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OUTGOING PRESIDENT'S REMARKS
JEFFREY SILBERMAN, MAY 18, 2005
As I prepared for this evening, I reviewed my installation remarks from
two years ago. I began my presidency with great enthusiasm and hope as
I considered our goals and challenges. I was determined that my presidency
would be different – it would be marked by orderly progress and calm. As
my wife often reminds me, the world sometimes refuses to cooperate.
Rather
than reflecting upon all that we have accomplished these past two years,
I recalled how privileged I felt when I was installed as your president
and how blessed I am to have spent so much time with so many wonderful
congregants, lay leaders, religious professionals and colleagues.
I have learned first-hand that we are truly a great synagogue of many congregations. There are those who provide the core group of attendees at worship services; there are those who serve with a great sense of urgency and commitment in the work of social action fulfilling our commitment to Tikkun Olam. There is an extraordinarily active parent-body in our Religious School, Preschool and Day School. We are blessed with our incredible students and school faculties. There are dedicated adult and youth choir members, adult learners studying with our clergy and teachers, our men’s and women’s organizations, our youth groups, our groups of committees, our Chavurot, our hard-working Board of Directors and our Life Members, Century Club congregants and Dor L' Dor Society members whose generous additional contributions enable us to fund many of our programs and allow us to be a congregation open to everyone.
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Although I have been referred to as the president of "the" Congregation – that word "congregation" in the singular does not do justice to what I have discovered to be the true essence of CBI. As I conclude my presidency, I have an even greater sense of respect, devotion and honor for the institution where I have spent my entire Jewish life and for all of you, our members, my Board colleagues and our dedicated and talented staff. When viewed from this perspective, one sees that Congregation Beth Israel truly exemplifies the very best of Reform Judaism: As it is written in our mission statement:
Mah tovu ohalecha Ya'acov …
"How goodly are your tents, 0 Jacob…" (Numbers 24: 5a)
Congregation Beth Israel is a refuge, a wellspring, a dwelling place on life's sacred journey.
We are truly a large tent in our community. Together, all of our clusters of "many
congregations" combine to form a community created for the purpose of perpetuating
the Jewish religion, the Jewish people and our Jewish values. I have been blessed
to participate in our wonderful synagogue, which first looks inward to fulfill
our spiritual, educational and cultural needs, and then looks outward to the
wider community with acts of tzedakah and tikkun olam.
When I was installed, CBI faced far different circumstances and challenges than today. And last year at this time we were immersed in our search for a new senior rabbi – perhaps, one of the most important moments in the history of our congregation, as countless congregants would often remind me.
In the face of this challenging transition, our various congregational clusters continued to flourish and CBI members exemplified strength, loyalty and commitment to our great synagogue. As we transition to new lay leadership, we are well-positioned to turn our attention to new challenges and opportunities.
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We are blessed to have Rabbi Citrin as our senior spiritual leader. Rabbi, as
a lay leader, I have truly enjoyed and appreciated your spirit of collaboration
and partnership, and our family has been greatly inspired by your spiritual leadership,
kindness and friendship.
I am also so grateful for the incredible devotion and
support of Cantor Bernstein and Rabbi Goloboy. Thank you so much for your dedication,
incredible attitudes and open hearts. The congregation is truly blessed that
are religious professionals are so committed to devoting enormous energy and
purpose to their roles as our spiritual leaders.
I am also so grateful for the
tremendous support of our professional colleagues: Stuart Simmons, Bonnie Graff
and our incredibly devoted and talented staff. Stuart, I feel particularly privileged
to have served as President during your Chai Anniversary of 18 years of continuous
service to CBI. I will forever be grateful for all of your support, encouragement,
guidance and friendship.
My presidency has been one of challenge, opportunity and transition. Happily, it has afforded me the privilege of making many new friends. My heartfelt thanks go to all of you for your support and your work on behalf of our synagogue. I have been privileged to work with the most dedicated Board members and officers. Thank you so much for your spirit, devotion and selflessness.
I began my presidency by thanking my incredible wife, Karen. At the time, I truly
did not understand the sacrifices she would have to make to enable me to serve
our Congregation. She never wavered. She constantly embraced and supported my
service to our congregation. She put much of her life on hold as she so beautifully
supported our children and me. You were and continue to be my voice of reason,
calm and hope. Your selflessness is beyond compare. Thank you so much for making
this dream come true for me.
I know you will all join me in supporting our incoming president, Barbara Haworth,
and our new officers and board members as they continue to lead this extraordinary
Congregation. Barbara, I wish you a wonderful term in office, the parking space
has your name on it, and I have forwarded my home phone number to the Haworth
residence! Thanks to all of you for allowing me to serve as your President.
Jeffrey Silberman
President, 2003 - 2005 Congregation Beth Israel go to top
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