Sisterhood Fall Programs
August 29, 2022
Rabbi David Wilfond’s Message – Friday, September 9, 2022
September 8, 2022
| Dear Friends, Till now, my happiest day at the Temple was this past Shabbat! Our congregation was packed with families and individuals of every age! Our Cantor’s voice and soul lifted us to new spiritual heights. The presence of so many ECC and Religious School families shouting loud and clear, “Am Yisrael Chai,” the People of Israel are alive and well living in Northern Westchester! A huge thank you to Dr. Joe Grossman for sponsoring our Shabbat BBQ in honor of his 90th Birthday. Kosher hot dogs, vegetarian hamburgers, craft beer, Israeli wine – there was something for every one, including a teen program! May I encourage you, dear members, to sponsor an Oneg or Shabbes Dinner in honor of your special birthday, anniversary, child’s wedding, B’nei Mitzvah, or any Simcha (happiness). Happy moments are even sweeter when shared with others. This is the beauty of being a part of a sacred community. I want to share with you the words that Dr. Joe Grossman read to the congregation at his Birthday Shabbat. “You have sustained me these many years and brought me to this place in my life’s journey. Let me look out with wisdom, from the high ground of my years and experiences, over the terrain of my life. Let me gaze out toward the past and the future with a heightened sense of Your presence as my guide. Let me see that growth is not reserved for any one season, and that love and fulfillment are not the exclusive provinces of the young. As I celebrate reaching this moment, I am grateful for the continued unfolding of my life. I pray that kindness and compassion may be on my lips, and that strength and courage may be with me in my comings and goings, and that I may continue to learn from and to teach those dear to me. O God my creator, as You are the first and last, may my life ever be a song of praise to you. Baruch Atah Adonai, Mevarech HaShanim. We praise You, God, who blesses the years.” Dr. Joe Grossman and his family are setting up a fund at the Temple in honor of his 90th Birthday to support Jewish adult education. I encourage you to contribute to this fund and to the Temple so that we may all strengthen the Jewish values of Social Action (Tikun Olam), Education (Hinuch), Spirituality (Davenen), and Community (Kehila.) The Talmud describes Shabbat as “A Taste of the World to Come!” We have been blessed to enjoy a delicious “Taste” of our community at its best! Please save the dates for our upcoming Shabbat Dinners which are for the entire community! September 9th, October 14th (in the Sukkah), November 4, and December 9 are our Fall Shabbat Dinner dates to save on your calendar. Shabbes is sweeter when we are together with our friends and community. Please join us. Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi David Wilfond |
