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Treasurer Barb Levin and VP, Finance Jack Heller take a pause from their fiduciary duties

Your Board of Directors

Message from the President

So many individuals have put in volunteer time for the upcoming garage sale. . . .  Starting with those who have generously donated material and brought it to shul, then there have been those schlepping the large and heavy loads, others doing the pricing and sorting, the committee doing advertising, organizing, and coordination, and there will still be more when we actually get to the event--watching the shop, helping to carry, handling the money and overseeing the volunteers.  This is a Traditional community event and shows just what can be accomplished when we all set our minds to doing something. You should all remember that the hard work paid off in our "Cabaret Dinner," a nice evening and a nice fundraiser.  Don't forget about our ongoing projects that help out the synagogue, one of the easiest being the use of scrip for Dierbergs, Kohn's and Schnucks.  It only takes a minimal effort and no cost to participate, potentially bringing our synagogue some real money and lessening the burden on each of us.  And, of course, service volunteers are always appreciated, whether it is helping in the office, the kitchen, the garden or on the grounds. 

I find it interesting that Shavuot, one of the major biblical holidays, has been relegated to a relatively minor position in modern observance.  Perhaps it is because there are no special ritual tokens or images.  Perhaps because celebrating the giving of the Torah is more abstract than repairing and rededicating the Temple or than atoning for our personal sins.  During Pesach, we recreate the events by reciting the story in the Haggadah at the Seder.  Maybe we should have some sort of similar, more visual, recreation of Z'man Mattan Torateinu. The entire essence of this event is that the Torah was given to the whole community.  If we can pull off some significant Traditional community events, then we should find a way to elevate our observance of Shavuot.  By the time you get this newsletter the holiday will have passed.  Hopefully you will have had an opportunity to join us in prayer and in the late eve Torah study.

This is the last Torah-designated holiday until the Fall, and, with it, comes the end of Traditional's administrative year.  We will have our annual Congregational Meeting in June when we will vote on the new slate of officers, a few constitutional changes, and will be in the midst of the yard sale evaluation.  Hope to see you there, an excellent chance to participate in a meaningful way for the synagogue community as a whole. 

As always, see you in shul.

Phil Brick

COMMITTEES 

Traditional Congregation works best in Committees, just like the US Congress.  There are only a few differences.  First, seniority means nothing.  Second, there are no subcommittees.  Third, we actually get things done. 

Committees are the ideal forum because a) there is a social (i.e., fun) element to them; b) the work can be split among several people; and c) two heads are better than one.  You do not have to be a Board member to be on a committee  -- all that is necessary is that you want to commit your ideas,  your energy, and a little bit of your  time.   We do not believe in too many cooks spoil the broth.  Our motto is “the more the merrier.” 

Below is a list of some of our committees and the current members (with apologies if we’ve inadvertently left off anyone).  An asterisk (*) denotes a chairperson – if none appears, then either we need one or the chair is operating incognito.  So pick one (or two) that appeals to you and give someone on the committee a call to volunteer. 

Phil Brick, President 

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