CENTRAL REFORM TEMPLE STANDS IN SOLIDARITY AS WE PRAY AND WORK FOR HEALING AND PEACE FOR OUR BELOVED CITY OF BOSTON

In the days since the tragic attack at the Boston Marathon, our Temple has been deeply involved in the efforts of the Back Bay religious community to reach out and support the people of our city. Joining our fellow congregations of the neighborhood where the events occurred, we have been privileged to be a Jewish presence in the many interfaith gatherings and relief efforts that were organized to help and counsel the runners in the hours following the attacks, and to offer opportunities for all Bostonians to find comfort and encouragement in the midst of the fears and sadness.

On the morning of April 16, the day following the bombings, Rabbi Berman joined Back Bay clergy colleagues and City Council member Mike Ross in a walk through the devastated area along Boylston Street – which was closed off to the public. As he wrote to our members, the scene was far more horrific in person than in television images- broken glass scattered, wrecked store fronts, the piles of debris from the runners, the collapsed viewing stands, and blood still on the sidewalks. Rabbi Berman joined fellow clergy in counseling runners and family members along the streets and at the City’s emergency center at the Park Plaza Castle.” So many of them just broke down when they realized who we were. I talked for quite a while with runners from Utah, Amsterdam, and Minneapolis who just need to share their shock and sorrow.”

That night CRT joined all the congregations in the Back Bay at Arlington Street Church for the first of a number of interfaith Services of Remembrance and Healing that have been held over the week, with our rabbi leading the Mi Shebeyrach healing prayer and the Kaddish. Our own Shabbat Service scheduled for Friday, April 19 had to be cancelled to do the emergency lock-down of city as the drama of the capture of the suspects unfolded. Our Service was instead held on Sunday morning, April 21 following the Emmanuel Church worship, with Rabbi Berman delivering the sermon for both congregations. For the text of his message Reflections_of_Remembrance_and_Healing.

Following those Services on Sunday, CRT and Emmanuel joined a procession of all of the Back Bay congregations to Boylston Street, for a gathering of “reclaiming and reconsecrating the defiled streets of our city.”  The procession was led by Temple members bearing our Torah Scrolls, alongside the Cross carried by the clergy from Emmanuel. We all converged at the memorial site, and joined together in singing and silence.  Hundreds of people stood together in this very powerful moment of remembrance and healing. This important symbol of the shared unity, faith and determination of our city was captured by news media from throughout the world. Links to many of the news articles can be found on our In the News page.

We all need the grounding of faith and hope at this time, and we need to be together as a community… We hope that we can begin the healing and share our presence and support together as our beloved City of Boston moves forward…

Welcome to Central Reform Temple of Boston!

We are a “house of prayer for all people,” worshipping in the progressive traditions of Reform Judaism. We are an inclusive, diverse, and innovative congregation – a growing yet intimate community where everyone counts. Everyone is valued and makes a difference. If being part of a caring, personal congregation is important in your search for a spiritual home, we may be right for you!

Our congregation welcomes all who are seeking to experience Judaism’s universal spiritual ideals regardless of religious background, with a special outreach to interfaith families and the LGBT community. Our members come from the entire Boston area, both the nearby neighborhoods of Back Bay and the South End, as well as many suburban communities.

Our worship, conducted primarily in English, is accessible and embraces our many different spiritual paths. Hebrew texts and traditional melodies are integrated with contemporary readings and music, inviting active participation. Our rabbinic teaching focuses on sharing Jewish values as we confront the challenges of life and the issues of our society.

As you experience and explore Central Reform Temple, you will learn how we are striving to apply the insights of our faith as we face life’s joys and trials; strengthen our ties to our families, friends, and our broader community; and deepen our commitment to interfaith understanding, justice and peace.