Category: President’s column

In a recent article, I mused on the differences between being President of Temple Emanuel now as opposed to being President during my initial term 15 years ago. The major difference is that 15 years ago we were concerned about safety and security, but not to the degree we need to focus on now. I have come to depend on Joe Kanell on issues concerning the safety and security of our TE community (as did my immediate predecessors). Joe would coordinate with the Orange Police, our outside security company, and with our TE greeters. He helped keep us safe, while working hard to avoid making anyone uncomfortable. Joe was always available to help. I can’t overstate how much I have come to depend on his sage advice. This September, Joe will be stepping down from his voluntary role. His duties will now be handled by Howard Koenig. Howard, who has been well trained by Joe, is a worthy successor. It is a thankless job for a volunteer, but it doesn’t have to be. When you see Joe, be sure to let him know how much you appreciated his service (he will probably blush). Also, thank Howard for taking on this important position (and let him know if you are available to help).

Another major change is that while we are a very social congregation, the pandemic kept us from fully gathering for several years. Happily, we are fully back now. On June 21^st we celebrated Rabbi Farbman’s 15th anniversary at TE, as well as his birthday. We had a well-attended Shabbat dinner, a special service, and a special Oneg to celebrate. We are very fortunate to have the Farbman family as part of our community.

On August 2^nd, we had our always meaningful Shabbat On The Beach. The weather was expected to be stormy, but Rabbi Farbman arranged to have the rain hold off till after the Oneg was complete (nothing should ever stand between this congregation and food).

We have many other future events, both spiritual and social. On Friday, September 6^th we will have our annual BBQ and Shabbat Under the Stars. This is a great combination of both the social and spiritual cores of TE. It is always a successful (and meaningful) event and I hope to see everyone there. 

The High Holy Days are fast approaching. While I will be reaching out to many of you, feel free to contact me if you would like to participate in the services or other activities (you can either email me, call me, or talk to me at TE —you may have noticed I like to talk).

Thank you for making our TE community so wonderful.

As I explained in my last column, there are times when I find it difficult to write for the Shofar.  While I enjoy communicating with our congregation, a column is a one-way communication, and I miss the interaction that one gets when talking with another.  This month is different – I have an idea for the column, and the words are jumping onto the page.

As President of TE, I, of course, am aware of various events taking place at the Temple.  School is no exception. I am informed by Olga as to various events and happenings that will occur at the school over the coming weeks.  While hearing the short-term calendar is impressive, it is incredible to hear the entire school year in review.  Every April the Finance Committee of TE formulates a budget for the coming TE year.  Part of that process involves a report by Olga and Rabbi Farbman concerning the school.  They prepared a slide show that reviewed all the events of the current school year.  Hearing and seeing them all at once floored me.  The frequency and innovation of events was incredible to hear.  As one of the Finance Committee members said, “I wish I could come back as a 5^th grader.”  In times when the religious institutions are having trouble attracting and retaining members, TE is doing amazingly well.  A major reason for this is the work of the Rabbi and Olga.  Olga will deliver a report on the school as part of our annual meeting (which this year will be June 2^nd at 6 pm).  I encourage all to attend, if for no other reason than to hear how well our school is doing.  The framework for our school was created by Susan Pinsky Bleeks (and the work of Janet Adams). Olga has used that foundation to move forward. It should be no surprise that TE is doing well and our students enjoy going to Religious School.

I am sitting at my computer, ready to write my Shofar column. It is very early April; the baseball season has just started, and it is also before Passover. By the time you get to read this, the baseball season will be well underway and Passover will be a distant memory.

There was a time when we relied on the print media for up to the date news. There are those of us who remember checking stock prices in the tables printed in the next day’s newspapers. Now, we get them instantaneously on the internet. We used to rely on newspapers for breaking news. Now we get it from the radio, TV, and the internet.

