When Marc returned to New York City after a few years living outside the city, there was no question. He would rejoin Temple Emanu-El, his spiritual home since boyhood.
“It’s been an incredible journey since day one,” Marc reflected.
Marc, a member for 22 years, joined Temple Emanu-El with his family when he was nine years old. He immediately found a warm and welcoming environment. His religious school curriculum was meaningful. The temple’s clergy prioritized spending quality time with him ahead of his Bar Mitzvah.
“Hebrew School was actually fun,” Marc said. “Rabbi Dr. David Posner z”l spent so much time with me about what I wanted to say and the meaning of the Bar Mitzvah.”
Since rejoining Temple Emanu-El as an adult, Marc has been an active member of the Young Members Circle. The Young Members Circle has provided him with a space to forge new friendships and have meaningful conversations about modern Jewish life.
“I have become friends with people from the Young Members Circle. It’s been nice to meet people from a similar stage of life who have a shared love of Judaism and have great conversations with them,” Marc said. “At such a fraught time, it’s really exciting to have a space where people feel comfortable going to and having thoughtful discussion.”
The attributes that made Temple Emanu-El special to Marc as an adult, are still present today. He cherishes the clergy who make extraordinary efforts to make everyone feel welcome. He values that the community takes an active role and voice in local and national civic issues. It’s a tradition he hopes continues for the next 180 years.
