News from Kol Ami

on Tuesday, 25 June 2013.

FROM TAL SCHIERAU

Dear Friends,

When I first joined Kol Ami, I decided that I wanted to find ways that I could get involved. My initial involvement included volunteering for bingos, and later, joining the Education Committee and ushering at High Holy Day services. I not only wanted to make a difference in my community, I wanted to make a connection with that community.

When I finally decided to run for the Board, I wasn't sure what to expect. What I found happened was a deepening commitment to Kol Ami and a strong sense of pride in being part of such a wonderful congregation. When I was asked to join the Board Executive and start down the path to become the President, I was honoured by the opportunity to continue to serve our wonderful community. What I didn't expect, and what I hold most dear, are the friends that I and my family have made along the way.

We are fortunate to have such a great community and I encourage each of you to get involved in any way that you are able. You will find that you get something back; maybe it's as simple as a feeling of doing something good for the community, and maybe you'll make some new friends for life. I can say that I have received much more from Kol Ami than I have given and I am grateful for that.

I am also honoured to follow our immediate Past President, Kathy Stein. Kathy has been a great leader for our community and I am privileged to have had the opportunity to work closely with her. I very much look forward to honouring Kathy at the Board installation service for her contribution, commitment and love of Kol Ami. I hope that many of you will be able to join us to thank Kathy for all she has done for our congregation.

What can I say about our Rabbi? He continues to impress with his Torah studies that invoke such geat debate, his Divrei Torah that ground us in our very busy lives, and his spiritual leadership which is unmatched in York Region. We are truly a blessed congregation to have his spiritual leadership to draw upon and I look forward to continuing to work closely with him this year.

As I begin this term on the Board, I am pleased to welcome back our Cantorial Soloist, Dawn Bernstein, who returns from her well-deserved Sabbatical. With the High Holy Days quickly approaching, I am looking forward to seeing Dawn join Rabbi Streiffer on the Bimah for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to lead us in spiritually moving services once again.

So, as I wrap up my first address to you, I say thank you for the opportunity to serve you, thank you for the opportunity to work with such wonderful and committed volunteers and clergy, and thank you for the friends my family and I have made along the way. Finally, I invite all of you to find ways to get invovled that is meaningful to you and your families, as you may find that you get more back than you give, just as I have found.