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"Seeing Good, Rejoicing in Our Days" (Psalm 34)January 2004From the Desk of Rabbi CohonThe beginning of a new year, in Jewish tradition, is a time for self-examination, taking stock, for assessing who we are and what we need to do to become who we wish to be. But in Jewish tradition we did all of that back in September—so the secular turn of the 2004 year is a wonderful opportunity to simply celebrate where Temple Emanu-El is now, without having to feel guilty about what we haven’t yet accomplished. Think about this as New Year’s lite, if you will... I have had the privilege of serving Temple for close to five years now, and in that time we have seen a remarkably positive transformation of our congregation in so many ways. The numbers alone are impressive: our membership has grown from 350 families to 730 families. We founded a Preschool and have seen it grow to 75 children, our Religious School enrollment is more than double what it was my first year. Our Adult Education Academy has grown from a few classes a year to over 30 courses serving a thousand students annually. We have taught Taste of Judaism to 2000 students. Attendance at services is many times what it was in May of 1999, and we offer a veritable plethora of worship opportunities on a regular basis. Our budget has grown dramatically, a sign often given of the health of non-profit organizations. Although we continue to face challenges, our net assets are now several times greater than they were. We have far more babynamings, brisses, b’nai mitzvah, and weddings than we did a few short years ago. Through projects like Deep Freeze and our Mitzvah Corp. we do outstanding social action work, and more of it, than ever. But numbers rarely tell the whole story, and these don’t either. The growth in excellence, and the dramatic increase in outstanding new programs, testify to a change that is truly transformational. We host outstanding Jewish speakers and performers—like this month’s Bilgray Scholar on the architecture of Jewish life, Mitchell Schwarzer, January 16th-18th, Israeli activist Yael Dayan, and Cantor Alberto Mizrahi singing here January 25th—and events unique to us, like Tu Bishvat Winetasting Seders and Purim Extravaganzas. Our core spiritual and educational programs are conducted with integrity, intelligence, and Jewish depth. None of this would be possible without the active involvement, support, and leadership of so many of you. A congregation is a shared project, a community based on respect, belief, communal experience, and inspiration. We have much to be proud of, to celebrate, and to embrace at Temple Emanu-El. If you are already deeply involved, I thank you for your energy, effort, and creativity. If you are not yet so active, I encourage you, in this new secular year, to find a service, a class, an event, or a group to participate in, and so to join in our remarkable expression of Jewish practice, belief, and community. L'shalom v'rei'ut, in peace and friendship, Rabbi Samuel M. Cohon |
