It has been ten years since I have been up here, speaking during the high holidays, so I apologize if I am a little rusty. For those of you who do not know me, or, perhaps, those of you whom I do not know, my name is Stephen Rodman and I am a long-time member here at Congregation Shalom.

I think that Becky asked me to speak this morning because my history with Congregation Shalom is a little unique. What is that history? For starters, my parents are founding members of Congregation Shalom and continue to be members today. This congregation has played a central part in my life from my earliest days. My mother has a picture of me, as a toddler, walking along the foundation of our original building. She was also my first religious school teacher.

When the original building was first constructed, this was pretty much a vacant lot. I remember planting the pine trees that now stand next to the driveway. I also remember one Purim when my brother Larry and I won the costume contest – He was Esther and I was Vashti.

As I have aged, so has my relationship with Congregation Shalom. From chaperoning youth group ski trips, one of which Becky attended as a Shalomite, to serving as president, this community has remained central to my Jewish life.

Rabbi Perry officiated my daughter’s naming and a temple member served as mohel at my son’s bris. I stood on this very bimah for her bat mitzvah and his bar mitzvah, and I stood on this bimah when I delivered a eulogy at my grandmother’s funeral. As I struggled through a divorce and as we now face my father’s battle with Alzheimer’s, this community has served, and continues to serve, as a source of support. Through the ups and downs, the joys, pains, and messiness that is life, Congregation Shalom has been a constant in my life. For me, this is truly an extended family.

And while I understand my specific journey through and with Congregation Shalom is unique to me, I also understand that each of you has a unique connection to this community. Whether you are here to pursue your own spiritual growth or simply to educate your children, to engage in Tikkun Olan or to find friends with whom you share a common bond, being a part of this community is important to you. Whether it’s to share traditions with the next generation or to engage with the struggle of what God means to you, the fact that you are here today means that Judaism, and this community, play an important role in your life.

And perhaps today, more than ever before in our history, the importance of this community has never been greater. We all know what has happened in Israel over this past year. And we all know what has transpired in this country over the past year. I have two kids attending college. Their campus experiences today are vastly different than their experiences one year ago.

I am not getting into the politics of these issues, other than perhaps to say this: As I see it, Congregation Shalom, and this Jewish community, serves two major functions that cannot be overstated: First, Congregation Shalom is a Jewish home for all of us. A place where we share common experiences and traditions. A place where we do not need to explain ourselves. A place where we can just be. When the world itself feels a little off, just being in this building and being surrounded by this community makes a difference.

Second, Congregation Shalom is the Jewish outpost in this little corner of the Merrimack Valley. We are the face of Judaism in Chelmsford and beyond. When the local media looks for a Jewish perspective on events both national and international, they look to Rabbi Perry. When hate literature is distributed up at Drum Hill, or when high school football games are scheduled on Kol Nidre, it is Congregation Shalom that responds. And when antisemitism in this country is increasing at unprecedented rates, it is the mere presence of Congregation Shalom, and this building, that says: Jews are part of this community, and we will always be part of this community.

As I mentioned, I think the need for our presence both in this building and in this community has never been greater. And whether you are a member or a guest, the simple fact that you are here today sends a message within this community and to the world-at-large. We matter, and this congregation matters.

And, frankly, it is our responsibility to support this community and this building. Just as this congregation has played a pivotal role in so many aspects of my life, and just as this community has been there for you- whether that be the school, adult education, religious observances, family lifecycle events, or simply as a haven from the craziness happening everyday – it is our responsibility to make sure this community exists long into the future. For ourselves. For our children. And for the world. It is our responsibility to say: this is our home, our Jewish home, and together we will continue to call it our home.

How do we go about supporting Congregation Shalom in this way? How do we ensure the vitality of our community today and long into the future?

First, we make our annual pledges. If you have not as of yet returned your pledge forms, please do so. Our annual budget is based on those pledges, and without your pledges we will fall short of our expected revenues.

Second, we have a series of fundraisers planned throughout the year, from our online auction to our presence at the Westford Academy Holiday Bazaar to a spring yard sale. Your participation will make these events successful.

And finally, the one I am most excited about. We are having a fundraiser this spring like we have never had before. On April 6, at Salvatore’s Restaurant at Riverwalk in Lawrence, we will be hosting a red-carpet gala. We are going to have heavy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, dancing and dessert. We’ll have games, music, and some surprises. It will be a chance for us to dress up, socialize, and spend some time celebrating us, our community, and our future. We will have sponsorship opportunities for both our members and for the community at large. It is our goal to make this the single largest fundraising event we have had in our history. And we need you to make that happen. So please save the date, April 6, in your calendars. We hope you will join us, walk the red carpet, have a lot of fun, and support this community that has meant so much to each of us.

If you are interested in helping plan the event, or if you would like to be an event sponsor or know of a business or organization that would like to sponsor the event, please reach out to me or Liz Denly.

Congregation Shalom, the people of this community, this extended family, has played an essential role in my life and, I know, an essential role in many of your lives as well. I hope you will join me in making sure that vitality continues both for us and those who come after us.

I wish you all a happy, healthy new year.