Learn more about Stephen Greenstein and what you will be reading in this issue.
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5786 SHABBATON RECAP
This year ’ s 6th grade class enjoyed many of the classic hallmarks of our Shabbaton weekend, including three cornerstone learning programs as well as many fun bonding activities
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SOCIAL JUSTICE UPDATE
TST Social Justice efforts have entered a new chapter one rooted in our long tradition of service and advocacy, and energized by renewed vision, broader leadership, and deeper congregational engagement
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MEETING TALIA HIRSH
Get to know TST’s Director of Development
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JEWISH BOSTON SPEAKER SERIES
This winter, Temple Shir Tikva’s Boston
Speakers Series brought together three of the most thoughtful and consequential Jewish leaders in our community for wide-ranging, candid conversations on our bimah
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OUR CIVIL RIGHTS JOURNEY
Michael Weiner talks about the TST and Greater Framingham Community Church Civil Rights trip
CONNECT WITH US
LATE WINTER / EARLY SPRING 2026 March 2026
Letterfromtheeditor
You might ask, “Who is this handsome grey-haired fella?” Well, here I am introducing myself I am Stephen Greenstein; my family and I have been members of TST for almost ten years I live in Sudbury with my wife, Jennifer,and three kids, Vivienne (11), Elise (10), and Lincoln (3) I grew up in Newton, attended the Newton Public Schools: Memorial-Spaulding, Charles E Brown, and Newton South, Congregation Mishkan Tefila (CMT), University of Hartford, and went to Camp Tevya.
Growing up, I was the child of a Jewish educator and an accountant. My mother was the CMT Nursery School director for almost 15 years. I remember hearing about the scenes of congregation doings, never thinking that one day I’d be part of the behind-the-scenes of a synagogue that my wife and kids had been members of.
I started my career many years ago in property management (WinnCompanies), then moved into promotional marketing (iPROMOTEu, Axis Promotions) After I realized sales wasn’t for me, I decided I’d do something I have always wanted to do, digital marketing and web development In the years following, I worked for Fort Point Design, Pearson Education, MilliporeSigma, and, most recently, the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
Why did I decide to come and work at TST? I love being Jewish I grew up going to services at CMT most Saturdays We celebrated all the Jewish holidays, I went to Camp Tevya for 12 years and when I was at the University of Hartford, I was very involved with Hillel Working for a Jewish organization doing marketing and communications just made sense Being part of the TST staff has been amazing
Enough about me; now about Chai Lights. I am pleased with my first issue of Chai Lights; in this issue you will read about the Civil Rights trip, learn more about the Boston Jewish Leaders Speaker Series, you’ll get to know about our Director of Development, Talia Hirsh, a Social Justice update, and get a quick look at the 6th grade Shabbaton at Camp Eisner.
I look forward to meeting you at the TST Spring Celebration!
Stephen Greenstein
From the Bimah, a weekly podcast from TST featuring the sermons from our incredible clergy.
Extended Kiddush, a weekly podcast from the TST Office.
5786ShabbatonRecap
By Jenna Friedman, Renata Feinstein, and Alison Weikel
Our 6th Grade Shabbaton (Shabbat overnight retreat) is always a highlight of our K-12 calendar year. Framed by the falling flakes of mid-winter snow, our 6th grade class escapes to URJ Eisner Camp in the Berkshire mountains for a weekend of learning, community, and joy. This year’s 6th Grade Shabbaton was no different – in fact, with 39 sixth grade students in attendance and with a new member on our Education Team present, it was our biggest Shabbaton yet (and one of the most special).
This year’s 6th grade class enjoyed many of the classic hallmarks of our Shabbaton weekend, including three cornerstone learning programs as well as many fun bonding activities. Our Shabbaton learning programs center on our students exploring their relationships with G-d, Torah, and sacred space; these programs are often reported to us as the most engaging of their whole religious school experience On the side of the social programs, our students participate in a myriad of delights like goofy mixer games, active scavenger hunts, elective free-time activities, a Saturday movie night (this year, we showed our kids The Princess Bride) and impromptu B Mitzvah dance floor favorites
For the first time in years, there was a healthy enough coating of snow on the ground (thanks to Winter Storm Fern) for us to go sledding! Our students had a blast racing each other down the sledding hill, making snow angels, and enjoying icicle fun-dip (icicles dipped in snow.)
