Message from Debra and Joseph Hammer
November 2008

A reprint of our comments made at Kol Nidre service:

At this time last year, we stood here and recited lines from the Cheers theme song –
Where everybody knows your name,
and they're always glad you came.
-- likening Temple Beth Torah to the Cheers bar of synagogues.

Now, for the 1st time in recent memory, we don’t know everybody’s name, and that’s actually a sign of something special happening. We are experiencing significant growth in membership, and we’re working hard to connect names with faces.

Having met many of you already, I have to say – we’ve not only found a wonderful person and rabbi in Rabbi Seth – but we’ve also skimmed the “cream of the congregation” from Middletown! In addition, several other families discovered us through our website, looking for a local connection to a Jewish community.

Back to my Cheers analogy for a moment – the later addition of Frasier, Lilith and Woody to the Cheers family strengthened and enriched the cast and story lines, as we fully anticipate our newest members doing for our family here.

In a small place like this, you can become a key player like that (snap). Look at Barbara Checknoff – she’s chanting Torah, leading Jr. Congregation, and blowing shofar!

I assure you – you’ll never feel more needed and appreciated than when you contribute your time, your talents, and yes… your dollars, within this small organization with our stay-afloat budget.

If you haven’t already, you will soon receive a mailing from Barry – the Annual High Holiday Appeal letter. What can we say? The economy is a mess, and yet, we do rely on the generosity of our membership and our extended family of friends. This old house is a treasure, but it does require funds for upkeep, repairs and utilities. Please give what you can – it WILL make a difference.

We truly hope you are enjoying and feeling enriched by the High Holiday services this year. Many thanks and Yasher Koach to: Rabbi Seth; the Schleins; the Kaplans; Harold Nevins for the service at our Memorial Park; the Bronfins, Carol Gershenson and Leslie Levine for flowers; the Felicia B. Shpall Sisterhood; our many “behind-the-scenes” helpers; and to all of you for being active participants in our observances, readings and prayers.

May your fast be easy, and may your year be sweet. L’shana tova!