Sunday, May 1, marked the 50th Annual Meeting for Temple Shalom. This momentous occasion followed a whirlwind 50th Anniversary year- long celebration filled with the congregation writing its own Torah, gifting a Torah to a small congregation in Australia, several themed Shabbat services with past rabbi’s rabbis including a sixties-themed oneg and service with Temple Shalom’s first rabbi, Rabbi Hirshel Jaffe; an eighties-themed oneg and sermon with Rabbi Emeritus Ken Roseman; a community-wide concert and an amazing gala complete with dueling pianos.
This year’s Annual Meeting started out as most meetings do with the approval of minutes and swearing in of new officers including the election of Incoming President Josh Goldman, but what followed next could only happen at Temple Shalom.
“I have made it my theme for two years to have fun, and you have repeatedly heard my favorite quote, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” I truly believe together we have collectively changed our congregation’s world over the past two years, and I have many to thank,” explained Outgoing President Dennis J. Eichelbaum.
Immediately following these kind words, Dennis walked over to a table overflowing with trophies, pins and other surprises. The list of thank yous goes on and on. “Thank you to our council chairs, and committee chairs, our auxiliary boards of Brotherhood, Sisterhood, SHFTY, and Shalom Silver, and our Temple Board, for the endless hours you give in leading the different aspects that collectively make us Temple Shalom. From membership to endowment to Davening and Dining, to Onegs to ushering, it is not just the big things but the things we often take for granted that make us such a great community, a Jewish village, and an irreplaceable environment to raise our children.” Among the awards given were those to Arlene Kreitman and volunteers for their years of work feeding homeless people at The Bridge; Toba Reifer for being the Temple cheerleader and organizing weekly Davening and Dining Experiences for the congregation; and Mark and Laurel Fisher for orchestrating the Torah Legacy Project.
Finally, it was time to announce the Volunteer of the Year. Beth Stromberg, Harriet Bell and Jeff Kort and their spouses were called up to receive this year’s award. These couples serving as co-chairs of the 50th Anniversary Celebration, worked together for two years to plan, implement and perfect the events that took place to celebrate the first fifty years.
Once the award part of the ceremony was complete, it was time for another surprise. The time capsule that was filled and sealed in 1972 was opened, and congregants had the opportunity to view the many old photos and letters that were sealed inside. The final portion of the 50th Anniversary Celebration was filling another time capsule with the original mementos and new letters, photos and objects that represent recent moments at Temple Shalom.
Rabbi Paley was asked to write a letter to the congregants of 2066: “On the occasion of celebrating the 50th anniversary of Temple Shalom, it is my honor and privilege to add my words and prayers to this moment in the hopes that the next 50 years of our history will be as glorious and meaningful as the first 50 years… Rabbi Paley’s letter ended with a Blessing and the following conclusion:
More than anything else, my hope has always been, that in a time and place that can be chaotic and uncertain, scary and lonely, Temple Shalom will be the place in our city and in our hearts, where true Shalom can be felt – calm, orderly, peaceful and friendly – where any and all can feel loved, appreciated, valued and nurtured; where Jewish values of being a mensch are honored and where the love for Jews, the Jewish people and the State of Israel is palpable and active.”
And with those meaningful words, the 2016 Annual Meeting was adjourned. The room was quickly filled with religious school children and teachers who were ready to watch the end of year slide show, see the seventh grade class walk across the stage for their graduation ceremony and find out who had won the Tracy Fisher Award. This year’s award recipient is Ethan Fisher, brother of Tracy Fisher. Ethan was unable to accept the award because he had just left for the March of the Living but his mother, Laurel, gave heartfelt words on his behalf.
After a short skit, singing and the much awaited slide show, it was time for another surprise—a congregation photo taken by a Drone. Thank you to Winn Fuqua (Photography by: www.WinnFuqua.net) for this amazing opportunity to have a photo of the congregation to place in the new time capsule. Hopefully, the youngest members of the congregation will tell their children that they remember this very special day 50 years ago.