January 2012

Happy New Year, 2012!

We will open the book.  Its pages are blank.  We are going to put words on them ourselves.  The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.  - Edith Lovejoy Pierce, English poet

Chanukah is complete, the eighth night’s flames extinguished.  The New Year celebrations are over.  We are putting away our chanukiyot, along with our New Year’s horns and hats, and picking out the confetti from between the sofa cushions.  Our thoughts turn to the new (secular) year, 2012, stretching out ahead of us.  

Many of us make New Year’s resolutions.  You know what I mean - those promises to change something or make something better.  This year I am going to lose weight, or I resolve to get healthy, or I’m going to change my job, or learn to ballroom dance.  Some of us don’t like to commit to New Year’s resolutions with the idea that somehow we might feel defeated if the resolution does not come to fruition.  And still others, like my Mother say, “If you think something should be done, just go ahead and do it!” – any time of year.

At the risk of adding stress to our lives; I would like to suggest that we make a resolution.  We resolve to continue making Temple Sinai, already a great place to be, an even greater place to be.  As I have said in many articles and speeches, Temple Sinai is a welcoming, inclusive, nurturing, spiritual home for all of us.  Our sanctuary touches all who come and worship with our wonderful Rabbis Katz and Sapowith and our cantorial soloist, Elise Wojciechowski.  Our programming continues to grow and develop to support our congregation across the age spectrum from Sprouts through our sacred elders. We have had financial challenges just like many houses of worship and non profit organizations and you have all responded with kindness and generosity to our High Holy Day appeal and other requests, for which I, and the Board of Trustees are very grateful. 

So, how can we make Temple Sinai and even greater place to be?  We know that the strength of our congregation lies in you, our congregants, and your willingness to volunteer and join in.  Programs and activities that are run by, attended by and improved by you have made us stronger.  Your participation builds community, expands inclusiveness and brings new ideas to the table.  These ideas deepen and sharpen our ability to support you and reach out farther to others.

Please think about what interests you, what makes a difference in your life, and where you’d like to make a difference. Join a committee, attend a special service, learn through an interesting program, join friends and meet new friends at an event.

How do you know what is available? Check the Bulletin or Snippets for ongoing and new activities.  Check the website for a description of our committees.  Call the office to learn where there is an opening for volunteers.  Ask your friends and join in the fun! 

In whatever way we make resolutions for change in a new year, let’s join together to bring these promises to fruition.  Fill the pages of your Book of Opportunity with a commitment to participate and volunteer.  I promise you will not only add great value to our community, but you will also be strengthened by the experience.

A community is too heavy for anyone to carry alone.  Deuteronomy Rabbah 1:10. Let’s join our volunteer strength together to make Temple Sinai an even greater place to be in 2012.

From strength to strength, we will continue to grow.