The summer is here! As we wind down from the school year and academic year in general I can now focus on what is coming up.

At the end of June, I will have completed 10 full years of serving as the rabbi of this amazing congregation. The celebrations will last for the weekend of June 26-28 and Stella tells me to get some SPF 35 suntan lotion because I can count on being roasted! I am happy to be the target of all the jokes. After all, I know how important it is to laugh at the guys who are supposed to be steering the ship.

But, seriously, I am thrilled that the congregation feels comfortable enough to laugh at me. I think it really shows a trust that we have all created in the past decade. Trust is a hard thing to come by these days. There is distrust of almost everyone because so many people have their hidden agendas. Usually it is to extract money out of someone else. Everyone from Bernie Madoff to the government to the guy running the shop down the street always seems to have an angle.

I like to think that that is not the case here and I believe that one of the undercurrents of the celebration is that Beth Miriam is open and forthright, flexible, educational, inspirational and responsive. These are all the ingredients for a sucessful temple and in the past ten years, we have built on the firm and solid foundation of those rabbis and congregants who have come before us.

I am looking forward to this celebration on so many levels but, surely one of them must be that I need a good tan. I am thrilled to be able to laugh with you and look forward to it so much.

The Beginning of Summer

As the year winds down, I am drawn to looking forward and backward. Over the past couple of weeks, I have looked backward and have reflected on what TBM has accomplished this year. But, as the summer begins, it is time to look forward. Ecclesiastes asks, "who can tell him what the future holds?" Indeed, that is true. We have no idea if our ideas will work but, to paraphrase Ecclesiastes, 'who cares?!' If we do not plan, we go nowhere. And so, our plans are in the works for next year. Here is what we have planned:

i) renovation of the Religious School wing - Phase I
ii) continued Talmud and Theology course and other learning opportunities
iii) Intro to Judaism/B'nai Mitzvah/Conversion course
iv) continued active affiliates with even more frequent programs
v) professionally managed outreach to non-members
vi) new 'branding' for the temple to solidify our identity
vii) professionally designed website
viii) trip to Israel, March 2010
ix) training clinic for service leaders
x) training clinic for young songleaders
xi) continued growth of the religious school

This is a big agenda and there are lots of steps before we get from here to there. But there is no doubt in my mind that we will make it and create in our temple a place that is truly extraordinary.

I better eat my Wheaties!

The End of the School Year

As I mentioned in my "From the Rabbi" , as the school year ends, there comes with it a sense of reflection. Now that we are in May and there are only a couple of weeks to go, the reflection is filled with celebration.

I have seen what our school has accomplished in the past year. Frankly, it is quite incredible. The level of programming and creative activities, the professionalism of the teachers, the absence of any real discipline problems, the energy of the students, the worship experiences and the learning on so many levels by the children is truly wonderful. How can we not celebrate those accomplishments?

This month we will be having the Grade 7 Family service which is a Siyyum - a ceremony of conclusion - which is a celebration of their finishing their lower school careers. We will have the Youth Group celebrate their accomplishments and share the Shabbat as they lead us in a creative service this month, as well. And, in that service is also Confirmation, a huge accomplisment. This month, we will also be awarding the students who have, individually, accomplished great things. What a celebration! (By the way, for a full listing, see the calendar.)

I enter the summer knowing that I will see most of these students again in the Fall. I thank you all for your support for the school and your continued presence and influence in our children's lives even though your kids may not be there anymore. The tree you planted continues to bear fruit the fruit that these children produce is sweet, indeed.