Let’s start with the Buildings and Grounds Committee. If you haven’t visited BAJC recently, I urge you to drive by. After years of diligently working through red tape and weeks of exerting much sweat equity, the barn has finally been taken down. Many, many thanks need to be extended to Daniel, Rick and Daniel’s crew of volunteers. Were it not for their generous volunteerism and expertise this enormous undertaking would have been quite costly to our congregation. Help is still needed to safely move and store the slate and clean up small debris around the work site. If you have a few hours to spare, please contact Michael, Board member, for specific details.
With the 5769 (2008-09) school year just around the corner, our Hebrew school teachers, Education Director and Education Committee have been meeting to exchange ideas, organize supplies and prepare parent information. Our Hebrew school provides an exemplary Jewish education for our children and this year will certainly continue to uphold this tradition. Parent input and involvement are welcomed and strongly encouraged and I hope several of you will consider joining the Education Committee or becoming parent volunteers this year.
Many months of thoughtful and creative planning by the Ritual, High Holiday Committees and bimah team will help make our High Holiday celebrations spiritually moving and uplifting. But it is also the less glamorous attention to detail and nuts and bolts work of these hardworking groups that will enable our congregation to enjoy a seamless choreography of prayer, song, chanting Torah and time for reflection. I look forward to joining all of you during this time of renewal and atonement.
The Fundraising Committee’s hundreds of hours of combined efforts culminated in the intellectually stunning 2nd Annual Israeli Film and Food Festival. Once again, our major fundraising event was a feast for the soul as well as for the taste buds! Not only was the BAJC community treated to four uniquely different films about relationships but the Brattleboro and West Dover communities were also enthusiastic participants. Both events hadoutstanding attendance and we all should be proud that BAJC is held in such high esteem by our neighbors and friends.
The rewards gleaned from service to BAJC are numerous. I imagine if asked, each participant would identify a different highlight. And yet, I’m sure most would agree that the greatest pleasure in getting involved is the friendship one develops with fellow volunteers. This summer’s flurry of activity is a testament to the vibrancy of our BAJC community. As we enter the new year, I invite all of you to consider adding your talents, creativity and energy to a committee that matches your interest. When we build new connections with one another, BAJC becomes richer.
May the New Year bring much happiness to you and your families.
B’Shalom, Linda
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