Added September 2022
As of August 19, we began to announce the COVID transmission levels and masking details on Friday mornings (rather than Thursdays) in our weekly e-mail Next Ten Days.
This change will allow us provide you with the most up-to-date weekly COVID information since the CDC provides updates on Thursdays at 8 PM ET.
Regarding masking, we will employ the CDC Guidelines, as follows:
- LOW: Optional Masking
- MEDIUM: Recommended Masking
- HIGH: Mandatory Masking Indoors
We continue to encourage social distancing and other safe practices to help maintain a healthy environment at Temple David, and in consideration of our congregants who are immune-suppressed.
For more information regarding the Centers for Disease Control Guidelines and Recommendations for the three transmission levels, please visit:
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html
If you have questions, please contact me at reenag@templedavid.org or 412-480-1420.
Reena Goldberg,
President-Board of Trustees
House Committee Update
Temple David’s House Committee is here to see that Temple looks good and works properly. If you see something that needs to be done, please let me know. At present we don’t have a committee chair, so I am overseeing the activities.
Good News: the new HVAC system has been installed by Tudi Mechanical. We now have two new boilers, all new AC units on the roof, and new thermostats.
Kay Liss (Overseeing the House Committee)
kayl@templedavid.org
Added July 2022
Due to the decrease in the COVID transmission level in Allegheny County from Medium to Low, wearing masks at Temple David will be OPTIONAL, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.
If COVID transmission levels once again increase to High in our area, mandatory masking will be reinstated for indoor activities.
We continue to encourage social distancing and other safe practices to help maintain a healthy environment at Temple David.
For more information regarding the Centers for Disease Control Guidelines and Recommendations for the three transmission levels, please visit:
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html
If you have questions, please contact me at reenag@templedavid.org or 412-480-1420.
Reena Goldberg, President-Board of Trustees
Added June 2022
Due to the current increase in COVID transmission levels in Allegheny County, wearing masks at Temple David will be RECOMMENDED, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY (FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022).
If COVID transmission levels increase in our area, mandatory masking will be reinstated.
We continue to encourage social distancing and other safe practices to help maintain a healthy environment at Temple David.
If you have questions, please contact Reena Goldberg at reenag@templedavid.org.
Assistance for Interfaith Families
Hi, Interfaith couples!
Please reach out to me to chat, ask any questions, and exchange ideas with me for getting together.
Now that the pandemic has receded, let’s do this!!! Can’t wait to hear from you!
Harlee Abromson-Kuth,
Interfaith Liaison
412-519-6139 or harleea@templedavid.org
Added May 2022
Due to the current consistently low COVID transmission levels in our community, wearing masks at Temple David will be optional. (This became effective on Monday, April 11.)
If COVID transmission levels increase in our area, mandatory masking will be reinstated.
We continue to encourage social distancing and other safe practices to help maintain a healthy environment at Temple David.
Please Note These Exceptions: The Weiger Religious School and JESP will still require masking for the remainder of the school year. The schools will reevaluate their safety protocols over the summer.
If you have questions, please contact Reena Goldberg at reenag@templedavid.org.
An Open Invitation
When I look in the mirror, I see a really old man and I begin to worry. Who is going to be responsible for Temple David finances in the future? Fortunately, Brett Pechersky has stepped up to learn most of the tasks required of the Temple’s Financial Vice President and the Comptroller. But we need others with enough knowledge of Temple finances that they can be called upon to fill the above positions in the future.
I thought about this long and hard and I’ve decided to give a class on Temple finances that would be open to all Temple members, but especially those members who are willing to step up sometime in the future and accept one of the above positions.
The class would be held at the Temple one night a week for six weeks, for one-and-a-half hours per evening. We can select which night when we know who will be in the class. I would hope to begin in mid-May. You do have to be able to add and subtract, and hopefully be familiar with Microsoft Word® and Microsoft Excel®.
Please let me know if you are interested. My email is hwolfe@templedavid.org.
