One of my self-appointed tasks this year has been to work with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ), the Conservative Movement’s governing organization, to increase our participation in their activities and put our synagogue’s membership with them to better use. (more…)
Summer is now, finally, upon us. After a wet and cool spring, we have heat, we have sun and we have more heat. Activities slow down at the synagogue, holidays outside of Shabbat and Tish’a B’Av are on a break until the fall and many people take the summer months to travel. (more…)
Over the past year there have been several occasions where I have been approached by committee chairs and other congregants looking to me for advice on how to recruit younger members to the various groups and activities happening around the synagogue. Now, while I am flattered that I am considered to be young enough to fall into this group, I have not really been able to come up with the magic answer that people are looking for. (more…)
As some of you may know, we are now beginning to prepare our committee and synagogue-wide budget for our next fiscal year. This is a complicated process that involves many hours from our volunteers, who are tasked with developing a balanced budget each year. Our synagogue’s budget is funded primarily through our dues charges however we do run fundraisers throughout the year to help to cover some of our operational costs. (more…)
I am happy to be a member of Temple Beth Sholom, and I hope that you are too. Sometimes when we are a part of a community for a length of time we forget how special that group is. (more…)
Happy 2017! Winter is in full swing and with it comes the cold weather, wind, snow and early nights. In addition to wishing everyone a happy and healthy secular new year I would also like to wish everyone a safe winter. (more…)
Here we are. Thanksgiving is now over and my children are eagerly awaiting the most important of winter holidays, school vacation…oh, and Hanukkah. The weather is colder, the sun sets very early and we are regularly inundated with music, decorations and sales related to that other winter holiday that happens in December. (more…)
So it’s now November and we’ve successfully navigated all of the fall holidays. For those who were unable to attend Kol Nidre services with us this year I would like to use this month’s article space to give you a recap of this year’s President’s Award announcement. (more…)