What do Jerry Brown, Grover Cleveland, and I have in common? Well, Grover Cleveland served non consecutive terms as the 22nd and 24th President of the US (1885-1889 and 1893-1897), Jerry Brown served 2 sets of 2 terms as Governor of California 28 years apart (1975-1983 and 2011-2019), and I am beginning my second of 2 non consecutive terms as president of Temple Beth Hillel (2016-2018 and 2020-2022).
It is an honor to return as president, a daunting honor, but an honor just the same. We are facing substantial changes, challenges, and uncertainty that none of us predicted just months ago. We welcome our new office manager, Michelle Husby, while wishing our beloved Arlene Lisby, not so much goodbye as להתראות (l’hitraot) and we do this amidst a global pandemic. Covid-19 has forced us to suspend in person activities with no clear end in sight. How will we observe the High Holy Days? What will our religious school look like in the fall? When and how will it be safe for us to gather as a community? When will we be able to pray together in person? When will we be able to share an oneg or a potluck? We don’t know. Meanwhile, the video of George Floyd’s murder and others challenges us to reflect and to open our eyes to social injustice and systemic racism. What can we do to affirm the God given rights and value of every person with no exceptions?
However, I am confident that we will overcome these challenges and grow as a community. Rabbi Dean and Cantor Shayndel lead us with warmth and wisdom, the members, both new and returning, of our Board of Directors are dedicated to our congregation, and I’m confident that every one of our members will, as you always have, step forward when needed and we will live up to our name.
From the President – July 2, 2020
July 2, 2020 by tbhrich •
What do Jerry Brown, Grover Cleveland, and I have in common? Well, Grover Cleveland served non consecutive terms as the 22nd and 24th President of the US (1885-1889 and 1893-1897), Jerry Brown served 2 sets of 2 terms as Governor of California 28 years apart (1975-1983 and 2011-2019), and I am beginning my second of 2 non consecutive terms as president of Temple Beth Hillel (2016-2018 and 2020-2022).
It is an honor to return as president, a daunting honor, but an honor just the same. We are facing substantial changes, challenges, and uncertainty that none of us predicted just months ago. We welcome our new office manager, Michelle Husby, while wishing our beloved Arlene Lisby, not so much goodbye as להתראות (l’hitraot) and we do this amidst a global pandemic. Covid-19 has forced us to suspend in person activities with no clear end in sight. How will we observe the High Holy Days? What will our religious school look like in the fall? When and how will it be safe for us to gather as a community? When will we be able to pray together in person? When will we be able to share an oneg or a potluck? We don’t know. Meanwhile, the video of George Floyd’s murder and others challenges us to reflect and to open our eyes to social injustice and systemic racism. What can we do to affirm the God given rights and value of every person with no exceptions?
However, I am confident that we will overcome these challenges and grow as a community. Rabbi Dean and Cantor Shayndel lead us with warmth and wisdom, the members, both new and returning, of our Board of Directors are dedicated to our congregation, and I’m confident that every one of our members will, as you always have, step forward when needed and we will live up to our name.
We are Temple Beth Hillel.
If I am not for myself, who will be for me?
If I am not for others, what am I?
And if not now, when?
-Rabbi Hillel
Shalom
Michael Cohen