Harvey Wolfe,
Financial Vice President
Added July 2021
Added June 2021
Agenda
- Approval of 2020 Annual Meeting Minutes
- Jean Shuman Memorial Scholarship Presentation
- Rabbi’s Comments
- President’s Comments
- Financial Report
- Election of New Officers and Trustees
- Vote on Amendment to Nominating By-Laws
- Election of 2021 Nominating Committee
- Committee Reports
- New Business
The Zoom link and the documents will be available at:
www.templedavid.org/athome
The meeting documents will also be sent by U.S. Mail
Published April 2021 (added to recurring items)
Hello! I’m Harlee Abromson-Kuth.
I serve as the Interfaith Liaison on the Temple David Board of Trustees.
Let’s talk! I would like to hear your thoughts, feelings, and ideas about how Temple David can improve your experience as an interfaith couple or family. What has worked for you? What has not? What questions do you have? Our goals are for you to enjoy the feeling of inclusion, meet your spiritual needs, and for you to know that you are a vital part of the Temple David family.
Please contact me if I can be of assistance.
Harlee Abromson-Kuth
Interfaith Liaison
Published January 2021
Assistance for Interfaith Families
Hello! I’m Harlee Abromson-Kuth.
I serve as the Interfaith Liaison on the Temple David Board of Trustees.
Navigating an interfaith relationship within a synagogue community can bring up questions that one doesn’t always have the answers to. We at Temple David want to answer any questions that you may have about rituals, food rules, or anything that may come to mind.
We also want to know if you might have concerns or comments about your experiences as an interfaith family at Temple David.
Please contact me if I can be of assistance.
Harlee Abromson-Kuth,
Interfaith Liaison
harleea@templedavid.org
Meeting Announcements
Save the Date for
Temple David’s
Annual Congregational Meeting!
Wednesday, May 25 at 6:30 p.m.
at Temple David
Temple David members were sent a letter
with an agenda and additional details.
Published November 2020
The first meeting of the
2020-21 Nominating Committee
will be held on
Tuesday, November 10 at 7 p.m.
on Zoom.
This meeting is open to all interested congregants.
The link will be available at www.templedavid.org/athome
Published June 2020
Annual Congregational Meeting
Monday, June 1
6:00 p.m. Check-in
6:30 p.m. Meeting Begins
The Zoom link and the documents are available at:
www.templedavid.org/athome
You will be prompted to update your Zoom if you haven’t already done so
(The meeting documents were also sent by U.S. Mail)
Published April-May 2020
updated for online
Annual Congregational Meeting
Monday, June 1
6:00 p.m. Check-in
6:30 p.m. Meeting Begins
Meeting details will be sent by U.S. Mail including online attendance
details if an in-person meeting will not be feasible
Reena Goldberg,
President-Board of Trustees
Published April 2022
As we pass the two-year mark of the pandemic, I’d like to take a moment to sincerely thank our Reopening Task Force and Rabbi Symons. They’ve worked tirelessly to research, evaluate, and implement the various health protocols that were needed to keep us safe. As you know, every time the conditions changed, the protocols were updated. This has been a challenging and ongoing process motivated above all else by our Jewish value of pikuach nefesh (saving a life).
I also want to thank our staff, choir, teachers, and board for going above and beyond to operate within the protocols. And I’m grateful to our members for your continued understanding and commitment to Temple David through such a difficult time. It gives me hope to see that conditions are improving, and I’m looking forward to being together in better circumstances this year.
The current and former members of the Reopening Task Force: Bruce Antonoff, Jeff Baldel, Stan Beck, Randy Boswell, Helen Dorra-Casher, Reena Goldberg, Jay Goodman, Carol Gordon, Arin Keough, Brett Pechersky, Rabbi Barbara AB Symons, and Mark White.
