New Programs at TOLOLS
Well over 100 congregants packed the Robinson Pavilion for the Purim celebration on Wednesday evening, February 28. Attendees came from both TOL*OLS and New Light congregation and enjoyed a homemade spaghetti dinner, a lively megillah reading, an entertaining Purim shpiel and hamantaschen to cap off a delightful event.
Harold and Barb Caplan from New Light prepared all of the food for the dinner, the megillah was chanted by readers from both shuls and the shpiel’s cast starred talent from NL and TOLOLS as well. Everyone enjoyed this reinvigorated Purim. We have come a long way in a very short time; hard to believe New Light sold their building and moved in with us just three months ago! The Purim celebration is just one example of the many benefits our community is enjoying because of the newly formed “metropolitan” model of congregations in our building
So what’s next?
Programming is now in abundance in the Tree of Life building. Our newly formed partnership with Chatham University described in this issue of the Simcha Tree is designed with the enrichment of the community in mind. Over fifteen lectures, concerts and workshops scheduled from now until mid-May are expected to deepen knowledge, broaden connections and expand horizons for those who attend. All of these programs are open to the public, and most are free thanks to a generous grant from the Jewish Healthcare Foundation.
And yes there’s more.
On March 18th the Jewish a cappella choir “Magevet” from Yale University will perform in our building. Co-sponsored by Beth Shalom, New Light, Dor Hadash and Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha, the group will be singing modern Israeli pop, Renaissance choral pieces, Yiddish folk tunes and Zionist classics. This event caps off an already busy weekend including a potluck Friday evening service led by our religious school students on March 16th and then the Sisterhood/Men’s Club Shabbat service on March 17th.
As you can see, leadership is providing you with many more reasons to come to synagogue than solely to worship. There’s lots of activity at the corner of Wilkins and Shady, many reasons to stop in, and we’re looking forward to seeing you at any of these many events.
