Israel / Jewish Community

Temple Israel's Israel Connections

Rollin Simmons and Cantor Einhorn in Israel

I had the good fortune to travel with my wife's congregational hiking tour to Israel on March 19, 2006. It is always exciting to be in Israel and this trip followed that rule as it coincided with their national election. We arrived at the brand new and exquisite Ben-Gurion Airport and went directly to Haifa, our sister city, and to our sister congregation, Or Hadash. Rabbi Nof met us with a huge welcome committee. We were given the grand tour of the synagogue and found new meaning in the word multi-functioning space. A pilates class was being held in their bomb shelter, Israeli folk dancing was taking place in their sanctuary, and like us, their pre-school rooms are used for other activities in the afternoon and evenings. I venture to guess that Or Hadash is the only synagogue in Israel that has Bible-related scenes professionally painted on the walls of their underground parking area. The Haifa municipality has approved an extension to their building, and Rabbi Nof hopes to begin that project next year. Jodi and I had the opportunity to sing Shalom Rav to the B'nei Mitzvah class that was there when we arrived. We ate as a large group that included many of the Or Hadash teenagers who have stayed with our families in Boston. It was a wonderful way to start off our trip.

In Jerusalem we attended Shabbat Services at the Hebrew Union College. You can always expect surprise meetings in Israel and this trip was no exception. At services we found ourselves sitting with friends, Rabbis Lisa and Joe Eiduson, and a group of teenagers from the Rashi School. Following services, I had lunch with Temple Israel's second cantorial student, Rollin Simmons. Erin Miles Frankel, the first student to attend Cantorial school from Temple Israel, now serves in Evanston, Illinois. Rollin was our High Holiday Cantorial Soloist two years ago and now is finishing the first year of her five-year course of study to become a Cantor. I am happy to report that I met with three of her instructors, and each volunteered that she is at the very top of her class and they expect great things from her! Rollin expressed to me that the year in Israel has been a tremendous experience for her. She will be returning to Boston for the summer, and we are planning to tap some of her newfound knowledge for our Shabbat Torah Study and Qabbalat Shabbat Services.

It is thrilling to be in Israel and to see what has been accomplished in a mere fifty-eight years. You achieve a different perspective when you stand on the ground that you have been studying about. We encourage you to travel to Israel and will keep you informed of our intentions for Temple Israel's next Congregational trip and hope you will want to join us. - Cantor Roy B. Einhorn