Annual Appeal

Temple Emanuel Annual Appeal - Sustaining Our Vibrant Community

August 2012 - Av 5772

Dear Friends:

Our grandparents and grandchildren inhabit different worlds. Grandparents read newspapers. Grandchildren connect with their world on-line. Grandparents talk. Grandchildren text. Grandparents experienced the Depression. Grandchildren read about it.

In the face of all this generational difference, one place that connects the generations is our beloved shul.

Recently, I was meeting with the adult son of an elderly woman who is in her last chapter. After telling me about his mother, we went into the Gann Chapel to offer up a misheberakh, a prayer for her healing and closure and peace. I asked him to open the ark whose parochet is the burning bush. Both the ark and the parochet were from our old building. He paused, staring at the ark. Then he added: I have a picture of me standing by this ark when I celebrated my Bar Mitzvah. And then when my wife and I were married. All three or our children had their picture taken in front of this ark when they celebrated their B'nei Mitzvah. And now, I open this ark to pray for my mother at the end of her days.

Temple Emanuel is about roots. Children are born here. They are educated here. They come to adulthood here. They get married here. They raise their children here. Our beloved Hazzan, Elias Rosemberg, captures this when he sings la 'dor va 'dor, from generation to generation, we are here for you.

That is why, once a year, in our Annual Appeal, we ask you to be here for us. To run a thriving shul that reaches a wondrously diverse community, encompassing multiple generations, from our nursery school to our L'Chaim Group, from 3 year olds to 90 somethings, takes a lot of money. Our beautiful building is aging. Dues and seats do not cover our expenses. Many of our members continue to hurt in this hard economy. Requests for abatements are up. Money is never a reason not to be a member of our community. So to continue to be a shul for all, and for all generations, we turn to you now.

Please give as generously as you can to our Annual Appeal. Your being here for us now allows us to be here for all of you. For the generations. Thank you!

Shana tovah,

Rabbi Wes Gardenswartz
Lisa Hills, President
Amy B. Klein, Co-Chair of Annual Appeal
Adam Suttin, Co-Chair of Annual Appeal

Annual Appeal Remarks - Yom Kippur 5773