Our Committees and Groups
Our committees and groups bring people together to learn, connect, serve, and celebrate Jewish life. We are open to all ages, interests, and backgrounds, offering meaningful ways to pursue passions, build relationships, and contribute to a vibrant and inclusive community.
We invite you to explore the opportunities below and find a group that speaks to you. Click on an image below for more information and how to get involved, or contact the temple office.
Inclusion Committee
We believe everyone should be able to fully participate in Jewish life. Guided by dignity, empathy, and togetherness, the Inclusion Committee works to make our community welcoming, accessible, and meaningful for all. Our work includes:
Inclusive participation: Learners’ services and opportunities for people of all abilities to participate fully in communal worship. See below for our Parenting Differently Network for supporting parents of children with disabilities.
Physical accessibility: A Mobilift for people with mobility challenges to participate fully on the bimah, as well as features throughout the building.
Sensory supports: A Quiet Room during the High Holidays, as well as fidget toys, bean bags, noise-canceling headphones, and earplugs.
Hearing accessibility: Improved sanctuary sound and hearing amplification.
Awareness and belonging: Celebrating Jewish Disability Awareness & Inclusion Month and Pride Month, and creating opportunities for dialogue around mental health. Plus, volunteer opportunities for all to be involved.
We appreciate your ideas, questions, and concerns, so that together we can continue building a Temple Sholom where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and included.
Mitzvah Committee
Food and coat drives
Working with Samaritan Homeless Interim Program (SHIP), including collecting goods for their Thanksgiving dinner
Supplying ShopRite gift cards to over 40 families during holidays in partnership with Jewish Family Services
“Giving Menorah Campaign” collection of gifts for elderly, children, and those in need for the Channukah and Christmas holidays in conjunction with United Way
“Adopt a road” semiannual street clean up
“Stuff the Bus” annual school supply collection provided to United Way
Bikur Cholim visits to provide comfort to nursing home residents
Leading Shiva minyans for those in mourning
Knitting and providing blankets, doll clothes and other items to the elderly or those in need
Temple Sholom is committed to fulfilling mitzvot in the community by embracing the values of Tikkun Olam (“Repairing the World”).
The below are just a sample of the many activities that are happening on a regular basis at Temple Sholom. We are always looking for new opportunities to help the community around us and to include those who want to perform mitzvot.
Membership Committee
The membership committee helps to welcome and integrate new members in to the congregation. They will help you to build meaningful relationships with your new Temple family, guide you to congregation services, and even help you get plugged into the groups and committees that suit your interests and talents. For more information contact the temple office.
Jewish Life Committee
The Jewish Life Committee helps plan, guide, and oversee worship services and religious traditions in consultation with the Board of Trustees, the Rabbi, and the Cantor. The committee:
Makes decisions with respect to the form and conduct of the religious services and rituals of the Congregation
Procures, provides and maintains the books and religious articles required for the proper conduct of such services
Distributes the honors or aliyahs at services after consultation with the Rabbi, or in his/her absence, the President or one of the Vice Presidents
Performs other duties as may be delegated to them by the Board of Trustees.
For information on the Jewish Life Committee please contact Bryan Grossman or Marjorie Slass.
Men’s Club
Sukkah Building 2019 with the Men’s Club of Temple Sholom
We are a vital part of synagogue life at Temple Sholom. As a member of the Men’s Club you will have the privilege of being a part of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Club, which is our national organization. We take part in many aspects of Temple life and ritual. There are always members leading in the morning and evening Minyan Service. We have speakers and breakfasts throughout the year and welcome both new and old member participation.
To join the Men’s Club, please contact the temple office.
Sisterhood
Sisterhood provides religious, educational, cultural and social activities for women, couples and families, supporting our community and synagogue. We significantly contribute to the Religious School, underwriting all of the school's special holiday activities. Join us to meet new friends, attend an activity, stimulate your brain or bring the family to an event.
We are also very proud of our Sisterhood Gift Shop, located in the Temple Sholom lobby. The Gift Shop is an excellent source for unique and well-priced Judaica items. Our Gift Shop features an array of specialty merchandise that will meet your holiday, Bar and Bat Mitzvah, gift and/or everyday needs. Support Sisterhood by stopping by our shop.
Sisterhood also sells ShopRite gift cards at our Gift Shop, and ShopRite donates 5% of all sales back to Sisterhood. If you can't get to the Gift Shop, please call and we will be happy to arrange delivery to your home. Contact the temple office.
