Special Events
Author Events
United Jewish Communities received a grant this year to bring several Jewish book authors to Alexandria to discuss their books.The schedule is below:
Tuesday, October 21 at 6 pm at the Diamond Grill - Uri Kaufman, American Intifada. This talk will be held at the Diamond Grill and will include dinner. There is a cost and reservations are required. For more information, please contact mkaplan538@msn.com
Tuesday, October 28 at 6 pm at the Jewish Temple - Mark Patinkin, The Holy Land at War.
Monday, November 10 at 6 pm - Jennifer Coburn, Girls of the Glimmer Factory.
Monday, January 15 at 6 pm - this event is virtual - Mathew Goodman, Paris Undercover.
Sunday, January 25 at 3 pm - Richard Hurowitz, In the Garden of the Righteous.
Sunday, April 12 at 2 pm - this event is virtual - Francesca Segal, Welcome to Glorious Tuga.
More information about location and links will be posted as the information becomes available.
Young At Heart
Our Young at Heart group was begun with a generous grant from the Lipsey family. It is especially for adults who are home during the day and want to socialize with others. We have partnered with First United Methodist Church and hold events once a month alternating between the Temple and the church. We have played bingo, trivia games, learned tai chi and heard from a physical therapist about staying active as we age. In April, we visited the National Rose Center in Shreveport where our very own member, Marilyn Wellan (past national president of the Rose Center) gave us a tour. The group will start up again on November 20 at 10:30 am at First United Methodist Church. The Temple will host in December. This entire year of Young at Heart activities will be dedicated to the memory of Betty Fay Lipsey.
Introduction to Judaism Class
Each year, Rabbi Judy holds an Introduction to Judaism class that is free and open to the community. We first offered the class in November, 2023 with over 100 people in attendance. The class offers a brief overview of Jewish history, traditions, holidays, life cycle events and more with a question and answer session at the end. We also include a tour of the Temple, our Museum and a chance to taste some traditional Jewish foods. If you are interested in attending our next class, which is currently scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 1 from 1-4 pm, please contact secretary@jewishtemple.org. The class is free and open to all, but reservations are required.
Community Seder
On the second night of Passover each year, our congregation offers a Seder which is open to our members and invited members of the community. It is customary to invite guests to the Passover Seder and we love sharing our traditions with others. This year, our Passover Seder was held on Sunday, April 13 with about 70 people in attendance. If you are interested in attending next year, please send an email to secretary@jewishtemple.org
PURIM FESTIVITIES
This year, members of our congregation performed a Dr. Seuss Purim Shpiel. It was lots of fun for all.
HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE
Each year, we hold our annual Community Holocaust Remembrance Service. We begin at the Holocaust Memorial in downtown Alexandria and continue the service in the Emmanuel Baptist Church Chapel. Our guest speaker this year was renowned Holocaust educator, Michael Berenbaum, the project director for the Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC. Music was provided by the ASH Highs and Lows, the Pineville High Chamber Choir and Rabbi Judy Ginsburgh. This event is free and open to the community.
Next year, this event is scheduled for Monday, April 13, 2026.
We are selling special Holocaust memorial candles for $18 each. It is traditional to light these candles on Yom HaShoah. If you would like to purchase one, please contact rabbi@jewishtemple.org.
