July 2008 - Sivan / Tamuz 5768

The past week has been an exhilarating and wonderful week for Rinat.  On Wednesday evening, more than 600 people joined us to welcome and hear the thoughtful and challenging words of a Jewish Hero - Natan Sharansky.  As Rabbi Adler noted in his introduction, the intensity of his sacrifice and the clarity of his continuing call to human rights has served as an inspiration to each of us to seek to be better Jews and aspire towards a greater sense of humanity.

This past Shabbat, Rav Benny Lau inspired us, providing an exceptional, clarion voice of principle, reason and passion setting forth a vision of Religious Zionism filled with idealism as well as compassion and responsibility to greater Klal Yisrael.

This past year was marked by great successes in our traditional programming - as wonderful examples, the dinner was the most successful in our history and we served more mispallelim during the Yomim Noraim than ever.  Under Andrea Fields’ leadership, we hosted sold-out Shabbat Lunches, a couples evening at the Pasta Factory and a family seudat shelishit - all continuing in our efforts to make Rinat a welcoming Kehilla.  Our Youth Programming led by Martin and Divsha Tollinsky under the tutelage of the Youth Committee led by Charlie Eisenberg, ran a year filled with innovative and active programming.

But, more than anything, this was a year of innovation and creativity at Rinat.  In her first year as Yoetzet Halacha, Shayna Goldberg gave many shiurim to devoted and large crowds and received a staggering 531 phone calls.  Each of us should take great pride that a person of Shayna’s intellect, training and compassion is affiliated with Rinat and how this initiative at Rinat has enhanced Shmirat Hamitzvot in such a tangible and meaningful manner.

Another significant areas of innovation was in the increased quality and breadth of Adult Education programming this year .  In addition to Natan Sharansky and Rav Lau this past week, our speakers who visited this year included Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, Rav Asher Weiss, Rav Yoel Bin Nun, Rav Michael Rosensweig, Rav Moshe Lichtenstein, Rav Meir Lichtenstein, Rav Moshe Taragin, Shani Taragin, Rav Kevie Taragin, Rav Chaim Rapoport, Rav Haim Angel, Professor Yishaya Gafni, Professor Steven Fine, Kenneth Jacobson ... and this is just a partial, albeit breathtaking list of the diverse educational opportunities brought to Rinat this year. 

Finally, on Sunday morning, a wonderful crowd of our members came to our General Membership Meeting to hear the presentations of our architect and interior designer, as well as to ask questions of our Steering Committee, as we move to “finish line” on the design phase of our Expansion.  More than the mere specifics raised by each inquiry, the “Q&A” with its lively discussion at the three-hour meeting demonstrated yet again the passion, dedication and commitment of our membership to Rinat and to the Expansion project.

As I alluded in my prior article, I had hoped to have concluded my presidency at this time.  As Rav Lau alluded to on Shabbat, we serve as Ovdei Hashem and Sheluchei Tzibur - and it is only out of deep sense of responsibility and duty to you to complete the task of building our new shul that compels me forward.

After two years, one observation I have gained on being a Shul President - no one seems to be shy about telling you how you’re doing, and on certain days (this Shabbat being an example), it appears that I’m not doing that well at all!  I do not seek to be treated gently, but I assure each of you that I am trying my best for the sake of the Tzibur to balance the needs and programming for 300 families in a building designed for half that populations and - sometimes - things just fall short. 

May we all continue in this new fiscal year to grow in Torah, Teflilla and Chesed - michayil el chayil.