A year ago, Beth Israel looked forward to celebrating 150 years of service to the Jewish community and to San Diego. It felt like we were embarking on a Golden Moment in Beth Israel’s history. And that is exactly what this year has been for our Temple!
Beth Israel is flourishing today, as a historic institution with a community of people who join together under the name of Beth Israel to worship and pursue shared interests. As we have celebrated our anniversary, we have strengthened this inclusive community, and indeed built upon the many communities that make up our large, robust congregation. We have created opportunities for many congregants to re-bond with Beth Israel in meaningful ways.
Our 150th anniversary celebration could not have taken place without the extraordinary leadership of Mary Ann Scher, who has brought to life the entire 150th anniversary year. Mary Ann had a vision for celebrating with large, inclusive events and small, intimate, focused programs. And we’ve done all this to remarkable results.
Our spectacular Opening Event was a happy day for everyone. We opened the Union-Tribune that very morning and discovered Beth Israel’s anniversary, history and influence on the City documented in a detailed, lengthy, front-page article. 1,000 Beth Israel members and community members attended the joyous occasion where we were toasted by the Mayor of San Diego and many other dignitaries.
Also at the Opening Event, we introduced Julie Seltzer, the very moving scribe for our new Torah and discovered what an outstanding teacher she is. Hundreds of members have now participated in scribing our new Torah. If you have not yet dedicated a word or a portion, please know there is still time this summer to participate in this mitzvah. We look forward to introducing the 150th Anniversary Torah at Simchat Torah next October.
We also conducted a Speakers Series that re-established Beth Israel in its historic role as the central address and the center of thought-leadership in Jewish San Diego. We hosted seven renowned Jewish scholars in powerful, inspiring Shabbat evenings. And on those evenings we also honored our leaders, and our members who are leaders of the San Diego Jewish community.
Through the Three-Temple Tour we relived our magnificent history with meaningful events in each of our three temple locations.
And at every one of these special occasions, our worship experience was enriched by the beautiful music created by our Chai Band, adult and youth choirs -- all under the direction and inspiration of Rabbi/Cantor Arlene Bernstein.
Meanwhile, all year long, under the leadership of George Wise, the Men’s Club conducted Forum 150, which featured fascinating monthly speakers -- all members of the congregation -- including such notables as Ernest Rady, Dr. Jess Mandel and Peter Herman.
Another highlight of this year that I’ve had the privilege to be intimately involved with is the development of our History Book – A Time to Remember, The First 150 Years, A History of Congregation Beth Israel in San Diego. The Book, which all members will receive, was written and researched by the Beth Israel History Project, led by Larry Krause, Stan Schwartz and George Wise. Work on the project continued throughout the year under the utmost care and guidance of Editor Liz Levine, with whom I have relished working closely. Anna Newton has served ably as Project Coordinator, Steve Gould assisted with photos and Karen Shein, the beautiful cover design.
And none of this 150th year celebration could have happened without the extraordinary dedication of our hard-working and ever-cheerful staff: Lesley Mills, Bonnie Graff, Lynn Sampson, Karen Shein, Heather Taylor-Williams, Terri Bignell, Anna Newton, Nick Reilly and indeed all staff members.
Strategic Vision
Turning to Beth Israel’s Strategic Vision, though the 150th was not a year in which we could work exclusively on advancing the Strategic Vision, our Vision work continues with the leadership of Board members Heidi Gantwerk and Mitch Siegler. And progress was achieved in several of the five Big Ideas:
In the area of Youth, programming grows stronger and we know is appealing to the kids. Last week, when Laurie Black addressed Forum 150, she pointed out that all members of Rabbi Michael Satz’s confirmation class plan to continue in our High School program next year. As Laurie put it, ‘something must be going right at Beth Israel’ for all these 16-year-olds to want to be here.
Also, the Think Tank for Family and Youth Engagement, established this year, is re-envisioning the way families connect to educational programs. Educators Tammy Vener and Ava Kurnow, Rabbi Satz and lay leaders Joellyn Zollman and Amy Lieberman are guiding this work. Tammy also brings honor to Beth Israel as the national chair of the Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism.
In the areas of Caring Community and Creating Connections, we established the Caring Community initiative defined by Rabbi Berk in his Yom Kippur sermon, and a Neighborhood Pilot program to build geographic connections among our members. Judi Schwartz and many lay leaders are working creatively on these endeavors including Kaylee Brogadir, Cynthia Fram, Nadine Finkel, Marge Schane, Audrey & Steve Levine and Sima & Joe Oppenheimer.
Progress also continues in the area of Lifelong Learning where Bonnie Graff, our program director, dedicates herself to excellence in adult education.
And we had many wonderful musical events that advanced the area of Jewish Culture, Music and the Arts with one more concert still to look forward to on June 2.
