05/15/2026
This week’s “Shabbat Shalom!” message from our clergy:
Dear TBS Family,
At Rosh Hashanah our community embraced a call to find greater strength by leaning into our values. “Live Jewish!” has been our way to encounter the Jewish ethics of compassion, dignity, and justice through the richness of Jewish life. Together, we have engaged in learning, Jewish culture, celebration, spirituality, music, outreach to those in need and so much more. We have done this as a TBS community. We have done this through our families. And, we have done this as individuals. Now, as our nation is about to celebrate our 250th birthday, our entire Needham community has been invited to engage in a similar exercise of values re-affirmation.
As I shared during the High Holy Days: “America’s earliest leaders drew a direct line connecting personal morality, effective governance, and a striving nation.” Beginning this Monday evening and extending over five sessions, our Needham community will come together for a unique, special program: America@250. Through America@250, Needham neighbors will - through a facilitated small-group discussion - thoughtfully explore four foundational American texts: The “Declaration of Independence,” “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July” by Frederick Douglass, and the patriotic standard “America the Beautiful.” As we encounter each writing and we will reflect upon the values that inspired it. We will consider our nations successes as well as the gaps that have historically separated these values and the lived reality of many, even as they remain for us our nation’s north star. As well, we will celebrate a nation that, as our home, continually strives to actualize our ideals. Importantly, our series will also bring us into meaningful conversation with our neighbors – elevating our discussion to an exercise of fostering deeper community and understanding in our town.
A sign of the enthusiasm for America@250 is the strong support expressed by our Needham community partners. America@250 is co-sponsored by the Needham Interfaith Leaders Association, the Needham Resilience Network, and the Needham Human Rights Commission. In addition, the following have specifically signed on to actively lead our effort: Temple Beth Shalom, Christ Episcopal Church, the Congregational Church of Needham - UCC, First Parish Unitarian Universalist, Carter Memorial United Methodist Church, Wellesley Friends Meeting (Quakers), Chinese Friends of Needham, and the Needham Area Immigration Justice Task Force. As well, America@250 has been promoted by clergy in all of Needham’s houses of worship and by town leaders and educators in many of Needham’s organizations, committees, and agencies.
Appropriately and joyfully, America@250 will culminate in a wonderful civic ritual of renewal, values affirmation, and celebration of our nation’s 250th!
If you are interested in participating in the America@250 Needham Discussion Series and Celebration, you may attend one, some, or all of the sessions. Dates, specific details regarding the program, and a link to register may be found below. I hope that you are able to join us!
On this Shabbat – our weekly focusing-on-the-foundational – may we find strength in community.
May we continually engage in an honest reflection that inspires growth.
And may our joining together enable us to co-create a society that reflects our highest vision for ourselves and for the generations to come.
Emily, Liana, and Jonah join me in wishing you a wonderful Shabbat!
Jay
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Rabbi Jay Perlman
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America@250: Reading Our Past, Present, & Future Together
A 5-Part Needham Community Discussion Series and Celebration
When: Monday, May 18th, Thursday, May 28th, Thursday, June 11th, Thursday, June 25th, and Tuesday, June 30th
* Feel free to participate in one, some, or all of the conversations.
Time: 7:00 pm – 8:45 pm (for all sessions)
Where: The 4 discussion sessions will take place at The Center at the Heights – 300 Hillside Avenue, Needham; The Needham Civic Ritual of Renewal and Celebration on Tuesday, June 30th will take place at The Great Hall - Needham Town Hall, 1471 Highland Avenue
Register: To Register, please go online to: bit.ly/America250Needham.
Questions?: Please contact Rabbi Jay Perlman ([email protected]) or 781.444.0077
At a time of deep division, we need opportunities to come together and to be strengthened by that which unites us. Join us for the Needham America@250 Discussion Series - a community-wide program that will enable us to reflect upon the aspirational values at the heart of our nation. Each session will include guided, small-group, engaging conversations around some of America’s most powerful and inspiring texts: The Declaration of Independence (Monday, May 18th), “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus (Thursday, May 28th), “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” by Frederick Douglas (Thursday, June 11th), and America the Beautiful by Katherine Lee Bates (Thursday, June 25th). Together, we will explore these works not as reflections of American perfection, but as expressions of our enduring ideals and of our commitment to bring them closer to reality.
Our series will culminate in a moving and joyful Needham Civic Ritual of Renewal and Celebration on Tuesday, June 30th at Needham’s Great Hall. Each of our sessions will be proudly co-hosted by several local groups, communities, and congregations. Refreshments will be served. All are welcome!
At a time of deep division, we need reasons to come together and to be strengthened by that which unites us. Join us for the Needham America@250 Discussion Series - a community-wide invitation to reflect upon the aspirational values at the heart of our nation. Each session will include guided, engag...
