Annual Report

Av, 5771-August, 2011

Dear Friends:

Last month Shira and I spent a Shabbat in Paris.  Friday night we went to the synagogue there.  We had never seen such a magnificent edifice.  With huge vaulted ceilings, stained glass windows, marble here, gold there, intricate design all around, we were in a worship space that was inspired by, and could rival, the great cathedrals of Europe.  While davening Kabbalat Shabbat in this ornate Parisian space, I had two feelings.

First, overwhelming sadness.  There was seating capacity for thousands.  Barely a minyan, including tourists, showed up.  Magnificent space. Empty space.  All the glass and gold, all the art and carving, could not make up for the absence of people.  The Jewish future is not in Europe.

Second, overwhelming hope from our own shul.  While praying with barely a minyan in this empty cathedral, I kept thinking about how hundreds of people come to Temple Emanuel every Friday night, where they have their choice of services.  I kept thinking of the hundreds of people who come to Shabbat Alive! week in and week out.  I could see, in my mind's eye, our children and grandchildren singing and dancing and coming up for Kiddush on Shabbat morning.  The Jewish future is alive and well, right here, and it is alive and well because of you.

Last year, despite the lingering effects of the recession, because of your individual and collective generosity, we had the most successful Annual Appeal we have ever had, which allowed us to reach more people more deeply in all our seven gates.

You will see in this Annual Report pictures of Jews and Judaism alive-over 1,125 families, 3,300 souls who, one at a time, each in his or her own way, is inspired by God, Torah, and mitzvah to lead a more purpose-driven life and to have a deeper impact.

For Jewish museums, go to Europe.  Go to Paris, Rome and Venice for magnificent buildings and empty pews and few Jews.  Go to Prague to see a rich Jewish past.

But for a pulsating Jewish present, for a rich and generative Jewish future, come to Newton. Come to Temple Emanuel.

Thank you for your generosity, which ensures that we are not and will never be a museum.  You have made possible for us, our children and grandchildren, a Judaism that celebrates, a Judaism that flourishes, a Judaism that compels.

Shanah tovah u'metukah! A healthy and happy New Year!

Rabbi Wes Gardenswartz
Amy B. Klein, President