TEMPLE NER TAMID - THE CONSERVATIVE CONGREGATION OF PEABODY

Temple Ner Tamid is a Conservative Congregation that enriches Jewish Life by providing for spiritual, ritual, educational and social growth as well as community service in a warm welcoming atmosphere for all individuals and families

368 Lowell Street

Peabody, MA 01960

Tel: (978) 532-1293 Fax: (978) 532-0101

Email: TempleNerTamid@verizon.net

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The CONSERVATIVE CONGREGATION of PEABODY

Temple Ner Tamid of Peabody, Massachusetts, a Jewish congregation affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, is located approximately 17 miles north of Boston. Temple Ner Tamid was founded in 1959 and its membership presently consists of more than 300 families and singles, living in Peabody, Danvers, Lynnfield, Middleton, Salem and other surrounding communities.

RABBI DAVID KLATZKER

CANTOR

STEPHEN ABRAMOWITZ

The Temple Ner Tamid "family" is a term that expresses the way many of us in the congregation feel. Regardless of age or marital status, those who have been active in the synagogue feel that many of the other active members have become a part of their lives.

This is not a cold, impersonal, "cathedral" synagogue. I know by face, if not by name, the vast majority of our congregation, including children and adolescents. How many rabbis can make that claim?

At a time when so many Jews have become distanced from their roots, this is a place where all Jews can find acceptance and comfort, no matter what their level of Jewish learning or observance. I believe that when Jews affiliate they become more aware, more sensitive, more alive. They feel supported emotionally and intellectually. I have seen it happen many times.

I hope that you will visit our synagogue – and please introduce yourself to me when you come, When you feel the warmth here, I am sure that you will want to join our family.

Rabbi Klatzker

Click HERE for the Cantor Sam Memorial Page

Cantor Steve Abramowitz BIO

A native of San Francisco, Steve grew up attending Congregation Beth Sholom, the largest Conservative synagogue in Northern California. On Friday nights, the Rabbi began inviting 8-year-old Steve to lead the congregation in singing the Kiddush. At the oneg, congregants would inform Steve, “You’re going to be a Cantor when you grow up!” But Steve would reply, “No I’m not. I’m going to be a sportscaster!”

After attending a Jewish Day School, Religious School, public middle and high schools, Steve went off to the University of California, San Diego to pursue a career in broadcasting. Upon returning home to San Francisco in 1989, Steve embarked on a 14-year career as radio and television producer, guest booker, parody-song writer and reluctant stunt guy. He even worked at a sports station, but never received the go-ahead to report on the air. All the while, Steve taught religious school at Beth Sholom, wrote and directed PurimSpiels, led a USY group, created a “Kibbitzer” e-newsletter for 1,500 young adults, and joined a cadre of service leaders and Torah readers. In addition, he led a communal overflow Kol Nidre service for ten years.

In 2003, Steve was laid off from a television guest booking position, and went on a soul-searching mission. His then-fiancee (now wife), Meredith, expressed her desire to return to her native Massachusetts. Upon meeting with a career counselor and expressing that he wanted to “leave my mark”, Steve literally Googled “Masters in Jewish Education + Boston” and the second listing (after Brandeis) was Hebrew College.

Steve was accepted to the Master’s program in September 2004, and hoped to acquire a certificate in “Cantorial Arts”. But that Summer, the Cantor-Educator program was established, and Steve was accepted anew. While studying Jewish education and chazzanut, Steve taught at Temple Beth Sholom in Framingham, Kesher Newton, Temple Reyim in Newton, and Congregation Or Atid in Wayland. Among his accomplishments, Steve instituted the first group B’nai Mitzvah program at Temple Reyim, and crafted his own Mitzvot/Israel/Holocaust curriculum at Or Atid. He honed his cantorial chops leading High Holidays services at Hillel B’nai Torah in West Roxbury, as a Torah reader at Or Atid, and as a private B’nai Mitzvah tutor, visiting students from Sudbury to Chestnut Hill.

Upon receiving his Masters and Cantorial Ordination in June 2008 (completing the five-year program in four years), Cantor Steve was hired as Director of Congregational Learning at Temple Ahavat Achim in Gloucester. He organized daily Shirah (school community singing), modern Hebrew games, special programs for Sukkot, Chanukah, Purim and Passover, and erev Ivrit (an evening of Hebrew conversation, Israeli food, music and culture). Adult education classes included Music of the High Holidays and Passover, Torah trope, beginning Hebrew, and a power-point survey course called “Jewish Music: From Bible to the Beastie Boys”. He continues running the education and programs at Temple Beth Torah in Holliston. Cantor Steve eagerly anticipates bringing many of these, and new programs, to Temple Ner Tamid.

Cantor Steve lives in Marlborough with his wife Meredith, a Speech and Language Pathologist working in the Acton public schools, and adorable cat Po (Hebrew for “here”). Cantor Stve and Meredith will be having twins (a boy and a girl) in the spring of 2010! Favorite pursuits include exploring many kinds of music (Jewish and secular), sports, running, cooking, mind-bending puzzles, and discovering New England’s treasures.

Cantor Steve looks forward to bringing the kahal (congregation) together in prayer, educational programming and celebration. He is excited to get to know you, learning with and from you, and rejoice in your simchas together!

Office hours: Wednesdays 2:30 - 6:30 pm

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL DIRECTOR

JULIE COHEN

Dear Families,

B'ruchim Haba'im! Welcome to the Temple Ner Tamid Religious School. We are looking forward to another enriching, exhilarating and exciting year. Your active participation and commitment to your child(ren)'s Jewish Education are a vital part of the success of our school.

The faculty and I are looking forward to the education of your children. Our objective is to convey a love of Judaism and help each student develop a strong sense of Jewish identity. We prepare our students to become future Jewish leaders by instilling in them a lifelong commitment to Torah and its teachings. The focus of the school is in-depth study of curriculum and family education. We work with parents to provide positive Jewish learning experiences for everyone.

There will be many exciting and creative programs throughout the school year in addition to our regular curriculum. We hope that you will join us in a successful year. If you have any questions or comments throughout the year, please call me at 978-532-1293 or e-mail at juliezcohen@comcast.net

B'Shalom,
Julie Cohen
Education Director

We are an award-winning Jewish youth group that has been in existence for over 50 years. We also are the largest Jewish youth group on the North Shore, with over 100 members annually.

All of our groups take part in social action projects and help lead Shabbat services once per month.

We have regional traveling sports teams - basketball for boys and volleyball for girls.

We offer 4 grade-specific groups, with monthly programs for each:

Chalutzim grades 3-4

Kadima grades 5-6

Juniors grades 7-8

Seniors grades 9-12

Please visit the Peabody USY website, maintained by the USY'ers themselves, at www.peabodyusy.weebly.com

Questions? Contact: Youth Director Sue Callum or Youth Committee Chairman Dave Goldberg. We look forward to speaking with you!

VISIT
www.tntkidz.org