WONDER OF WONDERS!

The experience of receiving the B’nai Jacob Torah and placing it into its new home in Temple Beth Hillel was truly wondrous! I hope that you were with us that evening when we escorted the Torah under the chuppah. The blasts of the shofar announced its arrival. We danced and we sang….. And….. wonders of wonders – it didn’t rain!

Months and months of planning led to this very joyous and emotional event. May G-d bless the B’nai Jacob Congregation for their efforts. May we never forget this important day. The B’nai Jacob Torah now has a new and loving home, one that will remember and honor its history.

This was a stirring community event that involved tireless effort on the part of many people. Thank you to our administrator Karen Kasheta, Rabbi Glickman, Cantor Mekler, our Torah Committee and all those who helped through their ideas and support. Lance and Michael Chernack were the heart and foundation of this project. Without their vision this never would have come to pass. We can all be very proud of how our Temple Beth Hillel family came together to make this dream a reality.

At the center of Jewish tradition are the melodies that bind us together in celebration and prayer. What would our dancing with the Torah have been like without the sounds of the klezmer band? Can you imagine this service without the sounds of our Adult Choir and the special trio of teen-agers? Who led us in all of this joyous music with her catching spirit and enthusiasm? Of course – it was Cantor Mekler!

When Cantor Mekler stood on the bimah for the first time on Rosh Hashonah, could any of us have imagined all the wonders she would be bringing to our congregation? We have experienced just eight months filled with Jewish Music to lift our souls and send our prayers heavenward. We have experienced the depth of neshomah (soul) and caring that Cantor Mekler brings to all that she does.

Now it is time for our Temple Beth Hillel family to band together and to support the 3 Choir Concert that will be held on Sunday, May 3, at 3:30 p.m. This is a major fundraiser for our Music Fund. It is through this fund that we hope to be able to have Cantor Mekler be able to continue at Temple Beth Hillel. Each and every person can help by selling tickets and ads. All you need to do is pick up some of the beautiful trifold flyers that are available at the Temple and spread the word! Let your neighbors, friends and co-workers know about this event.

With a commitment of each of our 195 Temple families to sell 10 tickets this would greatly help us reach our goal. If we can combine this with selling ads and getting sponsors, we will be able to insure that Cantor Mekler will be able to continue to grace the bimah of Temple Beth Hillel. We need your help immediately. We don’t want to lose this gift that we have been so blessed to have this year. We want to see Cantor Mekler remain with us, to grow with us and to raise our voices to G-d with us. Together we can create another wonder of wonders!

Stanley Goldberg