Along with our wonderful learning and social experiences, we also shared in meaningful Shabbat evening, morning, and Havdalah services as a whole-grade community. We were lucky to be joined by one of our Hineini songleaders, Melissa Baden, who was our amazing songleader-in-residence for the weekend, along with 6th grade teacher Golan Altman-Shafer, who served as our exceptional Torah reader and impromptu game leader. All of our prayer experiences were held in the beautiful library of Manor House, a gorgeous space replete with bay windows, gilded historic paintings, and a collection of antique books. It was quite the setting to establish a spiritual sense of wonder.
Another annual Shabbaton highlight is our Shir Tikva tradition of the “Shabbaton Mascot,” in which each Shabbaton class gets their own oversized stuffed animal to name and call their own This year’s class instantly fell in love with their new friend Barney, the Pink Dragon
What people don’t often realize is that the 48 hours we spend with our students on the Shabbaton weekend is equivalent to 24 Hineini sessions – which is close to the number of Sunday sessions we typically have in a school year! We get a whole year’s worth of community-building concentrated into just one weekend, and the results always speak for themselves – and the dividends are astronomical not just through the rest of their 6th grade year, but through the rest of their whole TST experience. What began the weekend as four different Hineini 6th grade classes ended the weekend as one shared, united 6th grade community.
Our students often cite the Shabbaton as one of the most memorable experiences of their entire learning journey at TST, and we are so grateful to have had another amazing, unforgettable weekend with this class of our Hineini 6th graders.
SocialJusticeUpdate
Temple Shir Tikva’s Social Justice efforts have entered a new chapter one rooted in our long tradition of service and advocacy, and energized by renewed vision, broader leadership, and deeper congregational engagement.
As we approached the High Holy Days this past fall, we were reminded that tikkun olam repairing the world is not only a personal aspiration but a communal responsibility. Our Annual High Holy Day Food Drive, led by Debbie and Michael Pullen, once again brought the congregation together in a powerful, visible mitzvah. In partnership with the Preventive Food Pantry at Boston Medical Center and the United Way of Tri-County, we helped restock shelves after a long summer when donations often run low. At a time when food insecurity in Massachusetts remains alarmingly high, your generosity made a tangible difference.
In late October, congregants gathered to reflect on our dual commitments: Social Justice—advancing systemic change through advocacy and policy and Social Action providing hands-on support to neighbors in need. We spoke about strengthening our partnerships with organizations like the Religious Action Center and Jewish Family Services, while providing new opportunities for congregants to take direct action to support our neighbors in need or participate in advocacy for important causes
One of the most visible examples is the steady rhythm of our monthly Family Table tuna and salmon collections for Jewish Family & Children’s Service. What began as an effort by a single dedicated congregant, Rachel Seliber, has grown into a congregation-wide model of shared responsibility.
We have also deepened our collaboration with Jewish Family Services. In December, Arielle Pullen organized volunteers who sorted donations and packed meal kits for neighbors in need. Many volunteers contributed to our children’s clothing drive, which collected dozens of bags of new and gently used clothing for the Framingham Public Schools Resource Room, ensuring that families could access essential items with dignity. This winter we continue with our annual Hope & Comfort supply drive, led by Meiko and Sadie Bauchman and Marissa Kaye; this drive provides critical-needed hygiene products
Our commitment to feeding our broader community continues to expand. Volunteers now serve monthly dinners at Pearl Street Café in partnership with Greater Framingham Community Church, thanks to coordination efforts by Renee Bender-Cohn. These evenings of shared service exemplify Shir Tikva’s longstanding commitment to interfaith programming
On the Social Justice advocacy front, congregants have engaged in several initiatives, including “Dignity Not Deportations” led by Alice Porter, and continue to work closely with Reform Action Center partners at the state and national levels These efforts remind us that repairing the world requires both compassionate action and courageous advocacy
We are now producing a monthly Social Action newsletter that highlights upcoming volunteer opportunities and reports on what we’ve accomplished together. We have created a dedicated Social Action mailing list for those who want to receive regular updates about hands-on opportunities
To ensure we are responsive to real community needs, we are establishing congregants as liaisons to key partner organizations such as Jewish Family Services and Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters. These liaisons help us stay informed about what our partners most need right now. From there, we identify captains who organize specific volunteer activities whether that means leading a drive, coordinating a host week, or mobilizing a small team.
To those who have packed, sorted, shopped, cooked, advocated, organized, and led: thank you. Your dedication laid the foundation for this moment of renewal
Whether you can give an hour a month, serve a meal, join an advocacy effort, lead a drive, or bring a bag of groceries on Yom Kippur, you are part of this sacred work.
