Greetings fellow congregants:
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What an exciting time to be a part of TKC! Since the beginning of the year, there has been an absolute flurry of activity around the kehillah with so many wonderful people contributing their talents and energies to our beloved congregation.
In my monthly message, I would like to use this space to focus on some important core values that we at TKC hold dear. I will explore how we are living our values in the work we’re doing and the community we’re building here. My hope is that I will touch on values that you find to be important, enhancing the bond we share as we move forward together.
This month’s core value is Connection. I chose to focus on this particular value for my first President’s message because what I’ve learned in my own life is that life is richer when shared. I have so many memories of my mother and grandmother giving of their time to numerous Jewish organizations and to the synagogue. I didn’t realize until I was an adult that that’s how a connection is built.
It seems that everything we do at TKC is about building or maintaining connection. Our connection to the community is evident through our long-standing relationships with both the Drake House and the Zaban Night Shelter. Our commitment to keeping our children connected to their Jewish identity is unwavering and supported by an excellent Education Director and dedicated corps of religious school teachers. But I have to say, the strongest connection we value is the one that is built between each other. It’s built by people who want to work together, learn together, pray together and grow as a stronger community…together. This is the kind of connection I seek through my involvement at TKC and I hope you do too.
You should know that we are working on some interesting new ideas for creating that sense of connection that I believe we all want. Among other things, you can look forward to more themes at our Shabbat services, something our Religious Life and Practices Committee has identified as one way to make the service more engaging to more congregants. I hope you and your family will plan to join us.
I don’t want to miss the opportunity to celebrate some of our successes over this last month.
▪ Sisterhood Shabbat: Sisterhood honored Linda Greenhill, active member of the Kehillah, who now serves as Kabbalat Shabbat coordinator, and has been Chair for Sisterhood Shabbat for several years, with the coveted Sisterhood Salutes Award.
▪ JYG (Junior Youth Group): Kudos to newly-organized JYG and committee chairs, Shauna Maher and Kari Lieber, for planning a very successful JYG bowling party with 16 of our 6th, 7th, and 8th graders there.
▪ Fundraising Fun: Mazel Tov to Carole Liebman and Debbie Newman for hosting another successful Mah Jongg Tournament and for offering free Mah Jongg lessons at no charge to the community in preparation for the next Tournament. What a great idea!
Lastly, I’d like to thank all who attended Shabbat services on January 27 and showed your support as I officially received the gavel as your 17th President. It meant a lot to me and my family to see so many of you there.
B’shalom,
Renee Sevy-Hasterok
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