Rabbi's Column - Summer 2024

Dear Friends,

In these days of division and strife, I’d like to share with you something that gives me tremendous hope: our young people.

Many of you joined us recently for a conversation with Yale Hillel’s executive director Uri Cohen. Uri is professional, insightful, and strategic. He reflected on this spring’s tumult on college campuses, explaining his journey to being a trusted partner and voice for Yale’s Jewish students in the highest levels of the university’s administration.

But most impressive of all were our college students (who attend schools around the country). They spoke with honesty and passion about experiencing a challenging year on campus. Each of these six young people eloquently conveyed their Jewish pride and their standing up to antisemitism. Like many Jews in their generational cohort, they do not believe that they have to choose between safety for Israelis and justice for Palestinians. This is all the more impressive given that campus culture so often screams the opposite message in their faces. Their ability to hold many difficult emotions and truths while still being confident in who they are is a total inspiration. Kol HaKavod — well done. Thank you to Kulanu for organizing this deeply meaningful evening.

Just a few days later came Shavuot, and we celebrated the confirmation of three special 10th-graders. They were called to the Torah to read the ten commandments, and each of them shared reflections on the year of learning. Unsurprisingly, they all spoke about the Israel-Hamas war, since Israel’s history has been the main focus of our year of study. They, too, conveyed their Jewish pride and their commitment to proceed into the next chapter of their lives with critical thought, conscience, and confidence and who they are. They spoke about BBYO, the international youth movement of which SALTY is part. They spoke about their special experience in our religious school. They are positioned to be leaders and builders of the Jewish future. As a rabbi, there’s nothing that makes me prouder.

By now it should be abundantly clear that we have some special young people here at TBT, and of course that is because we have special families. Families who choose to opt-in to Judaism in spite of the societal forces that challenge that decision. Families who choose learning and dialogue over the need to ‘be right.’ I love about our congregation that we can listen to one another and engage in difficult decisions with civility and curiosity. Throughout the last several years of my serving TBT, I have seen our teens model this time and time again.

My year serving as teacher to our teens is also a reminder that what’s going on in the news is not necessarily all that’s going on in the world. Headlines, whether about events in the middle east or on domestic college campuses, tend to be driven by all that is ugly. This is the most basic way that bias can creep into news coverage. But behind the headlines, there is a lot of unreported goodness and basic decency. There are the actions of rodfei shalom (Psalms 43.15) — pursuers of peace. Our young people are pursuers of peace. We should listen to them. They are leading us.

Shalom,
Rabbi Moss

President's Column - Summer 2024

Dear TBT Family,

For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Josh Broder, and I am deeply humbled and honored to begin my tenure as your President of Temple Beth Tikvah. Allow me to share a bit about myself and my journey to this momentous role.

I grew up in Waterbury, Connecticut, where my entire family has roots. My mother attended Temple Israel (Reform), and my father was a member of Beth El (Conservative), which is where I spent my formative years. Although Beth El no longer exists and has since been replaced by a Yeshivah, the memories and values instilled in me there remain vibrant.

My brother and I attended Ezra Academy, a Schechter day school in Woodbridge, CT (K-8), which profoundly shaped us both religiously and secularly. Our 8th grade class trips to Israel in the 1990s were particularly transformative. Inspired by seeing her sons receive a strong Jewish education, my mother, who grew up in the Reform Movement in the 1950s and early 1960s, had an adult Bat Mitzvah in her 40s. Remarkably, her tutor was Cantor Irving Pinsky, the same person who helped me prepare for my Bar Mitzvah in 1993.

After graduating from Ezra Academy, I attended Holy Cross High School in Waterbury. It was a stark contrast, as I was the only Jewish student there. This experience broadened my perspective, preparing me for the diverse world beyond the sheltered environment of Ezra.

I then pursued my studies at UConn, majoring in accounting. During my time there, I became an active member of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity (AEPi). In my final year, I served as an undergraduate supreme governor on the international board of directors, visiting chapters nationwide and advocating for Jewish students' rights on college campuses. My involvement with AEPi continues to this day, and many of my closest friends are brothers from those memorable years in Storrs, CT.

