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Board President, Stu Robinson, with his wife, Michelle, and two sons, Thomas (left) and Jonathan (right)
The recent holiday of Chanukah and the Parsha, Miketz, are in part about hopes and dreams, dedication, and making the most of our opportunities. Our Board is a wonderful mosaic of backgrounds which blend together to provide OZ a unique chemistry for leadership and an exciting year for strengthening our existing programs and expanding into new areas. The hope is for each of us to feel a desire to get involved as a player. Dreams are in part about making the things we hope for a reality. Dedication is each of us looking inside ourselves and making a personal pledge to give our greatest gift, one we can never get back: the gift of time. It is the gift of time that serves as the glue to make our hopes and dreams come true.
Like the Macabbes, we have the opportunity to create our own destiny by setting a course of action. Their hope and dream was to make the re-dedication of the Second Temple a reality. Only through both their individual and collective efforts as a team are we able to celebrate ‘The Festival of Lights,’ which is also ‘The Festival of Re-dedication.’ We need your help, your energy and commitment, whether by serving on a committee, working on a special project, or being a regular Shul attendee. And, of course, sharing with the Board and myself what you’d like to see happening in the Shul.
Miketz is in part about Joseph interpreting dreams for Pharaoh. Like Pharaoh, we can control our good years by everyone pitching in to build on the wonderfully strong foundation provided by those before us and those still with us in our congregation.
Our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents knew we must keep the fabric of our culture strong through Torah (teaching), Avodah (worship) and Gemilut Chasadim (deeds of loving kindness). Although we have been blessed with special donors, through whose generosity and kindness we have been able to fund youth programs, special programs, staff positions and the like, at our December board meeting we instituted a business development/fundraising committee, headed by Stan and Sharon, that has begun to explore ways to address our current deficit.
Each of us on the board will have the responsibility of being the contact between the synagogue’s committees and the board. Being President does not mean that I do not have an assignment—or assignments—as well. Why is this important, you ask? Leading by example is the best way to get each of us, whether more seasoned or new members, to join in sharing, planning, and yes, gifting, because it takes money to run any religious institution. Needless to say no amount of gifting is too small.
On a personal note, I am deeply honored to have been elected to serve as President. I welcome the responsibility and accountability. Let us know how we’re doing. We’ll do our best to address and learn from complaints or problems.
We’re proud of having received the United Synagogue’s Solomon Schechter Award for Excellence in Synagogue Programming in the category of Social Action. The award honors congregations affiliated with the United Synagogue that have distinguished themselves during the preceding two years in various aspects of congregational life.
Stu Robinson
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