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Message from the President– Larry Tornow Shalom to all, I hope that you all had a good Pesach and that you have finally gotten rid of all the Matzoh. I know I am still having some to get rid of and I only bought a few boxes since I live alone. Oh well it is that kind of holiday that calls for sacrifice. We had our Yom HaShoah program with Mr. Jonathan Gunther from The Holocaust Studies Center at Ramapo College in Mahwah, New Jersey. He spoke of his experiences in Hungary during that awful period of our history. At that program we hosted the Jewish congregation from Kinnelon and Rabbi Ettinger joined with Rabbi Senter to present a meaningful and memorable program. I personally would like to thank all who worked so hard to bring it about. The Oneg was sponsored by the Goll’s in honor of Abe’s brother who perished in the Holocaust. Turnout by both congregations was heart warming. The evening of April 16, we participated in services at
Temple Beth Tikvah in Wayne as part of a collaborative effort to strengthen the Jewish Community of Passaic County. There are a number of events that our Hebrew Schools also participated and hope to continue. These events are supposed to be on a round robin basis with the various shuls hosting the others. The Brick Fundraiser is going on. It is going on slowly but going on. Please if you are planning to have a brick in the garden please fill out the form and send it in so that we can have a proper dedication. Sisterhood is planning the Tricky Tray and Fashion Show that needs donations and volunteers. Please get in touch with Ellie Weiner and/or Jill Berson to offer help and support. We had a Board of Directors meeting last night (4/15) and had a look at the current and future budget. I will tell you that there is a great lack of financial support that we are not getting from many of our members. It seems that for what ever reason some mem-
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unfortunate tragedy of abuse by clergy. May we be blessed with the strength to comply with the will of God by protecting the most vulnerable of God’s creations. The children are our future. With Torah Blessings,
other issues. This being said, I am concerned regarding the focus on the past downplaying the significant accomplishments of recent history. I pray that the press will be vocally supportive of the evolving position of faith communities, particularly the Catholic Church and Pope Benedict. The recognition of positive actions is as important as reporting the
Rabbi David Roth Senter
bers have only paid the first quarter of the annual dues. That makes it impossible for the congregation to pay the bills that are required. It also makes it impossible to have any events. If you owe money either from dues or pledges please remit to the office as soon as possible. If not Congregation Beth Shalom will be on life support and may be going into Hospice within the next year. This may also be one of the last mailed bulletins that you will receive as a hard copy. As you are all aware the Post Office somehow delayed our March issue and a few of you got it in the first 2 weeks of April, much past the time that the Pesach information was needed. We are looking into the bulletin being published on line and only a few members actually getting hard copies. Due to publishing costs, the lack of cooperation of the Post Office and other factors there may be a subscription set up at a minimal cost for hard copies to be sent. Most of you know that I am usually a very optimistic and fun loving person. I try to look forward and not backward or to the massive disruptions that have occurred here at CBS over the last decade. However, I must tell you that I am beginning to be very pessimistic. We have a membership list of over 120 families and the same 20 or 30 folks, not families, come out to participate and support what we do. We need your help to continue. This is not an idle promise, but if we can not get our financial and vol-
unteer houses in order we are going into that Hospice situation very soon. I and the Board of Directors do not want to see that happen. See You in Shul? Shalom again.
“...We have a membership list of over 120 families and the same 20 or 30 folks, not families, come out to participate and support what we do. We need your help to continue.”