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I had lived in Medford for the past 15 years as a single Jewish person and I had been looking for a temple off and on. I knew I wanted something that was conservative, and yet modern. In the past, I visited Temple Shalom along with several other temples in the area. To me, Temple Shalom felt steeped in tradition, proud of its long history in Medford. It still is all that- they have an amazing amount of respect for the elder’s in their community who have created and sustained the temple. However, I also feel that recently Temple Shalom has made a real effort to do more to welcome new members. They engage families from the start, especially those with young children. Many of the "new members" of Temple Shalom are interfaith marriages with young children such as ours, and the Temple embraces this diversity.

I believe that a lot of this comes from the dedicated families who are committed to bringing in a younger population to the temple. I met Tamar at a new mom's event at the Medford Family Network event that she helps run. She encouraged me to check out the temple in a non-pushy, real way. I also later learned that Tamar is responsible for bringing back the religious school program and it seems to be thriving under her guidance.  Melanie, who is on the Welcoming and Membership Committee, is just the sweetest; she truly loves her role (and babies) and makes everyone feel at ease in her presence. The first day we attend an event Melanie introduced my husband Steve and I to almost everyone in the room. She bonded with our then 2-month old daughter, Shayna, immediately.   Beth and I met at a Mom's group in Melrose, where she told me she that her husband and one month old son, Jacob, are members of the temple.

Temple Shalom has many programs in which individuals, couples or families are encouraged to attend- even before they are members. Before we joined, we were personally invited to the Purim Carnival, where my usually very reserved husband proudly carried our daughter around the room and sang Jewish songs. We all attended a tot Shabbat, a very sweet morning service filled with song, smiles and stickers for all! At a “Mother's Day Tea" there was a speaker, a Jazz Ensemble, yummy food and the room decorated for the occasion.  I was encouraged to bring friends and admittance was just an unwrapped baby item, going to families in need in Medford.  I was also encouraged to join the woman's Rosh Chodesh group.  This is a meeting of about 12-16 women of the Temple that meet at the beginning of each month in a members home. I had been looking for a woman's group for years, and glad to find such a vibrant one.

Just this past weekend, these are some of the activities that we were encouraged to participate in: Help was needed in the community garden that David is leading and was started by the Social Action Committee. The flowers will be used on the bima, and the vegetables donated to the Heading Home Shelter.  I attended the monthly meeting of Rosh Chodesh. This month we brainstormed about what we, as a group would like to talk to for next year. Topics ranged from visiting the local mikvah, Miyyam Hayyim, to how to deal with "Jewish Mothers".  On Friday night, there was a special oneg for synagogue members who were celebrating their 55th anniversary. Saturday morning, was the monthly "Tot Shabbat”, and on Sunday, there was a "Dad's Walk". Steve was excited to get to know the other dad's of the group. Richard, Tamar's husband, hosted it as fathers and kids strolled and chatted down the bike path in Arlington.

It feels great knowing that we have found Temple Shalom.  Isn't a sense of community really what we are all looking for these days, with family and friends living so far away?