Catch Our Spirit

My dear congregation,

As I reflect on my time serving as your president, I am filled with a mix of emotions—gratitude for the privilege of leading such a vibrant community, sadness at the thought of stepping down, and hope for the future that lies ahead. It has been an honor beyond words to have served you in this capacity.

As I pass the torch to my successors, I am reminded of the wisdom found in the book of Ecclesiastes: “To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.” Indeed, my time as president has been a season of growth, learning, and shared experiences. But now, as a new chapter unfolds, it is time for someone else to take up the mantle of leadership and guide our congregation into the future.

I am grateful for the support and camaraderie of each and every one of you during my tenure. Together, we have celebrated joyous occasions, weathered challenges, and strengthened the bonds that unite us as a community. Your dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to our shared values have inspired me beyond measure.

During the last two years here are some highlights that I can point on that has occurred. We found ourselves a Rabbi after not having one for almost a year when I took over as the president. We have almost doubled the amount of members during that time, programming which was non existent not only started but has helped propel the synagogue to many new heights. Education classes which were non existent started up here, a Synagogue friendship group started up here, simcha celebrations like Pop shabbats started in the Synagogue started up, new programming and membership committees formed and thrived, new volunteer board members came aboard, and we applied for and received a sizable security grant for the synagogue’s security. Those are just some of the highlights and changes that have occurred but there were other ones too.

I wish I could say everything went perfectly, but alas it didn’t. Some disagreements occurred that mean the loss of some people, for them I would like to acknowledge their contributions and appreciation. I also learned an interesting lesson as President, did you know that some Jews like to Kvetch and maybe even whine? I was so surprised!!

As I step down from this role, I am reminded of the words of Rabbi Hillel: “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, what am I?” Serving as your president has taught me the importance of selflessness, of putting the needs of the community above my own. It is a lesson that I will carry with me always.

When I became the president of Beth Ami I came across a very popular verse that struck me as having real-significance ” Na’aseh v’ nishma”- Do first, understand later. While I hardly was standing in the crowd as Moses was handing down the Torah, I can definetely say that I was a bit out of my element ……. In fact, I am pretty sure if you looked up in the dictionary of who would be the last person to be the president of a synagogue I am pretty sure I would be in there.

These last two years have brought myself a new understanding of our people, a new appreciation for those who came before us to continue our lineage, a deepening desire of passing down to the next generation the love of our faith, and a better understanding of why Jewish people are so special.

Though my time as president may be coming to an end, my love for this congregation and my commitment to its well-being will endure. I look forward to continuing to be an active member of our community, supporting its growth and success in whatever ways I can.

With that I need to speak to you about something that I am very involved with as today’s events demand that we speak about this or lest what happened to you our people in Germany about 90 years ago will be repeated again.
There is a famous Yiddish saying, that ‘Words should be weighed, not counted’.

There are no speech that I can give, no words of comfort or solace I can offer that can ever take away the pain of what happened in Israel on Oct 7th.

Today I make mention and honor those young victims who got killed while simply living their lives listening to music. We stand together with their families and their loved ones, as they experienced trauma which no one should ever have to. We thank the heroes who protected others. Who showed us that, faced with evil, humanity is capable of good.

But today, we cannot help thinking of the fear. The fear of all the victims and witnesses in Israel and in America, the fear for the Jewish students in colleges all over the country. And we think back of the fear that every Jewish person in Europe felt almost 90 years ago. That heart-sinking fear that Europe’s Jewish community knows all too well. That fear which comes back stronger after every anti-Semitic attack that is reported on the news:

For every one of those incidents we see in the news, there are many more which happen every single day across our Union. They may be smaller and less violent in nature, but they are real and they are on the rise. And they create an atmosphere in which Jews no longer feel safe and start doubting their future worldwide.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
These attacks – big or small – are attacks on the Jewish community.

But their consequences and their repercussions are attacks on all of us: on our way of life, our values, our tolerance, our unity in diversity.

