November 2024
Letter from the President
Dear Members and Friends of Temple Israel,
I hope that you found our High Holiday services meaningful and inspiring, a safe space from the challenges of the world around us. Our Rabbi Micah Friedman and Cantor Joel Nathanson created this space with traditional and new melodies, thought-provoking lessons, and congregational engagement. Yasher koach and sincere thanks to each of them, as well as to our lay leaders: Rita Bleier, David Channin, Shayna Foreman (shofar), Mika Friedman, Randy Friedman, Steve Gilbert, Phil Goodman, Jeff Horowitz, Mark Hubal, Alan Piaker, Julie Piaker, Richard Schneierson, and Howard Schwartz.
Our thanks to the many volunteers who worked to ensure our services were safe and ran smoothly, including High Holiday Oversight Committee chair Steve Gilbert, Ritual Committee chair Howard Schwartz, and the Safety and Security Committee under the leadership of Debra Martinez. Active committee members included: Sue Austenfeld, Rita Bleier, David Channin, Naoma & Len Feld, Lynne Green, Tara Kaminsky, Rhonda Levine, Steve Malkin, Roy Paston, Beverly and Hersh Rozen, Richard Schneierson, Howard Warner, and Barbara Zelter. Ushering was organized by Steve Malkin, and those who participated in this and other preparation included: Mike Azersky, Bonnie Brown, Carol Herz, Shelley Hubal, Larry Hurwitz, Jim Mason, Joe Newmark, Kathy Storm, Wendy & Melissa Wolff. We appreciate our staff: Tammy Kunsman and Irina Orlovskya. (I’ve surely left some out, for which I apologize!) Special thanks to Sandra and Fred Weitsman for further beautification of our building and grounds, and to the Rozen Foundation for again underwriting the major expenses of delivering our High Holiday Services.
Whether you participated on the bimah, in the sanctuary, or via zoom, we hope your experience was fulfilling. We are always looking to improve, so please complete the survey you received via email, or check the TI website, or send us an email with your comments.
We raised our beautiful Sukkah and were privileged to enjoy a meaningful and educational week of Sukkot, reflective Shemini Atzeret (Yizkor) services, and a joyous Simchat Torah celebration, all in brilliant fair weather. Thanks to the Sukkah-raising (and deconstructing) team of Mike Azersky, Dave Channin, Rabbi Friedman, Jeff Greenblott, Carol Herz, Steve Malkin, Jim Mason, Joe Newmark, Roy Paston, Richard Schneierson, Suzanne Siegel, Howard Warner, and Jonathan Weissberg. Check the website templeisraelvestal.org for pictures!
We hope that your Honeygram provided a sweet start for the New Year! Thanks to our Queen Bees, all our sponsors, and all of you for supporting this program, our first successful fundraiser of 5785. Hebrew School is underway, our libraries are operating, our Adult Ed committee is planning several sessions, and TI hosted a wonderful Inter-Sisterhood event. There is something for everyone, and Temple Israel is here to celebrate your simchas and support all your life cycle events. I remind you that we can only deliver these programs, education, and services through your continued generous support with dues and donations, which are needed as much as ever. Weekly Shabbat Kiddush is usually sponsored by one of our Board members, but voluntary sponsorship to celebrate any occasion is welcome.
We are delighted to welcome several new members this year, some with children, validating our optimism for the long-term future of our synagogue. New or existing, I encourage each of you to engage, participate and enjoy!
b’shalom,
Art
Arthur B. Siegel
President – Temple Israel