k s e d e th From
Robin Siegal
President, Board of Trustees president@cbiboca.org Springtime has arrived in South Florida. How can I tell? Not so much by the weather, though the days are getting a bit longer and a bit warmer. The true signs: the car carriers are waiting to take our snowbirds' vehicles back up north and there is Kosher for Passover matzoh on the endcap displays in the grocery stores! While I enjoy the longer days (my husband and I can take a walk while it’s still light outside when he gets home from the office) and I don’t mind the little bump in temperature, it’s the preparation for celebrating Passover that’s the highlight of April (that, and the birthday of my daughter Brooke, who will be 18 this month!). There is a feeling of renewal when we clean our cabinets and closets and get ready for Pesach. We reflect on the meaning of Passover as we rid the storage areas of chametz and stuff not used or needed anymore. The literal cleaning is the easy part. It’s the figurative cleaning of ourselves that’s the challenge. The idea
of
that we are both physically and spiritually redeemed from slavery is a very powerful one. That we are ready to receive the Torah as individuals and as a people is overwhelming and exciting. And that we will be in charge of our actions and how we live our lives is liberating!
Like I said, the physical planning is the easy part: invite the guests, plan the menu, find the recipes, make a schedule for shopping and cooking, dig out the Haggadahs and other table decorations we only use for Passover (yes, I still put the rubber frogs on the table even though the youngest is Brooke!). Other ways I can recommend to prepare, if you have children in our Nadel Center for Early Childhood Education or our Barry Ira Graff School for Living Judaism, is by asking them to tell you what they are doing in school to prepare for Passover. Or by attending our Model Seders. Or by coming to our Siyuum Service (blessing of the first-borns) on April 10th. Or you can come to our amazing Beach Service on April 14th at 6:00 pm on the beach at
Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach (bring a beach chair). Share your memories, teach them, take photos and help them make memories of their own so they can pass them down to their own children and grandchildren. It’s the spiritual part of Passover that is the challenge. How will we continue to pass the message of Passover down to our children? The Haggadah says that “In every generation one must see himself as if he personally went out of Egypt.” All the physical planning will make the memories, but don’t forget to share the messages of freedom and redemption. And if you can find inspiration from what we do here at CBI, even better! Whatever way you choose to celebrate this holiday, I hope the idea of renewal helps you in considering a renewed commitment to your Jewish home, Congregation B’nai Israel. Zissan Pesach to all!
Robin
Steve Allen
Executive Director
steve.allen@cbiboca.org It is so hard to believe that spring is here again and the wonderful holiday of Passover is almost upon us. We have been through an exciting winter season with so many programs and events that were wonderful and well attended. It’s hard to imagine the next few months ahead being as busy, but believe me they are. This is also a time of reflection and a renewal of spirit and plans, and a great time to be with family. For those of you lucky enough to have a family that includes your parents, spend time with them. Unfortunately, I don’t have that option, as both my parents have passed away. Thank goodness for my immediate family and my wife Debbie’s family, who always fill the void and who I enjoy spending time with. Our Seders are spiritual and lively, and having all of us together, except for our two sons
and families up north, creates a positive atmosphere of a new beginning. We started many new things in a short period of time with this job as your Executive Director (17 months old), and a new home in Delray (4 months old), among other life changes. Soon there will be a change in leadership of the Congregation and while I am sure CBI will continue to flourish and be guided in the right direction, I need to say a few words now about our current president, Robin Siegal, before her term ends in a few months. For anyone that knows Robin or has worked with her, she is a breath of fresh air and a staunch supporter of every aspect of CBI. She is a presence. She represents the board at every event, Shabbat service and meetings, far beyond normal expectations. She is my partner, my colleague and my friend and I will miss her, although I hope she doesn’t stray
too far away from here, as CBI needs her. As the season turns to spring and a new beginning, it is always good to remember what got you to this point of renewal of “spirit,” renewal of ”body.” Robin Siegal represents all that is great about this congregation and as you run into her these next few months (and I’m sure you will!), give her a hug and say thank you. I also thank her family, especially her husband Jeff, who lent her to us for the last two years! As usual I encourage any of you to come and visit me with ideas, suggestions, thoughts, complaints, and even compliments. I love my job as your Executive Director. I consider it a privilege and an honor to represent CBI on a daily basis on campus and out in the Jewish community.
CONGREGATION B'NAI ISRAEL
•
Steve
WWW.CBIBOCA.ORG
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