I have heard so many positive comments about our recent High Holy Day Services and events.  We of course all owe our thanks to Rabbi Hershenson, Cantor Nicholson, and Lauren Olander for creating and leading such beautiful services which give such deep meaning to the High Holy Day season. We are grateful that Julie and Jo make themselves available each year to add their talents as musicians, and of course Jo is a pro at blowing the Shofar.  Thank you to all of you!

 

There are a number of other folks who work a little more behind the scenes to add to the success and quality of our services and events.  You surely noticed all of the people participating in our services.  Thank you to Lester and Diane Dober for contacting and inviting so many members to participate.  People greatly appreciated being included.  

 

If you noticed and enjoyed the beautiful floral arrangements on the Bima, we can thank Leslie Conley for taking care of those.  The Rosh Hashanah Oneg was organized by Martha and Neil Pyne.  Thank you to them and all of those who baked the delicious desserts for that evening. Also, thanks to all who helped with set-up and clean-up.

 

The Tashlich picnic is always a well-attended and enjoyable event.  Thank you to Phyllis and Jerry Greenbach for again sponsoring the picnic and taking care of all the set-up and clean-up details, as well as procuring all of the food and drink.  We all had a great time.

 

Beverly Adler and Liz Levinson were in charge of our Break-the-Fast buffet dinner. Thank you Bev and Liz and all of your dessert bakers and kugel makers! 

 

Thank you to Terry Reynolds for taking charge of the sign-in table and the greeters for our services.  Welcoming our members and guests is such an important part of who we are as a TBT community.

 

Jeanne Freeman, your High Holy Day appeal for contributions to our Rabbi Caring Fund and our Tzedakah Fund was a good reminder to us all about our obligation as Jews for Tikkun Olam.  Thank you.

 

During this High Holy Day Season, there were many of you who just pitched in with set-up, clean-up, or providing rides to services and events for those who did not have transportation.  We all thank you.

 

As we have begun a new year, think about ways in which you might contribute to our TBT community.  There are lots of opportunities to help and we welcome whatever time you have to give.

 

Again, thank you all for making our High Holy Days so meaningful.

 

Kathy Schindel

High Holy Days Chair

The Social Action committee met with its new members and new ideas. Returning from last year's committee are Linda Brant, Leslie Conley, Burt Litman, and Bonnie Ruby. New members include Jeff Adler, Florence Beier, Alyson Belcher, Kim Rafilson, JoAnne Ray, Ann Rosenfield, Marilyn Shattuck and Marcia Uri.

 

While feeding those in need through the Back Door Café and Bethlehem Inn will continue, we agree that we can expand our efforts in other areas in the community. Committee members are currently exploring options for participating in programs that directly impact children, projects to help veterans, building with Habitat for Humanity, and we are exploring additional programs that provide food for the hungry.

 

As part of our efforts, Kim Rafilson and Naomi Chudowsky are working with our post b'nei mitzvah kids on social action projects. On November 3rd, they'll be cooking and serving dinner at the Bethlehem Inn. Ideas for future projects include working with Family Access Network (FAN) in the schools. And we're hoping to have programs that our adult and student groups can work on together.

 

At the High Holy Days services we asked for your ideas on programs to participate in - the Cancer Research Center and Camp Courage are groups you'll be hearing more about. If you have an organization that you'd like to present to our members, contact committee chair, Jeanne Freeman at jgfree925@gmail.com, or speak with any of our members.