News from Kol Ami

on Monday, 09 September 2013.

FROM TAL SCHIERAU

Let me start off by saying "Shanah Tovah" to you. Yes, High Holy Days are upon us and it's time to get together as a community for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur once again. For many of us, this time seems to arrive before we know it. But did you know that many of our fellow members have worked over the past several months to make the necessary preparations to ensure that we have the most beautiful and moving experience possible?

It all starts with our planning committee, led by Elaine Winick, who makes sure that all of the details are in place on time. Believe me, there are many details, from set up and decoration of our sanctuary, ensuring we have all necessary ritual items, to arranging security and music set up, along with many other details that are taken care of prior to High Holy Day services.

Then there are the ushers who help us with seating, ensuring we all have siddurim and an overall good experience. This team, led by Alan Breznick and Ashley Winick, coordinate well in advance to ensure that we have ushers at each and every service.

Even our Social Action Committee makes plans to ensure that bins for our annual High Holy Day food drive are ordered, delivered and picked up on time. This committee, led by Marleine Kay, works to help those who are in need throughout the year, starting with our food drive.

Then there is our choir, led by Joy Vanek, who have been practicing for months to prepare the songs that will help to move us and enhance our worship experience.

This is also a very busy time for the Kol Ami staff and clergy. Our office manager, Ella Mendelovitz, has worked hard during the past few months to process our renewals and get our High Holy Day tickets to us. Judy Silver has been working with her team to prepare interactive and fun family activities that relate to this time of year. Dawn Bernstein has been working closely with the choir, madrachim, Rabbi and our Torah readers, in addition to all the preparation she does each year. Finally, there is our Rabbi. He works with everyone involved to provide guidance and direction, and he has been preparing D'varim that will speak to us as individuals and as a community.

It takes a considerable amount of planning by many people to prepare for services at this time of year. I wish to personally thank all of those involved. It is a wonderful mitzvah that you are performing for our congregation.

Tal Schierau, President