Throughout the last year I have written about the Mussar traits of enthusiasm, faith, joy, order, hesed, strength, responsibility, gratitude and awe as I feel they have related to our community. In Mussar practice each trait is concentrated on for a fixed period of time and then revisited to work on again and again. So this seems like an opportune time to briefly look at where we are going over the next year and which traits will inform our decisions as we go forward. As you look through this edition of the Shofar you will see boundless energy and opportunity. As the days get shorter, TE is truly is full of light.
I expect this to be a year of enthusiasm with lots of new programs planned by our Men’s Club, Sisterhood, and Adult Education Committees. Issues of faith and prayer will be looked at in greater depth. The Ritual Committee will be addressing whether we will continue to use the URJ High Holy Day prayerbook Mishkan Hanefesh. The Buildings and Grounds Committee has a long list of projects that they are tackling including the continued landscaping of the new addition, installation of solar panels, repairs to the sanctuary building, creating more storage, and the demolition of the House.
The school is a place of joy and order with new leadership, new teachers, new learners and returning students. Everything from Shabbat services to intergenerational activities are in the works. We are looking forward to a large class of b’nai mitvah students. Please plan to spend some Saturday mornings with them as they join the congregation as Jewish adults.
Our Tikkun Olam Committee is up and running at high speed, and there will be plenty of opportunities for you to respond with hesed to our troubled world. Our Board will continue to respond with strength and responsibility to our need to be fiscally responsible and live within a balanced budget. This is a year of contract renewal for our Rabbi, a need for continued fund raising, and an even bigger need for developing new leaders within the congregation. There will be a short summary of Board decisions in upcoming Shofars, so you can see what’s happening.
I feel continued gratitude and awe toward this community as I have watched so many members step forward to build a new educational wing and replace the HVAC in the sanctuary building. I suspect they and others will step forward again to keep us moving forward. I am filled with gratitude for the unfailing ability of our community of volunteers to plan activities that will fill our buildings with life and hope. My profound gratitude extends to our professional staff and rabbi who work so hard to make it all possible. Thank you all.
5776 is shaping up to be an extraordinary year!