Much has changed at TE since the last Shofar. Various events have taken place, education has improved, and physical as well as security improvements have occurred. TE is a better place due to these developments. However, by the time this article gets to you, it will be old news. Jen and Ann do much to keep the Shofar topical. The Shofar has evolved to meet our needs. “Breaking News” now shows up in the emailed Shofar Blast and in the Announcements at services. The Shofar continues to be a vital part of our communication system, but now rather than being devoted to “breaking news”, it communicates future events as well as contemplative pieces. We are not forsaking our traditions, but as I stated above, we are having them evolve to meet the current and future.

I make no secret of my love of baseball and its traditions. But like at TE, those traditions have evolved to meet current demands. As I write this in very early April, I look at the baseball rule changes positively, as they have sped up the game, without detracting from it. Who knows, maybe by the time you read this, I will have changed my mind. But baseball and TE have much in common, and while both have traditions that are loved, we also need to lightly tinker with them to meet the needs of the fans, in the case of baseball, and the congregation, in the case of TE.

Thank you to all who have helped TE evolve.

As I write this article for the Shofar, it is less than one week until Temple Emanuel’s 60th anniversary gala. As you read this, the gala has already occurred. While it wouldn’t be honest to discuss the gala in the past tense, I can say I am impressed by the response the gala has received. After being isolated for the past couple of years, we are all ready to socialize again. It is an exciting time. In my first Shofar column, I stated “I’m back.” In this column I will discuss that we as a congregation are back. It was very gratifying to see congregants in the sanctuary for the High Holy Days for the first time since 2019. I am not exaggerating when I point out there was definitely a buzz in the sanctuary. While modern technology kept us together during the low points of the pandemic, people, including me, were truly excited to see others in person, as opposed to in two-inch squares on a Zoom screen. Interaction with others is something I cherish, and it appears the rest of the congregation does as well. Yes, we did adapt to the restrictions imposed on us by Covid. Zoom services will continue to be available to those who are unable to attend services in person. Rabbi Farbman was able to make the Zoom experience interactive by way of chat rooms. Board meetings, classes, and other meetings were made available through technology. Nevertheless, it is great to see and speak with each other in person. Onegs have now returned as part of our Friday night experience. Though I can’t resist a piece of challah and a chocolate chip cookie, what I enjoy most about our Onegs is that we stand around talking to our friends. I consider many of you already to be great friends, and if we don’t know each other well now, we will eventually. That is in the blood of Temple Emanuel. While Shabbat under the stars was a once or twice a year occasion, we have all come to enjoy it regularly during the late spring and summer, even though we have been able to return indoors. Our beautiful grounds, thanks to the Building and Grounds Committee, are very inviting, as are our benches. The hard work of Melissa and Robin has resulted in TE getting a $69,500 security grant from the federal government. Going forward you will see many improvements as a result, including new entrance doors. All of this pleases me, but most of all I am delighted to proclaim “we are back.”

I’m back, and it’s time to get my first baseball reference out of the way – as Yogi said “It’s déjà vu all over again”.  When I first was president more than a decade ago, I used to joke that I hated the job and was counting the days till my term ended.  I obviously didn’t, but I just said it so I wouldn’t put a kinehura on it.  Being president of Temple Emanuel is one of the most rewarding things one can do.  Dealing with the Rabbi, Olga, the Board, the staff, and the congregation is extremely pleasurable. 

While my predecessor, Robin Levine-Ritterman, faced many challenges- a pandemic, security issues, and an addition to our facility, I look for a return to normal.  While things will never be the same as they were three years ago, Robin and Rabbi Farbman have worked hard and have made changes so that we can do what we do best – provide spirituality, tradition and offer a welcoming community. 

One thing I learned through the years is that most synagogues state that they provide “a warm, diverse welcoming community”.  However, while one can say that, it always isn’t accurate.  Temple Emanuel however, walks the talk.  That is why I love being part of this community.

I wasn’t perfect twelve years ago, and I am not perfect now.  One thing I do promise is to listen.  For that reason, our Board is not made up of people who just say yes to everything.  Rather than be inflexible, I promise to solicit and listen to opposing views.  I want to offer others the opportunity to convince me to change my position.  When I am making a decision, I will try to talk to those who may see things differently.  I have always found our community to talk civilly even when disagreeing, and you might notice that after services, I try to seek out those who don’t view things the same as I do. I might still disagree with someone, but I will always try to hear them out.

