President's Page

In this section
   This Month
   Archive

July - August 2009

On July 25th, we will start to read the fifth book of the Torah, Deuteronomy. The book begins with the phase "Eleh ha-devarim," "These are the words." This phrase is also the theme of this last book of Torah for the entire book is devoted to "these words" which Moses spoke in his final speech to the children of Israel before his death.

When Moses addressed his people before they entered the Promised Land, his d’varim were not rhetoric. They were a working list that showed the Israelites what they were expected to do, told them what actions to carry out, and instructed them on the tasks to complete in their new home.

Sharon Dunn, Past-President Paul Berch, and President Marty Cohn (left-to-right) at the 2006 Greenleaf Dedication Open House

As you are reading this, we are still basking in midsummer leisure, but in ten weeks we too will be standing on the boundary of a Promised Land—the New Year 5770. We too will be summoned to repent our past failings and inactivity, and to complete our unfinished tasks and take on new challenges.

At BAJC, we have many new challenges that will be worked on during the summer.  In no particular order, here’s my partial to do list:

1. Develop a rabbinic search committee that will first determine the needs of our members and then find a spiritual leader that meets those needs.
2. Work with the religious school director search committee, chaired by Deb Hall, to find an individual to shepherd the learning of our youth. 
3. Facilitate meetings with parents of our religious school children to ascertain how we can make their children’s educational experience even better.
4. Identify a chair of our adult education committee who can continue the stellar work of Andi Waisman
5. Explore the feasibility of expanding our building to accommodate our growing needs.

In addition, I will be coordinating with Rabbi Jan Salzman and our High Holiday Bimah Team to prepare for the services in September.  I am confident that Rabbi Salzman will continue our tradition of spiritually moving services.

And sprinkled throughout the summer are Shabbat services, our annual meeting, Torah study, and our special Shabbat service in August to honor Jim.

To think I used to believe that summers were a time to slow down.

Now, how am I going to accomplish these tasks and meet these challenges?  That’s simple.  I am going to ask your help.  I am going to ask each of you to think about what it means to be a member of BAJC and then what you can do to help BAJC move forward.

Parashat Devarim tells us that Moses addressed the people in the fortieth year of their journey from Mt. Sinai, in the eleventh month, and on the first day of the month.   It took forty years for what the Torah says is only an eleven-day journey. Forty years to go a distance that could be traveled in eleven days? Couldn’t G-d have given Moses better directions? What is that about? Perhaps it is that some kinds of wisdom take time to accumulate.
It is noteworthy that this year, 5770, will be our fortieth year of being a spiritual home to Jews in Southeastern Vermont. Are you starting to see any parallels with Torah?

Devarim, while stressing the importance of words, makes clear that actions are important as well.

So, while you are enjoying your summer, please give some thought how you could help BAJC reach the Promised Land.

B’shalom,
Marty