates from running for Israel’s parliament. Register: t-b-s.me/israelrac

The Impact of a Phone-Based Childhood
2025-03-26 19:30 - 20:30 (US/Eastern) | Beit Midrash
For parents with children of all ages! Join parent coach Maggie DiPasquale as she unpacks Jonathan Haidt’s #1 New York Times bestseller, The Anxious Generation. With rates of teen anxiety, depression, and self-harm on the rise, Maggie explores how “screen-based childhoods” are reshaping adolescent development. Using her lens as a wellness counselor, she’ll connect key insights from Haidt’s book to the challenges she sees unfolding in her private practice and share practical strategies for parents to support their children’s emotional and mental well-being.
Register: t-b-s.me/phonebased
Maggie DiPasquale is a teen mentor and parent coach dedicated to guiding t(w)eens and their parents through the challenges of growing up. With a background in Clinical Psychology and Education from Columbia University and 10+ years as a wellness counselor, she provides personalized support with heart to help adolescents manage anxiety, navigate friendships, and build self-worth. Maggie’s work has been featured on Boston’s 103.3 Amp Radio, Teen Vogue, and Yoga Journal. Her mentorship offers the guidance and reassurance families need during the tricky teen years, especially in the digital world.

Lay-Led Morning Minyan
2025-03-27 07:00 - 07:30, 2025-03-31 07:00 - 07:30, 2025-04-03 07:00 - 07:30 (America/New_York)
Members of our community gather virtually for a warm and inclusive lay-led service. These services take place even if there are fewer than ten participants, last about 20-30 minutes, and are a meaningful way to start your day.
Please join us in person; we are no longer meeting virtually.

Rabbi Jonah Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
2025-03-27 19:00 - 21:00 (US/Eastern) | Sanctuary
Rabbi Jonah Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
Thursday, March 27, 7:00 pm, TBS
Register: t-b-s.me/pesner
Temple Beth Shalom is delighted to welcome Rabbi Jonah Pesner, director of the Religious Action Center (the RAC) of Reform Judaism, for an evening of conversation about the current state of democracy in the United States and Israel along with the RAC’s strategy to partner with TBS and other Massachusetts congregations to meet the moment. In connection with the celebration of TBS’s 70th anniversary, Rabbi Pesner will reflect on 70 years of Reform Judaism in Massachusetts and beyond. He will also discuss the importance of the World Zionist Congress Election for the reform movement in Israel and around the world. After his address, Rabbi Pesner will take questions from the audience. Questions? Contact ASAI@tbsneedham.org.
Rabbi Pesner (he/him) serves as the Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and has led the Religious Action Center since 2015. Rabbi Pesner also serves as Senior Vice President of the Union for Reform Judaism, a position to which he was appointed in 2011. Named one of the most influential rabbis in America by Newsweek magazine, he is an inspirational leader and tireless advocate for social justice.
Rabbi Pesner’s work focuses on encouraging Jewish communities to reach across lines of race, class, and faith while campaigning for social justice. Over the course of his career, he has also led and supported campaigns for racial justice, economic opportunity, immigration reform, LGBTQ+ equality, human rights, and a variety of other causes. He is dedicated to building bridges to collectively confront antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of hate.

TBS Family Camp
2025-03-28 - 2025-03-30
Enjoy a weekend away with other TBS families, including Shabbat, outdoor fun, family activities, s’mores, and singing around the campfire. We are headed to URJ Eisner Camp, located about two hours away in Great Barrington, MA. Our program begins with Shabbat dinner on Friday night and ends Sunday morning. Family Camp is designed for families with elementary-age children, with older and younger siblings welcome.
Register here: t-b-s.me/familycamp

Pre-Shabbat Yoga
2025-03-28 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-04-04 09:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York)
Step into fall with strength, balance and alignment through the practice of yoga. Join experienced yoga teacher Stephanie Javaheri for a weekly mindful yoga ‘work in’ to cultivate awareness physically and mentally. Feel better in your body and your mind. Slow physical movement, breathwork and meditation blend together in this 1-hour class.
Drop in at TBS for the in-person class, or click here to join in via Zoom; no registration is necessary.

