From TI President & Executive Director

How wonderful that our Festival of Light comes in the darkest month of the year. We have all been through a lot these last months, with much to reflect on and much to celebrate. I want to add one more expression of gratitude to our incredible clergy and staff who made our High Holy Day celebrations so meaningful and joyous. We pray for the time we will be able to safely gather back in person, but for now we will continue to innovate online, connect virtually, and reach out to each other in every safe way.

Marc Maxwell

Our #10 Days10 Ways campaign during the High Holy Days renewed our focus and commitment to AntiRacism and our Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion efforts at Temple Israel. As Rabbi Zecher reminds us, this Board President

is not a program, this is a return to our core Jewish values and a step in our continuous march to be a more Just people. We will never finish this work, but we will always be engaged in such righteous acts.

Another thank you to our clergy, who saw our need in early November to refocus on hope and connection, even those with whom we disagree. Through a series of small group conversations, they helped many of us focus on the good around us and on the civility of conversation, good listening and even meditation. Our newest clergy team member, Cantor Alicia Stillman, jumped right into this, just as she has with everything else we do at Temple Israel. It is hard to believe we only welcomed her into our community in July and she was more properly “installed” in October. We are thrilled to have Cantor Stillman and her family join our Temple Israel family. Even in these difficult times, hope and success surrounds us. Congratulations to Beacon Academy on the acquisition of their new home. We are proud of how we have helped them grow to this monumental step in their journey and in their work. After 27 years as the Founding Director of the FJECC, Helen Cohen will graduate to her retirement, although she has committed to attending more Center for Adult Jewish Learning classes with all her soon to be “free time.” And Shabbat Tzedek, our annual celebration of both Dr. Martin Luther King and our commitment to seeking justice in our community, is just around the corner in January.

Thank you all for being part of our Temple Israel family. We sustain each other as we keep Temple Israel strong and vital, even in the short daylight of winter days.

The challenges that 2020 has brought were certainly surprising, but I am proud to say that Temple Israel has navigated through the pandemic by seeking the opportunities before us. We have connected in new and creative ways; we have created new programs; and we have even been able to keep our facility in use and supporting our mission. From our beloved FJECC Preschool to Beacon Academy, Fresh Food Generation and small life cycle ceremonies, we are carefully and safely gathering in our building in limited ways. As sciencebased guidance allows us to come together more frequently in the future, the staff of TI looks forward to being there to welcome you in person.

Dan Deutsch

I want to thank our COVID-19 Reopening Advisory Team, which includes lay volunteers Frank Friedman, Marc Executive Director

Draisen, Laurence Bailen, Marc Maxwell, Kate Ginnis, Ben Linas; they have been instrumental in helping us assess and plan for our path forward. We meet regularly to continue to refine our approach and adapt to the changing world. This team is a prime example of how our congregants regularly give the gift of their expertise and talent.

Everything that we’re doing right now – virtually and in our building – takes additional resources. This year, more than ever, we are relying on the generosity of our community to help support our financial needs through our annual Friends Fund Campaign. If you have already been able to give a gift above your annual membership, we thank you with extreme gratitude. If you have not yet made an additional contribution, we ask that you give a gift from the heart and join the hundreds of households who have already contributed. No gift is too small! We have kept our aggressive annual fundraising goal of $500,000 this fiscal year and ask for your continued support.

As we enter the winter and the days grow shorter and darker, I know that Temple Israel will continue to be a source of light for you and for our community. On behalf of the Temple Israel staff, I thank you for continuing to a part of our congregation. We cannot wait to see you again soon.