In 2003, I began my career as a financial advisor with what was then American Express Financial Advisors, now Ameriprise Financial. Today, I own and run a large franchise called Centurion Wealth Management, with offices in Cheshire, North Haven, and Dayton, OH. Our team of 11 is dedicated to helping clients achieve their financial dreams.

On a personal note, my wife Alison and I were members of CBSRZ for five years before joining TBT in 2016, as our son Cooper prepared to start religious school. Cooper will become a Bar Mitzvah on September 7, later this year. We love traveling the world, and I enjoy sports, fast cars, and cooking for friends and family.

In Karen Goldberg’s last column as President of TBT, she mentioned Al Goldberg’s wise words: you don’t have to know how to do everything in this position; you just need to surround yourself with others who do and are willing to help. This philosophy guided me in assembling our new Board of Trustees for the next two years. We have a diverse and talented group—new to the board, new to the shul, younger, older, male, female—who will work together to make our community the best it can be.

TBT is a place where everyone feels welcome, without constraints to joining, where all are treated as equals, and our shared bond of Judaism unites us in faith, prayer, community, and love. I pledge to uphold these values and traditions and encourage everyone to get involved in ways that resonate with you—whether through committees, special events, religious school, preschool, adult education, Kesher groups. If there is something you feel is missing, please let me know so we can work together to make it a reality.

Thank you for your confidence in me. Please do not hesitate to reach out for anything you need moving forward.

Todah rabah meod (thank you very much)!

Warm regards,

Josh Broder, President, Temple Beth Tikvah

Rabbi's Column - June 2024

Dear Friends,

I invite all my B'nai Mitzvah students to ask me a "big question" that would be hard for ChatGPT to answer. Recently, Levi A. asked, "What do you think would happen if the Jews were to lose Israel?" This is a sad, difficult, and very important question. I told Levi as much, and so I'm sharing a few reflections here, too.

Over its 76-year history, Israel has faced numerous threats. Every war triggers existential fears. Israel's existence has never been assured, which is why it has built one of the strongest armies in the world.

Israel is still a young country. If we look back 3000 years to King Solomon and the first Temple in Jerusalem, 1948 to 2024 constitutes only about 2% of Jewish history. We lost control of Israel when the Romans destroyed the Temple 2000 years ago, leading to centuries of exile.

Exile wasn't just a geographical reality; it was a profound sorrow we carried for centuries. The book of Psalms reflects this in a poem from the first exile to Babylonia: "By the Waters of Babylon/There we sat down/And we wept/As we remembered Zion….If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my hand wither…” (Psalms 137).

Later Jewish texts also reflect this yearning. One Midrash explains that when the Temple was destroyed, God went into exile too, departing Jerusalem and the presence of our people.

For almost 2000 years, Jews dreamed of returning to our homeland. This longing was embedded in daily life: in prayers for the rebuilding of Jerusalem, in facing East during prayer, in breaking a glass at weddings to recall the Temple's destruction. The land of Israel is central to Jewish history and identity.

Can you imagine if your home, livelihood, and every routine disappeared in an instant? It's hard to relate to this feeling today, which is a good thing: it shows how comfortable we have been in the United States.

At my summer camp, we had an activity on Tisha Ba’av, the saddest Jewish holiday when we mourn the destruction of the Temples and other catastrophes. Campers spent an hour building intricate gingerbread houses, which the counselor suddenly trampled to the ground. It was an attempt to invite us to consider the feelings that accompany the loss of home, identity, and way of life. (However misguided from a 2024 perspective…)

In exile, Jews lived at the whim of mercurial leaders. The Purim story dramatizes this: an evil minister plots to destroy the Jews by manipulating the king. While likely a work of fiction, the story reflects the reality of how quickly fortunes could change for Jews.

Our  ancestors  were  exiled  from  many  lands:  Italy,  Egypt,  Spain,  Portugal,  England,  Russia, Switzerland, North Africa...the list goes on and on.  By the 1800s, Jews became citizens of modern nation-states like France and Germany, finally gaining equal rights. Many believed our tragic history was over.

Then came Hitler. Germany, the paradigm of a modern, civilized society, proved that modernity did not guarantee safety. To the contrary: it guaranteed that the dangers we faced were greater than ever before.