Chesed Committee
This group of Temple volunteers is dedicated to performing chesed, which means loving-kindness, by supporting our community through life’s journeys, joys, and hardships. What do we do, and why should you join?
Support mourners: Attend shiva services to ensure a minyan is met. Comfort the grieving by reaching out to congregants who have experienced a loss.
Lift spirits: Make phone calls to brighten a fellow congregant’s day. Visit or call the isolated, sick, ill, or homebound. Make calls for birthdays, births, engagements, and marriages.
Provide nourishment: Cook and deliver meals to members in need.
Offer a ride or run an errand: Drive congregants to medical appointments or Temple services. Help with grocery shopping or other essential tasks.
“If everyone says “yes” from time to time, together we will take care of each other all of the time.”
The Chesed Committee is a flexible commitment and a shared effort that requires minimal time. If you’re interested in joining, reach out to Heidi Ginsberg.
Bereavement Support Group
We are a supportive, compassionate, confidential space to find healing and comfort together. Join us in a warm and understanding community, led by our professional facilitation team, to share experiences, gain insight, and find solace on our journey through grief. We offer a mutual, caring environment for those processing a loss.
“May their memory be a blessing.”
If interested, please contact Heidi Ginsberg.
Young Families Initiative (YoFI)
We’re a group of local families who gather for playdates and free, fun, and meaningful ways to celebrate Jewish life and make friends! From Havdalah pajama parties and maple sugaring to apple picking, pizza in the sukkah, and more, we create relaxed, kid-friendly opportunities to connect with Jewish traditions and each other. There’s always snacks, a craft, and a good story, often with inspiration or partnership from PJ Library. We also regularly join Temple Sholom for holiday and Shabbat services in a no-pressure, kid-friendly way.
We welcome family members of children of all ages, with a special focus on ages 6(ish) and under. So bring your babies, big kids, grandkids, nieces/nephews, cousins, or close friends! All expressions of Judaism are welcome, and you don’t need to be a temple member to participate! To join our mailing list, email sholom.yofi@gmail.com.
Shalom Chaverim
Sholom Chaverim is our United Synagogue Youth (USY) chapter for children in grades second through fourth, and meets monthly to make friends, build Jewish community, and create memories together. The group is led by Temple Sholom Hebrew High school students, giving younger kids the chance to connect with older role models.
Throughout the year, the children gather for social, holiday, and cultural activities, including Sukkot scavenger hunts, Hanukkah games, challah bakes, pumpkin picking, bowling, miniature golf, and more. The group is a place to reinforce Jewish values and is designed to be a first step before entering Kadima. If interested in joining the fun, contact the temple office, our religious school, or our Shalom Chaverim advisor, Jacob Blumberg.
The registration form for Shalom Chaverim is available here.
Gesher
Gesher is the place for kids in grades fifth through seventh to make friends, have fun, and build connections within the Temple Sholom and Jewish community. As part of United Synagogue Youth (USY), Gesher members have opportunities to participate in both local chapter activities and larger regional events.
Local activities may include movie nights, bowling, pizza parties, holiday celebrations, and other social events, while regional opportunities can include fun days, roller skating, dances, and overnight conventions. Gesher members also play an important role in creating and participating in Temple Sholom’s annual Purim Carnival.
For more information, email the temple office or our religious school.
The registration form for Gesher is available here.
USY is for students in grades eighth through twelfth, and has a board of dedicated and involved young adults who enjoy planning and organizing the many chapter events such as a mystery bus ride, mall scavenger hunt or NYC trip. Members participate regularly in the numerous regional dances and conventions.
Bridgewater USY (BrUSY) strongly emphasizes all areas of Jewish identity, incorporating Israel awareness, Social Action/Tikun Olam (saving the world), and even religious/educational aspects into our planning of fun and social events. There is something in BrUSY for everyone!
For information, contact our USY advisor at bridgewaterusy@gmail.com.
The registration form for USY is available here.
USY
Parenting Differently Network
Our Temple Sholom Inclusion Committee sponsors this parent support group for parents of children of all ages with disabilities. The group meets monthly and is a place to get advice, give advice, vent, or just get out of the house. For more information and to RSVP (requested but not required), contact Elise Prezant at eprezant@optonline.net.
And more!
Do you love knitting, reading, the great outdoors? Something else? Contact the temple office to join the fun! Our members have organized activities such as a knitting club, a fiction book club, an outdoors hiking group, Mahjongg games, choir and band performances, and more! To get involved in an activity that you are passionate about and to meet other like-minded community members, contact the temple office.