Temple Beth El
Executive Director’s Message
It is a pleasure for me to write this article for the bulletin after the wonderful observance of our Temple Beth El Centennial. I don’t think over the last 23 years did I ever think I would be part of such an occasion.
So many members came from near and far to celebrate with us – CA, CT, FL, IL, MA, MD, MN, NY, OH, PA and VA and everyone had a wonderful time. The services were the same as every other Friday night and Saturday but these seemed to be special, the Havdallah was so beautifully sung by Cantor and Rabbi Jason Van Leeuwen, who came from California. Cantor Socolof was at his best, we thank him for his kind words to the committee members.
The beautiful music that played all evening, by Blue Star was perfection, we could talk and visit, but the lovely music was able to put a smile on one and all. The shiny, sparkling delicate decorations just added to the beauty of the whole evening thanks to Katrena Berkovich. It was such a pleasure to listen to Rabbi Stanley Gerstein deliver a sermon with so many memories of the past to be reminded of and to continue with the many options for the future of Temple Beth El. If you think about it, we didn’t get to be 100 by not hearing and listening to those before us.
Thank you to our caterer Feast and Festivities by O’Connors for such a delicious repast, and the incredibly hard work done by Avlim, our amazing maintenance man who set up tables, took down tables for 3 meals from Friday nights Oneg Shabbat to a complete lunch after Shabbat services to Saturday night dinner, and then put everything away again with no detail overlooked.
The two Ann’s, Nathan and Siegel made the
Oneg one special evening for everyone after services Friday night. It was joyous. I really enjoyed making the Shabbat lunch look as nice as it tasted.
It was very special to have so many out of towners, and we were so happy to welcome our Temple Emanu-El friends. We do appreciate their support.
Now, here is an inside detail, the whole weekend would not have been so special without the efforts of Marsha Silverman who took on so many of the details and especially the running film titled “Now and Then”, so many people watched it over and over and Julie Cain who almost single handedly produced our beautiful commemorative book. Roz Fisher and Judy Finer were responsible for the very interesting group of pictures hung on the boards around the Temple. The photos were enjoyed by everyone. There is nothing like old pictures to bring back so many memories. Rae and Steve Rosenfeld were involved in very many of the details to make the whole weekend run as beautifully as it did, and they even were the smiling couple at the door welcoming everyone.
A year of planning was enjoyed by over 125 people each day and was worth all the time and effort. We loved every moment of it, another glittering star to add to Temple Beth El’s 100 years. Let’s keep adding blessings to all our families and friends. How blessed we are to have so many very talented caring people to make our 100th year celebration so very special, thanks to everyone and…
…Thanks for the Memories.
Mundy