This context is the backdrop of Levi's question. Throughout history, Jews have faced discrimination, draconian restrictions, expulsions, forced conversions, and murder. Facing blood libels, pogroms, and unending antisemitic conspiracies, Jewish dreamers across Europe came to believe that returning to our homeland was the only solution. The State of Israel was conceived as a safe haven for Jews worldwide, a modern political solution to an ancient problem. That, simply stated, is Zionism. Israel has done remarkable things to follow through on this promise, including daring rescues in Entebbe, Uganda, and absorbing Jews from Ethiopia and the Former Soviet Union.

So, what if Israel ceased to exist? With nine million people living there, where would they go? Some propose a multinational state for Jews and Arabs, but it’s unclear how Jews would fare absent the ability to protect themselves. (On the other hand, life for Palestinian Arabs in Israel is complex, but generally safe and even prosperous). It seems naive in the extreme to imagine that such a state is a pragmatic possibility.

The other option is that seven million or so Jews would have to leave. Where would they go? Here? Canada? Argentina? Either outcome would involve terrible violence to Jewish safety and identity. The elimination of the Jewish state would be a catastrophe akin to the destruction of the ancient Temples or the Holocaust. We would eventually survive and adapt, as we always have, but our people would never be the same. Over the last 2000 years, we accepted exile temporarily, thrived and persevered, but never gave up the dream of return. So, we would go back to dreaming.

Israel's national anthem expresses the longing for our homeland with the phrase - nefesh Yehudi Homiyah - the Jewish soul murmurs a yearning… In the scenario Levi asks about, we would resume hoping and praying, as our ancestors did, to once again realize our dream of self-determination - l’hiot am chofshi b’artzeinu - to be a free people in our homeland. As students of history, we know that this is required to bring true safety to Jews everywhere. Israel has already fulfilled this dream in so many respects. The next step is to fulfill our people's mandate as makers of peace. (The recent Abraham Accords indicate that progress is always possible, distant though it may feel.)

Every conflict is only a conflict until it isn’t.

Please God, let us build a world where Israel is secure and at peace with its neighbors.

I appreciate Levi’s question, and hope ardently that one day, no student will ever feel the need to ask it again.

Rabbi Danny Moss

President's Column - June 2024

A Journey from Hope to Gratitude

The first time I addressed you during the High Holidays of 2022, I spoke about hope. At that time, our congregation was navigating significant changes and challenges: we had a new Rabbi, were seeking anew cantor-educator, and managing a major construction project that tested us at every turn. Services were held in various locations, we were stressed about raising money for our capital campaign, and construction obstacles led to delays and increased costs.

Despite these challenges, I held on to hope.

Dear Friends,

Today, in my final Shofar column as your President, I want to speak about gratitude.

Gratitude is a central theme in Judaism. As it says in Deuteronomy, "When you have eaten your fill and have built fine houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks have multiplied, and your silver and gold is multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied, do not exalt yourself, forgetting the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.… Do not say to yourself, 'My power and the might of my own hand have gained me this wealth.' "

At TBT over the past two years, we have indeed "eaten our fill"((with record attendance at the Legacy / Chai member dinner, the Passover Seder, and the Gala), rebuilt our fine house (with a beautiful sanctuary), grown our flock (increased membership by 40 families in the last 2 years), and multiplied our silver and gold (continued success of our capital campaign). I do not say "my power has gained me this wealth." Instead, I say Toda Raba (Thank you very much) to my family, to my synagogue community, and to G-d.

We have so much to be grateful for. Our building stands as a testament to our resilience, and our growing membership and vibrant programs reflect our community's vitality. Our religious school is flourishing under our new temple educator, Ira Wise, and our preschool, under the direction of Jen Casillo, is full with happy, well-loved, playful children. Our teens are attending BBYO events in large numbers, our b'nei mitzvahs have been doing beautifully, and our Rabbi is busy teaching, singing, leading services, and providing pastoral care. Our Chesed Committee is providing meals to the sick, helping with Shivas, and giving rides to our congregants. Our Kulanu Committee has been leading efforts to engage both our community and the interfaith community in important conversations about antisemitism. Our Kesher groups are active, with eight different affinity groups involving 60 congregants. We had a new members brunch with over 40 attendees. And, we are about to celebrate TBT at our first annual gala. The health ofour synagogue is strong.

