Stuart Cohen, President, speaking at the Annual Meeting (left)
and to new Board members (right).
Completing the Circle
April 22, 2012
My term as president of this Temple ends soon. This is a time to reflect, acknowledge and turn the page.
Serving as Temple president these past three years reminds me why people are grateful for the opportunity to devote a lot of time and energy to a basically thankless task. The reason is because it’s meaningful. The satisfaction of serving comes from knowing that what we do through our participation sustains our precious Jewish heritage and has a positive impact on others. This is especially significant at a time when the practice of Judaism nationally is evolving from the fulfillment of traditional obligation to the pursuit of personal meaning.
I am grateful to those without whose dedication and effort my tenure would have been much more difficult. These include Judith, David, Liz, Stephanie and Sharen, Phil, Brian, Judy, Darren and many more. I thank those Temple members who have responded positively to what I have put into the common space we share, through writing, speaking and personal interaction. I appreciate those who have been kind enough to laugh at my jokes.
I have especially warm feelings for all of you who hold Temple Emanu-El as our shared community, as opposed to just the Temple out there that you pay money to and expect services from. Jewish survival across the centuries has been due to our collective action based on the bond we share with one another. We can choose to ignore this bond or the synagogue that is its prime expression, but as Jews we are never alone.
Finally, along with my brother who is a trustee at a synagogue in Lexington and my brother who is a trustee at a synagogue in Framingham, I am supremely grateful to my parents who made everything I am possible through their devotion, their character and their love.
Shalom.
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