President’s Message

Shalom Chaverim,

I hope your High Holiday season is going well and that it is providing you many reflective moments for yourselves, and quality time with your friends and family. In my first year as your President, I tried to emphasize both personally and through my leadership role the importance of paving a CBS path with stones of warmth, respect, and kindness as we move forward together as a community. If you recall, I made reference to the power of the TOPUACH - Tolerance, Openness, Patience, Understanding, Acceptance, Compassion, and Health. The apple in its sweetness and juiciness is a symbol of Rosh Hashanah as we hope to have a sweet and healthy year. In my second year, I am trying to create initiatives and a Strategic Plan that will be keep us on track to be both financially and relationally strong for many decades to come.

Bob Spector

I am writing this message shortly after our August Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting which focused on preparations for our September 11 BOT retreat, and the first day of High Holiday ticket pick-up followed by Yom Beth Shalom (YBS). There was so much energy, enthusiasm, and thoughtfulness displayed by our lay leaders. One of the things I learned is that we have an incredibly talented group that represents a cross section of so many skills necessary for us to be successful as a community: Strategic Thinkers, Creative Fundraisers, Relationship Builders, Policy Makers, and Worker Bees. However, as I mentioned in my September message, the BOT represents one side of our CBS community. We have a dedicated, hard-working, and committed staff representing the second side of our community triangle, but you the membership are the foundation of Congregation Beth Shalom. It is your commitment to and involvement in our community that maintains and nurtures our heart and soul. This could not have been more apparent than what occurred at High Holiday ticket pick-up and YBS. Our lobby and parking lot was filled with so much energy and good cheer. There was so much love and friendship present, it was yet another reminder of how wonderful it is to be a part of our community. Without you there is no CBS. As a result of the pandemic many of our members have questioned where Congregation Beth Shalom fits into their daily lives. Many have asked themselves ‘Can I justify the cost of membership when I have not been in the building for over two and a half years?’ Or ‘Our family has completed the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, why do we still need CBS?’ Perhaps we are not doing enough to market all the different ways we offer spiritual, educational, and social opportunities for all ages. Or for many maybe it is less complicated, and it is simply out of sight/out of mind. I am reminded of what it was like growing up in the Spector family. When I was a child, I hated green vegetables (besides lettuce)- broccoli, brussels sprouts, spinach, celery, artichokes, asparagus - all yuk. Mind you, I had never tried them, but the color grossed me out. I was not allowed to reject the food my mom prepared without tasting it first. Fast forward sixty plus years: broccoli, artichokes, and asparagus - love them, celery-eh, spinach and brussels sprouts - still yuk. I have come to realize that my mother’s message to me was about much more than green vegetables. Congregation Beth Shalom may not meet every single one of your or your family’s needs, but we are fully open and offering a complete menu of communal and individual opportunities. I can almost guarantee you there is something special here for your entire family. My eating and life experiences have been so much more enhanced because I tried something before rejecting it outright. Please consider allowing Congregation Beth Shalom the same opportunity. I believe your lives will be more enriched for having done so. As we continue our Days of Awe, may you take the time to reflect, to forgive, to heal, and to reconnect with all the important people and parts of your lives you hold near and dear to you. L'shana Tovah U'metukah (have a good and sweet year), Bob