Temple Hesed offers a comprehensive Reform Jewish community for its 200+ member families. Program offerings are flexible to meet the ever-changing needs and practices of our congregation. We strive to serve our members of all age groups and family constellations with opportunities for spiritual and educational growth. The Saturday morning religious school provides classes from kindergarten through Confirmation. The mid-week Hebrew school prepares students for Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Day and evening adult education classes offer a variety of opportunities to learn.
Shabbat services are held at 8 p.m. on Fridays. Several versions of the Reform siddurim are used for different services. There are Tot Shabbatot scheduled every few weeks at 6 p.m. designed for the youngest children and their parents. These services are often followed by a covered dish dinner and then an informal Shabbat service at 8 p.m. The informality is in the tone and music of the service not the decorum or dress. Morning Holy/holiday services begin at 10 a. m. Service times do vary occasionally due to special holiday celebrations and other circumstances. Dates and times of services are published in the Temple bulletin (The Messenger) and on the Calendar. The Temple is used by its members for all life cycle events. The Temple cemetery is located in Dunmore. A monthly bulletin, The Messenger, serves as the vehicle for the announcement of Temple news and events. An e-mail supplement, “Shabbat Shalom,” is also available to members and friends of Temple Hesed (just provide the Temple with your email address).
The Temple is governed by its Board of Directors. Temple committees oversee administration and program planning. Worship, Caring Community, Social Action, Jewish Federation, ARZA/WU, Children’s and Adult Education are but a few of the active committees. Women of Reform Judaism (Sisterhood) ,a vibrant part of Temple Hesed, offers a wide spectrum of activities for its members. Junior and Senior Youth Groups meet on Saturdays while a family service or other programs are held for the younger children’s classes. All members are asked to complete a membership profile in order to help and encourage active participation within the Temple. Of course, our members are also active in the extended Jewish community and the secular civic communities as well.