JULY 28 • 2022 | 23
Zerwekh, talking about three
different aspects of a world
post-Roe v. Wade.
“I love being able to help
folks make these connec-
tions and to understand the
world better through all those
different lenses,” Zerwekh
said. “We also have a climate
change group that’s starting
to help us understand how
the choices we make impact
our environment and how we
can make different choices
depending on the impact of
our environment.”
The temple has a gardening
group that plants, waters and
harvests from the vegetable
garden on the west side of the
temple. Vegetables are deliv-
ered to Yad Ezra for its clients.
The words Zerwekh uses
to describe the congregation’s
approach to prayer are inti-
mate, accessible, warm, inclu-
sive and spiritual.
“This is a congregation
full of people in helping
professions or who are really
engaged in their world in a
caring way,” Zerwekh said.
“They’re intellectually curious
and always looking to learn
more. They’re active in many
realms of the world outside
the Jewish realm, but they’re
committed to their Judaism
and the Jewish community.”
Zerwekh says when people
step into Temple Emanu-El,
they see one another face-to-
face, and there isn’t a sense for
who gives the most, who has
or who hasn’t.
“If you’re interested in
being a part of our communi-
ty, we’re interested in welcom-
ing you in as part of our com-
munity,” he said. “However
people want to engage with
Judaism, we want to welcome
that, foster that and help folks
feel and know they belong.”
Kiddos at the
temple have
fun painting
rocks
The Temple Emanu-El
playground.
C
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c
k.
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ll.
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