President's
Message

Help Us Celebrate!!!

I know that every time I walk into the Synagogue – and I’m there often – I am struck again by the beauty and functionality of our renovated and expanded spaces.   Our Vision has indeed become a reality for all of us.

What a perfect time for all of us to celebrate our “new” Synagogue by paying tribute to the individual who has spent days and nights, weeks and weekends, to make this all happen.    Synonymous with the words “Vision Project” are the words “Bernie Jacobs.”   

On Saturday night, May 3, we will be having a Gala to honor Bernie and all that he has contributed to the Synagogue.                  

There will be a festive dinner and a silent auction.   There will be special entertainment and there will be a Tribute Journal for all of us who would like to recognize Bernie in a lasting and tangible manner.   

Bernie has honored all of us by his many contributions.   This will be a special opportunity for us to honor him in return.    Please try to attend the Gala on May 3….I promise it will be fun.    Whether or not you can join us, consider contributing to the Tribute Journal.  

Remember – this is a wonderful opportunity to support all of the Synagogue’s activities and programming that need your financial aid during the year.   The Gala is our only major fundraising effort, and we all need to do our part.    This has become a challenging year from a budgetary perspective, and it would be a great time for each of us to step up to the plate.   

See you on May 3!

Richard Krantz
President

I have to tell you what happened this morning.  I had already planned what I was going to say tonight.  It was going to be a traditional — perhaps predictable — message.  First, I was going to talk about the financial situation facing this congregation this year. 

Then I was going to talk about the necessity of everyone stepping up to the plate to support our needs.  And then I was going to talk about how critical it is to go above and beyond and respond to the High Holy Day Appeal, the Patron Campaign and all of the other ways in which we ask congregants for support during the year. 

And then I was going to talk about the nature and concept of Tzedakah, and the part that plays in keeping this Congregation strong for us, for our children and for the children of our children.  And then I was going to talk about some of the exciting changes that are going to take place here within the next year.            

But early this morning, I was on the treadmill at the fitness center where I work, and I decided that that wasn’t what I wanted to talk about after all.  I think that anyone who hasn’t already heard that message are people who are unable to read -- or unwilling to read -- the letters, the bulletin articles or the other messages that come into each of our homes.  Now, if anyone wants to talk about any of these matters with me later, I’d be happy to do so.  But that is not what I want to talk about this evening.

Rather, I would like to turn the words of John F. Kennedy on their end.   I don’t want to talk about “what you can do for us.”  Instead, I want to talk about “what we can do for you” and I want to put that in the form of a challenge.  A challenge for each and every one of us.  Not for the person on your left and not for the person on your right -- but for you.

So, what is the challenge?   The challenge is this.  Sometime between tonight and the next Rosh Hashanah, during the next year, I want each of you to do one thing — to take advantage of one opportunity —that this Congregation offers that you’ve never tried before. 

Let me explain.

• If you’ve never been to an 8:00 a.m. Shabbat Service, try it.  It is something special.
  
  
• If you’ve never worked on a Habitat for Humanity Build, try it.  It’s fun.
  
  
• If you’ve never come to a Brotherhood Scholar in Residence lecture, try it.  You’ll learn something.
  
  
• If you’ve never come to a Sukkot Service, try it.  You’ll be glad you did.
  
  
• If you’ve never joined the Caring Committee, the Religious Practice Committee, the Religious Education Committee, the House Committee, the Endowment Committee, or one of the multitudes of other committees that help guide this institution, try it.  You’ll have something to contribute.
  
  
• If you’ve never joined the Junior Choir or the Adult Choir, try it.  You can help make beautiful music.

Now by way of footnote to this particular challenge, I have to say, and I think Cantor Blum will agree that this particular challenge does not apply to me or to any member of my immediate family.

• If you have never been to a Rosh Chodesh meeting, try it.   It will be a great experience.
• If you have never tried one of our many Adult Jewish Learning programs, try one.   It will be exciting. 

And the list goes on and on and on.

Now, I am only asking you to try one new thing during the year.  If you want to try more, I won’t stop you.   But I am only asking you to try one.  I’m not asking you to change your life and I’m not asking you to make a serious commitment.  Just one new thing.

But if you do, I think -- I really think – that you’ll enjoy it and will be enriched by the experience.  But I know – I’m sure -- that if you do, you will be warmly welcomed by the Congregation, and that Congregation B’nai Israel will be rewarded by your participation and your contribution.  Just one new thing.

So, it is on this note that Joanne, David, Elizabeth and I would like to wish you and each member of your family a healthy and happy and sweet New Year.  One filled with excitement and learning, and, most of all, with peace.  Peace both in our lives, and in the life of the world.

L’Shana Tovah.
Richard Krantz