Shabbat Shalom! Mazel Tov to the new and returning Officers, Directors and Trustees. I look forward to working with each of you over the next year and to those Board members who have completed their terms, thank you for all of your dedication and hard work over the past few years.
Lauren, thank you so much for that wonderful installation ceremony. And thank you for all of the advice you have given me over the past year. It has truly been invaluable, especially after following in your footsteps.
As I said last week at the Annual Meeting, it is hard to believe it has been a year since I stood here being installed as President of the Temple. As many of you may know, I am a huge sports fan, and as I sat writing this speech I thought of this installation as halftime. And as any team would, I thought it was an opportune moment to reflect on the first half of my term and anticipate what lies ahead in the second half.
There have been many new initiatives in the past year and hopefully more to come in the future. Brian and Michelle Lakin and their committee started the Chai Society to raise additional funds yearly for the Temple. The Ritual committee led by our Ritual Vice President David Slossberg started monthly Simcha Shabbats. Our Social Action committee hosted a Shabbat barbeque in May, which was so popular that additional dinners are being planned, such as dinner that many of us just attended prior to tonight’s Service and Installation. Lastly, for the first time, the Hebrew School held a Lag B’omer celebration weekend at Camp Laurelwood.
Even when there was a less than ideal situation, everyone came together to solve the problem. When the Temple’s heat failed due to boiler issues, through the work of our members we seamlessly transitioned services to the Chapel until the boilers were replaced and we were able to return to the Sanctuary.
In the next year, I am hopeful to build on many of the accomplishments from the past year and start new projects. Just this past Sunday, a committee met to start discussing steps toward renovating the kitchen. A long-term planning committee has been formed to look into the continued stability of the Temple. In addition, I am confident that there will be new and exciting programs provided by our Adult Education committee, Kulanu Working Group, Men’s Club, Sisterhood and many of the other committees of Temple Beth Sholom.
One of the highlights for me this past year has been sitting next to the Rabbi during services. I have enjoyed our short conversations especially when you have taught me something new about the service. Thank you for all of your support. Rabbi, I am looking forward to sitting beside you for another year and I am looking forward to most of your jokes. I promise that I will probably laugh more often than Miriam will.
As I conclude, I will get in trouble if I don’t say one more thing. Jessica, happy anniversary. I know 15 years ago you didn’t think you would be celebrating our 15th anniversary by attending the Temple Beth Sholom Installation but I am sure you are as happy as I am standing here today. As I said last year, you are always there to help whether it is adjusting the family schedule, even if I don’t give you much notice that I have a meeting or when I need you to proof-read or help ghost write my bulletin message the day before it is due. Thank you for everything you do for our family. And to everyone who is here this evening, thank you for celebrating our anniversary with us.
Again, Mazel Tov to all the Officers, Directors and Trustees and I am sure that we will have a successful and productive year.
Shabbat Shalom.