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After months of study and preparation, our B’nai Mitzvah students are in the season of their individual Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. Leah Pisarz started the class off with a beautiful performance on April 4-5. She has set the bar high, but the way this group of students has been preparing, we are expecting that each will be successful on their special dates. The students have been supported in so many ways, both visibly and behind the scenes, by their families, including Mom and/or Dad and siblings, as well as their individual tutors. Additionally, they receive the help and support of Rabbi Henry Glazer, as well as Sharon Kolstad and Herb Curkin as each leads parts of the services. And as you may well imagine, Howard Salob works with each student as their date approaches to help them with their soon-to-be experience alone at the Bima. However, their support is not to stop there as we, the Congregation, also have a responsibility to each student. Not only is it meaningful to attend services whenever possible, (for all of the reasons we attend services, but it also enables us to encourage each student as he or she prepares; a pat on the back and words of encouragement are so beneficial to the students as they continue to prepare. Our responsibility does not stop there, however, as we are also responsible to attend their Bar or Bat Mitzvah, if possible, as they become an official member of our Congregation. Lastly, but by no means least, we and the students need also to recognize and thank our Religious School director and faculty for their hard work in the students’ preparation as well. Each of the students and their families invite and hope to see as many of us at their Bar or Bat Mitzvah as possible. Therefore, please mark your calendars and try to be a part of their celebration if you are in town. The Honorees, their parents, and their tutors look forward to your being with them on their B’nai Mitzvah Dates: Joe Bush - May 2-3, 2008 Hannah Kipersztok - May 16-17, 2008 Rachel Bandler - June 6-7, 2008 Jason Brown - June 20-21, 2008 Paul Veracka - October 17-18, 2008 On an unrelated note and in an effort to keep everyone up to date with our merger, I offer the following brief update. Lots of members of both Kol Ami and Nevey Shalom are working to insure that the merger is timely and that Kol Shalom begins August 1, 2008, already “in motion.” The agreement with Rabbi Philip Pohl has been negotiated and is being finalized. Preparations for moving memorial plaques, as well as furniture, books, gift shop items, kitchen items, and more are being made. Joint meetings of the Boards of both Synagogues are scheduled to work on coming up with a proposal slate of officers and members of a new Board of Trustees for Kol Shalom, as well as planning for proposed and appropriate merger documents, such as by-laws, to be submitted to the two Congregations in a scheduled Joint Congregational Meeting set for Sunday, June 29, 2008, at 6:00 PM. Please look at your Shofar and read all flyers and e-mails sent regarding the merger so as to be kept up to date on what is happening and when. Lastly, please make sure that your calendar reflects Sunday, June 22, 2008, at 11:00 AM as that is the scheduled date for a brunch to honor and thank both Rabbi Henry and Rose Glazer for two wonderful years! Shalom, Robert Heller, President |
