Month: August 2020

by Lynn Urbach, President It is an unfortunate fact that nonprofit organizations need money to exist. If we care about an institution because of its value to us (a club, for instance), or because we care about a cause (e.g. animal protection or cancer research), or we want to ensure its continued survival (e.g. an … Read more

by L. Mark Stone, Treasurer On the Revenue Side of Life… By now our members will have received their financial commitment letter, asking them to renew Bet Ha’am membership. Our president’s recent article explains the history of most congregations’ migration from dues, to “fair share,” to the mixed model we now use. But I thought … Read more

by Sam Spindrad, Religious School Director This summer, I had the opportunity to participate as a LEEP (Leadership for Emerging Education Professionals) Fellow in the first ever virtual NEWCAJE, the “new” Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education. I received hours and hours of professional development in a year when education is undergoing extreme changes. I’m passing … Read more

By Rabbi Jared H. Saks Each year at this season, we reflect on our lives over the past year. We consider our successes, achievements, and blessings since our last High Holy Day season and contemplate how we can overcome our shortcomings and failures in the year that lies ahead. In any year, this work, which … Read more

by Jane Sloven, congregant The Kabbalists teach that everything we do stirs up a corresponding energy in other realms of reality. When we remain cognizant of this mystical system, we are careful about what we do, say, or even think, for we know that everything is interdependent; we know that a seemingly insignificant gesture could … Read more

by Rachel Lefkowitz, Synagogue Administrator A rabbi I know recently wrote a piece on leadership. He noticed that some of the Medieval rabbis argue for a person who can lead with a strong sense of duty while others argue for someone who leads with joy. The rabbi then suggested that the leader who will “guide … Read more

by Catherine Share, congregant Last year at this time, I was thinking about the approaching High Holy Days. I was on my path to conversion and I was considering a daily practice that would make the time more meaningful. The previous winter, I had read This is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared, by Rabbi … Read more