As Rabbi of Temple Emanuel of the Merrimack Valley, I am happy to welcome you. We are a warm and friendly congregation that treasures diversity of all kinds: age, background, race, religious beliefs, and — even or especially — opinion. We are devoted to the holiness of each voice, whether raised singly or in chorus.

Our religious services range from quiet meditation to rowdy worship, incorporating music, sharing, learning, meaningful prayer, and sometimes dancing. Our learning, whether on Torah, Kabbalah, Jewish ecology, current events, or any of a range of critical topics, includes discussion and sharing, remembrance, and new growth. As our tradition teaches, everyone who has lived has thereby gained Torah to share. I, as Rabbi, am multiply blessed with opportunities to learn from each and every participant.

We are a liberal congregation with our own unique and thriving traditions of which I am proud to be a part. Long before the needs of the environment were a blip on the national radar, Temple Emanuel installed the world’s first solar powered ner tamid, or eternal light, created and celebrated Jewish solstice rituals, planted our own omer, and sponsored trees in Israel. We have also helped buy livestock for the rural poor in other nations. Our members and our children regularly serve at local soup kitchens and collect housewares for immigrants. We have a long history of political involvement in support of affordable housing and employment here in the Merrimack Valley. We take our Judaism seriously, and tikkun olam, or helping the world, is a large part of that.

We also take our children seriously and offer one of the warmest and most meaningful Religious Schools in the Valley. Ours is an exciting one-day-a-week program of which I am delighted to serve as Principal. We teach Hebrew, Bible, Jewish Living, Arts, and Music, and provide full training for Bar/Bat Mitzvah and Confirmation. Our school creates meaningful Jewish learning, fond memories, and solid community.

I have enjoyed sharing with you about our small and welcoming community. I look forward to speaking to you in person. Please do not hesitate to contact me. In the meantime, I wish you Shalom, peace, and fulfillment.

Warmly,

Rabbi Dawn Rose, Ph.D.