By the time everyone reads this, we have hopefully thawed from whatever Arctic freeze we may have experienced, ready for Spring. Purim and Passover provide us with opportunities to all come together and celebrate as one community. These are two Holidays that are built around celebrating together as a people.

Our Megillah reading on Purim has always featured well-costumed participants, with our Hebrew School children reading previews of each chapter, followed by an adult reading the chapter from the scroll. The highpoint of the evening is always the annual parade, when the costumes are put on display for all to see. April will bring Passover, when the story of our people’s freedom is retold by the community, with the teaching of the children by adults being a central theme of the Seder. At TBS, Passover has recently been highlighted by our Community Second Seder.

At TBS, every arm of the synagogue remains critical to our community. Our community-oriented programming doesn’t stop after the Purim and Passover activities have ended. The Shabbat Around the World dinner series will be continuing throughout the Spring, with stops scheduled in Mexico and the United States. Programming by various groups at TBS, including: Hebrew School, Adult Education, Social Action, Men’s Club and Sisterhood, and the Neshama Group provide members of all ages and interests with different activities.

Collaboration between groups on programming helps to make for better quality and better attended events. While I am not suggesting that every activity should be co-sponsored, I believe that all arms of the synagogue benefit when they work in conjunction with each other.

Chag Purim Sameach!

Josh Weissman

TBS President