From the President

This has been a busy time for your Board of Trustees. With the guidance of David Altman and the wisdom of Rabbi Havivi and the perseverance of the executive committee, the Board of Trustees has voted to accept a Mission Statement for Beth David Synagogue.

“Beth David Synagogue is an egalitarian and inclusive synagogue of the Conservative movement that brings an authentic and caring Jewish tradition to embrace and repair our world.  We encourage members to grow in Jewish learning through study of Torah and in Jewish practice through mitzvot.  We strive to build a welcoming and innovative Synagogue that engages our diverse members and that shares Jewish values with the general community.”

One might ask, how is it that Beth David has survived this long with out a mission statement, and why now? Both are good questions.

First, Beth David has survived because of many reasons. Too many to discuss in this column! Great leadership, a wise and charismatic rabbi, a welcoming, sensitive congregation, etc.

The next question is why do we need a mission statement to continue in the future? To answer that question, I will say that our mission statement says who we are, what we are about, and what we value. Therefore, as a Board of Trustees we can use the mission statement in making decisions and setting policies for the future of the synagogue. New members and prospective members can read the mission statement and decide if Beth David is a place they would like to visit and try out. Our long range planning committee will use the mission statement as a “jumping off” place to start the process for future goal setting.

Your Board of Trustees also passed five new policies for members and non-members regarding funerals, bar/bat mitzvahs, and membership categories. These will be expanded upon further and sent out to all congregants in detail.

We also had a very successful dinner honoring Tobee and Leonard Kaplan on Sunday May 19. Thank you to Susan Robinson and her entire dinner committee for a beautiful, warm and caring evening. Yishar Koach! We had over 230 people attendance with author Eli Evans as guest speaker. The net proceeds will go to our endowment and will benefit all Beth David members for years to come.

June is here and we look forward to our annual Shavu’ot late night study session. Check your email for date and times.

Don’t forget to bring your old gold jewelry to the synagogue for the GOLD EXTRAVAGANZA by June 4th!!

And of course June is when we honor our Fathers.

Dad, Happy Father’s Day! I love you.

Susan Nehmen

Beth David Board