How quickly time goes by. It is already December and the end of 2008. It is also the beginning of our working on goals and activities for Temple Beth Hillel in 2009. By the time you read this article, we will have celebrated another special Shabbat “Elective”, a culmination of a La’atid activity, complete with a delicious dinner and beautiful service.

This past year was marked with wonderful blessings. So many of you have commented to me about the very beautiful High Holiday Services we had and that it was our new cantor, Emily Sleeper Mekler, who made our worship so special with her voice, her spiritual neshoma (soul) and the sounds of our very own Temple Beth Hillel choir.

We are planning more musical activities and I urge you to help with your donations to our Music Fund. We need your financial support to help us realize our plans for special musical events that will benefit our synagogue and bring us great joy as well.

As for the other arms of our Temple, there is lots of activity happening. Sisterhood held a Chinese auction on Dec. 14. Adult Education continues to offer opportunities for Jewish learning. Many of you have already taken advantage of these courses. There will be a Film Festival coming in February, so…..stay tuned. Thank you Helen Freeman and your committee for all the work and dedication you put into making these offerings available to us.

Hopefully by this time you have all seen and admired the beautiful new sign on our building. This was designed by the Art Committee and donated by the Men’s Club. Thank you both for doing this for Temple Beth Hillel.

Soon we will be celebrating Chanukah and then the yearly cycle of Jewish holidays to follow. Watch your Temple bulletin for information and times of these celebrations. Plan to be with us. Next month we will be adding a newsletter article called “Behind the Scenes”. This will update you on the workings of our Board of Directors and what we are trying to accomplish for Temple Beth Hillel.

Wishing you a very Happy Chanukah and a Healthy and Happy 2009!
Stanley J. Goldberg, President