September is here already!

September 2022   Keeping Connecte

Hi friends,

It’s hard to believe it’s September already, although I think we say this every year…  The summer just goes by way too fast.  I hope you all had a chance to enjoy some vacation time this summer with your families and are feeling energized to begin the new year.

September at Congregation Shalom is a very busy time and if you just look at the on-line calendar on our web site, you will see the amazing amount of activity.  School is beginning, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs are happening, Sisterhood & Brotherhood events are scheduled, and of course, high holiday season begins.  I have been amazed each year that I have been President on how high holidays come together, the amount of planning needed, and the generous number of volunteers we have to make it happen behind the scenes.

As we all plan to be together for the high holidays, I want to also encourage you to sign up for the ALICE safety/security training.  Tim Miranda is planning four sessions, two 2-hour sessions for those members who did not attend the training in the spring and two 1-hour refresher sessions for those who did attend the training in the spring.  On a personal level, I cannot tell you how valuable I found this training and I was amazed at how much I learned.  These trainings are interactive and focused on specific issues we could face in our building.  So, if you have not taken this course, I urge you to sign up.  You should have received an e-mail with the information but if you cannot find it, just let me know.

Also, two updates for you:

• At the July Board of Trustees meeting, we voted to install a rainbow sign near the Richardson Road entrance to our building. This sign is being installed as a message that our community is welcoming to all.  The sign should be up before high holidays.
• We were awarded another security grant for almost $21,000 from the Department of Homeland Security FY22 Nonprofit Security Grant Program. This grant will be used to harden the exterior of our building with bollards and boulders.  I am very thankful to the group of people who spent time contributing to the completion of the application for this grant: Cory Myers (chair), Margie Berenson, Janet Dubner, Eileen Hirsch, Mitch Hyatt, Michele Maltby, Tim Miranda, and Joanna Myers.

I look forward to seeing you all in September.

I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year!!