March 1, 2002
Temple Shir Hadash, Westford's first Jewish Temple, will host a Shabbat service, on Friday, March 8, 2002 at the Fellowship Hall in the First Parish Church (48 Main St, next to Fletcher Library) in Westford. Shir Hadash means "New Song".
The Evening will start with a children's craft at 6:15 and the service will begin at 6:45pm. People from Westford and surrounding communities are warmly invited to join the service which will include a candle lighting, a children's service, a brief adult discussion on this weeks Torah portion, and an Oneg.
"We have had a very productive six months and look forward to making more progress in the months ahead," said Randy Uram, a member of the Temple Shir Hadash Steering Committee.
The new congregation, based in Westford but with members from Westford and surrounding communities, was formed in September 2001. "We are really beginning to come together as a group, and we are excited by the new faces we see every month at Shabbat services," noted Joe Diamond one of the early organizers.
Members of the first Jewish Temple in Westford have been holding Friday night services once a month since September 2001 and recently held the first in a series of social action activities at the Willow Manor Nursing Home in Lowell.
"The residents really enjoyed our visit, especially lighting candles and telling the Purim story with the children, and we did too. Helping other people performing a mitzvah is an important part of Judaism. We look forward to more activities like our visit to Willow Manor," said Joanne Derr, an active member of the Congregation.
Over the next six to twelve months, the Congregation plans to explore the development of a religious school. "We will survey our members and the families we know are interested in Temple Shir Hadash about their interest in a religious school for their children. We hope to offer classes in September," explained Joseph Zahavi, one of the rotating lay leaders for the service.
Also, ahead for the congregation, which numbers over 20 families with another 20 families joining in the Friday night services, is Passover match-making, the process of bring families new to the community to established seders.