President – November 2024

Following the next phase of our empty nester stage, Jonathan and I recently moved 27 minutes north of Temple Emanu-El, from a suburban street in Waterford just 10 minutes away where we raised our kids and accumulated 22 years of stuff, to a new home on a farm situated on a long and windy country road in Preston. I am grateful for the beautiful sunrises which pop up from behind a tree line and warm sunsets that disappear behind the stables that house our new extended family – five charming goats and a cranky Muscovy duck – who keep us company and remind us every day of our purpose. I appreciate the dark starlit skies, the new collage of bird calls, and the new experiences and perspectives which come with them. I am now accustomed to my longer commute to work and to the Temple. Thanks to Audible, I can keep up with Sisterhood’s Book Club by listening to the book each month. And I look forward to the weekly learners’ mahjongg circle in the social hall on Sundays. What do you appreciate?

Thanksgiving Day will be celebrated across our nation later this month, but it should be every day at Temple Emanu-El. Our community is powered by countless volunteers. Sometimes nice things magically appear or happen at our Temple, and we’ll never know who was responsible. It is important to acknowledge the energy, time, and resources that generous individuals give to benefit all of us. We are so very blessed.

The best thing to do to show appreciation is to also be moved to give of ourselves, not to pay mystery people back necessarily, but to pay it forward so that we can foster a culture of graciousness. Our community was built for us before our arrival, and it is our sacred role to help ensure it continues for generations to come.

You may have noticed during High Holidays that we have new modern communication vehicles, digital monitors in both the social hall entrance area and the school atrium. These devices were donated to Temple Emanu-El, for the purpose of warmly welcoming all upon their arrival, featuring upcoming events/RSVP deadlines, and recognizing our Temple’s benefactors, patrons, and sponsors who have invested in our community. Their generous donations help offset significant operational expenses and ensure that we can afford vital programming.

Thank you to the Waterford Police Department, Rich McCaffrey, and all our volunteers who served as parking and check-in attendants, greeters, and ushers during the High Holiday season. Because of these security protocols in place, congregants and visitors were comfortable gathering, and overall, we saw about a 50% increase in attendance over last year’s High Holiday services. We enjoyed a strong multigenerational presence and we used every extra row we set up into the social hall. In the afternoon we had to print more extra copies of the Neilah service prayer booklet – a good problem to have! Thanks a million to Greg Morea and his Break the Fast volunteer crew who put out an amazing spread that disappeared very quickly!

And how awesome was our sukkah this year? That was thanks to all of our volunteers who dropped off cornstalks, gourds, grasses and something new this year – solar-powered lights! Thanks to our helpers who prepared the sukkah before Religious School early on Sunday October 13 so our teachers and students could add their spark of creativity with their mini gourd, birdhouse, and paper chain trimmings. It truly was a collective effort that everyone was able to enjoy. Thank you to Rabbi Marc and the b’nai mitzvah class for leading the Sukkot service and to Jennifer Zettler, Lisa Marcus, and the Religious School Committee who planned the pizza salad dinner which was very well attended. It was the greatest number of people I’ve seen packed into our sukkah yet! I hope you had a chance to visit the sukkah — it truly was a sight to see on Erev Sukkot — the full moon shining above a glowing sukkah! Enjoy the photos included in this Bulletin.

And although at the time of this writing we have not yet celebrated Simchat Torah, thank you to Sam Winograd and the Religious Practices Committee for planning a special celebration enhanced by a pasta and salad dinner.

Do you want to know more about Judaism or know anyone wondering if Judaism is for them? There’s a perfect forum starting later this month. Contact Rabbi Marc about joining him for his Exploring Judaism 3-week course which begins on Tuesday, Nov. 21 at 6:30 p.m.

Remember to RSVP early/on time for November’s activities. And let’s all make it a priority to exercise our civic duty by voting on Tuesday, November 5!

Toda Raba,
Armi