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We celebrated Purim at Congregation Ahavas Achim in Keene and Chanukah at the home of Sharon.
In addition to Torah study, we offered a diverse program of adult education including Joy of Jewish Cooking, Seders for a Post Modern Family, and two multi-session discussions on Radical Judaism and "Why is being Jewish Important to You."
To honor Israel Independence Day, our Board issued a Statement in Support of Israel. This statement appeared in the Brattleboro Reformer and our newsletter, as well as on our Web site. It reads:
"Israel's Independence Day (Yom Ha'atzmaut) commemorates the declaration of independence of Israel in 1948, celebrating the declaration of the state of Israel by David Ben-Gurion in Tel Aviv on May 14, 1948, and the end of the British Mandate of Palestine. To honor this historic event in the history of the Jewish people, Brattleboro Area Jewish Community resolves to express our unconditional support for the right of Israel to exist as a Jewish State and opposes all actions and efforts to delegitimize and demonize the existence of the State of Israel."
Collaborating with many interfaith groups, as well as the Israeli Consulate General of New England, we sponsored a Middle East Forum on the how the media shapes our opinions. Our speaker, Noa Milman, stimulated a civil discourse on the issue. The next week, Ore Avah Dagan visited our school and area to offer an Israeli's view of life in Israel.
Under the directorship of Rabbi Heyn, our religious school students had a wonderful year. We are truly blessed by our BAJC teachers, Jackie, Judith, David, Chelsa, and Karen. Thanks are also due to our Education Committee, co-chaired by Wendy and Faith. Among the highlights were two learning Seders in which our students taught Interfaith students about the rituals of Passover.
Earlier in June, we held a Brit Ha-Rabbanut, a service to consecrate Rabbi Tom Heyn's covenant with BAJC. Despite the weather, it was a wonderful evening of music, food and warmth. If you missed the service, program books are still available.
So, we have a building and a newly consecrated Rabbi. Let's talk about people.
Thanks to the leadership of Bobbe and Judy, we once again participated in the serving meals at the Overflow Shelter and Morningside Shelter.
Chaired by Norma, our Cemetery Committee, revised our policies and procedures to insure that our Cemetery meets the needs of our congregation.
Our Chevra Kadisha committees beautifully and spiritually helped our recently departed.
Under the chairpersonship of Jennifer, our BAJC CARES committee provided mutual help and support to congregants facing illness and crises.
The Fourth Annual BAJC Film & Food Festival raised close to $5000, which helped us meet our financial goals. The committee, chaired by Susan is busily preparing for the fifth annual film & food festival and needs your help with program book advertising, ticket sales and event participation to ensure that our goals are met once more. This is our major fundraiser for the year.
Our buildings and grounds committee, ably chaired by Michael had a busy year maintaining our buildings and property. The committee has more plans for the upcoming year including the painting of the barn and repair of the red building. Our sanctuary space was enhanced by the donation of the Paper Cuts by Stu Copans.
Despite our membership number remaining fairly constant over the past three years, financially we are still in a good position.
In the coming year we need we must look for different ways to fund our institution. Also, we need to get our members more active in committees and programs so that we remain the vibrant congregation that we've been for the past forty plus years.
I am struck by the significance that this is my last opportunity as BAJC's President to share with you my thoughts and ideas. Serving as President these past three years has been a challenging and rewarding experience. I did the best I could and will always cherish the honor you bestowed upon me to serve as President of BAJC.
I would like to thank Rabbi Heyn and the Board of Trustees for their help and support. I would like to acknowledge our immediate past president Paul who shared his perspective on how to be an effective President of the Temple. And, I would like to especially thank my family, Yael, Rachel and Jessica who put up with the countless hours and energy I devoted to BAJC.
I leave the Presidency in the capable hands of our soon to be elected President, Julie. However, I'll be around and continue to respond, "Hineini," (Here I am). That commitment to Temple, our congregation, and our community, does not stop with the end of a presidency.
When we come to the end of a book in the Torah, we say "Hazak hazak venit hazek" – Strong, strong, and let us be strengthened."
As individuals, we face countless personal challenges. Whether it is health, wealth, or something else, everyone has their challenges in life. And at every turn, the community is there to support each of us. It is our community that keeps each of us strong in hard times. Our community has come together to feed people, make sure people make their medical appointments by providing rides, and comfort people in their times of grief by making sure there is a minyan. Even as the BAJC faces the challenge of our own fundraising, we are thinking of others as we perform Tikkun Olam.
None of this can happen if our community does not stay strong and stay together. Although each of us is only a small piece of this community, we are all essential. Even though not everyone can get along all the time, or agree on every subject, each of our opinions and thoughts are valuable. As a community we need to strengthen one another, strengthen our community, and continue to find ways to become stronger.
This week's parasha, Chukat, tells the story of the time Moses struck the rock because the people were complaining of a lack of water. As a result, the people got water but Moses' entrance into the Promised Land was denied. What did he do that warranted this punishment? I think the lesson is when we need something we must always be mindful of how we ask.
As I end my term as president and Julie begins hers, "Hazak hazak venit hazek" – Strong, strong, and let us be strengthened."
L’shalom,
Marty
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