Dear Congregants,

It's hard to believe another year has come and gone, and that Or Chadash's annual congregational meeting is just around the corner. We have continued our wonderful programming throughout the past year, and there is definitely something for everyone at our temple as we continue on our journey.

We have visited various places where we celebrated Judaism. We have had book signings from authors, including two of our congregants. We have baked bread and matzo at a farm with our Islamic neighbors and continue to collaborate with those of other religions through the hard work and dedication of Rabbi Forman. We have shared life cycle events together; our recent Shabbat service led by our confirmands was a tribute to our wonderful religious school under the leadership of Betsy Zalaznick, our religious school director. Our finance committee has been doing a wonderful job "minding the store", and I cannot thank our co-treasurers enough (Alan Marrus and Jill Rosenthal) for their dedication and hours they've spent minding the books and working with our finance team to come up with a balanced budget that we will share at this meeting.

It is said that being president of a synagogue is the most difficult job you'll ever love, and it has been a wonderful two years that I have spent as president. Now, as I prepare to step down, I am encouraged that together with our leadership we leave you in the hands of intelligent, thoughtful and dynamic individuals committed to the ongoing success of Or Chadash.

While we say goodbye to our student cantor, Rachel Harrison, and welcome Kathy Gohr to our music program, we are especially thrilled that Rabbi Forman has accepted our Board of Trustees's recommendation to continue with us as our rabbi for the next five years - giving the stability and leadership we require as a congregation and the warmth of his personality we have come to love.

I look forward to seeing you on Tuesday June 21^st at 7:30PM.

Sincerely,

Ross Weinick

President