We Are Strong
December 22, 2008
In these challenging economic times, the need to look towards our Temple for strength has never been greater. We wish to share with you our response, rooted in the deepest and most enduring Jewish values. Throughout Jewish history, many stories are told of our resiliency, and of our ability to remain positive as we search for solutions. As always, Judaism offers us the assurance that our faith in ourselves, in God, and in one another will help us get through these times together.
We hope to respond to whatever concerns you may have, by finding ways to connect you with valuable resources, and deal with your personal anxieties. Please remember that our Temple community is here for you at all times; just as we celebrate the joys and blessings of life together, so too, do we share in our darker times of need. Together, we will look for opportunities to lessen our burdens.
We are also researching and scrutinizing ways to weather this economic storm at the Temple. The Budget and Finance Committee has already carefully analyzed this year’s budget and will continue to do so throughout the year. Our proactive steps to cut costs will be done in conjunction with ways to increase our income side through creative planning. Conversations with you about personal financial matters will be approached with compassion and sensitivity. Temple membership remains open to all, regardless of financial circumstances.
At our High Holyday service on Yom Kippur, the kick-off to our major fund-raiser, Fund for the Jewish Future/Sponsor’s Dues began. Our Congregation answered the appeal with tremendous generosity. We reach out to our Congregation, again, to ask you to consider making a gift or increasing your gift as a mitzvah to allow everyone in our Temple family whose personal circumstances have experienced a significant downturn to remain connected. It is through your voluntary contributions above membership dues that assure the financial well-being of the Temple. We thank you for your enduring support: past, present and future.
Overall, our level of service to our members is higher than ever. The religious school is in great shape, and other educational and social service programs continue to focus on the community Jewish experience. We are making a special effort to meet the needs and wishes of families with young children, teenagers, our senior members, interfaith families, and other groups. We continue to update and improve ritual practices in keeping with trends in Reform Judaism nationwide. We have introduced the new Reform prayer book. The brotherhood and sisterhood are vibrant auxiliaries. A new, more user-friendly Temple web site is on its way. We are always looking for new ways to give you what you want and expect from us.
Because we are a Jewish synagogue, we cannot address financial issues in the same way as a business might. We are a Temple dedicated to serving our congregants, not a business beholden to the bottom line. We address economic challenges in terms of our mission and within the traditions of our people. As always, we would love to hear from you. Rabbis, staff, and lay leadership welcome all manner of your engagement and participation.
Our promise to you is that we will continue to maintain the extraordinary quality of our services and programs, determined by your needs; please let us know how we can best serve you. May the year 2009 bring you and your family a year of peace, joy and comfort.
L’shalom,
David J. Meyer, Rabbi Judy Mishkin, President