TBT is strong because of all of you. It has been incredible to see so many of you step up when I have asked you to volunteer your time, expertise, and money.

Thank you to those who joined the board, even when you didn't want to.

Thank you to those who chaired different programs, despite your hesitations. Thank you to those who worked hard on our security committee.

Thank you to our members who have served on our search committees. Thank you to our party planners and decorating gurus.

Thank you to our committee members who make our services spiritual and beautiful and our programming rich and relevant.

Thank you to our parents who help improve our religious school and our preschool.

Thank you for caring about each other and stepping up to be with each other at all of life's moments - joyful and painful.

And thank you to our amazing staff: Rabbi Moss, Ira Wise, Jen Casillo, Kim Romine, Chris Lancio, Herman Solivan, and our Preschool and Religious School Teachers. None of us would be here without you. Thank you for all you do.

I remember telling Al Goldberg, when he asked me to consider being president, that I couldn't because I knew nothing about finance or creating a temple budget. He replied that I didn’t need to know how to do each piece of the job; I just needed to surround myself with people who do. That was great advice, and I am so thankful to all of you who have made these two years successful. It is challenging to be a temple president, but it has also been fulfilling and joyful.

Gratitude fills my heart as I reflect on our journey together.

Our congregation embodies resilience, community, caring, and faith.
I am profoundly honored and thankful to have served as your president.

Karen Goldberg, Temple President

Temple Educator's Column - June 2024

Excerpt from Ira's TBT Annual Meeting Report

I want to thank the leadership, Rabbi Moss and the staff for putting your trust in me as Interim Director nine and a half months ago. I was told at the time that my main task was to bring a sense of stability and calm to the teachers, parents and students of our Religious School.

I am very proud of the work of our teachers and madrichim who were instrumental in bringing this goal to reality. While I could teach, lead and encourage them – they were the ones in the rooms with our children. They created meaningful and authentic experiences and made each child feel seen and heard…

As Temple Educator, it is my task to work with you – our members and leaders, the senior staff and our faculty – to determine how to move forward and take us to the next level of learning.

The first thing we have to ask ourselves is "Why Change?"

Research tells us that the unique experiences of each generation mold their views, wants, needs and expectations. Our sacred challenge is to figure out how to engage and inspire the younger generations without disenfranchising or disenchanting those who have been here for decades. And even better - to bring the older generations along on this joyous road.

Part of this challenge involves building the plane while the plane is in the air. We do not have the luxury of putting everything on pause while we sit down to flesh out where we are going. There will be Shabbat this weekend. There will be Religious School tomorrow and Sunday and again in September. And Preschool will march on.

Our first steps are around curriculum and pedagogy – the content and the methods of learning. Our current curriculum is built around a pre-packaged and purchased product that was originally designed to respond to the needs of using Zoom as the primary medium for learning. It is a good, but limited curriculum, especially as we have returned to being in the same spaces with our students.

Once we agree why we need to change, we need to decide where to begin.

We are taking a three-pronged approach. We will focus on
1) curriculum – what we learn,
2) pedagogy – how we teach or transmit the curriculum, and
3) communication – how we describe and tell the story of how youth learning happens at Temple Beth Tikvah.

In April, the Curriculum Working Group was convened by chair Lizzie Sharp. It is a group of fourteen people that includes professional educators, parents of future and current students as well as alumni, two religious school teachers and two teenagers.

The next question is what content What Should Be Learned? (Curriculum)

If a child attends our school from kindergarten through high school graduation, they will have approximately 900 hours of class time over 13 years. And most children, even those who love the experience and are encouraged by dedicated parents, attend far less than that. It’s a reality.

The other reality is that even in 900 hours we cannot squeeze in all the history and customs and language and tradition and community-building and… that we’d like. So decisions have to be made about what gets more attention and what gets less. These types of decisions can be made based on the experiences and expertise of our Temple Educator or dictated by an off-the-shelf curriculum, but to be truly effective the choices need to be made through careful reflection which incorporates Temple Beth Tikvah’s values and philosophies as well as a deep understanding of the needs and desires of our students and their parents.

