“First Night” Seder (May 2012)

Friends, let me start off by saying, if you missed the “First Night” Seder, you truly missed a wonderful evening. Many thanks to Rabbi Bennett and Cantor Gordon for leading us in a very meaningful Seder, one that we will remember for years to come. The food was very good and the company was even better.

You know, I have often used the term “Temple family” in my bulletin articles, well I will tell you that the term family could not have taken on a truer meaning then what we experienced together at the “First Night” Seder. Over 110 members, young and not so young, joined together to take the journey back in time to tell the story of Passover. All in attendance enjoyed the whole experience and I look forward to our next “Temple family” event.

Of course this evening didn’t just happen, many thanks go out to the Temple Membership Committee who worked tirelessly to make the evening a reality. Also, a big thanks to Joyce Sturm who always puts the finishing touches on all of our events, and to all of the volunteers that helped make this evening a success.

We’ve already had requests to do this again next year, so put it on your calendar, because you won’t want to miss it next time around.

We have reassessed our sound system needs and received a new quote that puts us within $7,000 dollars of completing the sanctuary and social hall sound systems. We were very fortunate to get funding from two generous donors to start the project,but we need more members to step forward to help us finish this project. So, if you were thinking of making a donation but weren’t quite sure of where to direct the funds, please consider helping the temple complete the sound system.

Well, its that time of the year when the temple Board puts the finishing touches on next years budget. You will be receiving information on this year’s budget and the annual meeting in the mail shortly, so I ask you to look it over and come to the annual meeting and vote on the boards proposals. Other than presiding over the annual meeting, this will be my last bulletin article as your president. I want to thank all of you for allowing me to have the honor of serving you as Temple Sinai president. Of course I could not have made it through the last three years without the help and backing of a wonderful Board.

I am leaving you in the hands of very a caring and capable board of directors and I have the utmost confidence in the Executive Board led by incoming president, Carol Benjamin. I have had many honors, but serving as president of Temple Sinai  will always be one of the most cherished, and I thank you.

Jeff Israel, Temple President