Our newsletter, the FOCUS, is printed and mailed out every other month. This page contains highlights. Please contact the temple office if you'd like to be on the mailing list.
From the Rabbi's Desk
June/July
When I was a child growing up in a small synagogue in Massachusetts, I was very aware that my home rabbi and his colleagues took the majority of the summer off. As a youngster, I actually thought that God went on vacation too! Turns out, even though I think God may really, really need a vacation, the Eternal One (hence the name) does not get any time off…
I have been thinking a lot about time these days. In part, because I constantly hear the phrases “the holidays are really early this year” or, on alternative years, “the holidays are really late this year.” The holidays are actually always on time. Rosh Hashanah is always on the first of Tishrei, Yom Kippur on the tenth, Passover on the fifteenth of Nisan, Shavuot on the sixth of Sivan, Tisha B’Av on the ninth of Av, etc. I love that about our holidays. At any given point, we can look up at the sky and see the moon and know when a holiday is approaching.
After being here a year, I have observed many wonderful aspects of Or Chadash… the hearts, the kindness, the love, and so much more. But, another reason for my recent thoughts on time is the “Or Chadash time” standard. I have noticed the high number of meetings that start late, the fluid nature of start times for programs, and events. And, I stand guilty too. Although counter to the teachings of my parents and of other rabbis in my life, I have also started programs, meetings, and even worship services late. Thus, now I have become part of the problem. I apologize. Recently, for the second time since I have been here, I have started a Saturday morning Shabbat service more than twenty minutes late in an attempt to wait for key relatives and that is not fair. It is not fair to congregants who arrive on time, it is not fair to guests that arrive on time, it is not fair to everyone present, and it is not fair to God.
As I ponder the “Or Chadash time standard,” I am going to work to being part of the solution, rather than part of the problem. I am going to make a concerted effort, while still trying to be sensitive to the needs of others, to start events, programs, meetings, and especially worship services on time. I invite you to join me in this task. People come late because they know we start late; thus, if we start shifting to being more on-time, perhaps more people will arrive on time. In this way, we can honor each other by showing that we respect their time. William Shakespeare wrote “better three hours too soon than a minute too late.”
L’Shalom,
Rabbi Alison B. Kobey
From the President's Desk
June/July
Meet the new President
Growing up in the predominantly Jewish neighborhood of Squirrel Hill in Pittsburgh, I vividly remember Mom and Dad telling me, “This is a great country. You could grow up to be President.” Well, I am not sure whether this is what they had in mind, but I am very excited about leading the congregation – with the new Board!
In my secular life, my days revolve around solving labor and employment problems in the Federal government. Cheryl and I moved to the DC area in 1984; we have lived in Germantown since 1985. Our daughter Miriam graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in psychology; she is gainfully employed in Germantown. Our daughter Danielle just completed her sophomore year at Ithaca College; she attends the Park School of Communication.
The new board is a nice, diverse mix of returning or former Board members and new members, men and women, young and youthful but not quite as young.
Thank you for entrusting us to take on the responsibility of congregational leadership. Todah rabah!
MY VISION
Build on our strengths/address our weaknesses
We have a beautiful temple building; however, it is time to renovate the sanctuary furniture.
Let’s revitalize our brotherhood and sisterhood auxiliaries and get more congregants involved!
Engage congregants/not just more congregants, but more active congregants
Check out the calendar; we have many and varied programs. Commit to try out a program of interest.
Over the last year, committees have dramatically expanded their roles in temple life; pick one area of interest and consider some level of involvement!
Ensuring a vibrant congregation into the future
Our professional staff is top notch; we have an outstanding choir and musical program; our holiday and Shabbat services are spiritual, moving and educational; the school program is impressive.
Even though this is our 25th year as a congregation, it is time for us to ensure the future of our temple.
As part of the reform movement, we need to be aligned with the framework of URJ’s platforms, but not alienate our interfaith families.
Let’s be comfortable with traditional melodies and exited to vary them with contemporary alternatives.
JUNE/JULY (SIVAN, TAMMUZ & AV)
Please don’t take a break from the temple over the summer; we have planned an extensive array of programs!