Our learning goals will be framed by our temple’s mission: “Temple Beth Tikvah is a vibrant, inclusive Reform Jewish community, guided by Torah and interconnected through our traditions and values of tikkun hanefesh (enriching our lives) and tikkun olam (improving our world).”

The Curriculum Working Group is working to recommend a framework for the curriculum, the values and content that will be taught. I will use that process and product to develop the guidelines for teachers and determine the needed supplies and training for it to be implemented. This will be a staged process, with successive areas of the curriculum rolled out over the next 18 months. The Education Committee will be asked to adopt the recommendations as they are developed.

Second, it’s critical that we focus on How We Teach (Pedagogy)

I have been working with our teachers to expand their pedagogic toolboxes, with an intense focus on experiential learning. This refers to the deliberate infusion of Jewish values into engaging and memorable experiences that impact the formation of Jewish identity. The idea is to focus less on learning facts, dates and data – although we will still do that – and more on creating experiences that help our kids be hands-on with being Jewish.

We will continue to work on developing Experiential learning skills, and will expand our focus to include Social, Emotional and Spiritual learning goals – reaching inside the learners, trying to connect to their hearts and souls in addition to their minds.

Our third focus is on Communication – how we will describe how youth learning happens at Temple Beth Tikvah.

A separate working group will begin to meet in the fall to explore a name change for what we now call Religious School and how we tell our story. The name may change or it may not. Whatever we choose, we need to be able to articulate to ourselves as well as to those looking for a congregation what we are all about. And we want it to be something unique that speaks to how kids learn today.

We are about to celebrate Shavuot, which marks the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Every member of the children of Israel was there, regardless of gender or age. In Parshat Nitzavim, we are told “I make this covenant, with its sanctions, not with you alone, but both with those who are standing here with us this day before our God and with those who are not with us here this day.”

The rabbis interpreted this to mean that every member of Am Yisrael – the people of Israel – who would ever live was also there. Let me conclude by asking that we all stand at Sinai together.

We are looking for a few new teachers, and I invite you to consider joining our faculty or serving as a substitute.

Participate in one of our working groups or serve on the education committee which guides learning at TBT.

Pirkei Avot teaches that we are not required to complete the task, but we are not free to desist from it. A congregation of learners means we are all learners and teachers.

Join us.
Ira Wise

Rabbi's Column - April 2024

Dear Friends,

Do you know where the largest Pesach seder in the world takes place? I’ll give you a minute to guess for yourself — the answer will surprise you!

Pesach (Passover) ranks as one of the most widely observed Jewish Holidays. Even those who do not attend synagogue or otherwise practice Judaism often find themselves around the seder table, asking the four questions and speaking of our ancestors’ journey to redemption.

The story of the Exodus is so compelling because it touches on universal human themes: the triumph of good over evil, and the quest for freedom. For that reason, the Jewish freedom story has inspired freedom-seekers throughout history, including the 17th-century Pilgrims and enslaved Africans. When my grandfather was alive, he would love to hear Al Jolson sing Go Down Moses — an abolitionist protest song influenced by the plight of the Biblical Israelites. This year, many Jews will place an olive on their seder plates as an aspiration for the liberation of both Israelis and Palestinians.

In short, Pesach’s universal themes bring an ancient story to contemporary relevance, every year. Perhaps that is why it is so widely celebrated. And I am so glad that this year, TBT will be holding our community Seder for the first time since 2019! Because many folks travel or spend the first two nights with family, our seder will take place on the fifth night of Pesach: Friday, April 26th. Our Seder will be joyous, uplifting and fun for TBT folks from ages 0-120. I hope to see you and your family there. Because our wonderful planning committee needs to order the right amount of food and set up our space properly, we ask for all RSVPs no later than April 11th. (RSVP here) Further information about the seder can be found later in the Shofar.

It is so important for us to be together to share these stories, especially in a year like this. If you are in town for that Friday night, please join us. You will be glad you did.

Oh, and in case you still wanted to know: the largest Passover seder in the world takes place in Kathmandu, Nepal.

