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Message from the President
June 2008 Iyar/Sivan 5768
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My first year as President of Temple Sinai has flown by. As I enter my second year, I am still excited by the opportunity to be Temple Sinai’s President as part of my Jewish journey and my life’s journey.
Temple Sinai is a Beloved Community and I am proud to be part of it! So much has happened this year. Here are just some of the highlights:
- We welcomed some outstanding pulpit guests this year including Rabbi Richard Address from the Union for Reform Judaism and Ruth Messinger, President of American Jewish World Service and world renowned musician Debbie Friedman.
- We offered new and excellent programs through our committees and Religious School.
- Rabbi Gibson celebrated his 20th anniversary at Temple Sinai, and his 25th year in the rabbinate. He will receive his Doctor of Divinity at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati June 1st.
- Rabbi Ende developed the 6:00 PM Likrat Shabbat Service which began last August. He also implemented several changes to our Religious School and its curriculum and taught several adult education classes.
- Cantorial Soloist Sara Stock Mayo lifted our hearts in song. She wowed us at the Women of Temple Sinai’s Music, Morsels and More Cabaret and helped make Rabbi Gibson’s 20th Anniversary Celebration such a musical success.
- Phyllis Weinkle finished her 20th year at Temple Sinai in March.
- Janet Schwartz joined the staff as Rabbi Gibson’s Executive Assistant.
- Rabbi Ron Symons will be joining our staff as the first Director of the newly created Sivitz Lifelong Learning Initiative as of July 1st.
All of our staff is deeply committed to Temple Sinai. We owe them a great deal of thanks for all they do. Additionally, I want to publicly say thank you to Carol Rosenthal, who is retiring in June, and Stephanie Natale, who is getting married and leaving Pittsburgh this summer.
The Officers and the Board of Trustees have enthusiastically endorsed Rabbi Gibson’s Centers Vision, which will create four Centers of volunteer involvement:
- Ruach/Worship and Spirituality Center
- Limud/Meyer Sivitz Lifelong Learning Center
- Shalom/Caring Center
- Tikkun Olam/Social Justice Center
Rabbi Gibson encouraged us, in his Yom Kippur sermon almost two years ago, to find our passion at Temple Sinai and to be more committed. Over 300 people signed up, and many attended focus group sessions. Now the time has come to implement that vision and to get more connected, or reconnected, with Temple Sinai.
Why should you empower Temple Sinai to be a vehicle for your Jewish journey? I can only answer for myself. I fully subscribe to Temple Sinai’s Mission or Core Purpose: “To provide a welcoming and caring spiritual community where we gather, study, and worship as Reform Jews.” I gather with Men’s Discussion Group usually the third Sunday of each month (this month June 22nd). I study with Rabbi Gibson when he comes Downtown for the Lunch and Discussion Group, usually the second Friday of the month (June 13th). I worship at the Saturday morning Informal Shabbat Service, all of which are very welcoming to newcomers as well as regulars. I participate in many other Temple services and programs but these are a few of my favorite Temple activities.
Temple Sinai enriches my life, my Jewish journey. How can Temple Sinai be a part of your Jewish journey? Participate…volunteer. Find out how rewarding that can be.
B’Shalom,
Frank L. Schwarz, Jr.
actionbiz@aol.com
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