Last Month

October Message From The President  

I have not, in almost two years, used my bulletin column to talk about a Temple event that has passed. I have also not rewritten my column after it was submitted to Kathy. However, I just returned home from the second day of Rosh Hashanah services and I need to share this incredible experience with those of you who were not there. Without in any way disparaging our first day of services, or our professional choir, I must say that the second day of services took us to new heights. If you were moved by Erin Aldridge playing Avinu Malkeinu on the violin the first day, it was equally moving the second day, even though we knew it was coming. Our Temple Singers, led by Casey Goldberg, were at their best! Not only did they present new, interesting and beautiful music, but they took it even further. For the first time, the Temple Singers sang with Bill Bastian, accompanied by Julia Cheng on the cello. Casey Goldberg and Kathy Levine joined together on the flute, and Casey played a beautiful clarinet solo. The most magical moment was Erin’s violin accompanying the Singers in a new and haunting Misheberach. The music left us all breathless, and there was more. Young and old did Torah readings – some with almost no warning, when scheduled people cancelled out because of illness. A three-generation family aliyah moved us all. Thank you, to everyone who participated. It was a wonderful experience. I urge you all to think about coming for the second day of services in the future. It is a different and very special experience that you should not miss.

There are some things I can never seem to remember. It does not matter how often we have done construction or decorating projects, I forget about the inconvenience and the mess at the end. No surprise then, that, when we said we needed the HVAC project done by the High Holidays, I forgot that we would need additional time to clean up after the project was complete! I think we just about made it, thanks to Marjeanne who spent at least one full day washing down the kitchen, to Marko who, among other things, cleaned the carpets on a Sunday, and to Marko and Rick who re-hung curtains which had fallen. They continue to clean and find homes for the many items misplaced during the work, Finally, our gratitude to Kathy, who managed to keep it all together and get everything completed for a Bar Mitzvah and the High Holidays while being forced to vacate her office periodically (and frequently without notice).

In spite of all my years as an educator, trainer and facilitator, I also tend to forget that things need to be presented in different ways for different people, and that repetition is key to remembering. Our process of study regarding “who we are” has been like a reminder “kick to the head.” I have been surprised by how many people assume we are already Reconstructionist, or how many have tried to vote. So, once more into the fray! Starting from the end point, we will vote at our Annual Meeting on Dec. 10 if we want to remain affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) ONLY, or if we want to have dual affiliation with URJ and the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation (JRF). The option to affiliate only with JRF is not being offered. One of the bottom-line motivators for this discussion is financial. Since we no longer pay dues to the Conservative movement, we must pay full dues to the Reform Movement, or half each to Reform and Reconstructionist. Either affiliation decision will have the same financial impact on us. It is simply a matter of where we will send the money.

Last month’s Notes from the Board recapped some of the information brought to us by a representative of the JRF. This month’s Notes from the Board has Reform information. Please read and review both articles. Then, come to our Congregational Meeting on October 26 at 7:00 pm. This will be one more opportunity to talk, ask questions and, hopefully, resolve issues that people may have. And then, don’t forget to come to the Annual Meeting to vote! That will be your real opportunity to make your opinion known since the final decision will be based on the votes counted at the meeting, not on opinions expressed in conversations or email. According to our by-laws, proxy votes are not acceptable, so it is important that you attend if you want to be counted.

As we come out of the High Holidays, Temple activities multiply at an incredible rate! The Wednesday night popular Supper at Temple will be back. Adult Education classes will begin. It has been years since we have had a selection of classes as extensive as what is being offered by the Ruth and Robert Karon Adult Education Series this year. Everyone should have received a copy of the schedule at High Holiday services. There are classes being taught almost every Tuesday and Wednesday evening by many congregants and the Rabbi. Take advantage of some of these magnificent opportunities, and thank you to Sheryl Grana and her fabulous committee for the work they did in developing this schedule.

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