I wish you and your family a Chag Kasher V’Sameach (a happy Matzah-filled holiday),
Rabbi Danny Moss

Temple Educator's Column - April 2024

Full disclosure: I am a comic book fan boy. Always have been. I once had a subscription to the Legion of Super-Heroes. The new issue arrived by mail! (I am also one of those fan boys whose mother gave away the collection while he was in college. Sigh.) I still enjoy comics now and then, and I love all the superhero movies.

I have not given up my love of superheroes. As I have matured, I have learned that there are REAL superheroes. They rarely wear a cape, although occasionally they wear tights – even if they are not going to a yoga class. And while they cannot fly or stop bullets with their bracelets, they can make imaginations soar and help us feel stronger than ever.

I am talking about teachers of course. And because of who I am and where you are reading this, I am particularly talking about Jewish teachers. Our teachers do amazing things. If you have a child in our religious school, I don’t need to tell you about them. You know. If your kids are out of the house, or not yet old enough to join us on Sundays or Wednesdays, you have not had the pleasure of hearing kids running up to their parents in the lobby to tell them about what happened in their classroom or somewhere else in the building.

I have only been here since August, but I would be happy to sit down over a cup of coffee and tell you some great stories about Miriam Heyman (K), Karen Rabinovici (1st), Jack Brown and Lia Solomon (2nd), Lizzie Sharp (3rd ), Eli Buchdahl (4th ), Noah Tirschwell (5 th ), Danya DubrowCompaine (6th), Shelley Capozzi (7th) or Rabbi Moss (10th - 12th ) and the amazing experiences they have created for their learners. (I teach 8th and 9th , but I don’t like to blow my own horn.)

One of the things that helps make some of these heroes most effective is that they are members of the congregation. I have yet to hear something like “Hey Lauren! It is so cool that your mom is our teacher!” at TBT, but I have heard it often throughout my career, as I love to hire our members to teach.

Why am I telling you all of this? First of all, join me in shepping naches (being really proud) from all of the amazing things our fellow congregants are doing. Next, and just as importantly, please think about becoming a member of our team. Start by reaching out to me and we can talk about what being a teacher means, and what it can do for you. (All of our teachers do it because they love it – even though we do pay them!) We can dream a little bit together and I can help you develop some skills.

We do not look specifically for professionally trained teachers – although some of our teachers also teach in general education. We are looking for people who love kids and being Jewish, who are not overly shy and who are really good at listening. We are creating experiences where our learners can decide what being Jewish will mean to them, not just filling them with information.

Call me at 203-245-7028. Email me at rsdirector@tbtshoreline.org. Or just drop in. Teaching will be great for you and awesome for our learners. Capes and tights are optional. If you want a mask, we can talk.

L’shalom,
Ira Wise

President's Column - April 2024

Dear TBT Family,

With the arrival of spring, we are greeted with the gentle warmth of the sun and the promise of new beginnings. For me, this season signifies the blossoming of flowers in my garden, the return of geese to the lake, and the anticipation of celebrating Passover together as a community. It fills my heart with joy to announce that after our time in exile, because we are back in our beloved building, we will be gathering for a Seder on April 26th. (RSVP here)

I hold wonderful memories of my dear friend Sharon Besser, may her name be for blessing, who tirelessly organized this Seder for many years. I can only imagine her delight in knowing that we are continuing this cherished tradition once more.

Passover holds a special place in our hearts as it commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from the horrors of slavery in ancient Egypt. It stands as a testament to the unwavering faith, resilience, and divine intervention that guided our ancestors through those dark hours. As we observe Passover, we are reminded of our journey from bondage to freedom and the enduring values of faith, perseverance, and justice that have sustained us through the ages.

The Seder not only allows us to come together with our families, friends, and fellow members of the TBT community, but also serves as a time for introspection and reflection. It is an opportunity to deepen our connection to our rich heritage, express gratitude for our blessings, and strengthen the bonds that unite us as a sacred community.

In the spirit of Passover, may we find renewal, inspiration, and strength in our shared traditions and experiences. I extend a heartfelt invitation to each one of you to join us as we break Matzah together and celebrate the blessings of freedom and community.

I am deeply grateful to the Passover Seder Committee, comprising Kate Lee and Jon Katz as chairs, along with Nancy Rosen, David Rosen, and Gloria Kindman, for their dedicated efforts in ensuring that this evening will be both beautiful and meaningful. Your hard work and commitment are truly appreciated.

