Ritual Committee
Happy & Healthy New Year to every one! I want to take this opportunity to thank a number of people whose participation insured that the High Holy Days services flowed smoothly: Rabbi Siegel for his excellent services, his informative and thought provoking sermons, as well as his magnificent shofar- blowing; David Simon for compiling and assigning the list of honorees; Breena Prater for identify and teaching Torah & Haftarah readers; all the Torah & Haftarah readers a big “Yasher Koach” on a job well done; the three member choir (Valerie Gould, David Soltes and Randy Moberg) for their inspiring cantorial renditions; Drs. Paul & Daphne Horowitz for their moving Kol Nidre (YK) appeal speech; Dana Feffer for organizing and coordinating tot and children services; Carol Bloom and all the volunteers (USYer’s) who taught at these services, as well as the Pre –School Staff for providing baby sitting service; Bruce Neft for setting up the sound systems at both facilities; Eileen Hamos and Gary Jacobs for compiling and organizing the Yizkor book; Florence Jameson for coordinating project Isaiah and SOVA; Esther Hodes for setting up for Selichot; Robin Ceppi for coordinating everything from the office; the ushers and movers from the Men’s Club (led by Jeff Komen and Louis Contreras) and the women from the Sisterhood who assisted at the onegs ( Joy Contreras and Breena Prater & company). My apologies, if I missed anyone.
After a hectic holiday season, with Sukkot and Simchat Torah on the heels of the High Holy days, we are entering a quiet time in our calendar with no major holidays until Chanukah in December. Understandably, there is a strong temptation to kick back and “forget” about Temple now. But remember, there is no more important holiday than Shabbat.
Even without a holiday, our Rabbi put a great deal of time and effort into preparing a service and it is to a good end. You will definitely go away from the Temple after Shabbat service feeling refreshed, energized and yet calmer. You will have learned something or been inspired to do something from the sermon. You will have had time to socialize with your friends before and after (but not during we hope!) the service, and partaken of the delicious oneg Shabbat.
If you cannot make a Shabbat service, then sign up for an Adult Education Class. Rabbi Siegel has offered a wonderful array of classes. In a world where so much is losing value- homes, portfolios, even our cash-- it is wonderful to be able to spend a minimum of effort to get to services or to a class and be so richly rewarded. WE need to find time for our own spiritual rewards-- they can more than make up for any material losses or lacking that we might have.
B’Shalom,
Nathan Toveg
VP Ritual