Yom Kippur Worship
As we reflect on the year, let’s not forget one of the most unusual yet rewarding Yom Kippurs that certainly I have ever experienced. Just an hour and a half before we opened the doors to our worshipers on the holiest day of the year, the Civic Center Plaza was packed – shoulder to shoulder – with more than 1,000 protesters of all ages. Out of respect for Beth Israel’s Kol Nidre service, those protestors, from Occupy San Diego, volunteered to leave while we worshiped.
Then on Yom Kippur afternoon, we answered many members who have asked for years that we try to find a way to conduct HHD worship at our synagogue home. I’m happy to announce that next fall we will repeat Yom Kippur afternoon services at Beth Israel, while a Task Force headed by David Bark explores the possibility of bringing more HHD services back to our magnificent campus in 2013.
Financial Matters
Meanwhile, quietly, we’ve been hard at work on our endowment campaign, The Campaign for Beth Israel:
3 Past Presidents -- Jeff Silberman, Amy Corton and Ron Simon -- co-chair the campaign. The Campaign Cabinet benefits from the wisdom and intelligent direction of Dean Abelon, Meg Mandel, Mary Ann Scher, Mitch Siegler, Rabbi Berk, Lesley Mills and Emily Jennewein.
We could not be advancing this campaign without the active involvement of Rabbi Michael Berk and Rabbi Arlene Bernstein. When we talk with those who will and who are already financially defining this campaign, we hear that it is our congregants’ strong connections with our clergy that solidifies our members’ commitment to Beth Israel. We are very grateful for our Rabbis’ active participation in the campaign and do not take it for granted in the least!
I am very proud to be able to tell you that our Board made early, personal commitments to the Campaign. 100% of us committed pledges, just as we all contributed dedications to the Torah Project.
Our Development Committee has overseen the fundraising aspects of the Torah Project under the leadership of Vice President Meg Mandel and Torah Project Chair and Past President Jerry Goldberg.
For those of you who are members of our Century Club, our Dor L’Dor Society or are major annual givers, we held a special thank you evening at Bud & Esther Fischer’s spectacular home, high on the bluff, above the Pacific Ocean.
But, on a sad note, as Ron mentioned, we keenly felt the loss last month of Beth Israel’s Treasurer, Marty Klitzner, who was also a trusted advisor and board member.
I am most grateful to my good friend and counselor, and our Immediate Past President, Ron Simon, who stepped in throughout Marty’s illness this year to provide financial continuity and excellent leadership.
Of all the accomplishments of the past year, you should know I am extremely proud of our balanced budget. You’ve heard already from Ron Simon, that the Board in April approved a balanced budget for next fiscal year. Enormous credit goes to Lesley Mills and Finance Manager David Malone who worked tirelessly over the last several months to find ways to achieve a balanced budget without jeopardizing synagogue services. This was no small task, and required collaboration and careful balancing of priorities to find ways to increase income and control expenses.
Board Governance
I’d like to thank the Executive Committee members who regularly advise me, Rabbi Berk and Lesley Mills. In addition to Ron and Marty, those include Past Presidents Amy Corton and Jerry Goldberg, as well as 3 Vice Presidents Meg Mandel, Meryl Maneker and Mitch Siegler, and Sandy Feldman.
Our Board has been visible and accessible to the members of the congregation this year. We hear regularly from congregants by phone and via the board email address. We have communicated with monthly letters, the Board Briefing, and the Beth Israel Blog, and have benefited personally from attending the many events of the 150th year.
Right alongside me at most of these events and services has been my very supportive husband, Chris, who has not only participated with enthusiasm, but he’s listened to me deliver these speeches a few extra times at home. You’ll be happy to hear that Chris kindly removed what he called the “mind-numbing” parts of this speech before you had to be subjected to them.
I’m pleased to tell you that we will have strong leadership, continuity and stability among board members and officers next year.
In the board meeting that immediately follows this Annual Meeting, I am very pleased to be submitting two very capable and dedicated candidates for elections to new office. As treasurer, we will ask the board to elect Gary Hirschfeld, and as President Elect, we will be honored to submit the name of Meg Mandel. If elected, Gary and Meg would begin their terms immediately, and Meg will become our president one year from now.
Partnership
Lastly, let me reiterate that I feel privileged to be able to partner with an exceptional professional and clergy team who daily exhibit an ethic of hard work, caring and vision for Beth Israel.
This year, with great pleasure, we’ve promoted Rabbi Satz to Associate Rabbi and renewed our relationship for three more years.
It’s been a full year since Cantor Bernstein was ordained as a rabbi, a year in which Rabbi Bernstein continued to infuse our worship with beautiful music and offer her singular personal touch to pastoral care.
And I’d like to commend Rabbi Berk for his warm, inspiring leadership as our Senior Rabbi. For five years, Rabbi Berk has brought to Beth Israel his commitment to teamwork. He made it very clear from the beginning of his rabbinate here that he is all about partnering with lay leaders and senior staff to bring about change in a gradual, evolutionary manner. This has been a very effective approach and he has gained our trust and the utmost respect of our congregation.
THANK YOU.
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