If you are interested in Social Action (direct volunteer work), or you would like to be added to our list, please contact Mary Beth Rettger at mbrettger@shirtikva.org. If you would like to learn more about Social Justice (advocacy and policy efforts), please contact Bob Koster, our Social Justice Chair at bkoster@shirtikva.org. Together, we are building a Social Justice and Social Action presence at TST that is sustained, responsive, and rooted in our deepest values
MeetTaliaHirsh:TST’s DirectorofDevelopment
What did you do prior to joining TST?
Prior to joining TST, I served as the Assistant Director of the HBS Fund at Harvard Business School and as a Leadership Giving Officer at The Rivers School. Before transitioning into development, I spent nearly 10 years working in student advising at both Brandeis University and Simmons University, supporting students throughout their academic journeys
What brought you to TST and how long have you been a member?
My family first joined TST in 1996, when I was in 4th grade I loved being at TST and stayed deeply involved throughout my teenage years. After having children of my own, we began attending Shabbat Yeladim and eventually rejoined as a family. So, you could say I’ve been a member on and off since I was 9 years old.
What has surprised you the most about working here?
What has surprised me most about working here is just how much fun it is and how genuinely supportive everyone is of one another. I love that I can fully be myself and laugh a lot (thankfully, everyone appreciates my sense of humor!)
What are some of your accomplishments from last year?
Since I officially started in July, I am especially proud that I raised over $8,000 to ensure Shabbat Yeladim programming and pizza could be offered completely free of charge to all families for the entire year, whether they are members or not Removing the barrier of cost has more than doubled attendance, and it brings me so much joy to see the room filled with families coming together.
What was your Jewish upbringing like?
I truly grew up at TST, attending Hebrew School (before it was called Hineini) and participating in STIFTY as a teen I went on two NFTY trips, participated in Birthright, and was involved in many young adult CJP initiatives in my 20s. I also attended both Crane Lake and Eisner and worked as a counselor at Eisner for two summers. Additionally, I was a Big Sister with JBBS for 10 years. Throughout my life, I’ve always felt deeply connected to the Jewish community, and that connection began right here at TST
MoreaboutTaliaHirsh
What are your goals for this year?
On March 28th, we are bringing back our annual fundraising event, and I couldn’t be more excited! Beyond raising critical support for TST’s Annual Fund, this evening will be a joyful celebration of the people, initiatives, and projects that bring meaning and connection to our community. Each year, we’ll spotlight something special at TST, and this year we are thrilled to honor 10 years of the Early Learning Center and all it has contributed to our community. I truly hope you’ll join us for an unforgettable night of fun, great food, dancing, and shared meaning
Where is your favorite place to travel?
Anywhere warm! I love places with beautiful sunsets and access to nature.
Tell us about your life outside of TST.
I’m married to my husband, Adam, and we have two wonderful children, Nora (8) and Zachary (5). Most of my extended family lives nearby, so we spend a lot of time together. I will never turn down seeing a Broadway show – I have been lucky to see two shows in NYC this year! I love musical theater, and you’ll often find me singing in the car or in the TST choir I also love spending time with friends (I may or may not be in a few book clubs), and I’m currently learning how to play Mahjong!
BostonJewishLeadersSpeaker SeriesRecap
This winter, Temple Shir Tikva’s Boston Speakers Series brought together three of the most thoughtful and consequential Jewish leaders in our community for wideranging, candid conversations on our bimah
We were honored to host Jeremy Burton, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston; Rabbi Marc Baker, President and CEO of Combined Jewish Philanthropies; and Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld, President of Hebrew College. Each joined Rabbi Danny Burkeman in deeply engaged audiences for substantive, unscripted, and urgent conversations.
With Jeremy Burton, the focus was public policy, antisemitism, interfaith partnerships, and the complicated realities of Jewish advocacy in 2026 What does it mean to represent a diverse Jewish community at a moment of polarization? How do we stand firm without losing our moral clarity? The conversation moved easily between Beacon Hill, college campuses, and local congregations, connecting the macro to the deeply personal It was smart, grounded, and refreshingly honest.
Rabbi Marc Baker brought a different but equally vital lens As President of CJP, he sits at the nexus of philanthropy, crisis response, and long-term Jewish visioning The discussion explored how communal priorities are set, how resources are mobilized in moments of emergency, and how we balance immediate needs with generational responsibility
Rabbi Baker spoke with candor about leadership under pressure and with optimism about the extraordinary resilience and generosity of Boston’s Jewish community If you left feeling proud to be part of this ecosystem, you weren’t alone.
