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PRESIDENT'S ROSH HASHANAH REMARKS
BARBARA HAWORTH, OCTOBER 4, 2005
Shana Tova! I am Barbara Haworth, President of the Board of Directors of Congregation Beth Israel.
In preparation for today, I wrote not one, but two sets of remarks. Both contained exactly what you would expect to hear from the President of a synagogue. Each time I read my carefully chosen biblical quotes and the rabbinic sources I had used to craft my message, I was more bored than the last time I read it. Since we have learned clergy right here who can deliver you the text and the means for interpretation, I have decided instead to tell you what is in my heart.
I am usually asked if I am crazy or just a masochist to have taken on the job of President of a synagogue. While some may care to discuss my mental health, or lack thereof, that was truly not what motivated me. I am here because I believe that all Jews have a sacred duty to ensure the existence and strength of the cornerstone of Jewish life — the synagogue.
I am by no means unique – at Congregation Beth Israel we have a large group of board members, committee chairs, and other volunteers who do the same thing even if they don't articulate the reason. They do this because they care deeply and passionately about the quality of Jewish life. And thank G-d for all of them.
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I am blessed to lead a board that is one of the most committed and hard working groups of volunteers I have ever been a part of. You would be shocked to learn how many hours most of them spend working at temple.
My personal motivation, and again I am not unique, is driven by my desire to deliver a "complete" Jewish world to my children, their children and their children. Without vibrant synagogue life, that will not be possible.
I am concerned about this Jewish world in the face of the passing of what has been called "The Greatest Generation". With the passing of the older generation goes the memory of the day when there was no state of Israel, when there was a Holocaust, and when open anti – Semitism was the order of the day even in America. This generation knew that the responsibility for Jewish life rested on their shoulders 365 days a year. They also recognized the synagogue as their spiritual home. They understood that to be part of a community, you have to help create and maintain it.
The generations that follow them do not feel as compelled to maintain the hallmark of Jewish life. We just expect the institutions to be here. People speak of "belonging" to a synagogue in the same way we speak of belonging to a health club or to a time share.
I am concerned about the Jewish education of our children. In the recent United Jewish Federation demographic survey, we find there are more than five thousand children in San Diego who have not received any Jewish education. How will they ensure our Jewish future? How will they understand that the fate of Israel and America are inextricably linked?
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I am concerned that we Jews will pass on without having memorialized our intentions in our estate documents. There is no better way to insure that our values and our work can live on than by making certain that we have left a legacy gift to the Jewish community, especially the synagogue.
So, with that in the collective heart of the leadership of your synagogue, I want to tell you where we hope to go over the next several months. Your Board of Directors is embarking on the development of a strategic plan for Congregation Beth Israel. This is an historic event in the life of our congregation.
The process of developing a strategic plan will ideally engage every part of our congregation, its leadership, clergy, staff and members. We will examine ourselves from the inside out and the outside in. Our goal is to identify, honor and strengthen those aspects of our Congregation that have made us strong. Simultaneously, we will identify those aspects of our congregation that need strengthening.
We hope to have a plan that will guide the current and future board for years to come.
There is nothing wrong here. We are undertaking this to translate our vision into goals, plans and actions to make sure that the congregation's resources are aligned with the needs of its members.
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We are only just beginning the planning for this undertaking now. The strategic planning initiative is being led by Ron Fox and Herb Hafter under the guidance of our consultant and member, Michael Sonduck. The strategic planning committee will organize and oversee a broad process that will include many voices engaged in this dialogue. I hope that you will become interested and involved in some aspect of this process.
To be a dynamic organization which is capable of meeting ever changing needs and realities, we rely on our exceptional clergy — Rabbi Paul Citrin, Rabbi Sheila Goloboy, and Cantor Arlene Bernstein as well as our gifted Senior Staff — Stuart Simmons, Bonnie Graff, Dr. Harvey Raben, Tammy Vener, and Bridget Weiss. To each of you and to the many talented and dedicated members of our staff, we thank you and ask for blessings upon you for the coming year.
Our committees and volunteers have worked tirelessly over the last year. To all of you, we say thank you. The coming months will see an even greater use of volunteer power – a hearty thanks to all in advance of this important work.
I would especially like to thank my fellow board members who have exhibited an appetite for discussion and involvement that is not found on many volunteer boards. Their dedication and love for this synagogue is palpable. I feel honored to be leading you at this time and I am most grateful for your support.
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To all our members, we say thank you for your continuing support and for your acknowledgement that a synagogue has to stand 365 days a year. To our Life Members and Century Club members, it is through your additional support above and beyond dues that we are able to welcome many people who would otherwise not be able to join our synagogue community. And to the many members of our Dor l' Dor Society we express our heartfelt thanks. Dor L' Dor means from generation to generation and this is the group of members who have made an endowment gift or provided for Congregation Beth Israel in their will. Not only do they have the satisfaction of knowing that their values will live on, scientific studies show that those who give an endowment gift or make a bequest actually live longer!
I would like to extend a hearty welcome to all our extended family members and visitors who are worshipping with us for these High Holy Days. We hope you find spiritual fulfillment and invite you to further sample our extensive congregational offerings throughout the year. Do I need to tell you how much we would value your membership? Be with us on as many occasions as you like. I am certain that you will find your place here. If we can help you in any way, do let us know. We have so much to offer you and you to us. We thank you for sharing these High Holy Days with us and really hope to see you again.
We are an incredibly strong institution and we have much in store for the future. May we go from strength to strength.
Shana tova tikatevu. May our new year be bright with promise, filled with hope and blessed with peace.
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