Temple Israel is a dynamic community that encourages members to explore and share their passions. Our diverse Tribes offer a unique opportunity to meet with others who share similar hobbies and creative pursuits to encourage inspiring conversations and lifelong connections.
Tribes launching in October!
Sign up now to reserve your spot and we will reach out once groups have officially begun.
Click the name of the group to sign up!
Shabbat Supper Clubs
Shabbat Supper Clubs – Let us help you find a group of friends to light candles and break bread with each month. If you already have a couple of friends who are interested, bring them along and we can help you form a full group.
Food and Culture
Cooking for the Jewish Soul – Together let’s explore the food that feeds our Jewish Soul. Traditional Ashkenazi, Israeli, and Sephardi recipes will guide us as we share the foods that enrich and nourish our lives. Fun, Friends, and Food – how Jewish! Led by Judy Bearman
Tandoori Tribe – This group of foodies gets together once a month to enjoy Indian food for lunch! Led by Faith Ruch
Grape Expectations – L’chaim! Join old friends and make new ones to explore wines across the world from Napa Valley to Sicily to Chile, grape varietals from Cabernet Sauvignon to Chenin Blanc, and wine budgets from sippin’ on the back porch to special occasions. Led by Cary & Wendy Rotter
Barley and Berakhot – Are you are a novice beer drinker, looking to expand your knowledge and tastebuds? Maybe you are a hophead, seeking out the newest flavor trends and combinations. Or maybe a malt monster, craving sweet and smooth grainy goodness. If you are any of these, this Tribe is for you! Typically, our meetings will be held at local breweries. We will tour their facilities, sample their suds, and share tasting notes. We will discuss ingredients, explore style profiles, and examine equipment and brewing processes. Best of all, occasionally we will put it all to use and make our very own beer! Led by Aaron Kanowitz
Timbrels, Tofs, and Tribe! – Looking to make music with friends in the park? Timbrels, Tofs, and Tribe! is the drum circle for you! We will meet at Shelby Farms every second and fourth Wednesday between 4:30 to 7 PM, weather permitting. We will meet on the grass by the Marina. If this is your first time playing world percussion, we will be happy to share our knowledge. Bring a chair, personal hydration, and any hand drum or world percussion including hand shakers, timbrels, goblet drums, and frame drums. Flutes and Tongue Drums are also welcome. Led by Karen Kestner
Games
Not Your Mama’s Mah-Jongg – This group brings together people in their 20s and 30s who have always wanted to learn mah-jongg or are already a pro! You will find upcoming events, tips, and updates for the group on this private Facebook page. Led by Sarah Besser and Michelle Goltsman
Board Gamers – This is a group for people in their 20s and 30s to get together and play [not just] board games. Whether it’s old classics like Monopoly or Taboo, or new games with fun twists, we are ready to play! Led by Courtney & Sam Charney
Spirituality/Jewish Learning
Ladies’ Night Shabbat – Grab your favorite gal pals and leave the kids at home for a monthly Ladies’ Night Shabbat. Once a month we wind down from the week with Shabbat services at Temple before heading out for a nice meal together. This group is for women in their 30s and 40s. Led by Laura Yacoubian
Jewish Spirituality Study Group – This small discussion group will meet monthly and focus on writings about Jewish spirituality that participants find interesting. Selected readings will be decided by the group and may include Kabbalah commentaries or works by Abraham Joshua Heschel. Led by Allison Delugach and Carolyn Mizne
Say Chai Chavurah – Say Chai Chavurah is a weekly fellowship initiative that will provide not only Jewish learning opportunities focusing on Judaism and Israeli culture but will also provide a space for checking in with one another. Join us virtually each week on Thursdays at 10 AM to learn, laugh, and “say Chai!”
Torah Study – Join us weekly on Saturday morning at 10 AM for Torah Study with Temple Israel’s greatest teachers! Find the schedule on our calendar.
Health & Wellness
Rock Climbing – You’re never a stranger in a climbing gym. Join other climbers of all levels to connect, learn new skills together, and have fun through monthly climbs at High Point. Challenge yourself to achieve new heights in a safe environment. Community starts with a climb! Led by Kate Basar
Outdoors Enthusiasts – This group will participate in a variety of outdoor activities in and around the Midsouth area from hiking, camping, to boating. This group is best suited for those able to complete intermediate + levels of activity and exertion. Some activities may include uphill hiking, walking on uneven terrain, ability to paddle for a few miles or more, and carrying a backpack and camping supplies for an extended period. We can’t wait to get outdoors and adventure with you! Led by Jason Salomon
Tikkun Olam Groups
Community Engagement and Empowerment
Team Glean -Team Glean is a nationwide effort to end hunger and reduce food waste through gleaning, the practice of redistributing quality produce that otherwise would be discarded. Every Thursday afternoon, Temple volunteers, ages 21+ or children with a guardian, gather at the Agricenter Farmer’s Market to collect fruit and vegetables generously donated by the vendors there, then organize and deliver the produce to Plough Towers for the residents. Led by Jan Reisman and Rebecca Fox
Team Read – The mission of the Team Read tutoring program is to help students improve the academic achievement of second graders in reading by pairing each participating student with a caring volunteer tutor. Led by Penny Lewis
Room in the Inn – Room in the Inn-Memphis is a ministry that serves people experiencing homelessness. The program provides emergency shelter and meals during the coldest months of the year—November through March. There are many ways to get involved, including setting up, greeting, providing or serving a meal, staying overnight with our guests, and cleaning up on Monday mornings. Led by Marcy Stagner
Social Justice
MICAH Core Team – MICAH (Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Hope) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to address education, economic, race, and class equity in the Memphis area by organizing and speaking to our community and its leaders. As an official partner of MICAH, the purpose of Temple’s MICAH Core Team is to work together as congregants to amplify the voice and the impact of MICAH by working together on their initiatives interdependently. Led by Melinda Lejman
Women’s Health Advocacy – Led by Mindy Huddleston
Gun Violence Prevention – Led by Rochelle Fenton and Susanne Landau
Temple Community
Temple Cares – Temple Cares is a network of congregant-led committees in the business of serving our fellow members when and where they are most in need. Our current committees include the Meals, Bereavement Calls, and Transportation. The Meals Committee provides and delivers a home-cooked or purchased meal to Temple members and families in times of need. The Bereavement Calls Committee makes caring phone calls to grieving members who have recently lost a loved one. The Transportation Committee provides rides to our members to and from medical appointments. If you are interested in being a part of Temple Cares, email Faith Ruch. Led by Debbie Jackson
If you have an idea for a Tribe that is not listed, let us know!
Other Ways to Get Involved
We want to hear from you! If you have an idea for a new group or would like to lead a group, please let us know. We are always looking for new ideas and ways to enhance our community. Click here to share your idea.