I would like to express my deepest thanks to all who participated in the High Holy Day services.  Past presidents, officers, board members, and new and old members of our congregation added their special touches to these solemn moments.  It is your devotion that makes our Temple truly a place of Hesed.

Rabbi Swartz’s leadership was outstanding.  He deserves our greatest praise.  He continues to be an inspiration to our congregation, as we grow in our spirituality and in our thirst for learning. 

Ed Snitko, as always, added his own brand of spirituality with his lovely and heartfelt renditions of the melodies that we love. 

We couldn’t do it without Marlene, who pulls it all together, from the tickets and the programs to the beautiful Rosh Hashanah sweet table and the break-the-fast spread after Yom Kippur (and everything in between).

All families of the congregation in good standing are invited to participate in the five High Holy Day services.  Every year, I find it interesting that only a small percentage of our members choose to volunteer for this mitzvah.  I’m not sure if it is a matter of shyness, reluctance about trying something new, or simply indifference.  It does take a bit of courage to go before the congregation, but there are parts of the service, such as opening the ark or carrying a Torah, that don’t require speaking.  You can start with whatever fits within your comfort level.   If you ask any of the participants, they will tell you that the instructions that I send out are very detailed and specific.

Here are some interesting facts:  There are 75-80 parts that need to be filled.  (I call it casting five plays.)  This year, 31 people signed up, with many being very specific about a particular service or specific part that they would take. That left a core of volunteers who took part in every service.  I am so grateful to them, and I couldn’t do this without them.  It would be nice to add some new faces to the mix, so when you receive the sign-up email in 2026, please give another thought to adding your name to our list of participants.

I also have a request for someone to step up to train with me for this task, with the ultimate goal being to take over, since I won’t be around forever.  Many years ago, Barbarba Graham, Carol Leiman, and I did this together.  Barbara passed away, and Carol moved to Florida, so I was left to fend for myself.  It has become easier over the years because I have everything on my computer.  I won’t say that it is an easy job; it is extremely time-intensive and sometimes frustrating.  It requires someone as organized and detail-oriented as I am.  If you’re at all interested, please let me know.  We can meet, and I can show you just what’s involved.

I wish all of you a belated Shanah Tovah!  May 5786 be a happy, healthy year filled with only good things for all of us.

In Hesed,

Esther Adelman