ENVISION the future OF BETH ISRAEL

Welcome to Summer! Of course, I write this to you in the early days of May as we come through the end of a very wet and cold (by San Diego standards) Spring. I’m hopeful that our grey days are behind us, and we are all enjoying the benefits of our “sunshine tax” living here in beautiful San Diego.

Back in January, I had the opportunity to attend a Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) conference for “large” Reform Synagogues. It was an interesting and eye-opening experience to meet and collaborate with Executive Directors, Senior Rabbis, and other Board Presidents from like-sized congregations from across the United States. We were invited to this conference, not because of the qualities or skills that Lesley Mills, Rabbi Nevarez and I possess, but because of all you – our Membership. We are a “large” Reform Synagogue, because of our incredible membership. The attendees of the conference came from all different walks of life, but had strong commonalities, concerns, and challenges. I was sorry to hear about congregations that were struggling with a search for identity, though I was pleased to share that we were not. I offered advice and counsel where I could and was (hopefully) qualified to, when I heard about staffing challenges with senior staff. And when we talked about the challenges of growing membership but decreasing membership revenue, I felt bolstered to face the challenge and empowered to hear that we were not alone. We undertook an interesting exercise in which we looked towards the far future of worldwide Jewry. As we imagined a future in which much more had changed then stayed the same, the one common conclusion that we came to was that the Jewish people would survive and there would and should always be a need for a central Jewish address – the synagogue. Why did we think that? Because for thousands of years–despite the trials and tribulations of our history--we have always had synagogues because we needed them to exist.

For our Beth Israel community, this time of year has two very important occurrences: the beginning of our new fiscal year and Membership Renewal Season. Why are these so important to our community? Our annual operating budget goes into effect at the beginning of each fiscal year and is literally the mechanism by which our synagogue functions. The creation, vetting, and implementation of this budget keeps our lights on, our doors open, and pays our talented staff and clergy. The funds that are promised by our membership during Membership Renewal comprise 33% of our overall revenue. These contributions are the driving force in our financial stability and sustainability – and for that, I thank you.

But I’ve asked this question before, and I will ask it again and again: Is our only aspiration to sustain? From my conversations and experiences with so many of you – I don’t think so. We don’t hope that when we come on campus, we can throw the switch and just have the lights come on in our Sanctuary. We hope that those lights shine bright and true and make us a beacon for Reform Judaism in San Diego.

A synagogue is not complete when the building is finished. It is not complete when the staff is hired. The very idea of a synagogue is that it is never completed – it must always grow and evolve with the needs of its people. Our greater North American Jewish community is blessed with an alphabet soup of wonderful Jewish organizations working on a myriad of causes and missions. These organizations benefit from strong fundraising and community support. At times, and I have certainly felt this way, we seem to be solicited at every turn. An appeal by one may be jockeying for “market share” over another, and thus we address – the synagogue. may try to create a hierarchy of need when we think about our charitable giving. But the success of these organizations is built on the bedrock of the teachings and values of our people. Without strong synagogues, we lose that central location where Jews are raised, values are instilled, education is imparted, and lifecycle events are based. For the past two years, you’ve heard me talk about strategy and its importance. Tactics, the way in which we conduct our operations in the moment, are what keep us going. Strategy is a medium-term tool to drive success. But as you consider what you can do this year with your Membership Commitment, I ask you to look beyond tactics and strategy with me and think about what we need in the long term – and that my friends, is vision. The vision to think about the future of Beth Israel. Not just for ourselves, but for those who come after us. So many have put forth so much to help us get to where we are today. Their work may be done, but ours is not.

For those of you who are already giving what you can, I thank you. I hope that contribution is meaningful to you and not one that creates an economic hardship. For those of you who may have the capacity to give more, I respectfully ask you to consider doing so. If each of us was to increase our annual commitment by even 15%, it would make a significant difference to our operations. An increase of 15-25% gives us the capacity to be aspirational in our ideas and planning for the future. A strong community does not wait for others to lift it up – it must lift itself up.

It is only with your support and commitment that we can turn our vision of the future into a reality.

Respectfully submitted,

Dan Jones, President

The Holocaust Memorial ceremony held on April 18 was a deeply moving and solemn event dedicated to remembering and honoring the millions of innocent lives lost during one of history's darkest chapters. Attendees from diverse backgrounds came together to pay tribute, guided by clergy, participants, the Beth Israel Adult Choir, the Youth & Teen Choir, and musicians.

The lighting of the six memorial candles served as a powerful symbol of remembrance for the Holocaust victims. Rabbi Jack Romberg, an esteemed guest speaker, delivered a poignant address that underscored the struggles of Jewish families and those who suffered and were persecuted during this horrific period.

A particularly meaningful moment during the ceremony was the special dedication of the Holocaust Czech Survivor Scroll. On loan from the Memorial Scrolls Trust, this scroll served as a tangible reminder of the Jewish people's resilience. Ruth Weiss Hohberg, a Shoah survivor, eloquently spoke about the significance of giving the sacred scroll a safe home in Beth Israel, representing its rightful place in Jewish life, rituals, and beliefs.

Addison Callahan shared her essay, which was submitted to the Yom HaShoah Inaugural Holocaust Essay Writing Contest. The contest featured essays written by students in grades 8 to 12, under the guidance of Beth Israel's Holocaust Remembrance Task Force.

The event concluded with a moment of hope as participants gathered outside to light memorial candles provided by the Men’s Club in memory of those who were lost and in honor of the Holocaust survivors. The singing of Hatikvah by everyone created a powerful atmosphere, encouraging reflection on the past, paying homage to the memories of the victims, and recommitting to the important task of ensuring that such atrocities are never repeated.

We were thrilled to have hosted Yom HaAtzmaut and Israel's 75th anniversary at our Erev Shabbat Services on April 21st. The evening was filled with unity and inspiration as the Beth Israel community came together to immerse themselves in Israeli culture and honor this significant milestone. We were privileged to have Deputy Consul General Amit Mekel from the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles join us, bringing his presence and participating in our festivities.

Following the uplifting services, the celebration continued with an Israeli-themed Oneg. The atmosphere was vibrant as we engaged in spirited Israeli dancing led by the talented Michelle McGrath.

During this momentous occasion, we took the opportunity to extend a heartfelt blessing to the nearly

50 Beth Israel members who embarked on the San Diego CommUNITY trip to Israel in May of 2023. Their journey undoubtedly deepened their connection to the land and people of Israel, amplifying the significance of this celebration. Additionally, we honored our dedicated graduates of the Introduction to Judaism class, acknowledging their unwavering commitment to learning and personal growth.

The evening was an extraordinary blend of prayer, community, and celebration as we rejoiced in Yom HaAtzmaut and commemorated Israel's 75th anniversary. The memories we shared will continue to inspire and fortify our bonds as a community, and we eagerly anticipate future celebrations that embody the enduring spirit and resilience of Israel.