From TI President & Executive Director

It is always hard to believe the summer is zooming by (are not we “Zooming” everywhere these days) and our annual High Holy Days will soon be here. COVID-19 has created great uncertainty in our world, and for each of us and our families. When will we be back at work in the office? Will kids be back in school physically or online? When will it be safe to return to “normal life”? We have no better answers for these questions than anyone else.

What we do know is Temple Israel has been nimble and innovative, and fully “open” throughout the Marc Maxwell past months, as we have for the past 166 years. While we were not meeting in person or in our beloved Board President building, we have been supporting each other, praying, learning, and singing through the internet. We have widened our appeal, offerings, and our audience. Our community has remained vital and engaged, each of us holding up each other. We have joyously, and with a little sadness, bid farewell to Cantor Roy Einhorn after 37 years as he and Jodi enter their retirement.

This summer we have welcomed Cantor Alicia Stillman with her incredible voice, spirit, and excitement to get to know us as she becomes the integral member of our TI community, we had no doubt she quickly would. We have enjoyed the enthusiasm and teaching of our Rabbinic Intern Andrew Oberstein, who will remain with us through this year, as well as the incredible work, teaching and love of our entire Clergy team.

These have not been easy months, but our clergy, staff, and congregation have risen to the circumstances and kept Temple Israel in the forefront of our lives, minds, and hearts. If you have not yet had an opportunity to renew your membership, we ask that you do so now. These are challenging times for us all and for our institutions, Temple Israel included. The High Holy Days will not be exactly as they have been for us before. We will experience new traditions, prayer, and service offerings, new ways to connect, reflect, and recharge. I hope you and your family will join us in all that we can offer. We pray for the wellness of our community, our society and for our world. Shanah Tovah!

Reform Judaism has always been about taking ancient traditions and helping them meet the modern times through innovative thinking. Temple Israel of Boston has a rich history of leading the way with creativity and new ideas through the generations. Though this pandemic has been difficult on so many levels, we at TI are always trying to see opportunities in the challenges, and use this as a catalyst for exciting change. We remain fully committed to our mission: living Judaism together through discovery, dynamic spirituality, and righteous impact.

Dan Deutsch Our staff and lay-leaders have been working hard to make sure that our congregation continues to connect

Executive Director and form community in new and interesting ways in this time of physical distancing. As we have further developed our online programming, we have felt the full support of our congregation. Seeing so many of you participate in our virtual offerings has given us the energy to press on through this difficult time. I am so grateful to all of you for continuing your commitment to TI through being involved with programs, fiscal support, and being there for each other.

Right now, we need the High Holy Days more than ever. Their focus on introspection, on growth, and on community are essential values that will make us all even stronger in this unusual time. Together our clergy and staff have paved the way for exciting and innovative opportunities that will allow our community and those beyond our walls to lean in and go through the personal reflection that takes place through the month of Elul. We hope that you will be inspired by our congregational journey through the fall holidays and I look forward to being with you, on screen or in person, whenever we can.