President’s Message

Over the course of the last 2 years, our world has changed more than any of us could have foreseen. We experienced the end of  our innocence 18 months ago with the shooting in Pittsburgh, and the complete disruption of our lives during the current pandemic. Despite all of the public uncertainty, scare and adversity, we have never allowed the concerns to evolve into panic and alarm. Throughout these difficult times, no services or observances have been missed. During times and events that could have easily led to declining attendance and participation, we have actually witnessed an increase in involvement and attendance. (more…)

For the last almost 2 months, the only consistent and reliable thing has been change, with every day bringing something new and, usually, unwelcome. Events and activities have been postponed or canceled. While life (and the world) as we knew it have been disrupted, and perhaps permanently altered, at TBS we have made every effort to retain a sense of normalcy and minimize the overall general impact. (more…)

As we head into Spring, our calendar will be filled with B’nai Mitzvot, events and activities by Social Action, Men’s Club, Sisterhood, Adult Education and Hebrew School. There are many upcoming events and activities for members of all ages. (more…)

As we head through February, we will begin our annual process to fill open Board and Trustee positions by asking congregants to serve on the Nominating Committee. Once formed for this year, the members of the Nominating Committee will be reaching out to solicit people for these openings. Having said that, there are many who are still able to find a little extra time to allot for an additional worthy activity. (more…)

No Religion is an Island is a responsive reading, adapted from a work by Abraham Joshua Heschel, which the Rabbi periodically includes in a Friday night service. In the last year and a half, it seems to me that he has deemed its reading to not only be relevant, but poignant as well, with increasing frequency. Rabbi Scolnic has stated in countless sermons that he does not believe in coincidences. His invoking and reading of this poem is never coincidental. Like every sermon he delivers, he uses this reading to send an important message and commentary on the political and social landscape. (more…)

Last month, we celebrated Rabbi Scolnic’s 36 years at TBS with a roast in his honor. I was not among those who spoke, which I believe only contributed to the evening’s success. (more…)

I have spent much of the last year encouraging everyone to get involved in at TBS. This year, let’s build off of the successful programming we had last year, including the Shabbat Around the World series, which will be resuming on November 1 with a stop for dinner in Puerto Rico, and will also include destinations like Mexico, South Africa and, since we’re going around the world, the United States. (more…)

“We’ve been looking forward to this day for a long time with great anticipation, and now it’s here.” Anyone who has attended Bnai Mitzvot at Temple Beth Sholom recognizes these words as the Rabbi’s official opening of the weekend on Friday night. In that same spirit, I now take this opportunity to turn the tables on the Rabbi. (more…)