MARLBOROUGH – Temple Emanuel on Berlin Road, the city’s only synagogue, is about to enter its busy season.
The High Holidays will begin with Rosh Hashanah services on the evening of Friday, Sept. 15; services for Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur will take place on Sept. 24 and 25.
“The High Holidays is our holiest time of the year, but we always welcome everyone,” said Cantor Wendy Siegel.
The synagogue, which began in the 1930s, is open to all Jewish denominations. Nonmembers wishing to attend during the High Holidays are asked to make a donation.
Even those who are not Jewish are welcome to attend services.
As Temple Emanuel’s cantor, Siegel serves as a spiritual leader. She has been with the temple for seven years.
“I write sermons, services. I do funerals, weddings … I do everything,” said Siegel.
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Siegel is not only a cantor; she also holds a master’s degree in education. She has taught at various temples, as well as the Metrowest Jewish Day School.
The synagogue was formally incorporated in 1945. After worshiping out of a private home on Newton Street for years, Temple Emanuel built its own synagogue on Berlin Road in the 1960s.
Membership is small – about 30 families – but vibrant, said Siegel.
“This is an older congregation; it has a long history, an honored history,” she said. “This is the most amazing group of people.”
Congregants have helped each other through personal crises such as a critical illness.
Siegel recalled that during her first year at Temple Emanuel four members died. Congregants stayed with one of the members while she was in hospice.
“This is a very special congregation. They are remarkable … they make meals, and took the time to visit,” Siegel said.
The COVID-19 pandemic was especially challenging, said Siegel.
“It limited the ability for people to participate,” she said.
With the passing of the pandemic, Temple Emanuel is trying to reconnect and recruit new members. Siegel said they’ve tried an ice cream social and an open house, and they will soon stage a “dinner and a movie.”
“We try to keep people connected,” she said.
Congregants meet in person twice a month. The temple also offers religious education classes.
“Truly I am the one who is blessed to be with this congregation,” she said.
For information on Temple Emanuel, visit https://templeemanuelma.org/.