Published September 2020
It’s always special and fulfilling to celebrate the High Holy Days with my Temple David community. This year more than most, I am especially looking forward to participating in our High Holy Day services and events with all of you. The stress, isolation, and worry of dealing with the pandemic have taken their toll on everyone. Taking advantage of opportunities to connect with others, even if it is online, can help reduce our sense of isolation. The feeling of peace that comes from attending services can help us put aside the stress and worry for a time. The sense of renewal that comes with the High Holy Days can shore up our resilience. As we reconnect and recharge together this holiday season, may we feel inspired to reach new levels of compassion and strength in the upcoming year.
L’shanah Tovah u’Metukah–To a Good and Sweet New Year!
Published July 2020
2020 Nominating Committee Voting Results
Thank you to everyone who attended our annual congregational meeting! It was great seeing all of you on Zoom and getting a chance to touch base.
Here are the results of the vote for the congregational representatives for the 2020-21 Nominating Committee:
Randy Boswell
Bob Gordon
Barbara Holst
Gail Schmitt
Alternate: Deb Scheib
These congregants will be assisted by three representatives from the Board of Trustees, and they will be tasked with finding candidates for open board positions next year.
Thank you very much to all of them for helping with this important process!
And, Thank You to Our Parking Lot Renovators
Thank you to our House Committee chair, Jeff Baldel, along with Stan Beck and Alan Sloan, for sprucing up the Temple David parking lot. They repainted the lines and symbols, so now everyone will be able to clearly see where to park. Great work House Committee!
Published June 2020
Temple David has formed a committee to research and implement safe procedures for gradually reopening our building for in-person gatherings.
We will follow guidelines from the CDC and Pennsylvania state government as we develop our protocols. We do not yet have a timeframe for physical reopening until the risk of COVID 19 transmission has been lowered to safer levels.
In the meantime, we will continue to offer interactive online services and classes, as well as telephone outreach. We also plan to further develop our technological resources to provide you the best possible options to stay connected with your Temple community.
Please reach out to me anytime with questions and everyone stay safe!
Published January 2020
Cold weather and fewer hours of sunlight make this time of year somewhat dreary. Are you looking for reasons to get out of the house this winter?
Keep yourself busy and meet some new people by joining a Temple David committee.
Be creative by coming up with a fun oneg theme and then enjoy the delicious results.
Expand your knowledge by signing up for an Adult Education class or by checking out a book from the Temple Library.
Invite a friend or family member to join you at Shabbat services.
Join Sisterhood or Brotherhood. Both provide a great way to make friends and go to interesting programs (same with Youth Group for the kids)!
Spread kindness by supporting one of our Religious/Social Action projects.
If you prefer to stay in during cold weather, you can help us by making phone calls or sending e-mails. Reaching out to fellow congregants is a great way to lift spirits during the boring winter months.
If you want to know how to get started or have questions about these ideas, contact me anytime at reenag@templedavid.org or 412-480-1420.
Happy New Year!
This synopsis of Board meeting topics and discussion subjects is a continuing feature in TD Now! and is included to keep our membership more informed. As always, our members are welcome to attend any General Board Meeting.
While we are Zoom, please contact Reena Goldberg and she will send you the link.
Jay Goodman,
Recording Secretary
Notes from the March 2022 Board of Trustees Meeting
- Rabbi Symons thanked: the Membership Cmte. for providing Mishloach Manot for members in nursing facilities, Jeff Baldel and Kay Liss for their work on the HVAC upgrade, and everyone who made the 100th Bat Mitzvah Anniversary / 50th Anniversary of Women in the Rabbinate a wonderful celebration.
- President Reena Goldberg announced that Annual Meeting plans are in preparation for May 25. We will plan for an in-person meeting and move to on-line or hybrid if necessary.
- Rabbi Symons and Rachael Farber will follow up on plans for a October 27 Remembrance.
