Category: President’s column

“Real joy comes not from ease or riches, or from the praise of man, but from doing something worthwhile.” — Sir Wilfred Grenfell (1865-1940), English medical missionary

 

January’s trait is “joy”.  Amazingly when one starts to look into this character trait, Christian wisdom literature seems to have more to say than the Jewish view.  But Jewish tradition encourages us to cultivate the conditions that will lead to more joy, more often. “Ivdu et HaShem ba’simcha”—serve God in joy.  Alan Morinis says this of joy:  “Moments come when the heart dances in the light. So much more than the experience of fun or even happiness, joy erupts when the inner sphere scintillates in its completeness. An experience touches us to the depths of our souls, and in that moment we are graced with a vision—if only fleetingly—of the flawless wholeness and perfection of it all. Then the heart fills and flows over, even amid the brokenness of this world.”

Joy is not syrupy or sappy, sentimental or seasonal.  Joy is not happiness, because happiness depends on what happens to you. Joy is also not the absence of sorrow. Joy is a vivid emotion of pleasure or the state of being highly delighted:  the birth of a child, marriage. Joy is dependent on spiritual insight and connection. Joy occurs when we close the gap between the high ideals we hold in mind and the living truth of how we act in life.

So, how does a congregation know joy?  By being together for life-cycle events, by healing the world, by creating a joyful noise unto the Lord (as the Psalmist says).  Our projects are off to a fabulous start this year: wonderful music with our children’s choir, a fabulous Chanukah basket project, a re-energized  look at Tikkun Olam. On that note, last month the TE Board approved a renewed commitment to help the hungry by supporting MAZON. Founded in 1985, MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger is a national nonprofit organization working to end hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds in the United States and Israel. MAZON began soliciting donations by encouraging American Jews to donate a portion of the cost of life-cycle celebrations (weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, anniversaries, and other joyous occasions), a modern interpretation of the ancient rabbinical tradition of not allowing a celebration to begin until the community’s poor and hungry were seated and fed.

Beginning in January, TE will send MAZON 3% of the total spent on the food for any event that occurs at TE. We used to do this regularly in the past. We commit to do this now. We join nearly 1,000 synagogues and tens of thousands of individual donors, all of whom share our commitment to ending hunger once and for all.

This month, come experience the joy at TE.

“If not now, when” —Pirkei Avot

Now, anyone who knows me at all has likened me to the “Energizer Bunny” of battery fame. So, I believe I am in a good position to discuss this trait.

Enthusiasm in Mussar tradition speaks to spiritual energy. It says that enthusiasm is the foundation of all the traits. This makes sense because your energy level can affect everything else in your life. How can one be generous if you lack the motivation to carry through on your intentions? Are acts of loving-kindness even possible without energy?

The Hebrew term for enthusiasm is “zerizut,” which can also be translated as zeal or alacrity. Acting with alacrity means springing forward without hesitation or obstacle. It does not mean rushing forward without thought. Instead it means that no rationalizations slow you down. You don’t put off what you need to do until another time. To do that you must have defined your priorities and know what is really important in your life and what is secondary or even expendable. Then it is possible to know what is worthy of attention and what is not. Enthusiasm also requires single-mindedness. Mussar teachers have described that the trait of zerizut depends on an inner experience that is uncluttered, clear and focused.

If we look at TE through a Mussar lens, now is the time that the Temple Emanuel community must respond with “Enthusiasm.” We are about to embark on an amazing journey of building. But this is no longer a response to a future need, but a reality of our growing and thriving community. We need to do this project in one phase and without any mortgage obligations. We must raise approximately $525,000 for the project. A monumental amount for such a small community! However, under the expert guidance of Dr. Alan Kliger, 85% of this amount has been promised by some very generous TE donors and the Federation. This means that if each of our 150 member-units contributes to the project, we will reach our goal. I know this might be a real stretch for some families, but it is what we all need to do, together. Please respond with “enthusiasm” when a member of the Board or Alan Kliger approaches you. Even better yet, approach them first. Let us all find our own inner “Energizer Bunny” to meet this challenge.

“When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” —Max Planck

Discussing gratitude in November is really a “batting practice fastball” as they say in baseball. After all, it is the month of our most cherished national holiday, Thanksgiving. For Jews, gratitude isn’t something for just once a year; it’s a daily practice. The Hebrew term for gratitude means “recognizing the good.” The good is already there, and so it means recognizing the gifts we already have. It means focusing on the part of the glass which is full, rather than on the part which is empty (something hard for me to do without constant reminding). It is often easier to focus on what we lack, rather than on what we have. Since there is no limit to what we don’t have, we can end up very dissatisfied with life. By reminding ourselves to be grateful, we change our perception of our lives, and with that we actually change our lives too. Even when we are aware of the gifts that surround us, we can grow immune to them and take them for granted. So gratitude requires practice.

