December 2024

Letter from the President

Dear Members and Friends of Temple Israel,

     After the fast pace of autumn holidays, we were tempted to take a breath, but the Temple Israel family has kept up a continuous pace of activities, December promises more to come. Each of us is part of this family, and we sustain each other through difficult moments and celebrate the high points.

As Rabbi Friedman pointed out in his recent drash for parsha Toldot on families in conflict (see The Reporter, Vol. LIII, No. 24, November 29th, if you missed it), as a group we hold diverse views, yet we are able to address difficult issues and find common purpose. In our own country and our own time, challenges abound, anti-semitism is a serious concern – but we have much to be thankful for, as we live in a land of plenty and of opportunity, subject to the rule of law.

It has been our privilege to observe a number of family events in our congregation over the Thanksgiving weekend. This past Shabbat, we celebrated the anniversary of Howard Warner’s Bar Mitzvah and he chanted the Haftorah to mark the occasion. Meanwhile, Dave Channin read the Torah portion as his son and his new bride were called to the Torah to celebrate their recent wedding. The Channins and Warners sponsored a very special Kiddush which all enjoyed. On Sunday, over two dozen of us gathered in the Chapel for a minyan service to honor the Yahrtzeit of Steve Malkin’s father Alec.

Perhaps you would like to participate in a service or sponsor a kiddush to mark an event in your family. Rabbi Friedman and the Board members are happy to facilitate any sort of celebration in addition to those we have programmed. Meanwhile, please join us on Friday, December 6th for a family-oriented erev Shabbat service and dinner. Check our website templeisraelvestal.org for the latest updates!

I take this opportunity to thank you for keeping up with your dues and donations which are vital to enable us to deliver our programs, education, and services. We have launched once again the Temple Israel Lottery for 2025. Contact the TI Office to buy tickets, each of which will have hundreds of chances to win throughout the year – any time the NYS Lottery is drawn (except on Saturday!) Tickets make great Chanukkah gifts for children and grandchildren, who can watch for their number to come up all year long.

Some of our regulars have headed South for the Winter, so your attendance at our Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday services (in-person or on zoom) is greatly appreciated. Enjoy the spiritual and thermal warmth of your extended Temple Israel family!

b’shalom,
Art

Arthur B. Siegel
President – Temple Israel