|
FROM THE DESK OF PRESIDENT ROBERT FISHMAN
I want to take this column to recognize our volunteers. I have written about our volunteers before, but I think that, with all the effort that our volunteers put into making our shul the vibrant, active organization that it is, one that is full of life, I can’t comment on this subject too much.
One moment before I get into that, though - on Saturday, May 1st we will honor the religious school teachers at our Shabbat morning service, to be followed by a kiddush. As some of you know, I am now and still will be far away from home, traveling for work, but I wanted to thank the staff for all of the work they do with the children of our members. I wish each of our Religious School staff a hearty Mazel Tov and a heartfelt thank you from the entire membership.
At the time I am writing this, I have been away from home for two full weeks, giving me the unusual opportunity of watching our shul function from afar. It is wonderful to see that all of the pieces work so well, from the volunteers on the Executive Board, through each and every group and committee. A few words about the Executive Board – it is a small group, the six officers of Temple Beth Emunah, and the time and dedication of these individuals is truly immeasurable. These are people – like many of our volunteers – who think about problems, challenges and opportunities for enhancing or improving TBE literally morning, noon and night. Their dedication is complete – not at all limited to meeting days.
The members of the Board of Directors and, through them, members of our committees are key to keeping our organization functioning at a very high level. Just as some examples, as I glance through April’s bulletin, I see programs highlighted on the front and throughout. As I read about each activity, special programs for the full community or for specific areas such as the Religious School, I couldn't help but think about all the energy and attention that volunteers put into organizing and running them. These programs appeal to people across a wide range of ages with a wide variety of interests. In this particular issue of the bulletin, I was struck by how many programs are scheduled in just the few weeks covered in there. Run by volunteers, eachs attempt to reach across age groups, primary interests and social groups to include as many people as they can, seemingly offering something for everyone.
Without volunteers our shul would be empty. You watch over the facility on good days and bad, you work through Bingo, scrip and other programs so that we have operating expense money when dues is not enough, you hold events to enhance the curriculum of our Religious school, organize comedy nights and flea markets, you lead services, you deal with the issues related to ritual concerns that we have, you lead classes, you publish and disseminate the news about the TBE community, you manage the annual community seder, you invite speakers and plan the programs for the audience, you guide the educational and youth programs, you organize and prepare special Shabbat meals and programs for young people and not-as-young and you help to make our services meaningful.
I’m sure this list is not exhaustive, and I’ll apologize now to anyone whose area I’ve left out. Please understand that it was not intentional. While I know there are apt to be gaps, I mean this an examples of all the energy, thought and effort that our members commit. As many of you read this, no doubt you recognize yourself in one or more of the activities I’ve listed.
If you don’t see yourself here, we’d love to change that. Please get in touch with me (Robert.a.fishman@gmail.com or 508.584.3769) so we can chat.
I am away from home, but the Temple is not far from my thoughts. Thanks to all of our volunteers – you are the heart beat which carries our blood. The thanks I offer is really on behalf of each and every member, whose experience at Temple Beth Emunah is better because of you.
B'Shalom,
Bob Fishman
robert.a.fishman@gmail.com
|
