President’s Message

In this article, I am going to step away from my usual topics and reflect on a social and societal topic. In recent months, I have been increasingly aware of concerning behaviors in school-age children that seem to be treated as more and more acceptable. Children have many sources of influence in their lives: parents and relatives, teachers, peers, elected leaders and celebrities, to name a few. All of the groups I just listed are supposed to be the people we have always expected and trusted to serve as role models. These are the people we have encouraged our children to look up to and, because of this, have been held to a higher standard. (more…)

As we begin to 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…)

TBS is a Caring Community. We are fantastic at the caring component of this statement, and there is a lot of terrific programming happening in various facets of our shul and community. The Holidays of Purim and Passover provide us with opportunities to all come together and celebrate as one community. (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. (more…)

I want to begin this message by wishing you all a Happy New Year and hope everyone enjoyed the holidays with family and friends. Also, I want to take this opportunity to give an update on some of what has been going on at TBS. (more…)

We are all aware of the shooting at the Tree of Life at the end of October, as well as the recent escalation of hate crimes throughout the country. Whether we label these violent acts “hate crimes” or “domestic terrorism”, their intent is the same – to instill the public with fear and to bully their targets into giving up and disappearing. However, the people and groups who commit these acts have a 100% failure rate. (more…)

Every year, as we head toward Thanksgiving, our thoughts often turn to giving back to our communities and to helping those less fortunate than ourselves. Giving back and contributing to our communities at this time of year can take a myriad of forms, like volunteering at a Soup Kitchen or donating to a Food Pantry, to donating winter clothes or unopened toys at drives for children who may not be able to afford them. (more…)

Growing up, most, if not all of us, played “Follow the Leader”. It is my hope that more of us will take turns being leaders and followers. Active synagogue involvement can be achieved through both leading and following, Becoming involved, however, does not necessarily mean involvement on the Board of Directors. In June, I was thrilled to see that many Board positions, including officers, were filled by people who have either not served on the Board previously, or decided to return after a hiatus. (more…)

As we head into the High Holiday season, I hope everyone had a fun and relaxing summer with friends and family. In my time at TBS, I have observed that history is one thing that our members speak of with great pride. I am reminded of this whenever talking with a longtime member or someone who grew up in the shul, and see the smiles that come from these memories. Equally as important as our history, is the present and future of TBS. (more…)

I may look familiar to you, even if we haven’t yet met. Over the past few years, Brian Lakin and I have been mistaken for one another countless times, and I can’t think of a better guy to be confused with. Brian – thank you for your dedicated service and leadership as President. It was an honor to be on your Board.

(more…)