February was a month fraught with fabulous functions and events that filled the foundations of Temple Emanuel with fun-filled fortifications! (Say that quickly three times.)
On February 4, I attended a Presidents’ Dinner in Fairfield CT, organized by Rabbi Sue Levi Elwell of the URJ. It was a networking meeting to get to know, face to face, other Reform Synagogue Presidents (and other officers) in the area. Including Rabbi Elwell, there were ten of us, representing Congregation B’Nai Israel (Bridgeport), Congregation Mishkan Israel (Hamden), Temple Shalom (Norwalk), and of course, Temple Emanuel. We have gotten each others’ contact information for follow up discussions, and will have another group dinner in April. This is an example of how we at TE are using the resources of the URJ to help us collect information about how to improve our synagogue.
On another front, as a direct result of our meeting in January with the New Haven Jewish Federation Leadership, as of February, TE will be participating in a Federation Synagogue Presidents’ meeting on March 5, to further pursue the concept of the Federation acting as a facilitator for a dialogue about resource sharing and symbiotic relationship building among congregations. Hopefully this will result in a strengthening of individual synagogues as well as the greater synagogue community.
Our Dues Task Force is formulating a proposal for reorganizing the way we structure our congregation membership obligations in a way that will simplify and clarify the system while at the same time enhancing the financial sustainability of our future. Hopefully the presentation of this proposal will also allow you to understand the basis for the decision to induce positive change.
Unfortunately, some of our February events had to be rearranged due to the blizzard which hit Connecticut the weekend of February 8-10. Our Shabbat Friday evening service and Saturday Torah Study had to be cancelled, as was Sunday School. The Divrei Laila program scheduled for Saturday evening was postponed. The inability to leave our homes due to the heavy snowfall and difficulty of clearing the roads gave us all a clarified perspective on some of the things we normally take for granted, as well as a respect for priorities. Luckily there was very little loss of power. The cooperative spirit that I became aware of in the greater community reminded me of the same spirit that we enjoy at TE even when there is no emergency situation. As one example, many neighbors reached out to others to either provide assistance or ask for assistance during and after the blizzard.
The Purim celebration, including the adult Purim Party and Purim Spiel, as well as the Purim for Kids of all Ages event planned for the end of February will happen after the writing of this column, and I anticipate that they will be great fun for all who participate and attend. As you read this column, think back on the events and relate them to the spirit of cooperation displayed during the blizzard! TempleEmanuel does not need a blizzard to develop a strong sense of community and caring – that’s part of our existence. Join the party! Shout “hineini!”