Gratitude can make us happier and healthier. Recent studies have concluded that the expression of gratitude can have profound and positive effects on our health, our moods, and even on the survival of our marriages. Mussar practice cultivates gratitude by first having the individual identify the good and then acknowledge that it is a gift and not something that is deserved. Next gratitude involves saying “thank you” for the gift and to its source. We need to do that as individuals and as communities. So, I want to thank each and every one of the TE community for their willingness to participate, give back, pay forward, lead, follow and belong to an extraordinary group of people. This High Holy Day season I started to list some of our members who have gone over and above in their contributions to the congregation, but I know I only scratched the surface and unwittingly left many people off the list. Thank you to the 73 member units who have signed up to participate in Tikkun Olam projects. That is more than half our congregation!! Expect to hear from those project leaders in the next month. Thank you to all the members who made High Holy Day pledges above their Fair Share pledges. We have commitments for $8,972 to repair TE, $4,220 to our four special projects, and $2872 toward Israeli bonds. I am so grateful for your generosity (a trait for a later column).

Spend this month practicing gratitude and say “thank you” to every person who does something that is beneficial to you. Check out what I am describing in Everyday Holiness by Alan Morinis or on the website at www.mussarinstitute.org.

Now, I am neither a Rabbi nor a scholar but I do try to think (contrary to what you may have heard about surgeons). A path suggested by our recent Scholar in Residence, Rabbi  Marcia Plumb struck a familiar chord in me. She discussed how Mussar teachings can be used to create a sense of wholeness in one’s life.

Very, briefly the Mussar movement centered in Lithuania during the mid 1800’s and was led by Rabbi Yisrael Salanter. Much was lost during the Holocaust, but it has become a thriving movement in recent years.  Mussar teachers have sought to help transform lives and get people on the path of holiness. The path they describe is not in any way esoteric or otherworldly, but vey much  within the realm of our own familiar lives. They describe inner traits which when balanced and developed bring a sense of peace, wholeness, and holiness to the individual. These traits are: gratitude, humility, patience, compassion, order, equanimity, honor, simplicity, enthusiasm, silence, generosity, truth, moderation, loving-kindness, responsibility, trust, faith, and yirah. An individual picks 13 traits to work on. Then practices that trait for one week; the cycle is then repeated 4 times during the year.

Over the next several months I am going to apply these traits to TE and the column.

Not surprisingly, I will begin with Gratitude in next months column.

For those with more interest or just to check out what I am describing,  a good place to start is Everday Holiness by Alan Morinis or the website: www.mussarinstitute.org

Dr. Melissa Perkal

 

It is hard to believe that fall is here and that the Holy Days are around the corner. This is a time of new beginnings and contemplating where we might have “missed the mark.” It is a time of reflecting what we might do better in the up-coming year. As we begin 5775, I am optimistic with our potential for growth and for bringing our congregation together. I believe we can have a thriving community. This will take dedication, volunteerism, and financial support. Previous TE President Jon Zonderman stated that to do this, it is important that we all agree on one key statement: “I believe that maintaining a vibrant Reform Jewish community at Temple Emanuel is important.” If we all believe that, then we all must believe that each one of us needs to take responsibility for maintaining our community and may not leave it up to others to do so.

What can each of us do to keep TE strong?

1. Add one new member family to TE by sharing your experiences with your non-TE friends. Bring them along to TE events. Show them how really wonderful our community is.
2. Participate in our fund-raising efforts by coming to our many “friend-raisers,” buying citrus, baked goods and New Year honey wishes.
3. Contribute to the “One Campus Campaign” so that we continue to be mortgage free as we build. My goal is that every TE family will contribute something toward making this a reality.
4. Join a committee, help run an event large or small, get your hands dirty, donate time to stuff envelopes, and/or pick up supplies. We are a small community with a tiny professional staff. So we need everyone’s energy to be actively involved.
5. Consider making a “Leave a Legacy” pledge so our children and our children’s children will have a community where they can welcome Shabbat and celebrate life cycle events.
6. Finally, there is still time to make your Fair Share Pledge before the Holy Days. Dig as deeply as you can afford to. TE needs you and TE needs your financial support.

Come find me in the coming weeks, and let me know how you want to be involved.

Shanah Tovah.

