Aug 5th 2011, 00:00

            After two weeks at URJ Camp Newman in Santa Rosa, it’s great to be back home – home, home and Temple home.  Jewish summer camp is an incredible experience, one that should be afforded every family and child who wishes to attend.  There is something magical that happens away at camp that simply cannot be duplicated by the synagogue no matter how hard we try to integrate elements of camp life.
            Now that my non-vacation is over, it’s time to roll up the sleeves and get back to work.  High Holy Days are just around the corner and we are still waiting to move into our new digs in the Asa Center.  Of course we are still in the dog days of summer, but rabbis across the country are hard at work preparing sermons and programs for the coming year.
            I know with Labor Day and the start of school still weeks away most of you are still in summer mode, but here at TBT we are in full mid-season stride.  This is our busiest time of the year and with the impending move over to our new building, there is even more work to be done.
            I have a job for you as well.  The next few weeks are when many Jews go shul-shopping.  Some are looking for a new congregation and community.  Some have moved into our area, some have just decided that it’s time.  Often during the summer we have many visitors and prospective members who attend services.  It’s very important that there are people here for them to talk to and to interact with.  It’s also very important that you invite friends, neighbors, and relatives to consider joining the Temple.  There is a narrow window of opportunity for synagogue membership as few people join mid-year.
            With the upcoming High Holy Days, most people start thinking about religious school and finding a spiritual home now.  So if you are like me and think that vacation is for those other people, I hope to see you at Temple some time over the next few weeks...and please bring a friend.
            I also want to remind you of our Internet broadcast.  We were the very first synagogue in the OC to live stream our services and with our new, faster connection, the picture and sound will be better than ever before.  So, if you can’t make it to Temple, consider joining us online.  Log onto our website: www.templebethtikvah.com and click on Live Services.
            Tonight at Temple we will have our Family Shabbat service at 7:30 PM with birthday and anniversary blessings for August.  Tomorrow at 9:00 AM is Torah Study and our Shabbat morning service at 10:00 AM.  Tomorrow night, join us for our summer luau out on the Mercaz (formerly known as the patio).  Have a great weekend and stay cool!