Notes from the February 2022 Board of Trustees Meeting
- J. Baldel/K. Liss: HVAC System Proposal. Jeff provided some history of our relationship with Tudi Mechanical and the state of our equipment. They provided us a quote of $135K+ to replace our equipment. Six other contractors were contacted: three were uninterested immediately; three viewed the systems but were not interested afterwards. Tudi has provided a new quote for $140K+. J. Goodman proposed that President Goldberg call a special meeting of the congregation to approve the purchase of a new HVAC system. K. Liss seconded and the motion was passed without objection. The meeting will be scheduled for Monday, March 7 at 7 p.m. on Zoom; the announcement will be mailed on Wednesday, February 23. (Expenditure was approved by the congregation on March 7.)
- R. Goldberg: Changing our current food guidelines. The Reopening Task Force met and we will resume serving food at the Oneg Shabbat on Friday, March 4. We will also have some life cycle events beginning in May where food will be available.
- R. Farber: Presented the scheduled of Proposed Spring and Summer events from the Membership Cmte. Discussion followed.
- R. Boswell: Please attend the event to Honor the Antonoffs on Sunday, February 27.
Notes from the December 2021 Board of Trustees Meeting
- Rabbi Symons and President Goldberg thanked Bruce Antonoff for his many years of service to the Board and Temple David; and thanked Rachael Farber for spearheading the Chanukah Games.
- Rabbi Symons announced that we will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first bat mitzvah on March 19, and that she is working on activities for Pride Month (June).
- The temple has purchased a yahrzeit plaque for Rabbi Edelstein, z’’l.
- The Membership Committee is planning a May 14, Welcome Back Dinner.
- Jeff Baldel (House Chair) has met with a number of contractors regarding updating our HVAC system.
Notes from the October 2021 Board of Trustees Meeting
- The Door-to-Door program is going well and is a good example of creative programming. Rabbi Symons still has concerns about those persons who cannot join Temple David worship and programs online.
- The Religious School is focusing on Israel. All committees should find a way to also focus on Israel.
- The Board elected the following representatives to the 2022 Nominating Cmte. R. Farber, B. Abrams, J. Raithel, and B. Pechersky. They will join Jim Jones and Rochelle Parker. (Subsequent to the Board meeting, President Reena Goldberg appointed Ilana Yergin as the third congregational representative. The kickoff meeting was held on November 15.).
Notes from the August 2021 Board of Trustees Meeting
This synopsis of Board meeting topics and discussion subjects is a continuing feature in TD Now! and is included to keep our membership more informed. As always, our members are welcome to attend any General Board Meeting.
- Rabbi Symons thanked the service leaders and others who led in her absence, and for assistance with the funeral for Roz Schwartz, z’’l, who was a pillar of our community.
- President Reena Goldberg thanked all for their work preparing for the holidays and for Day in the Park.
- Randy Boswell (Ritual Practices Chair) presented an update on High Holy Day Preparations.
- President Reena Goldberg presented on Updated Safety Protocols and requested input from Board members prior to the next meeting of the Reopening Cmte.
Notes from the July 2021 Board of Trustees Meeting
This synopsis of Board meeting topics and discussion subjects is a continuing feature in TD Now! and is included to keep our membership more informed. As always, our members are welcome to attend any General Board Meeting.
The new business portion of the July meeting largely consisted of a lively discussion of Multi-access as we prepare to move back into more in-person events and services. (The meeting took place before the Delta Variant resurgence of COVID-19.)
You can learn more about Multi-access here: https://is.gd/G5emyy
Notes from the June 2021 Board of Trustees Meeting
- Rabbi Symons and President Goldberg thanked the outgoing and continuing Board members, and welcomed the new Board members (Carol Gordon, Rachael Farber, Randy Boswell, Sharon Saltzman, and Beck Abrams).
- President Goldberg reviewed some Board member guidelines regarding: communications, goal setting, and participation.
- President Goldberg appointed Arin Keough as Religious School Vice President for a one-year term; the Board approved the appointment.
- The Board Installation will take place during the Erev Shabbat service on Friday, July 23.
Notes from the May 2021 Board of Trustees Meeting
- Rabbi Symons: 5780/81 Confirmation will be on Saturday, July 31 in-person.