By Bruce Spiewak, Temple Emanuel President

October, 2013

Since my last column, the Temple Emanuel Community has begun the New Year of 5774 with incredible participation and cooperation in the preparation and carrying out of the High Holiday events, which crept up quickly after the summer hiatus. As I write this column we have received our new TE Calendars and Yahrtzeit Listings, and have also successfully put together our Sukkah, which we will have populated for the Sukkot Service by the time you read this. We had a very successful BBQ, with attendance by new and longer term members.

The enthusiasm and welcoming spirit exhibited at our events continues to be contagious and invigorating. Simchat Torah will have again given us the opportunity to gather, together with the Religious School, and witness the unrolling and re-rolling of the Torah Scroll to start reading at the beginning once more! As we gathered in the Sanctuary to “lend a hand” we reflected again on the concept of how “many hands make light work!” Todah Rabah to all of you, who planned, participated in and picked up afterwards!

October is filled with events and activities including the Cook and Care Walk-a-thon, Adult Education courses, Shabbat Services, the Family Service, Torah Study, Religious School, and more! We have a Joint Sisterhood / Hadassah Program hosted at TE addressing Jewish Music, with our own Rabbi Farbman as the presenter. There is a Sunday morning study session on Genetic Testing as well as a Sisterhood Book Discussion Group. Our Long Term Planning Committee continues to study and evaluate long term options and visions for the Congregation.

The Facilities Planning Committee has made some recommendations for the short to mid-term that encourage creative use and repair of our physical plant facilities. As an integral part of the overall concept of addressing Membership, Governance and Finance issues, it is great to introduce the Community at large to our congregants, congregation and facilities. The LeaveA-Legacy Campaign continues to enlist more and more participants, eager to help ensure the TE Legacy for generations to come.

Once again, comes the opportunity to think about your participation in attending, planning and organizing for these TE events and activities, as well as with the standing Committees, as listed in your TE Directory. Also, think about friends and acquaintances who might appreciate an invitation to attend a TE event with you. Consider having a small group gather at your house to help welcome new members. Again, thank you all for standing up together and shouting “hineini.” Standing together, we are Temple Emanuel!

Summer, 2013 By Bruce Spiewak, Temple Emanuel President

This is a combined summer column / edition of the Shofar, so we need to consolidate space a little.   (That’s the excuse for a shorter than normal column!)

It has been about a year since I began serving our Congregation as President and I have some important observations to share:

We have been making progress on the goals set out for the Board to address issues of Membership, Finance and Governance.  This involves many efforts including:

• the new Fair Share Dues Structure,
• the Bylaws changes to allow a Second Vice President and an Assistant Treasurer,
• events open to the community to draw non- (not yet) members as well as members.
• reorganization of the administrative functions of the Office and the accounting systems,
• formation of the Long Term Planning initiative,
• investigation into the future and maintenance of our physical plant,
• coordination of the “Leave a Legacy Program,
• re-evaluation of the way things have been done historically with a fresh outlook towards our method of organizing committees, events and programs,
• introduction of new children’s programming and educational events,
• fresh approaches to our religious services and introduction of new ideas,
• many more efforts that you can add.

I am constantly energized and refreshed by the incredible support and participation provided by our Board and our Congregants, in sharing skills, knowledge, time and resources.  The Community is incredible and continues to amaze me.  That is what gives me the strength to carry on!  Thank you every one and let’s have another outstanding remarkable creative year!  L’Shanah Tovah!!

 Definition:  “REPAIR. The reconstruction or renewal of any part of an existing building for the purpose of its maintenance.”  This is a technical definition as it applies to buildings under the CT State Building Code.

Tikkun olam (Hebrew: (תיקון עולם or תקון עולם‎) is a Hebrew phrase that means “repairing the world” (or “healing the world”) which suggests humanity’s shared responsibility to heal, repair and transform the world. In Judaism, the concept of tikkun olam originated in the early rabbinic period. The concept was given new meanings in the kabbalah of the medieval period and has come to possess further connotations in modern Judaism.  This is a definition from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

So, why are these two terms relevant?  We are at a period in the evolution of Temple Emanuel where we find ourselves reevaluating and reconsidering many of the policies and procedures that we have historically kept and used for guidance during the last 50 or so years of our existence.  During this period of review we discover the need to revise and reconstruct some procedures, methods of operation, bylaw provisions, committee organization, Board structure and mission, etc.  Also there is an element of renewal and revitalization.

Members of TE have gotten together with members of other Synagogues and Jewish Organizations to start a dialogue about how we can work together in a symbiotic way to benefit us all.  We have had follow up meetings to our initial ones and I am gratified to see that there is continuing dialogue and progress on several fronts.

