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Welcome to Our Temple

Congregation Emanu-El Israel (CEI) is the center of Jewish activities in central Westmoreland County. CEI is affiliated with the Reform movement under the umbrella of the Union for Reform Judaism whose goals are to strengthen communities that transform the way people connect to Jewish life and to build a more whole, just, and compassionate world. CEI adopts the following goals of the URJ. To practice ‘Audacious Hospitality’, ‘Repairing the World’ and to ‘Invest in the Jewish Future’. However, members familiar with either a Reform or Conservative tradition will find a friendly, comfortable feeling in our Congregation. CEI is the ideal place to renew or strengthen ties with your Jewish identification. CEI supports the traditional family, the non-traditional family and Jewish singles.

Building cornerstone showing opening date 1949

Founded

Sign in front of building

Welcome to CEI

Picture of building

Congregation Emanu-El Israel

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Our Sanctuary

Home

All services and classes are online  Click here for information and how to log in. Shabbat services are Friday nights at 7:30 pm

Songs for Friday night services can also be found on the Friday link page

You are also welcome to join us in-person

 

Congregation Emanuel Israel Logo

A Temple for All

Congregation Emanu-El Israel (CEI) strives to meet the Jewish needs of our community.  We have religious services, educational programs and social activities. Whether you live in a big city, a remote urban area or have some physical issue, CEI can fulfill your religious wishes – regardless of where you live in the country.  

Click here for the CEI policy on opening doors: 

Door Policy

 
 
Rabbi Lenny

Rabbi Lenny Sarko

Our rabbi at CEI.

Click the link to see pictures of a Hebrew Braille Sefer Torah Scroll that was created by the rabbi:

Braille Torah Pics

If you would like more information about the braille scrolls please click on the link for Devarim Institute

We also have a home course that teaches Hebrew braille and the Mishkan T’filah Prayerbook as a refreshable braille file – both which are free.  Contact Rabbi Lenny for more information.

Click Here for

Weekly News at CEI

and Monthly Newsletter

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Click Here to see a list of all the People of the Week we have done.  We are up to 152 people.

People of the Week List

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Upcoming Calendar

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Talmud – Thursday November 21, 7:30 pm, online, Book of Berachot –  no Talmud Nov. 28, Dec. 5, Dec. 12

Friday Night Service – Friday November 22, 7:30 pm Eastern Time

No Shabbat Service after Thanksgiving, Friday November 29

Friday Night Service – Friday December 06, 7:30 pm Eastern Time, led by Joel Last

Friday Night Service – Friday December 13, 7:30 pm Eastern Time, led by Joel Last

 

From the Union For Reform Judaism / Reform Movement

For Some of Us the Holidays Are Just…Hard

For Some of Us the Holidays Are Just…Hard jemerman

Death and Mourning
star of david starry lights
As we head into the holiday season, I am acutely aware of how much different this year is going to be than previous ones. I will be celebrating without my mom for the first time. My mother died in January 2021, and I'm still dealing with the unexpected waves of grief that wash over me, sometimes out of nowhere. As I head into this first winter holiday season without her, I'm not quite sure I know what to expect, other than everything is going to be very different.

The Cost of Free Land

The Cost of Free Land jemerman

Secular Holidays
The author's Great-Great-Uncle Louie Sinykin posing with men in Dakota garb in South Dakota's Black Hills. Date unknown.
When I was a child growing up in the 1980s, the story I learned about Thanksgiving followed the classic script: it highlighted amity between the Pilgrims and their Indigenous neighbors. Due to this connection, the hunger of the European settlers was met with squash and turkey.

Ten Things We Say When We Talk About Antisemitism

Ten Things We Say When We Talk About Antisemitism sdolgov

Antisemitism and Hate Crimes
star of david
URJ leaders have had thousands of conversations about antisemitism over the past years, especially after October 7th. The following list summarizes the ideas that arise most often in these discussions.

Putting the “Serve” Back in "Deserve"

Putting the “Serve” Back in "Deserve" sdolgov

Photo of a group of war veterans
As the Jewish community grapples with fears of our eroding security in post-10/7 America, nobody wants to consider the question of whether we have enjoyed that security up to this point by right or by debt.