President's Message
January 2023
Shalom Chaverim,
As I pen this bulletin article on the evening of the winter solstice, as the deep chill of winter sets in, I am reflecting on the shortness of the days and the resulting darkness which permeates my commutes to and from work. The dark and cold can feel isolating if we don’t have the company and spirit of others around us. But we know that longer days are ahead of us; every day means a little more light. Despite the cold, we know that together, we bring warmth of ruach (spirit) to one another.
Tonight, I am especially filled with the warmth of our community, as we just lit the Kenneth H. Salk Memorial Chanukiah together on the portico in front of the temple. Our choir and cantor fed our souls with music, and Cantor Vera also fed our bellies with sweet treats. At the close of the evening, as we sang “Light One Candle,” I thought about how the presence of each one of us at temple continues to light a candle—metaphorically kindling the fire of our sanctuary’s ner tamid. And I’ve been encouraged in recent days to see our space filling, with tonight’s small crowd and this past Sunday’s Chanukah party (with over fifty people in attendance).
As we gather in person, some choose to mask, while others do not. We wondered if adding occasional mask-required services would encourage or discourage you from coming and therefore included a poll in recent Temple communications. Based on the results of that poll, masks will be required at several services this month—January 7, January 13, and January 28. Please contact me at president@TempleEmanu-El.org if you have any feedback you are willing to provide.
I can’t wait to see you soon in the building.
One more shameless plug: I heard snippets of the choir tonight and am reminded how much their voices always bring peace and love to our celebration of the life of Martin Luther King Jr. This year’s service will be held in the sanctuary on January 13. I would love to see you there!
L’Shalom,
Jenn Lampron
President
As I pen this bulletin article on the evening of the winter solstice, as the deep chill of winter sets in, I am reflecting on the shortness of the days and the resulting darkness which permeates my commutes to and from work. The dark and cold can feel isolating if we don’t have the company and spirit of others around us. But we know that longer days are ahead of us; every day means a little more light. Despite the cold, we know that together, we bring warmth of ruach (spirit) to one another.
Tonight, I am especially filled with the warmth of our community, as we just lit the Kenneth H. Salk Memorial Chanukiah together on the portico in front of the temple. Our choir and cantor fed our souls with music, and Cantor Vera also fed our bellies with sweet treats. At the close of the evening, as we sang “Light One Candle,” I thought about how the presence of each one of us at temple continues to light a candle—metaphorically kindling the fire of our sanctuary’s ner tamid. And I’ve been encouraged in recent days to see our space filling, with tonight’s small crowd and this past Sunday’s Chanukah party (with over fifty people in attendance).
As we gather in person, some choose to mask, while others do not. We wondered if adding occasional mask-required services would encourage or discourage you from coming and therefore included a poll in recent Temple communications. Based on the results of that poll, masks will be required at several services this month—January 7, January 13, and January 28. Please contact me at president@TempleEmanu-El.org if you have any feedback you are willing to provide.
I can’t wait to see you soon in the building.
One more shameless plug: I heard snippets of the choir tonight and am reminded how much their voices always bring peace and love to our celebration of the life of Martin Luther King Jr. This year’s service will be held in the sanctuary on January 13. I would love to see you there!
L’Shalom,
Jenn Lampron
President