I am glad we have returned to the sanctuary.  Soon I hope that we can return to sharing meals and conversations together. Thank you for allowing me to serve again.

Over the last two years we have missed many of the cherished moments as a community inside our building due to the pandemic. As the world begins to return to the normalcy of in person interactions, we are so excited to be gathering once again in our sanctuary.

Our return to the physical togetherness is tinged with sadness: antisemitic attacks on synagogues continue in 2022, with the recent hostage crisis in Colleyville Texas. There have been 10 shootings, stabbings, or planned bombing of US synagogues since the Tree of Life massacre 4 years ago. Temple Emanuel has responded with a vigorous plan to protect our synagogue and its families with updated security plans and protocols. A safety audit recently completed at TE recommends several capital improvements, safety personnel and safety training to keep us safe. We are following these recommendations in each of these 3 areas.

Many of us have already participated in the safety and preparedness training that Mike Shanbrom and the Jewish Federation have provided. We now are arranging for a visible safety guard to be present at all TE events when large groups of people congregate, including major religious services, large school events and community social events. The operating budget will be expanded to include the added expense of this guard.

We also need several capital investments to improve and maintain our infrastructure. These improvements and updates will protect our members and visitors, our school children and staff – – and also protect our Torahs and our synagogue possessions. To accomplish this, we estimate that we must raise between $30,000 – $50,000. A synagogue family has pledged a dollar-for-dollar match for all contributions of $500 or more toward this capital safety campaign. We need these large contributions – but also need every contribution, large or small, to achieve this. While we continue to apply for various state and federal grants, these grants are very competitive and there are multiple projects that require our attention now.

We hope that every TE member, every school family, and friends of TE will participate in this critical campaign.

Please make a pledge toward this goal, and be as generous as you can be to keep TE safe for our children, our congregants and our whole community.

Please be part of Keeping TE Safe

We each can do our part. Click here to make a donation online or send a check to TE noting ‘Security Fund’ on the memo line.

Robin Levine-Ritterman, President.

Spring is here with its promise of growth and renewal. My daffodils are in peak bloom, and each day I watch my perennials grow another few inches. My garden reminds me that the passage of time is inevitable. And it is time to pass on the role of president of the TE Board of Directors.

When I started in 2019, TE was in the midst of a building campaign. We were raising money to expand our building; it was so full of activity that we didn’t have space to fit everyone. In the March-April 2020 Shofar I wrote:

“This morning Temple Emanuel was overflowing with members, ranging in age from toddlers to those in their 80’s… Every inch of our building was being used and the energy inside the building was humming with excitement.”

Life soon changed for all of us. It is hard to remember the time when we couldn’t find a meeting space for the Men’s club or an adult education program on Sunday mornings. In much of the past 2 years my role as TE president has been consumed with decisions regarding the pandemic; keeping us safe often meant keeping us apart.

While the pandemic is not over yet, our country and our community are moving ahead toward a new normal. Our congregation is as strong and as vibrant as ever. Our religious school is one of the best in the area, and we have a teen program that is growing as our students mature and become our teachers. Shabbat services, holiday celebrations and lifecycle events at TE continue to hold an important place in our members’ lives, even as membership in churches and synagogues around the nation declines. In the past decade we went from a position of financial instability to a much stronger position. And we continued to do all this during a time of COVID pandemic and increasing threats to Jews around the nation.

I believe that the Temple Emanuel community has a special type of Ruach. Ruach can be translated to mean spirit, or breath, or wind. Our spirit is one of caring – about each other and about the world. It is a spirit manifested in music, and in everyday acts of kindness. It is a spirit dedicated to learning. I see this spirit all the time at TE, as members reach out to others in need, whether it be another congregant, the homeless population in the Greater New Haven area, or those fleeing from the violence in Ukraine. I feel it during Shabbat services and concerts like Shir Magic. I see it during asephah when parents and children come together to learn and sing.

