Community Events
Please note that the events listed here are hosted by our community partners and are not sponsored by Temple Israel unless noted.
We encourage you to reach out directly to the event organizers with any questions.
JCRC Youth Fellowship for Jewish Identity & Leadership
*Applications due October 5, 2025*
Fellows receive a $1000 stipend upon successful completion of the program
Space is limited, and the program may fill prior to application deadline.
JCRC Youth Fellowship for Jewish Identity and Leadership is a single school-year program designed to empower Jewish high school juniors and seniors to explore and embrace their history, develop leadership skills, and cultivate a deep sense of pride, meaning and joy in their Jewish identity. Through a comprehensive series of monthly interactive learning sessions, engaging field trips, homework, and a capstone project, participants will gain a nuanced understanding of Jewish history, culture, and values while learning to articulate their narratives and advocate for their community.
Learn more/view 2025-2026 session dates
Link to website with application: https://minndakjcrc.org/what-we-do/youth-fellowship-for-jewish-identity-and-leadership/
Exploring the Landscape of Love Through the Song of Songs
An Evening of Chanting with Reb Shefa Gold
Monday, August 11, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Under the tent at Adath Jeshurun; 10500 Hillside Lane, Minnetonka
$18 suggested donation, click here to register
Click here for more information.
“The whole Torah is Holy,” says Rabbi Akiva, “but The Song of Songs is the Holy of Holies.” Furthermore he said that “Had the Torah not been given, we could live our lives by the Song of Songs.” What would it mean to place this erotic, sensual, sexually explicit and most beautiful poem at the center of our tradition? What would it mean to live our lives by the Song of Songs? How can we use this text as a guide in growing our love for each other and for The Great Mystery that is God? These are the questions that Jewish mystics have wrestled with for thousands of years.
In this workshop, we will enter into the landscape of this Sacred Song through the practices of chant, meditation, and the contemplation of our path as Lovers.
Click here for more information. For questions about financial accommodation, please email Rabbi Debra Rappaport at debra.rappaport@ttsp.org.
Powerful Tools for Caregivers: Adults with Chronic Illness
Wednesdays Through August 13, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Lenox Community Center, 6715 Minnetonka Boulevard, Saint Louis Park
Click here for more information and to register
There is a $15 charge to participate. No one will be turned away due to inability to pay. Limited to 10 participants.
JFCS, in partnership with Lenox Community Center’s Senior Program, hosts this six-week class.
If you have picked up a prescription, brought over dinner, given a ride to the doctor, taken care of an errand or made decisions big or small on behalf of a senior, you are a caregiver. The class is designed to provide you with a wealth of self-care tools that will help you take care of yourself while taking care of others. You will learn to reduce stress, improve your self-confidence, bring more balance to your life, better communicate your feelings, and increase your ability to make tough decisions. The class is open to people from the Jewish and broader community.
Torateynu: The Torah of Our Community
Summertime Jewish Learning Across the Twin Cities
Through Wednesday, August 20
Various times and locations
Click here for more information and to register
All sessions are free and open to everyone, registration and donation encouraged.
The Midrash (Shir HaShirim Rabbah) teaches that after the destruction of the Temple, the rabbis of the community gathered, hosted elders and scholars, and shared their Torah.
We can learn from their example that the very act of gathering and learning together brings healing, joy and continuity. Moreover, every rabbi (which means “teacher”) brings a unique offering, each of which is important for the wellbeing of the community.
“What Torah represents the impact you would like to have?” Rabbinic leaders from the Twin Cities respond.
Join as many sessions (which are 1 hour each, unless noted) as you are able, to partake of Torateynu: The Torah of Our Community.
All sessions are free and open to everyone! Registration and donation encouraged.
Minneapolis Jewish Federation: Traveling Exhibit on Kfar Aza
September 2025
Barry Family Campus, 4330 Cedar Lake Road South, Minneapolis
MJF will be hosting a traveling exhibit about Kfar Aza at the Barry Family Campus for approximately two to three weeks. The exhibit will be at MJF on October 7th and aims to provide a poignant reflection on the community and its experiences.
MJF provides this advance notice to avoid any scheduling conflicts and to invite interested parties to collaborate if and where there is an interest.
If you have any questions or would like more information about these programs, please do not hesitate to reach out to Eilat Harel at eharel@jewishminneapolis.org.
Minneapolis Jewish Federation: Visit from Kibbutz Holit Members
October 5-12, 2025
Barry Family Campus, 4330 Cedar Lake Road South, Minneapolis
MJF will be welcoming and hosting two members from Kibbutz Holit, who will be visiting us from October 5th to October 12th. Their presence offers a unique opportunity for dialogue and connection.
MJF provides this advance notice to avoid any scheduling conflicts and to invite interested parties to collaborate if and where there is an interest.
If you have any questions or would like more information about these programs, please do not hesitate to reach out to Eilat Harel at eharel@jewishminneapolis.org.
Jewish Youth Mentoring Program
Jewish Family and Children's Service (JFCS)
Ongoing
The Jewish Youth Mentoring Program (formerly the Jewish Big Brother/Big Sister Program), is a community-based mentoring program for Jewish-identified youth that is designed to promote positive social-emotional-spiritual development and increase engagement in the Jewish community. Since the program’s inception in 1975, it has matched over 400 Jewish youth with mentors.
The program is open to all families! Anyone can benefit from a personal, one-on-one connection with someone who is giving their undivided attention to them.
Participants are matched with carefully screened and selected volunteer mentors based on family preferences, age, gender identity, common interests, geographic proximity and more. Common match activities include visiting libraries or bookstores; arts and crafts; baking; exploring local parks; playing sports; going to museums; playing board games; and attending community events. Mentees are aged 6-12 and mentors are 16 and up, with a valid driver’s license
For questions, contact Dori Gelfman, Jewish Youth Mentoring Program Coordinator, at dgelfman@jfcsmpls.org or 952-542-4835.
The Chai–light Chorus
Ongoing
The chorale is actively recruiting new members! We’ve been in existence since 2000, having produced over 35 productions. We celebrate the joy of vocal performance without taking it too seriously. Anyone age 60 and above is eligible, and there’s absolutely no program fee — a musical “free for all!” Our weekly rehearsals are during the day. For more information, contact Mark Bloom via email at mark.bloomtru2life@gmail.com or by phone at 612-270–1705.
Free Modern Hebrew Language Courses for High School Students and Senior Citizens
University of Minnesota
Ongoing, Virtual
Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Modern Hebrew Language courses are available for free at the University of Minnesota to high school students enrolled at the university through the PSEO program, and to senior citizens ages 62+ auditing courses through the university's Senior Citizen Education Program.
Taught over Zoom by Israeli-born professor, Dr. Renana Schneller, the courses focus on reading, writing, understanding and speaking Hebrew. Contact Dr. Schneller for more information and placement at schne068@umn.edu. For more information, contact Temple member Jeri Glick-Anderson at jerianders@gmail.com.