An explanation of the Congregation Beth El’s Annual High Holiday Appeal as told by Appeal Chairman and Past President, Steve Stein.  Sit back and enjoy Steve’s warmth and humor…

What is the High Holiday Appeal? An opportunity in the middle of Yom Kippur to sit for a while, listen to another speech and to give tzdakah to the shul. (It represents 10% of our annual budget)

Who's in charge? Oy! Why does anyone have to be in charge? A hint - he's tall, looks like former congressman Chris Shays and he thinks he's funny! (His wife doesn't think he's funny!!)

History of the Appeal? Yes!  Annual appeals have been given for as long as there have been Judaism and shuls. So far for 75 years at Congregation Beth El! You get to hear it every Yom Kippur - how warm and wonderful our congregation is and how incredible our Rabbi is!  Think of it as a warm up for the Rabbi's incredible sermon and the Yizkor prayer!

This year's success? So far I have two new grandchildren to add to the old four. Also - The appeal did pretty good for a year that is filled with so much tumult! We surpassed our 2008 budget of $85,000 dollars - but for the first time in the last nine years, we didn't quite match last year's level of giving.  We’ve raised $90,000 dollars but it didn’t beat last year’s all time record of $104,000 dollars!  We'll just have to try harder next year or you can still make a contribution.  Call the office.  We take credit cards.

Remember to buy certificates from Henry, shop at the gift shop, come to services regularly and come early next Yom Kippur.  You’ll want a good seat when I do this all over again.