September 3 - Back to Shul Shabbat at Horseshoe Lake - service begins at 6:45 PM
All are welcome to bring a picnic dinner at 6 pm
September 4 - Shabbat morning worship begins at 10 am in the Sanctuary

 Getting to Know Us
The Basics Our History

In the summer of 1960, ten very committed and determined Jewish families founded Temple Shalom (Roxbury Reform Temple). Within three years, the congregation had formed a Sisterhood, a Brotherhood, and a Youth Group, while holding services at borrowed facilities. In 1965, construction began on our four-and-a-half acre site on South Hillside Avenue. To keep pace with its growing membership, the original structure was expanded in 1976 and again in 1988-89. The building now houses a spacious sanctuary, a large and attractive social hall and kiddush room, a kitchen, a library, administrative offices, a youth lounge, twenty classrooms, and a large meeting room. From ten original families, our membership has grown to five hundred families. 

Services

Services for the celebration of the Sabbath are held most Friday evenings at 8:00 pm.  Family services, planned especially for families with young children, are held the first Friday of each month at 7:30 pm.  Shabbat morning services begin at 10:00 am. 

In seeking to continually enhance the worship life at Temple Shalom, we have developed a new worship calendar that we expect will provide our community with a variety of meaningful worship services.  The first Shabbat of the month will continue to be an early, 7:30 pm, FAMILY SHABBAT generally led by one of our Religious School classes.  The second Shabbat of each month is called SIMPLY SHABBAT.  This will be a typical Temple Shalom Erev Shabbat service from our new prayer book with a topical sermon.  SHABBAT KESHET (Rainbow Shabbat) will take place on the third Shabbat of each month.  This new initiative will allow us to offer variety in our worship each month with an ever changing rainbow of offerings.  Offerings might include special speakers, a Jazz Shabbat, a prayer book-free multi-media service, a multi-plex style Shabbat (multiple simultaneous Shabbat experiences) or a thematic creative service led by one of our affiliates or committees.  On the fourth Shabbat of the month will be our MUSIC SHABBAT.  Each month this Shabbat service will alternate between ROQ SHABBAT and CHOIR SHABBAT, ensuring that these beloved Temple Shalom traditions continue to occupy a special place in our Shabbat evening worship.  In the months in which there is a fifth Shabbat, we will offer an EARLY KABBALAT SHABBAT with service that begins at 6:15 pm.  At the conclusion of the erev Shabbat service, the congregation comes together to join in Kiddush at the Oneg Shabbat.  This provides an opportunity for joyous social interaction and refreshments.  Onegs are often sponsored by congregants celebrating a simcha.  

High Holy Day Services

High Holy Day tickets are available to all members in good standing. These tickets are for use by members and others in their immediate families living within their households. Seating is available for extended family members at a nominal cost. Seating is not assigned and is on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition to regular High Holy Day services, there are special services for young and for older children. (The older children actually lead, as well as participate, in their special service.)

Office Hours

Our Sisterhood supervises the Judaica Gift Shop located in our temple’s upstairs lobby. The shop features unique and beautiful gift items from Israel and well-known designers of Jewish art. It also boasts a huge display of Judaic greeting cards, ritual objects, and traditional items for gift-giving or your home. Special orders are welcomed. 

Tot Shabbat

Tot Shabbat is a program for two to six year olds to feel and experience their Judaism in a positive way. It is designed for them to have fun, sing songs, and listen to stories while celebrating Shabbat. The tots and their parents meet once each month at 10:00 am.  There are special Friday Shabbaton dinners that start at 5:30 PM.  For more information, call Raellen Kesselman at 973-940-1133. 

Youth

Temple Shalom proudly hosts the L’Chaim Club, a group for elders, sponsored by the United Jewish Federation and JCC of MetroWest. These active seniors meet each Thursday from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM in the temple meeting room.