Affiliates

Men's Club

Men's Club is a vital part of the Temple Judea Congregation.   It is not just a place where once a month men can get together to have a Sunday morning brunch, socialize and possibly listen to a guest speaker.   Men's Club in addition to running a fund raiser, Supper Club, and the Annual Congregational Picnic, is committed to the general support of the Congregation, where needed.   New members are always welcome.   Check the calendar for our next meeting and drop in for some breakfast, coffee and conversation

The Temple Judea Women of Reform Judaism provides opportunities to learn and pray together, and to socialize. Our year includes Rosh Chodesh celebrations, monthly meetings, a women's Seder, and a Sisterhood Shabbat Service in the spring.   We are very involved in fundraising for Temple Judea as well as helping our community.   In the fall we have a Rummage Sale which, in addition to raising a great deal of money for the Temple, provides clothes and other items that are donated to families in need

This Temple Judea auxilliary is for 55+ members of our congregation and Jewish residents of the area.   Our monthly programs offer a variety of formats ranging from Jewish music, Jewish literature, plays, speakers, dinners, concerts, and panel discussions.   Trips are also part of the programming year in the summer, spring and fall.   We have a nominal membership fee that covers the cost of membership mailings and updated membership lists.   A League of Our Own currently has more than 100 members.   It allows newcomers in the area to meet other Jewish people and provides long-time residents with innovative programming.

Our Youth Groups offer opportunities for young people to make Jewish connections in a social environment at Temple Judea through fun, social, and creative activities.   Our teens participate in activities as varied as shul-ins (sleep-overs at the synagogue), attending sports events, leading services, and gathering with other youth groups.  Each of our three Youth Groups is run by a committee of dedicated volunteers who strive to create a relaxed social environment in which our youth can be encouraged to develop and maintain an active involvement in Judaism and congregational life.

Chaverim (Friends) for 3th & 4th Grade:  

This group is designed to provide our youngest members with opportunities to get together and socialize with each other.  By encouraging children at a young age to become involved in Jewish life, we believe they are more likely to develop a long-lasting connection to Judaism.  Members of Chaverim participate in a full social calendar of activities, primarily on Sunday afternoons.

Olim (People Rising Up) for 5th & 6th Grade:  

This group provides our slightly older members, who are rising up from Chaverim, with opportunity to build on their previous youth group experiences.  It offers a chance to spend more time with kids their own age and participate in interesting and exciting events. Members of Olim participate in an increased number of fun and fulfilling activities on Sunday afternoons, Wednesday night and, occasionally, on Saturday nights.

Kesher (Bridge/Connection) for 7th & 8th Grade:

This vibrant group provides opportunities for our young teens to interact and connect with each other as will as youth from other area youth groups. Kesher offers fun and socialization along with hands-on experiences that provide a bridge to the Senior Youth Group.  This group will be offered a full schedule of events on Wednesday evenings, Friday evenings, Saturday nights and Sunday.

Senior Youth Group for grades 9-12:  

The purpose and goal of the Senior Youth Group is to provide a vehicle for young adult members in 8th through 12th grade to stay actively involved in events at Temple Judea.   The focus is social, educational and cultural, and the group acts as a continuation of the Junior Youth Group, at a senior level.  Programs and activities are developed by the membership and its coordinators to involve the youth group with other area synagogues and their scheduled events.   Several projects and activities take place throughout the year at Temple Judea.   Both provide opportunities to broaden horizons by making new friends while participating in new activities in varied environments.

Participation in our many active committees also offers a way to meet and socialize with other Temple members while performing valuable services for the congregation.

• Adult Education -- works together with the Rabbi to plan educational programs for adults who wish to pursue Jewish knowledge and to fulfill the mitzvah of Talmud Torah.
  
  
• Budget -- primarily responsible to prepare a detailed annual budget of estimated income and expenses for each fiscal year.   The budget is submitted to and approved by the Board of Trustees at its March meeting and given to the Congregation for final approval at the annual meeting in April.   In addition, any major expenditure not provided for in the annual budget must be proposed first to the Budget Committee and then to the Board of Trustees for final approval.   The Budget Committee includes the Financial Secretary, Treasurer, President and other members of the Congregation at large.
  
  
• Building and Grounds -- Traffic flow, plowing snow, repairing the roof, flood control, cleaning the carpet, getting the Succah, to name a few.   From inside to out, front to back, top to bottom, we keep the Synagogue working.   We include the regular individual and group volunteers, and the occasional helping hand, who all make a difference to benefit the whole congregation while performing a mitzvah in the process.
  
