Shalom Emeth – a Reform Jewish Temple in Burlington led by Bedford Rabbi Susan Abramson

By Lee Vorderer

Members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and Temple Shalom Emeth examine the temple’s Torah scrolls. – Courtesy photograph

Rabbi Susan Abramson says that people feel at home right away when they visit Shalom Emeth, a Reform Jewish Temple located in Burlington, MA. Abramson, who has served Shalom Emeth for 34 years, says that the Temple is regional, serving the needs of surrounding communities as well as those of Burlington.

The Temple was established in the mid-1970s, and the congregation comprises about 120 families. In addition to regular Sabbath services from September through June, and celebrations of the Jewish Holidays throughout the year, there is a vibrant religious school that begins with Chai babies for infants and toddlers, a pre-Hebrew program for three years olds where the focus is on having fun and learning a bit about the Jewish faith and history. These are followed by religious school through the 10^th grade, tutoring for Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, and a youth group for grades 5-12. The confirmation classes for grades 8-10 offers a three-part revolving curriculum: addressing comparative religion, Judaism, and the Holocaust. All of this is described in great detail on the Temple’s website: https://www.shalom-emeth.org

Adults can find a lot to interest them at Shalom Emeth. There has been a real effort to identify the many needs of the congregation, and emerging from that effort is a program for retirees called L’Haim, that meets monthly during the day for presentations and conversation (and food!); the group Free As a Bird (FAAB) that welcomes empty nesters and beyond (the most rapidly growing interest group at the Temple).Shalom Emeth’s Social Justice Committee is active, and right now the Committee is supporting First Parish in Bedford and its work as a Sanctuary Congregation. Together Temple Emeth and First Parish are planning a coffee house event on November 14, called a Coffee House on Conscience, for exploring further the many issues of conscience that concern us these days.

Rabbi Abramson has created several special projects to reach out to members of the congregation. A series of children’s books starring Rabbi Rocketpower, which Rabbi Abramson wrote for her son when he was little) introduces children to Jewish Holidays; there’s a series of YouTube videos (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTyFPkJf7uU) that explores various faith and spiritual communities. And there’s a collection of stories that connects challah (traditional Jewish Sabbath bread) made in special shapes to various Torah stories and Jewish traditions.

Open House Scheduled for Sunday, September 10, from 5 to 7 pm

Rabbi Abramson describes the goal of Shalom Emeth to instill a love of being Jewish and a connection with the Jewish people in the people who go there. If you would like to learn more, first hand, about Shalom Emeth, the Temple is holding a community open house on Sunday, Sept 10, from 5-7. There will be food, plenty of chances to talk with Rabbi Abramson and members of the congregation, and to learn about all that Temple Shalom Emeth has to offer.

Accessibility and Location: Temple Shalom Emeth is a one-level building; its sanctuary is accessible, as are its bathroom and meeting rooms. Large print materials are available for worship. Its address is 16 Lexington Street in Burlington, or phone 781-272-2351.