Bag Lunches and Breakfast Items for Homeless Shelters
2025-03-28 09:15 - 09:45 (US/Eastern) | Parking Lot (Front)
We are back for our 5th year of this popular and impactful mitzvah project! Please join TBS Social Action as we donate bag lunches and breakfast foods to homeless shelters, in the Father Bill’s network, in the Brockton area!
Volunteers are invited to sign-up to assemble 10 bag lunches, cases of waters, condiments, juice boxes, and a variety of breakfast items including muffins, bagels, ground coffee, cereal, yogurts and fruit cups.
We will collect your donations from your car, while you remain seated between 9:15-9:45am on the Webster side of the TBS front Parking Lot.
Please email us at socialaction@tbsneedham.org with any questions, to arrange to make your non-perishable donation at a Needham address prior to the collection or to request to be added to the TBS Social Action mailing list.
Thank you for helping us to feed the stranger.
Register here.

Erev Shabbat Service
2025-03-28 18:15 - 19:45, 2025-04-04 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
2025-03-29 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.

Torah Study
2025-03-29 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!

Passover Brunch & Rosh Chodesh
2025-03-30 10:00 - 12:00 (US/Eastern) | Carmen Hall
Welcome the new month and spring season with Sisterhood as we celebrate Passover and Rosh Chodesh with a delicious brunch and meaningful program. There is an $18 fee to attend. Registration deadline March 21st. This event is for Sisterhood members only (all female identifying members of TBS and any non-TBS paid members). If you are not a Sisterhood member and would like to attend this event, please join Sisterhood. Register here.

3rd Grade Exploration Celebration
2025-03-30 13:00 - 14:30 (US/Eastern) | Carmen Hall
Check your Shavua Tov email for the registration form.

Brotherhood Spring Schmooze
2025-03-30 18:00 - 20:00 (US/Eastern) | Outside of Temple
It’s a Brotherhood tradition to gather at Mandarin a few times a year to . . .well . . .. schmooze and eat! Preregistration is required. Your $25 covers pre-meal appetizers and a sit-down dinner. We hope to see you there!
Register: t-b-s.me/schmooze

Israeli Dance
2025-03-31 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York)

Israel - The Generational Divide: A Course for Parents Struggling to Understand Their Children's Perspectives on Israel
2025-04-01 19:00 - 20:30 (US/Eastern) | Chesed Room
Register: https://tinyurl.com/israeldivide
The crisis in Israel has caused divides within and beyond the Jewish community. We have heard so many stories of families at odds with each other over Israel, family members who are unable or unwilling to communicate with each other. This course is specifically for parents who are wrestling with their college-age children’s views on Israel. We are hoping to bring parents together to learn and think together about Israel and about family. The course will be a mix of various types of learning. We will be looking at different perspectives on Israel, including that part of the Jewish community which questions Israel, not with the eye to tear down but to try to critically understand this worldview. While primarily designed for parents, other adults with college-age or older high school students in their lives (e.g., grandparents and other caregivers) are also welcome to participate.
Co-Sponsored by Hebrew College and Temple Beth Shalom, Needham
Cost: Free to Temple Beth Shalom Members
Location: In-person at Temple Beth Shalom
For more information, view the flyer or contact adultlearning@hebrewcollege.edu

Sisterhood Mah Jongg
2025-04-03 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
Come play Mah Jongg with Sisterhood on the first Thursday of every month at 7-9 pm. There will be at least one teaching table each month so newbies are welcome to join us. Be sure to indicate if you are a new player. Mah jongg is free for TBS members. Non members are welcome to join Sisterhood to play (your first game on us). Register at t-b-s.me/mahjongg.

Mayim 1st Grade Shabbat Dinner
2025-04-04 17:30 - 18:15 (US/Eastern) | Simon Hall
Check your Mayim Shavua Tov email for the registration link.