- Rabbi Symons: Our application for a SteelTree grant from Federation for the Door to Door program for grandchildren and grandparents was successful.
- President Goldberg: We have asked our staff to resume full-time work in June. Services will be on-line and in-person. We will continue to review our technology needs.
- President Goldberg: Nikke Wiliams will be taking on External Communications as Marcine Hillman completes her term.
Notes from the April 2021 Board of Trustees Meeting
- Rabbi Symons: Temple David had an amazing response to the request to help refugee children, brought to our attention by Amy Kubas.
- Rabbi Symons: The Ministerium’s Community Network has been working on mental health. Rabbi engaged Maggie Feinstein of the 10.27 Healing Partnership who spoke to the group about the increased challenges due to COVID. Mental Health First Aid will be addressed by Gateway Schools as well as by the community at large.
- R. Goldberg: Reopening and Safety Protocols. The Reopening Committee recently met to review the procedures in preparation for the upcoming b’nai mitzvah. Changes include no temperature checks, COVID symptoms signage, and details for the serving of food. K. Liss described a meeting with our sound consultant Ray Falcsik.
- R. Goldberg: Annual Meeting planning: the meeting will be held on June 9, please submit ideas for the meeting. Discussion ensued regarding whether to hold the meeting in-person, on Zoom, or using a hybrid system. Many suggestions and opinions were provided, and a hybrid system will be tested.
Notes from the March 2021 Board of Trustees Meeting
This synopsis of Board meeting topics and discussion subjects is a continuing feature in TD Now! and is included to keep our membership more informed. As always, our members are welcome to attend any General Board Meeting.
- J. Goodman: Photo Permission Procedures. Jay presented the procedures and new forms. Jay will work with Bev to distribute this.
- H. Abromson-Kuth: General feedback, Interfaith liaison updates. Common threads from interfaith families were discussed.
- R. Goldberg: Staff Appreciation and Volunteer Appreciation. Reena reviewed the staff appreciation efforts in March and is declaring April to be volunteer appreciation month. Reena shared an example of a screen share for the April 16 Volunteer Appreciation service and is soliciting photos of volunteers in action.
- J. Raithel: Fundraising is selling blintzes and cheesecakes for Shavuot for pick-up at the temple.
Notes from the November 2020 Board of Trustees Meeting
- Chanukah Give-Away. Stuart Abramson went over the plans to hand out Chanukah items from the Temple vestibule (Brotherhood: candles, Membership: gelt; Ritual: prayer sheets; Sisterhood: dreidels).
- Chanukah Newspaper Ad. Stuart Abramson showed a copy of the ad that will run in the Monroeville and Murrysville newspapers on December 10.
- Membership Committee Webcam. Stuart Abramson reported that the Membership Cmte. has purchased a webcam and will make it available for other events via the office.
- Livestreaming. Kay Liss has received many options with a wide range of equipment options and associated expenses. Stan Beck: livestreaming is like watching a television program, i.e., the participants are passively watching. Our members may prefer an interactive service. Kay: we would likely do both simultaneously. Discussion followed.
Notes from the September 2020 Board of Trustees Meeting
This meeting was held online via Zoom.
- Rabbi Symons expressed appreciation for the work done for the High Holy Days: Thank you for the services, gift bags, and all of the behind the scenes efforts. Specific mentions of S. Beck, J. Goodman, and J. Lippock.
- President Goldberg initiated the process to elect Board representatives for the 2020-21 Nominating Cmte. The volunteers were K. Liss, A. Keough, R. Sloan, and J. Lippock (alternate). S. Abramson moved that we approve the slate and J. Baldel seconded. Motion was approved. [Cong. Members are Randy Boswell, Gail Schmitt, Bob Gordon, Barbara Holst, and Deb Scheib (alternate)]
- President Goldberg reported that the Reopening Cmte. requests that individual committees consider holding in-person meetings beginning in November, subject to the safety protocols. Chairs will gather information from their committees and report back by October 9.
