November 2017 Newsletter Article

Our 50th Anniversary Gala celebration was a phenomenal success! It was the crowning point of this year’s 50th anniversary year of celebrations. I’m writing this a few days later, and I’m still floating high on the sense of accomplishment, gratitude, nostalgia, and enthusiasm that filled the room Sunday evening.

The gala was framed as a tribute to the founding families, to the past presidents, and to our spiritual leaders. But, as master of ceremonies Stephen Rodman pointed out, everyone in the room that night has been a part of the vital community that we call Congregation Shalom.

The 50th Anniversary Committee, chaired by Liz Denly, pulled together a party to rival a wedding or bar mitzvah celebration. Every detail was attended to, from the food and flowers, to the photography, to the Tribute Books on every table. The committee worked together in a way that the best committees do to plan a party that will be remembered for years.More

August 2017 Newsletter Article

Summer is half-way over now, and the activity level at the temple reflects that. Sundays and Wednesdays are noticeably quieter while school is on hiatus. But the business of the temple continues, even on these hot days. Summer cleaning, with an emptier building, is more thorough. School registrations have been processed in anticipation of fall classes. Rabbi Perry and the Ritual Committee have begun planning for the High Holidays. B’Nai Mitzvah tutoring continues for those with autumn dates. And the Board of Trustees meets year round.

We want to let our members know what the business of the temple is, and how the Board is addressing it. Every member of this congregation should be able to understand decisions that are being made by the Board.More

July 2017 Newsletter Article

It is an honor to be starting my term as Congregation Shalom’s President. I feel humbled to be entrusted with this role, and eager to rise to the challenge of leading our community. I feel the task of nurturing and supporting our vibrant Jewish community is a sacred one, and I will do all that I can to lead with enthusiasm and mindfulness.

Our immediate Past President, Tamar Wexler, along with many others, has helped me to understand that, although there are often many sides to an issue, there is usually one direction that encompasses our Jewish values and allows us to move forward with clarity. She hands the reins to me with many important tasks well underway, including re-writing of our governing ByLaws, a committee actively working on long term planning, and a parking lot project that is very close to completion. Speaking of which, I offer a big thank you to Mitch Hyatt who, along with expert advice from Linda Lischer, is transforming the entryway of our building with beautiful plantings.More