Chag Pesach Sameach – may this Passover be filled with joy, meaning, and abundant blessings for us all. Karen Goldberg

Education Director's Column - January 2024

Are you ready for the summer?

I have been quoted as saying that overnight Jewish summer camp is the most valuable thing you can give your child after connecting them to a congregational community and teaching them to care about being Jewish. (I have suggested many other things that it is the best thing after, but let’s stick to the Jewish stuff.) My wife Audrey, I, and both of our adult sons are products of Jewish summer camps, and we all went on to become counselors and more. In fact, we believe much of how we parented our sons is based on what we learned as camp staff.

Camp is an immersive experience. You learn about being part of something by being part of it. In a Jewish camp, Jewish identity, Jewish ideas and Jewish values are built into everyday living. Kids there do all of the fun summer stuff: sports, arts and crafts, hiking, drama, music, climbing and ropes courses, laying down in the grass with your friends and declaring what clouds look like, and even repairing the world. It is a safe cocoon – some camps call it the Bubble – where they can help one another get on with the business of figuring out who they are.

On Sunday, January 21, we will be hosting several overnight Jewish Camp representatives from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. They will each have different activities for the kids as they move through their stations, giving them a taste of camp. Parents are invited to join us and to have more focused conversations about the possibilities for your children down the road.

Some of our kids are already planning to attend a camp this summer. They will simply have fun. Others might go to an overnight camp in a year, or three, but are not ready for this summer. They will also have fun. We are not trying to convince anyone to go to camp right away. We are trying to plant the seeds with them and with you to think about Jewish summer camp when they and you are ready.

All of the camps we have invited participate in the One Happy Camper program sponsored by the Foundation for Jewish Camp. It offers a significant scholarship for ALL first-time campers at Jewish summer camps, regardless of financial need. They do it because they agree that Jewish Summer Camp is that important to the Jewish development of our kids. I look forward to seeing many of you there!

L’shalom,
Ira Wise Interim
Director of Education

President's Column - January 2024

Dear TBT,

Happy New Year! As Jews we are lucky to celebrate the new year not once but twice a year. As we do on Rosh Hashanah, we now have the precious opportunity to reflect on the passing year and commit ourselves to positive change and growth for 2024.

What was your resolution? Google tells me that the top resolutions are 1- quit smoking, 2- exercise more, 3- eat healthier, 4- lose weight. I must admit that some of these have been on my list in the past. Now I am looking for something more meaningful, more specific, more spiritual.

I encourage each of you to consider making a meaningful resolution that will enrich your spiritual lives and contribute to your overall well-being. Whether it’s dedicating more time to prayer and meditation (Shabbat services, Saturday morning meditation), extending acts of kindness and compassion to others (Chesed committee), learning something new (Israel book group, Talmud study group, Torah study group), making new friendships (Haverim/ Kol Ami groups), or working to make our community and world more just (the social justice committee). Let’s embrace these resolutions with sincerity and dedication.

My resolution is to make a better effort to meet and get to know our new TBT families. We have had over 30 new families join TBT in the last few months. This speaks to our new beautiful building, the strength of our religious school and preschool, our meaningful services, our interesting and fun programming but mostly it speaks to the need for Jews to gather in community together. We need each other. We need to know that we are not alone. On February 11th, I will be hosting a new member’s luncheon at my house. If you have joined the synagogue in the last year, you will be receiving an invitation. I hope you will come. I am so happy to have you join our TBT mishpacha and want to get to know you.

I am proud of the strength of our community in 2023. I reflect on our first high holy days back in our renovated synagogue, our vibrant religious school with our new director, our full preschool with noisy happy children, our Israel vigil right after Oct 7th, our volunteers planting a beautiful garden, our book club (over 50 strong) to discuss the history of the Israeli-Palestinian crises, and most recently our Hannukah gathering with over 100 people lighting menorahs and eating brisket and latkes. May we grow on these strengths in 2024.

May the coming year be filled with blessing, spiritual growth, and peace. Peace in the Middle East, peace in our country, peace in our homes and peace in our hearts.

Happy New Year,
Karen Goldberg