Thanks for the Oneg

Thank you to Linda Retchin for coordinating the Oneg's.  Thanks also to everyone who has hosted or is planning to host an Oneg.

I love heading into the social hall after service to catch-up with my friends and to meet others.  After one of the last services I attended, I planned to leave right after the service for another commitment.  Fortunately that didn’t happen.  I stopped in the Social Hall to say hi and 20 minutes later finally pulled myself away from the conversations to leave.

I enjoy seeing the care that the Oneg Hosts take in the food and drinks they provide.  You can always count on some fruit and deserts.  I hope to see you at the next Oneg.  Many families host an Oneg with another family.

Linda and the Oneg committee have made it very easy to host an Oneg.  Right on our website is a page with all the details about Oneg's, including the Oneg schedule, instructions, and online sign-up.  Another way to sign up for an Oneg is with a phone call or email to Stacie or Linda.

So if you haven't hosted an Oneg, take a risk and sign up.  Call Linda or me if you would like a family to partner with.  Community is something most of us seek at Temple and this is a great way to connect with others in the community.  This is an opportunity to “create community”.

Away on Vacation

Paula and I are off to Italy for two weeks.  We are leaving Friday and returning on July 8th.

I tell you this not to make you jealous, but to let you know that you should contact Joel Goldberg, 1st Vice President with any Temple matters.   He would like to hear from you with your thoughts, hopes, concerns, or just good wishes.  You may reach Joel at joelMgoldberg@gmail.com or 238-7792.

Have a good rest of July.  Yes, I will bring back pictures and stories.

Where have the young people gone?

Where have all the young people gone? This is my version of the song written by Peter, Paul, & Mary with the title "Where have all the flowers gone". 

My daughter Lindsey was with me in Temple recently and was asked many times by others these questions:   “Where are you now?”,   “What are your plans”, “What is Evan doing” just  to mention a few.   It was nice for Lindsey to see how much our peers care about her.  They genuinely are excited to see her.

It strikes me that once our children complete their B’ Nai Mitzvah and are confirmed, we don’t celebrate them again.  We ask why our youth don’t stay connected to our Temple or for that matter, often are not part of any Temple in their 20’s.  I know that we can change that!  I challenge each of us to find out how to celebrate our youth's accomplishments beyond these two religious accomplishments. 

Here are some ideas off the top of Paula and my heads (two heads are better than one). 

1. A note of congratulations when they graduate from High School. 
2.  Shabbat in a box  to take with them after High School.
3. A call or note from the Rabbi and President when they graduate college or get their first professional job.
4. Send them something when they have their children.
5. Dedicate one of our services each year for our children.

Please join me in establishing some traditions that connect our youth to Temple Sinai in whatever State or Country they are.  Let me know if you are interested in getting together with a few others to settle on some ideas to implement.  Let me know if you are willing to research ideas.  Let me know if you agree that this is important.

Email me timpaula@comcast.net or call me 238-6569.

One person can make a difference - Thanks Louise!

We are all aware of the tragic shooting in Newtown, CT on December 14.  As many of you know, our congregation raised and contributed $300 to the Newtown’s Adath Israel Temple.  Rabbi Glazier’s March 21^st blog discusses how our congregation planned to help the Newtown community.  Eight members of our congregation drove to Newtown for the interfaith service and speakers that we sponsored.  It was a long day, but no one questioned whether it was worth the sacrifice.

It was clear from the people we spoke with that they were moved by more than just the financial sponsorship. They were moved by knowing that we cared about them.  They were moved that we joined them for the afternoon. 

Our involvement started when Louise Stoll approached Rabbi and me saying that we “need to do something” for the people of Newtown.  Rabbi contacted the Rabbi in Newtown and the result was our sponsorship and trip to Newtown.  Truth be told, Louise did need to nudge us to keep it moving.  For the idea, the caring, and the nudge – thank you Louise!

So I ask that next time you think of another person or community in need, ask how we might be able to help them.