by David Handleman, President
L’shana Tova! On behalf of the Officers and Board of Trustees, I want to wish you and your families a happy and sweet New Year, 5772.
We are the inheritors and beneficiaries of great accomplishments and most of us have not suffered first hand the traumas inflicted on those who came before us.
In fact, most of us are the sons, daughters or grandchildren of those who came seeking a home in this country and then built great Jewish institutions. The temples, schools, community centers and federations were symbols for the world to see we are Jews and we are proud of our heritage.
A tradition of more than five thousand years has brought us here tonight. What we have in common is a desire to worship together, sharing our spiritual identity that links us to our family, our congregation, our tradition and our history.
The constant distractions that have become the norm in our life need to be pushed aside so Temple can act as that doorway to what is important and truly valuable as we connect with our Jewish roots.
There is so much we are proud of here at Temple Beth El. We have a committed group of lay leaders who are involved in making your Temple all that it can be. Rabbi Syme and Keren Alpert are overseeing ways our families can be better in touch with our heritage through education and spirituality. Rachel Kalmowitz is here after providing us one our newest members and Tessa Goldberg leads a talented professional staff.
Our Sisterhood and Brotherhood have a tremendous legacy that has strengthened the fabric of our community. But, your involvement with these auxiliaries is essential. Temple Beth El would love everyone’s participation in developing new ideas for programming, being involved with social action and standing with Israel. You can do all of that and more here!
Preparing for this evening, I remembered some of my thoughts in anticipation of other president’s addresses. They included, "Doesn’t he realize that I came here to listen to the Rabbi and Cantor".
Hopefully, there are at least a few of you out there thinking "I’m thankful someone does this, I’m just glad it’s not me". Truthfully, this has been a labor of love.
While sitting in this magnificent sanctuary, many are reflecting on the past year and praying for the future. I hope that you are all aware of the many things your Temple has been doing including providing scholarships for our children, taking students to Washington DC and giving more than 30,000 meals to members of our community that need your support.
Last year, I spoke of the compelling and competing agendas and they remain the same. But the challenges here are solvable. Your Board of Trustees is acutely aware of the financial circumstances within our community and has seen the impact on our members and at Temple. We have asked for your financial support and you have always responded generously and have made everyone proud to be part of this congregation. I thought it appropriate to set a goal for your consideration. Could every family find a way to increase their gift to our annual appeal by $100? If you are capable, please give more.
As we pray for our family, friends and a better world, we also pray for our Temple.
May the door of this synagogue be wide enough to receive all who hunger for love, all who are lonely for friendship.
May it welcome all who have cares to unburden, thanks to express, hopes to nurture.
May the door of this synagogue be narrow enough to shut out pettiness and pride, envy and enmity.
May its threshold be no stumbling block to young or straying feet.
May it be too high to admit complacency, selfishness and harshness.
May this synagogue be, for all who enter, the doorway to a richer and more meaningful life.
Amen.
My family has wholeheartedly supported the necessary commitment to lead this congregation. For that I want to thank my wife Rose, the lovely Rose, for making my life a blessing. With Rosh Hashana occurring during the middle of the week, our children Justin, Michele and Michael are listening in from California. I love each of you.
Much has been given us, and much is rightfully expected from us. We have duties to ourselves and to others. We must demonstrate our resolve not only in our words, but through our actions.
I have faith that we shall not forget the dreams of the men and women of the past because they did their best and left us the opportunities we now enjoy. Every week we sing a prayer that begins L’Dor Va Dor, from generation to generation. It is now our time and we must leave our heritage stronger and enlarged to our children and our children’s children.
Help us to bring this vision to reality by generously supporting Temple Beth El this year.
L’shana Tova.