Notes from the August 2020 Board of Trustees Meeting
- Rabbi Symons completed anti-racism facilitator training from the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Attendees included 14 people representing the Monroeville Interfaith Ministerium, 6 of whom were from Temple David.
- Kay Liss presented and explained the TD Wish List. Bruce Antonoff moved that we approve the Wish List; Stan Beck seconded. Discussion followed. Motion was approved.
- H. Wolfe reported that we have received $5000 from the Steinsapir Foundation; Temple David member Marty Mallit is a foundation trustee, and the foundation has supported Temple David for many years.
Notes from the July 2020 Board of Trustees Meeting
- The Board approved the nomination of Barbara Flesch as ALLEC (Adult Ed.) Chairperson.
- Rabbi Symons and other TD members are working with the Monroeville Interfaith Ministerium to become anti-racism facilitators (program from the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC).
- Rabbi Symons wished Mazal Tov to Arin Keough on Natalie’s bat mitzvah, which was an exquisite example of Temple working together; thanks to Jay Goodman for hosting Zoom, the choir, the presenters, and Randy and Marsha Boswell for baking challah.
Notes from the June 2020 Board of Trustees Meeting
- President Reena Goldberg and Rabbi Barbara Symons each welcomed the new Trustees and Officers, and thanked the continuing Trustees and Officers. The new Board Members are Harlee Abromson-Kuth (Interfaith Liaison), Greg Casher (Treasurer), and Nicole Williams (Social Media).
- Rabbi Symons has been keeping in touch by phone with nursing home patients and other congregants. She will have more time now as monthly classes will be on hiatus for two months.
- Rabbi Symons thanked the Executive Committee for giving K. Liss the directive to head up our social justice effort, and thanked J. Lippock and Deb Scheib for their efforts.
- On behalf of the Reopening Committee, B. Antonoff presented a motion outlining the minimum actions that we need to take for services and meetings to resume at Temple David, with the understanding that the Weiger School and JESP would each determine their own actions. The motion was approved unanimously after a very in-depth and engaging discussion.
Notes from the May 2020 Board of Trustees Meeting
This synopsis of Board meeting topics and discussion subjects is a continuing feature in TD Now! and is included to keep our membership more informed. As always, our members are welcome to attend any General Board Meeting.
This meeting was held online via Zoom.
- Rabbi Symons summarized how she has been spending her time: services, classes, planning for next year for religious school, checking in with congregants, Ministerium work towards food distribution in the community through the schools and Meals on Wheels.
- President Reena Goldberg provided an update on the work of the Reopening Committee. Jeff Baldel will gather information on the physical plant, and Robin Sloan and Brett Pechersky will gather information on technology needs. The other committee members are Rabbi Symons, Reena Goldberg, Bruce Antonoff, Jay Goodman, Dr. Helen Dorra-Casher, Stan Beck, and Mark White.
- President Reena Goldberg provided an update on plans for the Annual Congregational Meeting.
- Brett Pechersky reported that we have received a PPP loan via First National Bank to be used for salary replacement for Temple and for JESP
- Stuart Abramson presented the new marketing brochure developed by the Membership Cmte. which was well-received. The expected mailing date is August 1.
Notes from the April 2020 Board of Trustees Meeting
This meeting was held online via Zoom.
- Confirmation. Rabbi Symons led the discussion regarding how we will celebrate Confirmation. The students (Isaac Sloan and Isabel Bakaturski) and families were in attendance. It is likely that we will still be online, or, if not, still maintaining a degree of social distancing. Options were presented and discussion followed. The decision was to postpone Confirmation, and options for rescheduling will be discussed among the affected parties.
- Marketing Consultant. S. Abramson gave a presentation and recommended a targeted mailing. Discussion followed. S. Abramson moved to accept a donation from a congregant targeted towards the eventual marketing effort; J. Lippock seconded. Motion was approved.
- Annual Congregational Meeting. R. Goldberg stated that we need to publicize the June 1 meeting by the end of April. We will plan for a Zoom meeting and S. Abramson agreed to help with tech support. Details for online participation will be included with the mailed meeting announcement.
