Mark’s Remarks:  Now the Real Work Begins 

By Mark Frydenberg 

Judaic Folk Art by Artist Adelle Desiree Jean

5771 marks a new year and new beginnings at Temple Beth Israel.  In August, we welcomed Rabbi Tracy Nathan to join us as our rabbi.  Rabbi Nathan received her ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York, in 2003.  In her first few weeks with us, she has been meeting members of the Temple, working with the Cantor and the Religious Committee to prepare for the High Holidays, and beginning the process of learning more about and becoming part of our community. 

High Holidays 

Rabbi Nathan and Cantor Band will be leading a special program about the texts and melodies of the High Holidays, prior to our Selichot Service at 9 pm on Saturday, September 4. 

Rosh Hashanah Services will begin at 8:30 am, so we will finish in time for you to have a leisurely lunch with your family and friends and enjoy the day. If you can, join for Tashlich at the Charles River near the Embassy Cinema that afternoon at 5pm.  Services on Yom Kippur morning start at 9 am (rather than 8:30) so that you can sleep in a little longer.  Please plan to come for as much of the day as you can. Yizkor will be held during Musaf, at about 12:30, on Yom Kippur.  There will be a break between the end of morning services and Minchah in the afternoon and a light break-the-fast at the end of the day. 

House Meetings 

This fall, Rabbi Nathan will be facilitating several informal meetings at members’ homes, so we can get to know each other a little bit better, in small groups. We need to know who we are and what we value as a community, so we can begin to build it together. Watch for your invitation to attend one of these meetings. 

Thanks 

I would like to thank the members of the search committee who met almost weekly from January through the end of June to help chart our mission, review applications, interview candidates, and support the decision making process. Thanks also to everyone who attended the congregational meetings, offered their feedback on the candidates, and trusted the process and leadership that the Religious and Search Committees put in place.  After I announced that Rabbi Nathan was joining us, a member of the congregation asked me, “Are you glad that the search process is over?”  “Yes,” I said. “That was easy. Now the real work begins.”  We’re off to a good start, and I welcome you to be a part all that’s yet to come.