And then there was Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld, who elevated the conversation into the spiritual and educational realm. What does it mean to cultivate Jewish leaders in a fractured age? How do we form rabbis, educators, and communal professionals who are both rooted and open, both courageous and compassionate? Her exchange with Rabbi Danny wove together Torah, moral imagination, and practical leadership. It was a reminder that ideas matter, and that the future of Jewish life depends on who we are becoming, not just what we are building.
Across all three evenings, what made the series special was not just the stature of the guests, but the tone: generous, probing, sometimes challenging, always thoughtful These were not lectures, they were conversations- dynamic, responsive, and shaped by the questions and concerns of our own community Temple Shir Tikva continues to be a place where big ideas meet lived Jewish life.
Rabbi Danny and Rabbi Marc Baker
Jeremy Burton and Rabbi Danny
Rabbi Marc Baker
Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld
OURCIVILRIGHTS JOURNEY
By Michael Weiner
I was awestruck listening to Lynda Blackmon Lowry speak about growing up in Alabama during the Civil Rights Movement The youngest listed participant in the March from Selma to Montgomery, she would later author the book Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom: My Story of the 1965 Selma Voting Rights March Hearing her story of enduring racism was powerful, and made possible by a shared Civil Rights Trip with Temple Shir Tikvah and the Greater Framingham Community Church Together, nearly 40 of us would visit Civil Rights sites in Selma, Montgomery and Birmingham
Together, we quickly bonded over shared hopes for this trip, and especially a desire to visit a roadside attraction, Buc-ees Our first stop in Birmingham was Kelly Ingram Park, where so many images of the Civil Rights Movement are seared into our consciousness. A boy terrified of a police dog
Civilians being beaten back by a firehose. Those images have been made into permanent statues in the park. Across the street from the park is the 16 Street Baptist Church. A bombing at the church would kill four little girls making their way from the restroom to main floor We had the privilege of hearing from ‘the fifth little girl ’ Sarah Collins Rudolph survived the bombing but was permanently blinded in one eye She spoke about her life prior to the bombing, as well as since It was quite stirring th
Leaving Birmingham, we arrived in Selma, where we listened to Lynda’s story Later we were given the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Civil Rights icons by crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge Some of us began a conversation about the bridge. Who was Edmund Pettus? Maybe the bridge should be renamed for someone like John Lewis, a long time activist and Representative in the House?
rman, heard us and us Pettus was an officer te Army during the Grand Dragon of the bridge was named 40 We let that sink in purposefully honored with a bridge
g, we were welcomed mple Beth Or in some members of our reater Framingham ch (an nal predominantly church), this was their bbat Service. At dinner that evening, we had a lively discussion We processed our riences of the day together, noting our disparate pasts led to unique rvations
aturday, we would visit the National orial for Peace and Justice, cated to the victims of racial terror hings Here, over 800 steel uments, one for each county where ching occurred, hang from the g. The crimes transpired between and 1950 Many of the monuments ng the same name ‘Unknown ’
Records weren’t kept for many victims, who were considered to be less than human in the eyes of the perpetrators
Sunday, we visited the resting place of Dr Martin Luther King Jr , before being invited to attend services at the Ebenezer Baptist Church This was the church where he was copastor and the current pastor is Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock While I have previously attended religious services outside my faith, I had not seen a baptismal pool above and behind the choir. The music was uplifting and the message to the congregants was unwavering. We must hold on to hope. Keep fighting for what is right
We can all thank the special relationship between Rabbi Danny and Reverend Lloyd for creating the opportunity for this trip Since the conclusion of the tour, the trip participants have joined together several times to connect and debrief We’ve been the host of GFCC’s hospitality and we recently hosted GFCC for a Kabbalat Shabbat Service at Temple Shir Tikva Together we look forward to the next opportunity to discuss our pasts, and share a future to create opportunities for racial justice
TST TEAM
Dan Brosgol
Rabbi Danny Burkeman rabbidanny@shirtikva org Executive Director dbrosgol@shirtikva.org
Christina Loftus cloftus@shirtikva.org Office Manager
Marissa Brockman mbrockman@shirtikva.org Director of Community Engagement
Stephen Greenstein sgreenstein@shirtikva org Communications & Events Associate
John Legg jlegg@shirtikva org Building Manager
Alison Weikel aweikel@shirtikva.org Director of Education
Jenna Friedman jfriedman@shirtikva org Assistant Director of Education
