Temple Shalom Emeth: A Welcoming Reform Jewish Community in Burlington Massachusetts

We are a vibrant and welcoming Reform Jewish congregation. We provide a rich spectrum of opportunities for our members to express their Judaism through worship, education, music, community service, and social events.

Friday Shabbat Services

January 2022: Due to significant community spread of COVID, we are resuming virtual Shabbat services for the time being. Please refer to the weekly email for additional information and links. Videos will continue to be uploaded to the Spiritually Speaking YouTube channel.

High Holy Day Services 2021

This year’s services were once again primarily online. Select recordings can be found on the Spiritually Speaking YouTube channel.

Recent and Upcoming Events

Hanukkah Highlights

Watch our video to see Highlights of Hanukkah 2021!

Interfaith Thanksgiving Services

Rabbi Abramson joined with other local clergy for an Interfaith Thanksgiving Service in both Billerica and Burlington.

Kristallnacht Commemoration

Rabbi Abramson joined with Bedford Interfaith Clergy to commemorate Kristallnacht – the Night of Broken Glass – which heralded the beginning of the Holocaust in 1938.

Special Event – Jill Kornetsky’s Escape From Afghanistan

Learn about Jill Kornetsky’s amazing escape from Afghanistan four days before the US pulled out of the country, and her plans to make an impact in the lives of Afghani women. An interview by Rabbi Susan Abramson, Temple Shalom Emeth, Burlington, MA. Neesha Suarez, Director of Constituent Services for Cong. Seth Moulton, will detail her efforts which helped Jill and her Afghani assistant leave Kabul.
Recording available on YouTube

Temple Announcements

Click here to access our weekly Temple Announcements online

Click here to get on our email list

Annual Appeal

Click here to donate to our Annual Appeal

Rabbi Abramson in the News

Rabbi Susan Abramson Honored for 36 Years at Temple Shalom Emeth, BCAT, the Burlington local television channel

Rabbi Susan Abramson joins Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan’s Anti-hate, Anti-bias Task Force, The Lowell Sun

Rabbi Susan Abramson reaches out to other faiths in pursuit of understanding, The Boston Globe

Rabbi Rocketpower

RabbiRocketPower Did you know that our rabbi is the author of the Rabbi Rocketpower series of children’s Jewish holidays books?

She is the first-ever female rabbi superhero.

Oy vay! Up, up and away!

Visit the Official Rabbi Rocketpower website

Spiritually Speaking

Join Rabbi Abramson as she zooms in on the colorful faith traditions in Burlington and beyond.

Check Out Our Music Video: SHALOM!

From the Union For Reform Judaism / Reform Movement

The Worst Ninety Minutes in Jewish History

The Worst Ninety Minutes in Jewish History jemerman January 14, 2022

Jewish History

Eighty years ago on January 20, 1942, the infamous Wannsee Conference took place in a large lakeside three-story mansion in suburban Berlin. Fifteen Nazi German leaders attended the meeting that coordinated plans to "orderly execute" ---murder--- millions of Jews during World War II.

“Treat the Earth well. It was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children”

“Treat the Earth well. It was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children” jemerman January 11, 2022

Tu BiShvat

The upcoming holiday of Tu BiShvat -- the birthday of the trees - brings back a memory of the American Museum of Natural History in New York. In the museum is an enormous cross-section of a giant sequoia tree. Standing before it is a sublime experience. The cross-section overwhelms you with its sheer size, inspiring questions about the size of the tree it was cut from.

How to Make Your First Tu BiShvat Seder Meaningful and Fun

How to Make Your First Tu BiShvat Seder Meaningful and Fun kbkaput January 3, 2022

Social Justice

Elements of a Tu BiShvat seder on a marble countertop including wine grapes nuts and pomegranates

As I thought about what would be involved if we did our own Tu BiShvat seder, it seemed interesting and fun. Tasting lots of fruits? Marking a time to appreciate, mindfully and respectfully, trees and the earth? Drinking wines and grape juices? Yes, please.

Best Jewish Films of 2021

Best Jewish Films of 2021 jemerman December 27, 2021

Arts and Culture

As 2021 draws to a close, it's a good time to reflect on the year in Jewish film and highlight six worthy of your attention. Two of the films here are from first-time filmmakers, another pair are Holocaust documentaries, and the final duo draw their tales from the past. Here is my list of the best Jewish films released in the U.S. in 2021.

Chanukkah Party

Confirmation Classes

Bernard Nelson Award For Outstanding Temple Member

Temple Band

Religious School

Youth Visits to Israel

Purim Carnival

Experiential Religious School Activities