Important Announcement
June 14, 2021
Shalom Friends,
After nineteen years of service to the Jewish community of Manatee and Sarasota Counties, the Board of Directors of Congregation Ner Tamid has made the difficult decision to dissolve our congregation.
We are proud of Ner Tamid’s many accomplishments, from our humble beginning as a Chavurah, to full-fledged congregation status.
Perhaps you, along with us, remember our innovative programming. We were the first in the area to have a TuB’Shevat seder, to celebrate Shabbat at Table, and to participate in Shabbat Across America, just to name a few. We had Jewish meditation, a ChavuRead Book Club, Interfaith Family Celebrations, and presentations such as Walking the Bible, and Jewish Views of the Afterlife.
Our members participated in many themed Shabbat services, including Veterans Shabbat, College Shabbat, Shabbat in Song, and Nike Shabbat, as well as memorable High Holiday and other services.
Members and friends will never forget our Italian Dinner and Tombola events, Chinese and Deli Dinner and Movie nights, Israeli Dinners, Music and Magic, and other outstanding events.
Ner Tamid had a lasting impact on our community. We partnered with Our Daily Bread and with Jewish Family and Children Services, contributed food, blankets, and other items to migrant families through Sister Nora’s outreach, sent Jewish items for troops through Project MOT, and crocheted caps for cancer patients. We presented educational programs on Jewish history, culture and religion, participated in Interfaith Panels, and brought religious services to residents of assisted living facilities.
Many children received a grounding in Judaism through our Jewish Living and Learning Sunday School, and adults and children alike celebrated Bar and Bat Mitzvot with our congregation.
We rejoiced at weddings and baby namings and we remembered those who passed with memorial services and funerals.
Congregation Ner Tamid has donated its remaining funds to two worthy organizations – Jewish Family and Children Services of the Suncoast and the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee.
We thank our mishpacha, our family of members and friends, for your support, friendship and inspiration over the years. Rena Morano, Ner Tamid’s Rabbinic Associate, and Rabbi Barbara Aiello, Ner Tamid’s Rabbinic Advisor, remain available to you for Jewish life cycle events.
Shalom and L’hitraot,
Elaine Mittler and David Jacobson
Additional Information
From: Rena Morano, (former) Rabbinic Associate to Congregation Ner Tamid
The religious leadership of Congregation Ner Tamid has resolved to remain available to our community for Jewish concerns and lifecycle events.
As Ner Tamid’s Rabbinic Associate for 19 years and a Florida Notary Public, I am available to help you commemorate important occasions, such as weddings, memorial services, and funerals.
Local residents and seasonal visitors, regardless of synagogue or temple affiliation (or lack of affiliation), are welcome to contact me by email at renapmorano@gmail.com.
From: Rabbi Barbara Aiello, (former) Rabbinic Advisor to Congregation Ner Tamid
Thank you, Todah Rabah, and Mille Grazie to everyone who has supported Congregation Ner Tamid over the years. It has been my honor and pleasure to serve as your Rabbinic Advisor. Although Ner Tamid has closed its doors, our hearts remain open to all of you.
It is my plan to return part time to the Sarasota area and to divide my time between the US and my home here in Italy. If ever I can be of any help to you, please do not hesitate to contact me by email: Rabbi@RabbiBarbara.com