  
• Cemetary -- As a service to the Temple membership, Temple Judea has purchased a total of 48 burial plots at Whitemarsh Memorial Park, a non-sectarian cemetary located on Limekiln Pike in Horsham.   (An additional 48 plots are available.)   In the fall of 1987, Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin conducted a Consecration Ceremony.
      The Temple Judea section faces the entrance to the Memorial Park, with easy access for anyone who wishes to visit.   Plots are available on either a pre-need or emergency basis, with a definite saving for those who preplan.   Information is available from Bennett Schultz.
  
  
• Family Education -- (waiting for input)
  
  
• Gift Shop -- Although small in space, the gift shop seeks to provide items to meet the everyday needs of the congregation as well as offering a selection of Judaic gifts. &nsbp; The shop expands into the Sanctuary once a year for the annual Gift Shop Chanukah Bazaar, where you will find a large display of Chanukah gifts.   The Gift Shop is open Sundays 10:45-11:15am or by appointment.   Extended holiday hours will be noted in the newsletter and on the website.
  
  
• Long Range Planning -- This committee concentrates its efforts in three major areas: membership, physical plant facility, and pulpit.   The committee has also developed the following mission statement: To provide and present to the Board of Trustees of Temple Judea all viable options and a recommendation to expand Temple Judea so it can accommodate the growing Jewish population in Central Bucks County.
      The committee's focus and goals change periodically as the needs of the Temple change.   New members are welcome.   Help us evaluate Temple Judea's options for the future and the path it should follow.
  
  
• Library
  
  
• Membership -- The Membership Committee is responsible for activities relating to prospective members and new members.   The Committee sponsors two open houses in the summer, prior to the High Holy Days, and one in the spring.   Each month the Committee submits new member application to the Board of Trustees for approval as required by the Consitution.   In the fall, the Committee plans a New Members' Service to welcome all new members.   Beginning this year, the Committee is also planning a New Members' Dinner.   The New Members are invited, as guests of the congregation, to an evening of meeting new friends.   In the spring, the Committee runs a booth at the Annual Jewish Festival of Bucks County.
  
  
• Newsletter -- Temple Judea's Etz Chaim is our monthly newletter.   It contains articles of information relevant to congregational and community life as well as the monthly calendar of events.
      Temple committees and organizations submit articles monthly to keep the congregation informed about upcoming events and other items of interest.   Articles of general interest to the congregation are also welcome from any congregant.   Advertising is accepted from members and non-members at reasonable rates which helps to defray the cost of production and mailing.
  
  
• Nursery School -- The Nursery School Committee sets policy and establishes long-term goals for the school.   Congregants with experience or interest in Jewish Early Childhood Education are invited to join in this worthwhile and rewarding activity.
  
  
• Religious School -- The Religious School Committee supports the activities of the religious school.   Members plan and coordinate special projects to enhance the religious school curriculum.   The committee also assists with running the annual Purim Carnival, organizes homeroom parents to support classroom teachers and helps with class participation in Shabbat services.
  
  
• Ritual -- The Ritual Committee works closely with the Rabbi to find ways to create an environment for worship that meets the diversified and continually evolving and changing needs of our congregation.
      Our responsibilities not only include the "nuts and bolts" mechanics of organizing the varied types of services (and a lot of thinking on your feet!), but meeting to discuss service formats, i.e. how outrageous can Purim be? (the answer? Pretty outrageous!), and how can our most solemn celebrations provide the many members of the congregation an opportunity to find a service that meets their particular needs.   From families with young children who need short and 'to the point', to congregants who need a chance for quiet contemplation, we sincerely try to address all aspects of the worship experience throughout the year.
  
  
• Ways & Means
  
  
• Social Action -- Our Social Action committee is involved in traditional Jewish concerns relating to justice and freedom and with church/state issues.   In the past we have worked for the redemption of Jews from Ethiopia and the Soviet Union.   Today we focus more on helping those in need within our own community with activities such as food drives, Red Cross blood donations, participation in the county wide Mitzvah Day in the fall and the Martin Luther King Day of Service in January.   New members and new ideas are welcome.
  
  
• Chesed (kindness) -- Whether it be a Mazel Tov, condolences or words of support and continued strength, or real help and support when it is needed: providng meals for a family in difficult times, rides when needed or other help that might be needed in stressful situations. the goal of Chesed is to give our Temple family a personal and genuine feeling of unity and concern.   One of the benefits of being part of a community is having that sense of belonging and a commitment toward others.  
  
  

Committee meeting times are on the calendar and all interested members are welcome.