A Mazel Tov to the new and returning Officers, Directors and Trustees.  I look forward to working with each of you over the next year.

Shira, thank you so much for that wonderful installation ceremony.  I know that you are already working hard on programming for the next year. 

Speaking of Shira, a little over 2 years ago when she was Membership Vice President and I was Financial Secretary, we were emailing about a membership issue and in one of the emails she asked if I had time to talk later that day.  I replied that I was, but at some point that afternoon I thought, wait, Shira is on the Nominating Committee, this should be an interesting call.  Shira told me that the committee was interested in nominating me for Ritual Vice President.  We talked about the position for around 30 minutes and during the call she mentioned that she was going to be Programming Vice President and toward the end of the call she said something else that I still remember today and turned out to be 100% accurate…”How wonderful it will be that we will be on the Executive Board with Lauren Piscitelle as Temple President.”

Lauren, I think I could speak for a long time about your 2 years as President.  You have been incredibly involved in all aspects of making Temple Beth Sholom a welcoming place these past 2 years. Among your many achievements, you worked with the board to oversee necessary security improvements, brought the Kulanu program to TBS and helped organize our 40 Years in the Dessert event in honor of Rabbi Scolnic. Whether it was sitting on the bimah during services or ensuring that we closed the ark together after every service, we were a team and I know that I have big shoes to fill.  

Lauren if you can come over, this gift is in recognition of all of your hard work the past 2 years.  You can open it after Shabbat.

Unlike some past Presidents I did not grow up attending Temple Beth Sholom and I am not a long-time member.  While I may not be a TBS legacy, I feel like I am carrying on the legacy of both my grandfather and father.  My grandfather was born in Jerusalem in what was then the Ottoman Empire and immigrated to the United States in 1937, becoming a Rabbi and serving as a Chaplain in the U.S. Army during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.  I never had the opportunity to meet him as he died of a heart attack in 1964 while serving in Vietnam.  My grandfather passed down to my father traditions which he then passed down to me.  As far back as I can remember, Judaism has been a significant part of my life. Some of my key memories include my father’s Passover Seders, Bar Mitzvah training with him, and traveling to Israel several times to visit my grandfather’s family who live there.  When I attended Syracuse University, I brought these values with me, leading Friday Night Services at Hillel for many years and becoming the President of the Jewish Student Union.  I know how proud they would be of me tonight.

In the Summer of 2013, Jessica and I were planning for Miriam to be born and while we were members of a nearby synagogue, we weren’t totally happy there and decided to go “Synagogue shopping.”  One Shabbat morning, we came to Temple Beth Sholom with my father, not knowing what to expect.  We took a seat in what would become our usual seats in the back corner of the sanctuary.  Joan Levine came over and asked my Father if he would like an Aliyah, which he accepted.  After services, Toby Gillman and Eta Kaplan came over to say hello and introduced themselves.  We felt welcomed right away and immediately felt like we were part of the congregation rather than strangers.  Jessica and I both remarked to each other that we felt more welcome here in that short amount of time than we did in our years at the other synagogue.  I don’t think we were even out of the parking lot when we both knew we wanted to become members and never visited any other shuls.  We were honored that before even officially becoming members of the Temple, Rabbi Scolnic performed Miriam’s baby naming.  

So much has changed in the 11 years since Jessica and I first attended that Shabbat service.  When we became members there was so much about Temple Beth Sholom that we didn’t know. We knew that we would occasionally attend services and enroll our children in Hebrew School, but we didn’t know just how active we would become at the Temple. Jessica became a member of the Board of Education, Sisterhood co-president and is now a member of the Temple Board of Directors.  When I was elected to the Board of Directors in 2019, I thought this would be a good way to slowly become involved during my 3 year term.  Who knew that the next year I would become Financial Secretary, then Ritual Vice President and now President of this wonderful congregation.  

In the past 11 years, the Temple has undergone many changes. When we first became members, services were not on Zoom, and I will admit that after in-person services resumed, I was torn whether it was still a good idea to have Zoom services.  But I see how wonderful it has become that anyone can attend services regardless of wherever in the world they are.  Without this ability, many members would be unable to attend.  I am hopeful that in a few months, thanks to the work of David Margolis, we will have an even better Zoom setup in the sanctuary.  If it wasn’t for this service being zoomed tonight, my sister in California would not be able to join and watch this installation.  Hi Joanna.

For the last several years, security has been of the highest concern. In the last month, the Board of Directors voted to take the necessary step of instituting a security fee so that all members will feel safe. We are in the process of implementing many security improvements – bollards in the driveway, new security cameras and protective film on windows to name just a few improvements coming soon.  I look forward to working with Morrow Long and the Safety and Security Committee, to continue to ensure the safety of our congregation.

When I first started thinking about what I would like to accomplish as President I was looking at the near term.  It is easy to say “what can I do in the coming months or year”, but I have come to realize that really what should be looked at is the long team goals for the Temple.  Just a few years ago we celebrated Temple Beth Sholom’s 75th anniversary. By the time my term as President ends we will be close to celebrating our 80th anniversary. Where do we want the Temple to be when the 80th anniversary comes around?  I am hopeful that we will be in an even better place than today and one of my goals as President is to work with the officers, board members and committees to come up with long term plans to ensure Temple Beth Sholom’s future.  

Rabbi, I look forward to switching sides of Bimah and sitting beside you for the next two years.  I have been told by many past Presidents that this is the best part of being President.  I know I am taking on a great responsibility, especially as compared to being Ritual Vice President, I will be opening the ark more often and hope to improve my ranking.

Before I conclude, for those who are not regular attendees to Friday night services, you may not know that our outgoing president has a fan club.  The president of that fan club is my daughter Danielle.  Regularly she will sit on the Bimah next to Lauren or help read the announcements.  About a year ago, I asked Danielle, “Would you like to sit next to me on the Bimah”, my lovely daughter quickly responded, “No…I only sit with the President.”  So, Danielle, will you now be willing to sit next to me during Friday services? 

Lastly, 14 years ago yesterday, I was lucky enough to marry the most caring, loving and wonderful woman I have ever known.  Jessica, I would not be standing here today without you and your constant support and encouragement. Through good times and bad times you have always been there for me. 

Together we have raised 2 absolutely amazing daughters – Miriam and Danielle.  When our family schedule gets crazy you and I find a way to make it work.  Now that I will be President, I can’t promise that I will be able to reduce the number of times that I say “Did I forgot to tell you I have a Synagogue meeting tomorrow” but even I do forget I know that together we will figure out a way to make it work as you always say we are team. 

Again, Mazel Tov to all the Officers, Directors and Trustees and I am sure that we will have a successful and productive year.