It has been an honor to serve as president of such a special congregation. Many thanks go to all those who have helped me and our congregation during these 3 years – from Ruth, Lynn and Ariette, to a wonderful, hardworking Board of Directors, to Olga and the entire religious school staff, to volunteers too numerous to name. It is our membership that truly makes us who we are, and thanks to all of you for being there. I didn’t fully understand what the concept of sacred partnership between a temple president and Rabbi meant until I experienced it. Working with Rabbi Farbman has taught me a lot and I thank him for his time and friendship and for all that he does for Temple Emanuel. And special thanks to Barb, my wife, for putting up with innumerable meetings, emails and phone calls most nights for the past 3 years, and for being a great editor.

This year Temple Emanuel is celebrating our 60^th anniversary. As the pandemic ends, we will need to figure out new ways of being as a community. We will keep some of what we learned during this time – streaming services to make them more accessible to all, outdoor services on a more regular basis when weather permits. I look forward to bringing many traditions back from the past – meetings in person and onegs after services. We will be working on incorporating suggestions from the Audacious Hospitality survey and committee to make our community more welcoming. I am confident that our special spirit will bring a bright future for Temple Emanuel. 

Ethics and morality play a central role in Judaism. Values of respect (kavod), fairness (tzedek) and kindness (chesed) guide our daily lives and the choices we make. For many Jews, these beliefs are more central than a belief in God. As Jews, we are not content when we see injustice in the world around us. The principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are being embraced throughout our country as principles that lead to greater justice and a more positive environment for all.Ethics and morality play a central role in Judaism. Values of respect (kavod), fairness (tzedek) and kindness (chesed) guide our daily lives and the choices we make. For many Jews, these beliefs are more central than a belief in God. As Jews, we are not content when we see injustice in the world around us. The principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are being embraced throughout our country as principles that lead to greater justice and a more positive environment for all.

The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) has been encouraging the Reform Jewish community to embrace these values, and developed an Audacious Hospitality Community Assessment workbook to help leaders identify the steps needed to become a congregation rooted in principles of diversity, equity and inclusion. A group of TE members completed the 34-page workbook last summer to begin the process of identifying the DEI work that is happening well at TE, and where we can improve. To include more TE voices, the team developed a shorter survey and invited the entire congregation to participate. Thank you to the 79 TE members that took the time to complete this survey.

Across all surveys, Temple Emanuel members expressed a feeling of joy and warmth about our congregation. I cannot fit in all the positive comments here, but some of our strengths noted by members include: being a congregation that is visibly inclusive of mixed-faith families and LGBTQIA+* people; having non-Jewish family members involved in services; using a fair share dues structure that supports economic diversity and inclusion; having equal roles for women in leadership and prayer; providing assistive hearing devices for those in need; and religious school support for children with special needs.

The TE Audacious Hospitality group considered many identities as we looked at TE: race, ethnicity, economic class, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, immigration status or experience, physical and mental abilities, Jews by choice, and interfaith families. After analyzing the Audacious Hospitality Community Assessment workbook and the survey, the group came up with recommendations for actions to help make our community a more diverse, equitable and inclusive one.

We recommend creating six teams to gather information and support the implementation process for DEI work at Temple Emanuel. These teams would work together with TE staff, committees and leadership, and would draw on existing materials and practices from other synagogues and Jewish communities. The six teams would work on the following areas:

1. DEI training for staff, leaders, volunteers and the whole congregation
2. Administration and Communications
3. Services and Liturgical Materials
4. Religious School
5. Adult Learning and Groups
6. Building, Facilities and Safety

This article doesn’t have space for me to list the specific recommendations in each area. But to give an example, one of the most frequent comments we received was the lack of a non-gendered bathroom at TE to accommodate transgender and non-binary people. Working to correct this deficiency would be a subject for the Building, Facilities and Safety group.

Our goal is to be proactive and create a welcoming community for all. Working together, utilizing the Jewish values we cherish, we can make our congregation even more inclusive and supportive. If you are interested in getting involved in this work at TE, have an interest in one of the groups I mentioned, or want more information about the Audacious Hospitality report and recommendations, please contact me.

*LGBTQIA+ – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual Plus