- Reopening Temple-when, how? R. Goldberg reviewed the information from Governor Wolf’s office. We will maintain our current status through June 1 and address resumption of in-person activities once we have more information.
- Virtual Events. Rabbi Symons related that the Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh has offered to publicize our online events. She also mentioned that she leads book discussions and is concerned about Monroeville Public Library publicizing our online events. Discussion followed and we will continue thinking about this while trying to balance outreach efforts and security concerns.
- PPP Program. K. Liss moved that Harvey Wolfe, Financial Vice President, is authorized to pursue a payroll protection program loan on behalf of Temple David Congregation. J. Goodman seconded. Motion was approved. (Note: due to the required deadlines, this item was discussed and voted upon after the meeting.)
March 2020 Board of Trustees Meeting was Canceled
Notes from the February 2020 Board of Trustees Meeting
- Rental Rates. H. Wolfe presented new schedules of rental fees which were approved after discussion.
- New Memorial Board. K. Liss provided an update; the new board will be ordered
- Sr. Youth Group (TREATY). Guests R. Farber, R. Gerse, A. Sloan, and S. Sloan requested and received permission to use classroom 7 as a Youth Group Lounge.
- School Security. M. Cooper reported that Brotherhood breakfast attendees were roaming the school hallway. Parents were previously instructed not to enter the hallway during school without being escorted by Mrs. Fisher or an office staffer. Updates to religious school doors will investigated by the Security Committee.
Notes from the January 2020 Board of Trustees Meeting
- Scheduling and Communication. R. Goldberg requested that all meetings and events be sent to the calendar e-mail address and that all chairs and organizers should check the online Temple calendar for potential scheduling issues (not just on your event date but also during the week before and after).
- Weather-related closures. S. Beck asked what our procedures are; services will be discussed at the Ritual Practices Cmte. School closures to be handled by Commission. Other committees will decide for their events.
- Pound Auction Fundraiser (3/21). J. Raithel described this new fundraiser.
- Donation to Rauh Jewish Archives. R. Goldberg described the process for archiving our records at Rauh. Susan Bortz will work on this.
- B’nai Mitzvah tutor. S. Beck announced that Cantor Shapiro will no longer tutor (he has moved to Pittsburgh). We have hired Susan Loether who also tutors at other congregations.
Published September 2020
With this issue I conclude my eighteenth year as editor of Temple David’s monthly bulletin, currently known as TD Now!.
We, the congregation of Temple David, completed our sixty-second year on March 23, the anniversary of the signing of our charter, and correspondingly, this issue completes Volume 62 of the bulletin.
The date on this issue is August 28, which is 168 days since we began lockdown, and 210 days since I last had a haircut (I was due to have one on the day we began the lockdown…).
We have since held multiple meetings, classes, and worship services on Zoom and I don’t know whether anyone has kept count of how many. I have had the pleasure of serving as the host for a few of these. I cannot tell you how pleasurable it is to mute someone! I am looking for a “mute button” to use once we are in-person again (I did find a phone app but it was basically ad-ware). When I was in Hebrew School, the teachers used to regularly scream “Shah” at us, but pushing a button is less confrontational.
I have missed including photographs from our events in TD Now! The photos on the recent events page, taken by Linda Jones, are from the August 11 Social Distancing Get-Together at Community Park. We have a few in-person events scheduled in September and October and I have asked the chairpersons to take photos whenever possible.
As I do each year, I’d like to thank our proofreaders: Barbara Fisher, Reena Goldberg, Jim Jones, Linda Jones, Kay Liss, Beverly Reinhardt, Rabbi Barbara Symons, and Elaine Wolfe.
Also, thank you to Bev for preparing and mailing the paper copy of TD Now! each month. My thanks also go to all of you who provide the monthly content; extra thanks to those who are respectful of the deadlines.
L’shanah Tovah Tikateivu—May You be Inscribed for a Good Year.