We have investigated and have begun a restructuring of some TE Committees in order to revitalize and reinvigorate the process and participation.  There is a focus on Membership and Social Action/Community Service as specific Committees being reviewed.  Last month I asked you to think about your own involvement and where you would like to become more active.  To those who contacted me directly, todah rabah!  To those who have not yet done so, but are thinking about it, please do so at president@templeemanuel-gnh.org and we can take it further.

By the time you read this we will have had our special meeting on April 28 to vote on the proposed revisions to our bylaws to allow an Assistant Treasurer to serve on our congregation Board of Directors.  Also, the new system of organizing our membership commitments will have been rolled out for your review and understanding.  Our Erev Cinco de Mayo “funraiser” will have successfully completed and will set a great example of how TE works cooperatively for both fun and fundraising.  In addition I will have announced the appointment of a new, reinvented committee, which will be following up on some of the overall reevaluation and renewal concepts mentioned in this column.

Hopefully, by now you have had the opportunity to interact with our new Office Manager, Miriam Cheng, who has now completed the baton pass from Nancy Weber.  Contact Miriam at office@templeemanuel-gnh.org or 203-397-3000 if you have questions or if you need to contact the office.

We look forward to the May 17^th Friday night service at which Maya Levine-Ritterman will be awarded the Susan Bleeks Scholarship.  Also, please sign up for the May 31 Shabbat dinner and tribute to Gloria Levine, second TE President, featuring our TE Band.  By now you have probably been contacted to help prepare and participate.  If not, shout “hineini!”  Contact me directly at president@templeemanuel-gnh.org  or contact any Board Member – perhaps your “Board Buddy!”  (You’ve heard that before!)   Chodesh Tov!

As predicted last month, the TE Erev Purim and Adult Purim Party and the Purim for Kids of All Ages at the end of February were well attended events with lots of enjoyable performances and participation by TE members and friends.  Thanks to all who helped organize, arrange and produce these activities.  It was a humongous effort, and we are blessed with many talented members!

Our Family Shabbat Service in the beginning of March was heartwarming as we witnessed Rabbi Michael gathering the children around him on the floor while he read a story to them.  For those of us who are grandparents, even if our own grandchildren were not in attendance, this Family Service enhanced the community family spirit that permeates TE.  I urge you to bring your family, regardless of their ages, to share a Family Service in particular.  They start at 6:30 usually the first Shabbat of each month, to encourage family participation.

On March 5, I participated in the Jewish Federation hosted Presidents’ Meeting for area synagogues, as noted in last month’s Shofar.  We discussed such topics as Purchasing power for office supplies, custodial needs, landscaping / snowplowing, fuel purchase and health care benefits.  Also we have a common interest in encouraging synagogue membership for unaffiliated families.  The demographic information collected by the Federation is particularly relevant to some of the items discussed.  There are synergies for physical facilities, administrative support, religious schools and youth groups.  As a result of our meeting, Sydney Perry, Chief Executive Officer of the Federation will be organizing and facilitating some of the ideas and activities discussed and will be distributing contact information for the participants.  Hopefully this is the beginning of a continuing effort to communicate, cooperate and creatively address common concerns.  Sydney and Don Hendel, President of the Board of Directors of the Federation, have been invited to our TE Board meeting on March 21, to continue the dialogue.

TE hosted the Orange Interfaith Scholar in Residence program on March 10, which was well attended by the community and our Orange Clergy presented a “panel discussion” on the topic of Multiple Perspectives on Holiness.  I was impressed by how much we all have in common!  There was a potluck dinner before the presentation and everyone seemed to be impressed and enthusiastic.

Our Dues Task Force is continuing to formulate the 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.  You will be getting more information shortly, if you have not already received it by the time you read this!

March will have ended with a great TE Second Night Seder for those who were around, and a new TE Bakes 4 You effort, to provide homemade Kosher for Passover desserts and challah.

Don’t forget to go to our website www.templeemanuel-gnh.org and see how it has been improved, with online registration and payment among other things.  “Try it, you’ll like it.”

Traditional TE events and some new events and ideas have all benefited from our member volunteers as well as our Rabbinical and staff support.  Your participation in both attending and in helping organize is a vital component to the successes.  Keep up the great work, and think about what ideas and events best match your skills, knowledge, availability and interests.  Shout “hineini!”  Contact me directly at president@templeemanuel-gnh.org  or contact any Board Member – perhaps your “Board Buddy!”