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President's greeting article November 2007 bulletin Susan O. Singer
Have you had tuna fish at beth el lately? Egg salad? Bagels? erev Shabbat oneg dinners and Shabbat afternoon Kiddush lunches are an integral and fundamental part of our ongoing program at beth el. These two weekly meals may seem just like another serving of tuna and egg salad, But they are so much more than that! They help to create community by fostering friendships among our members and to create a time and place for all of us to meet together; to eat and to enjoy one another's company on a regular basis.
For several years now we have offered these meals to our community with only a request for a token $36 Annual “sponsorship” on our membership bills. This year for the first time, we have made this token contribution mandatory instead of voluntary. However, even with that change, we still find that the Kiddush is an expensive proposition. It is indispensable, but expensive. It is jewish tradition that we don't celebrate a happy occasion alone, but rather with our community. Further, it is a mitzvah to gather others together to eat communally. (see? There is a reason why no jewish event occurs without food!!) it makes the simcha or milestone so much more meaningful if you celebrate it at beth el on Shabbat. It brings a certain importance and possibly a spirituality to an occasion that might otherwise go by without fanfare, or proper acknowledgement.
For these reasons, among others, I would like to suggest that the next time you have a simcha or a life cycle event to celebrate; an anniversary or a big birthday, a job promotion or a new baby (not to mention, of course, a bar or bat mitzvah), you consider celebrating that simcha with your beth el family. Yes, you have possibly been a “sponsor” in the past, but this time consider actually HOSTing the meal for the membership and for your own family and friends as well. You may be surprised to find that you will benefit from it even more than the hungry people at the buffet table!
In thinking a lot about our oneg/Kiddush meals, we have given some thought and attention to the notion that we need to better coordinate and focus our efforts. With the help of our membership co-chair for volunteer inreach, Sheryl Feldheim, we have therefore put together a committee to do just that. I am delighted to report to you that congregation beth el now has a functioning Kiddush committee! The committee will oversee our erev Shabbat onegs and Saturday Kiddush lunches. It is being co-chaired by ellen wasserman, past beth el president, and kate Greenberg who has been a member since 2001. Both of these women are excited to take on this role and we are so fortunate to have them do so! They have a committee to work with them and the committee has already met more than once. We are off and running and we are in good hands as we move forward. Thank you to all of these volunteers for stepping up and helping out!
Watch for more information about beth el onegs and Kiddush lunches in upcoming bulletins. And, as always, join us for these meals whenever you possibly can. I look forward to breaking bread with you at beth el.
susan
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Congregation Beth El 109 East Ave Norwalk, CT 06851 203.838.2710 office@congbethel.org