Anti-Semitism is a poison for our community. And it is up to all to fight it, to prevent it and to eradicate it. The fight against anti-Semitism is as much for every other part of our community as it is for Jewish people. And it is one which must be led at local, regional, national and at a worldwide level. We must all do our part.

The Jewish community is not alone. This is the message I will take with me to Israel in a few weeks where I will be celebrating a family simcha. As the now former president of a synagogue my message to my family over there is that they are not alone and with every drop of my being, every ounce of will and if need be every ounce of my blood, i WILL STAND BY OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ISRAEL! Even though it looks like our government is shamefully turning it’s back on Israel in it’s hour of needs for survival, I will ask you as Jews to demand our government do the moral and ethical right thing by supporting the one true democracy in the middle east!

Now onto the last part, my deepest thanks and appreciation to so many people who stood my side these last few years. Without them, I can’t even imagine how I could have survived. Marty Roth, our treasurer, ritual head, confidante, consiglieri and most of all my brother. You were the person who I leaned on to be the voice of reason, the source of information and most of all the place to go to for answers for so many questions. Without you I would have been lost in the woods but you were there the whole time and I am very grateful.

David Strauss- i am not sure to thank you or curse you for doing this to me….I totally kid of course, thank you for being a mentor, a resource and a wonderful friend. I stood on your shoulders after your hard work, love and dedication to Beth Ami.

To Paul Erstein who came into the Shul as a humble person just looking to help out if we needed and then became indispensable in a short time. Your passion and dedication is amazing and Beth Ami is very lucky to have you as the new co-president.

Dottie Pierce, your dedication and love to the Shul is unmatched. Your kindness, thoughtfulness, generosity, wisdom and smile has been a g-d send. Thank you so much for everything you have done for myself and the Synagogue.

Sherl Stern, Fred Chicowski, Richard Indike, Jules Epstein, Sharon Citron, Stuart Shlosserman all of the board who give of your time, resources, money and care for our Shul. I am grateful to you all for you contributions and help.

To Miguel and our office staff, thank you for being here to open and close the Shul, keep the building going, taking messages, calling vendors, speaking to our members, and doing what’s needed to keep Beth Ami running.

I am now going to pat myself on the back for my best action as the President. They say in sports it’s better to be lucky than good sometimes, well when it came to finding a Rabbi I guess I lucked out in finding our dear Rabbi. For those of you who may not remember we were without a Rabbi, a spiritual leader, for almost a year when I took over. Apparently Hashem had plans for us I guess and he put the Rabbi and us together. It would take awhile to list all the things that Rabbi Keiffer and our Rebitzen Dianne have brought to the synagogue but personally for me it meant having the soul restored to the synagogue for without a Rabbi to lead us, where we would be today? Rabbi you helped put Beth Ami back on the map, you gave reason for people to come to shul, you established programs, called our congregants’, visited the sick, officiated life cycle events, lead us in prayers, heck you even put on sweaters that would make any reasonable human being person blush! Suffice to say Rabbi my credibility was enhanced by your work and efforts and I am very appreciative.

Dianne, thank you for being such a driving force. Your passion in the synagogue is unmatched. When you and the Rabbi came in, you brought a wealth of experience that was so instrumental in re-establishing Beth Ami as a place to go. From your dinners to your programs to your tireless work ethic, I am forever in your debt. What is amazing is that many people didn’t know that she did this and not once ever raise her voice and yell!

To my Bershert my wife Jacqueline, thank you for sharing me with everyone else. I know it wasn’t easy standing by the side as I turned to talk to others, or wait to walk in or out of the synagogue by yourself, or sit in the seats without me. Your patience was appreciated as board meetings went on for hours and meals were missed together. I never thought that I would end up in the role of President, as you know I am proud to say i have served and I will be of service.

To everyone else, thank you all for your kindness, smiles and support. Without you, our synagogue and faith would suffer and we would not be Mishpuchah.

In closing, I want to express my deepest gratitude to each of you for the privilege of serving as your president.

May we continue to walk together on this journey of faith, friendship, and mutual support, guided by the timeless teachings of our tradition.

With heartfelt thanks and warmest wishes.