President's Blog

In Case You Missed It:  Message from the President
(This message is also in the most recent Bulletin; scroll down for a message from Neil Halpert)

Dear Friends,
    I look with optimism to the new month of Kislev that we just entered and the message of freedom of religion that is the focus of Hanukkah. The past month of Cheshvan was indeed bitter and full of anxiety, given the conflict in Israel. Everyone I have spoken to has and continues to struggle with the events that took place on October 7, 2023. And yet, everyone has contributed to support the land of Israel or its people in one way or another and in the manner that is most meaningful to them. Like the Maccabees, we are facing our challenges face on. As in the past, we shall overcome.

As the Shamash of our Hannukiah shares its light with the rest of the candles without losing vigor to create a luminous sight, I ask you to strengthen your Temple Beth-El community by sharing your time or your gelt (money). Join us for services and celebrations during Hanukkah. Volunteer your time in our membership, adult education, security, and programming committees. All these committees need people to create the social programming or learning opportunities you have requested in welcoming and safe spaces. Please contact Damien at d.timms@bethelrichmond.org if you want more information.

Likewise, you can contribute your gelt. There are many ways to do so, but let me direct you to two. Consider donating to our Security Fund (Click here and under "type" select Security Fund). Over the last two months, we have used this fund to enhance our security at both Grove and Parham campuses and to increase police presence during service and school hours. We are not compromising on security, so please help us make our sacred spaces safe. More importantly, consider donating to our High Holiday Appeal (click here ), which supports the synagogue’s operations. The Appeal will remain open through the end of 2023. This year, we are lagging behind our goal, hence my request to help us keep our synagogue’s proverbial new high-efficiency lights on.

The renovation of our Grove campus is almost complete. The certificate of occupancy that we expect to receive at the beginning of December heralds many celebratory events, starting with the Dedication of Josephine’s kitchen on December 16 (click here for details). The certificate of occupancy also triggers our loan repayment program. Our Renovation Committee would like to see the remaining donations go to pay for the building itself, not loan interests. If it is within your means, don’t wait for your pledges to reach their maturity date; instead, consider paying or increasing your pledge amount now. If you haven’t donated, consider contributing to the Renovation Fund . We would like to see 100% community participation.

Rabbi Knopf’s leadership during the High Holy Days and the Israel aftermath has been instrumental to our congregation, providing sacred spaces to celebrate and process Judaism. In mid-December and throughout January, Rabbi Knopf will take a well-deserved vacation and the second part of his sabbatical. During his absence, Rabbi Creditor will be available to officiate during Shabbat services and, in consultation with Rabbi Knopf, provide pastoral care to our congregants. We wish Rabbi Knopf a productive and restful break and look forward to working with Rabbi Creditor.

We are ready for our clergy searches. Our Cantor search committee is continuing the work they started last year. During the previous six months, the committee has been hard at work. For example, they brought Jewish Theological Seminary cantorial student David Childs to lead our High Holy Day services, and he is returning to help us with Hanukkah services on the weekend of December 8. I invite you to come that Friday night to schmooze with Cantor Childs, eat a latka, and spin the Dreidel (registration will open soon). The search committee has also posted our ad in appropriate outlets, and some members will be traveling to the USCJ Convening meeting in Baltimore this December to start our recruiting process. I want to thank all the committee members for their time and effort (see the Cantor Search Update page 4 of the bulletin here ).

We are also in the process of assembling a Rabbi search committee and posting our ad. I aim to have a small committee very soon that can move expeditiously and represent all our constituencies. Our community values diverse voices, and I hope to have them all reflected in our committee. I have identified an ambassador to attend the USCJ Convening meeting, and several of you have already reached out with suggestions and leads. Selecting a Rabbi and a Cantor in the same year is less than ideal and will require a lot of work from all of us. Yet, your willingness to help our community continue to thrive gives me comfort. I will provide additional updates as soon as the committee is in place and starts its work.

Thank you for supporting our synagogue, its members, and our process. Feel free to reach out to me (send to Damien at d.timms@bethelrichmond.org) if you have questions or concerns.

B’Shalom,
Isaac Skromne
President, Temple Beth-El

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A message from Neil Halpert
Shavuah Tov. A few weeks ago I made a couple of rather cryptic and vague announcements to the congregation regarding a volunteer opportunity to help the communities of Israel. I can now provide an explanation and the results of this initiative. 
 
I was involved in the organizing and the completion of sending more than 800 bullet proof vests and other protective equipment totaling greater than 10,000 pounds to the communities of Israel that are in harm’s way. All of the equipment was intended to go to the Israeli  communities and first responders and not the IDF. The equipment provided to the IDF is much more protective and comprehensive. 
 
This initiative was spearheaded by Jason Minaries the VA Attorney General. This protective equipment was donated by the Cities and Counties of the State of VA Sheriffs’ Departments. The volunteer opportunities were strictly controlled by the Attorney General’s office so this is why the hours to volunteer were very restrictive. As the equipment will hopefully save many Jewish lives, this is why the messaging was vague. Similar initiatives are  now in organizational stages in other states. This equipment is now in the process of being distributed throughout Eretz Yisrael.
 
Thank you to all of the TBE congregants and the rest of the RVA Jewish community who assisted in this initiative to save lives of our fellow Jews.  
 
Thank you, 
Neil Halpert