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We all have a daunting task of transitioning from over twenty years of amazing leadership of Phyllis Weinkle. We have all benefited from her dedication in creating an infrastructure that enables the clergy, staff and volunteers to provide the meaningful programs, services and care to its members. Her commitment to Temple Sinai is unequalled and we appreciate her willingness to be available to me and the Temple for ongoing support and guidance.
When we moved from Chicago to Pittsburgh two years ago, Temple Sinai opened its doors to my family. My wife, Shari, and I found a congregation that provided the spiritual and social connections that as newcomers we needed. Our feeling of belonging has only increased as we have become more involved in the Temple Sinai community. We get tremendous joy out of watching our daughter Elana dance with other children at Musical Shabbat. Her comfort with the clergy and other congregants mirrors our own. We cannot wait for our baby boy, Ari, to join his sister in dancing in the aisles on Friday night.
I am confident in my ability to transition from being a congregant to being a part of a dynamic professional staff team. I have spent my career working as a professional meeting planner, membership and marketing director and executive director for numerous professional and Jewish associations. As an association and conference manager, I have fulfilled the directives of projects, interacted with individuals of all capacities, and produced high-quality social and fundraising programs. Throughout my career, I have been constantly aware of the importance of the organizations’ membership and their commitment to being involved and volunteering. These experiences are, I believe, readily adaptable to the current and future needs of our vibrant congregation.
Temple Sinai has a warm and welcoming atmosphere because of its clergy, staff, leadership and membership. The warmth that we all experience through our involvement with the Temple is not by accident. Rabbi Gibson has created an inviting atmosphere that provides each of us with our own way to connect to our Judaism. His warmth, sincerity, openness and creativity have also allowed us to find opportunities to be comfortable and become involved in our Temple family. Rabbi Gibson, Rabbi Ende, Rabbi Symons and Sara Stock Mayo are dedicated to supporting congregants and utilizing all available resources to sustain the environment for which Temple Sinai has become known. As a congregant and volunteer and through interviewing for this position, I have become aware of the time, energy and significant impact that the staff and lay leadership provide for Temple. I value the opportunity to work with and learn from all of them and to become an integral part of the environment they have strived to create and sustain.
My door is always open. I look forward to getting to know as many of you as possible. I truly hope that you will be willing and ready to become an active volunteer and be part of our team. Please feel free to come inside, introduce yourself and let me know what we can do together to continue the growth of Temple Sinai.
Warm regards,
William K. Padnos, IOM
bpadnos@templesinaipgh.org
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