President’s Message – Summer 2017
It’s been a good year at Temple B’nai Tikvah.
We welcomed Rabbi Mark Glickman as our fourth settled rabbi. The Reform movement prefers the word “settled” to “permanent” rabbi—no rabbi signs a lifetime contract. The transition to a new rabbi is like any new relationship—it takes time, usually at least 18-24 months. But a year into our relationship, I hope we are together for a very long time. It is a joy to work with Rabbi Glickman, to learn from him, to experience his warmth, intelligence, humour, compassion, and his care for our congregation.
Here are only some of the highlights of our first year together:
In September, we enjoyed a welcome-back barbecue as we geared up for a new year. Shabbat School began with extraordinary teachers and the lively professional leadership of Jenny Laing.
In October, we used our new siddur, Mishkan Hanefesh, for all the High Holidays. Thanks again to Al Osten for this generous gift. An inspiring talk from Dr. Gayla Rogers initiated a new Lunch and Learn program. We’ve since enjoyed talks by Dr. Adrienne Kertzer, Rabbi Glickman and Sari Shernofsky, Don Braid and Sydney Sharpe, and Katie Baker. We welcome ideas for future programs.
November brought a major milestone with Rabbi Glickman’s installation and the opportunity to learn from his mentor, Rabbi Gary Zola, who joined us as the Moshe Yedlin Scholar-in-Residence through the generosity of Deborah Yedlin and Martin Molyneaux. And who can forget renowned Israeli musician Noa’s moving rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” just after learning of Cohen’s death. Thanks to Steve Eichler, who continues the tradition he initiated of contemporary Israeli music at Temple B’nai Tikvah.
December brought a personal highlight for me, when Rabbi Glickman and I attended the Shallet Seminar for congregations in transition to new rabbis—an invaluable opportunity to learn, reflect, and set goals together. And we started our new holiday dinner project at Discovery House.
February brought a beautiful high-energy Tu B’Shevat Seder with our Shabbat School, followed in March by an awesome Purim celebration with Rabbi Glickman leading Shabbat services in his Queen Esther costume. If you missed it, you’ll want to save the date for 5778. I always love our annual Women’s Seder — another date to save for next year.
May highlighted our place in the larger Jewish and Calgary communities, starting with the Negev Dinner, honouring our own Al Osten, masterfully MC’d by Steve Eichler—a man of so many hats—and chaired by Donna Riback. Mega Mitzvah Day highlighted the Shabbat School students’ tikkun olam projects, collected food for Miriam’s Well, and gathered a mountain of bottles to help support the Ghanam family. Our wonderful Drop-In Centre volunteers cooked our annual Mega Mitzvah Meal for grateful guests. And Temple hosted the community Yom Ha Zikaron commemoration, a two-year “tradition” to be continued.
In June one of the goals Rabbi Glickman and I set in December came to fruition, as we expanded the roles of two part-time professional staff, Director of Education Jenny Laing, and our new Music Director, Katie Baker. Katie, who grew up in Temple, builds from the musical foundations that Norm Yanofsky established. Norm and Deb Finkleman will continue to provide music at services. President’s Message Betsy Jameson 4 This year, too, the Ways and Means Committee initiated a long-hoped-for planned giving campaign. Social Action began a new association with the Metro Alliance for the Common Good, and will soon partner with St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church to staff a south Calgary satellite distribution centre for the Calgary Interfaith Food Bank.
None of this could have happened without the dedication of our staff and countless volunteers. I especially want to thank Danny Oppenheim, Sheila Hart, Connie Harding, David Even-Har, Ken Sullivan, and Phil Horovitz for all they do to keep Temple running. And huge thanks to Rabbi Glickman, Katie Baker, Jenny Laing, and all the gifted Shabbat School teachers.
I have been blessed with an extraordinary Board of Trustees and Executive Committee who devote countless hours and enormous care to Temple. I especially thank the Board Members who are ending their terms: Andy Kubrin, Elaine Hashman, Elise Thomas, Lori Hartwick, Ted Switzer, and Bruce Winston. Thanks as well to Roz Mendelson, who has chaired an exemplary Transition Committee and the High Holidays Committee.
A huge thanks to Cynthia Simmons, who served as Temple President over twenty years ago, rejoined the Board, and did an exemplary job as Treasurer. We faced a challenging situation when neither our First nor Second Vice President could succeed me as President. Cynthia, with typical grace and dedication, has stepped up to serve as First Vice President next year. I hope she may inspire other members to volunteer in the future.
As I write this, we urgently need a Treasurer. If you can do it, please call me. The coming year will bring more highlights, more milestones. We will begin our new Rugelach Program for our youngsters. And there will be a huge, eagerly anticipated change: Dr. Caron Glickman has just sold her dental practice. I am almost as happy as Rabbi Glickman that we’ll soon have her here most of the time.
It’s been a good year. I look forward to the challenges and adventures that lie ahead. May we, together, continue to grow from strength to strength.