March 2025

Are you also craving warmer temperatures and a break from the maddening frigid weather? It’s been so cold that when it’s 33 degrees outside I feel like Spring is here! It’s time to put our shovels and scrapers back into storage after these past couple of weeks of shoveling snow, slush, and chiseled ice.

On the national and world front, I find myself reading constantly to keep up with the many concerning stories and happenings. I pray every day for the safety, good health, and happiness of my family, friends, fellow congregants, fellow citizens and our nation’s allies; that we get our act together to help fix what has been broken in our world for far too long.

On the Temple front, we are faring well. Our services and activities continue to be very well attended. According to our most recent treasurer’s report, we are on track to most likely balance our budget for the first time in many years. That is thanks to all of you, our Temple family, who have continually stepped up to support the needs of our community. We have been fortunate to have Ian Crawford serving as our very dedicated treasurer.

Hazzan Sherry and I were so pleased with the turnout of 19 talented acts and our gracious audience for the Cabaret Night’s 10th anniversary. We are grateful to all who baked for the dessert part of the evening, and all who volunteered their time to ensure a successful evening. The event raised $2,500 for the Essential Services Fund. Every penny we raised is greatly appreciated as we want to stay on track with the annual budget.

Thanks to our resident playwright Sam Winograd, who wrote and is directing our next Purim spiel, our Temple Emanu-El players are rehearsing their lines for what promises to be a fun and meaningful production. These script-in-hand shows are meant to be entertaining, informative, and a community endeavor. It is lovely that the show is open to all who want to participate from the synagogues in our area. It culminates into a packed social hall for the spiel followed by a Megillah reading – a joyous shared experience for all.

I would also like to thank Barbara Wolfe, Amy Perry, and Janine Sitko for running the Mishloach Manot Purim Bag program again this year. Thanks to Emma Zelken and Byrne Blumer who are shadowing them this year so they can take over running the program next year. It is a very important fundraiser that also helps the bottom line.

Finally, who would like to join Baking Club on Sunday March 9 for a hamantaschen baking party in the Temple kitchen at 10:00am? You can bake for your family as well as help bake some for the oneg on Friday, March 14.

Remember to join us on the evening of Thursday March 13, dressed as your favorite character (or hilarious concept for some) and join in the Purim festivities!

Chag Purim Sameach,
Armi

 

Board Meeting Highlights

  1. Religious School Director Lisa Marcus provided the Board with an operational snapshot of the school, sharing that the curriculum was updated and the school has an increased focus on family and community. The Board gave her permission to apply for an available grant through the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT.
  2. Cabaret Night raised just under $2,500 in proceeds which benefits the Essential Services Fund.
  3. Building and Grounds is looking for volunteers to help do some deep cleaning of a section of tiles which need attention in the social hall. This will save Temple funds if we do the work in-house ourselves.
  4. The Terri Goldsmith Memorial Golf Tournament Committee has met twice. A portion of proceeds will benefit Smilow Cancer Hospital as they will help promote the fundraising event to their community.