President's Articles - Congregation Shalom

Keeping Connected with our President

President’s Rosh Hashanah Speech

Keeping Connected October 2023

I’m wondering… how did I get here? Maybe you’re wondering the same thing? Not in an existential kind of way, though that may be a thought for these days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur… but I mean, how did I end up standing in front of you on Rosh Hashanah morning, delivering the President’s speech?

The truth is, this is perhaps a role that has been generations in the making. For those of you who don’t know me, I grew up at Congregation Shalom. I had my Bat Mitzvah here with Rabbi Bard, my Confirmation with Rabbi Perry. I was a religious school teacher as a high schooler, a Shalomites board member and President. I was an advisor when I was in college. I got married here in this sanctuary. As I was growing up, I watched my mother involve herself in temple life. I would see her already very busy calendar fill with temple activities – youth commission meetings, executive committee meetings, board meetings. There would be special projects, events or fundraisers that she would commit herself to. Maybe that commitment wasn’t a surprise for her, because she watched her father, my grandfather, as a founding member and President of the North Shore Synagogue in Syosset, NY. He was involved in the purchasing of the land and the building of the temple, as well as the hiring of the first Rabbi there.More

Security Grant Installation

Keeping Connected September 2023

The next time you come to the temple, or even drive-by, you may notice some additions to the landscape of our space. Over the past year, we have had several members and committees who have been dedicated to strengthening the security of our building while at the same time, maintaining the natural and welcoming aesthetic that we know and love. As you may remember from our Special Meeting in December, 2022, Congregation Shalom applied for a grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and we were awarded around $20,000 to help us strengthen our physical barrier around the building.

The grant allowed us to install a border of large boulders along the driveway and in the landscaping near the kitchen, which would slow down or discourage a vehicle from striking the building. An installation of granite blocks protects the entrance and lobby from the same, while also providing a unique space for sitting. The size, shape and location of all items were done with thought and intention to provide safety and security, while also looking beautiful and blending in naturally with our existing space.

A huge thank you to the Security Committee who worked on the grant, Cory Myers who helps manage the grant, the Beautification Committee who approved the look and feel of the natural resources, Mitch Hyatt who helped coordinate the execution of the grant and the day-to-day management of the installation, and to Josh Degan and his team at Earthscape, Inc. who worked tirelessly to provide us with access to the best resources and smoothest site prep and installation. There are so many people who were involved in this project in a variety of meaningful ways, so thank you to everyone. While I wish we didn’t have to do this type of installation, I am so thankful that there are so many members who are giving of their time and energy to devote to keeping all of us, and our building, safe.

L’Shalom,

Becky

My First Newsletter Article

Keeping Connected August 2023

It is with great honor and respect that I write my first newsletter article as Congregation Shalom’s president. While I have had the pleasure to meet many of you while on committees, at school or working the Hanukkah or Purim parties, there are those of you who I have not met yet – and I can’t wait to do so. I live in Londonderry with my husband Matt, our two kids, Lily and Micah and our two English labs, Winnie and Mack. I grew up coming to Congregation Shalom, so I still have connections to many families who have been here since I was a kid. It’s a wonderful feeling to know that the leaders who I watched as a teen are still dedicated and supportive members and volunteers. It’s lovely to think that perhaps some day, my kids will remember the current families and leaders when they are helping their own synagogue and community.More

Gratitude

Keeping Connected June 2023

Hi friends,

I hope you are all enjoying the good weather and getting ready for a restful summer. Please remember to save the date for Annual Meeting on June 13 at 6:30 PM. It is so important for all members to have a say in the business of the congregation so I hope you will make time to attend. Also, our Parking Lot Party on June 17 at 5:30 PM will be a fun time with good food and music so please be sure to RSVP.

Over the next few weeks, you will see some new boulders being installed around our temple. We are finally implementing the security grant we received from the state earlier this year, for hardening of our building. In several weeks, we will also have some nice granite blocks on the sidewalk in front of our door as well. Security still remains top of mind for us.

This is my final newsletter article as President. I just want to say that it has been a great honor and privilege to serve as President of Congregation Shalom these past 4 years. I want to thank all of you, for your patience, your support, your understanding, and your guidance during some very difficult times. I have seriously learned so much from all of you. Our congregation is a special place, a very real extended family, and I am grateful for having had the chance to give back to a community that has given me so much more. I look forward to continuing my volunteer work at Congregation Shalom and finding other ways to contribute (but after a little break).

Please have a safe summer.

With warm regards,

Liz

Do we really need a shed?

Keeping Connected May 2023

Hi friends,

I am hoping the weather will be getting warmer soon…still too cold for me… But, I guess this is the price we pay for living in New England. As you know, Annual Meeting is coming up and in a couple of weeks, the agenda will be sent out to the membership. As always, this is where we discuss important business of our temple and I encourage you to attend, especially if you have not participated in the past. It is important that each and every member has a chance to listen in and partake in the important decisions we make at this meeting. One of the discussions this year will be around a new shed we are hoping to purchase; you have likely seen some e-mails about the fundraiser we have around this shed.

First, let me tell you the rules of our congregation. Although we are having a fundraiser to raise the money to purchase this shed, we still need congregational approval to spend these funds on the shed, as it is part of capital expenditures/capital improvement and it exceeds the amount that the Board of Trustees has authorization to spend.

So, why would we start a fundraiser BEFORE we had congregational approval? It is important to note first that we have done this before, like with our fundraiser for some of the kitchen upgrades a few years back. But, the idea to purchase a shed was not generated from one person, it did not come out of one meeting, it did not even come out of one committee. It started with our ICE CREAM Committee which had representatives from several different constituency groups in our temple and where we generated a list of our wants and needs. When that committee realized that it was not financially possibly to make significant structural changes to our building or to move to a new space, the information generated during the process was passed on to the Board of Trustees. It was suggested that the Board look into possibly compartmentalizing some of the wants/needs and pursuing some changes over a period of time. The Board agreed that another committee could be formed to start talking about some “easier” design changes we could make in our building to make some more space, be more functional, and improve some of the décor.More

Shed Fundraiser

Keeping Connected April 2023

Hi Friends,

Hope you are as ready for spring as I am. I wanted to highlight two items this month.

First, the shed fundraiser. I cannot express how important this shed is as the first step in rejuvenating our temple building. We are going to gain a good amount of space and will be able to reduce the current clutter. We have already raised 40% of the total price and I truly hope each membership family can contribute in some way. If you think it would be beneficial to hear more about the specifics of the shed and other plans we have, please let me know and I will schedule an informational meeting. But, if we do not have this informational meeting, please know I will speak about this at Annual Meeting (mark your calendar by the way for June 13, 6:30 PM).

Second, if you have put off nominating someone for Congregant of the Year, you have 2 weeks left to send in a write-up to me or any board member. This is always a nice honor when we can recognize someone who goes above and beyond for our community. We will be selecting this person toward the end of this month.

You will see some e-mails coming out soon from me on some fun upcoming events. We are also going to have some ALICE security training refreshers in May. I feel like there is sense of normalcy returning to our temple life. I hope you feel it also.

Stay well and I hope to see you all at the Yard Sale (April 16).

«‹ 2 3 4 5 ›»