May 31st 2008, 00:00

June 1 marks the beginning of the 2008-09 fiscal year for Temple Beth Tikvah as well as the beginning of my second term in office. Thank you for making my first year so awesome, so enjoyable and so humbling. I have learned so much, and I hope to do a better job of using that knowledge in this coming year. I could not have done justice to my position without the constant help and input from so many of you. Thank you to Rabbi Milhander and to Miriam Van Raalte for their constant support. A special thanks to Executive Vice-President Mark Filowitz who has used both his leadership skills and his spot-on moral compass to keep me on course. Lila Pesner holds a special place in both my heart and in the heart of TBT for her historical knowledge of our Temple and for her willingness to help with any project, whether it is Project Legacy or making sure the silver on our Torahs is polished for High Holy Days. Thanks to TBT’s Board of Directors for working so hard and accomplishing so much this year. Perhaps my biggest thanks go to my wife, Sheri, and my son, Danny, for being so understanding of the many hours I have missed, and will miss, being a husband and father, while attending to my responsibilities at TBT.
For every one person I am remembering to thank, I am remembering dozens more who are also deserving of thanks and I realize I cannot possibly do so on this page. I can only hope that I always remember to be thankful and grateful every time I meet you. I do want to acknowledge those on the Board of Directors whose term has expired and have stepped down from their position. Education Vice-Presidents Dolly Boliver and Mindy Liron completed an important project to survey both the ECLC parents and the Temple congregants on a wide range of subjects. We listened to everyone’s thoughts and ideas on how to improve what we do and how we do it. Temple Leadership is in the process of making some changes reflective of those results and we were also very pleased to hear that, for the most part, there is wide approval for the manner in which the Temple operates. Membership Vice-presidents Ann Nanes and Louise Sussman worked hard to find creative ways to make Temple Beth Tikvah even more inviting to prospective and new members than it already is. They instituted our monthly “wine and cheese social” that has become very popular. With their creative ideas and their knowledge of how to get things done, Facilities Vice-Presidents, Lynda Trachtman, Sherri Chapman, Bob Cohen (continuing), and Joe Bloomfield made significant contributions to the beauty, safety, and integrity of our structure. The new roof, remodeled social hall and kitchen, and the improvements in the sanctuary were the visible parts of the many improvements made this last year. Publicity Vice-Presidents Tom and Tracy Green continued to make what we do at TBT visible to the outside world and they continue to lead our Outreach effort with many creative programs. Religious Practices Vice-Presidents Marilyn Roberts and Ariel Feldman (continuing), facilitated making sure all our religious and High Holy Day services ran smoothly and that the manner in which those services run is in keeping with Reform Judaism and our Temple’s own culture. We wish Marilyn and her husband Ken well in their new life in Reno. Ways and Means Vice-Presidents Rachael Wager-LaCross and Sandy Wager made unforgettable successful contributions to our Temple last year. Casino Night was well run and very profitable. We will always be especially grateful for the many, many hours they spent making the “Haim and Elaine Asa Dinner and Tribute” a wonderful, memorable evening and the most successful one-night fundraiser in our history. The new Board members have large shoes to fill and will be given all the support needed from all of us.
It was, all in all, a good year for TBT. We also left much undone. Our fundraising effort for Project Legacy has been very successful, but not complete. We are certainly more than 80% there, and when our modified plans become finished in the next few weeks, I am sure there will be renewed excitement and new pledges, allowing us to begin construction within the next few months. I have been amazed and gratified by the growing support by our Temple community for this all-important project. Our monthly “Town Hall” meetings will continue to keep you informed and allow you to voice your comments.
2008-09 promises to be one of the most eventful fiscal years in our history. Every one of us has an important part to play. I promise to do my best to fulfill my part. I hope every one of you will fulfill yours. Together we can continue to keep Temple Beth Tikvah the warm, caring community that it has always been.