This Is the Official Call! Dear Friends,
The Covid pandemic, while far from over, has given so many of us the unique opportunity to sit back, pause and reflect on the very nature of our lives in ways that we might not have before.
Personal introspection has led to novel, creative thinking and the implementation of imaginative ideas while physical confinement has resulted in either the commencement or the completion of once long-dormant projects.
Our beloved synagogue, once the hub of daily and weekly activities too numerous to mention, fell silent this past year to the ravages of an unconstrained virus. Yet, there are undeniable signs that life is beginning to slowly but surely return to the pews, offices, corridors and classrooms of 971 Old York Road!
Our School of Early Learning continues to welcome the youngest members of our community each and every weekday morning while the administrative and maintenance staff continue to make sure that our synagogue functions as effectively as possible even under the weight of regulatory health protocols.
Preliminary discussions have already begun regarding this year’s High Holydays. As Erev Rosh HaShanah is early (Labor Day, September 6th!) we want to make sure that all the necessary contingencies are taken into consideration well ahead of time.
The professional staff, in consultation with Barry Tinkleman, VP Religious Practices, and with the blessing of the Executive Officers, have proposed a tentative Yontiff schedule providing “hybrid” opportunities for both limited, in-person gathering (both indoor and outdoor) while, at the same time, using both Zoom and livestreaming through our website for those at home. We are also making arrangements for four of our eight professional choristers to accompany Cantor Zarkh for a select number of services.
In addition to all of the above, 2022 marks our synagogue’s 75th anniversary! Thanks to information gleaned from the first panel in the History Hallway, we were founded in April 1947. The Covid pandemic might well preclude us from enjoying a year full of congregational-wide festivities, but we certainly want to mark this significant milestone in the history of our congregation.
To this end, I’m delighted to inform you that our outgoing President, Mark Braverman, has agreed to be the Chair of a Jubilee Steering Committee responsible for coordinating our celebratory activities. To this end, we would like to extend an invitation to all our congregants (yes, adults and kids alike!) to put on their artistic hat and design a logo befitting this auspicious milestone! Needless to say, the sky’s the limit; we only request that you incorporate “75” into your design. Some of you veterean Beth Amniks might recall that, in celebration of our 50th anniversary, we held a congregational-wide logo competition and the winning entry - replete with jubilant trumpets - was stunning!
Please submit your entry to Bonnie Marks
bmarks@oyrtbetham.org by
June 20 at the very latest. Good luck!
I know that Rabbi Tornberg, Cantor Zarkh, Sherrie Turetsky, Mark Braverman and Barry Tinkleman all join with me in thanking you so much for your steadfast “online” support these past many, many months. We have not taken that for granted.
Please consider registering, now, for a very special in-person Kabbalat Shabbat service on
Friday, June 25th at 6:00pm in the rear parking lot when we formally install Josh Posnan as our President, the new and returning Executive Board members and all Presidential appointees to the Board of Directors. We’ll conclude with a brief, contactless “oneg” in honor of Mark Braverman’s outstanding Presidency.
We look very forward to greeting you, once again, in person!
Our plate is full! Our cup runneth over! We are blessed!
Wishing you and your loved ones a very safe and healthy Memorial Day weekend and a restful, replenishing summer!
Robert 
