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Rabbinical Ramblings

So here I was...driving along...going to a seminar on mindfulness, spirituality and neo-Hassidut...not even knowing what most that meant. So here I was...driving along on roads that I had never been on, except as a kid with my father driving, going to a week of study and silence. So here I was... lost. I had gotten to the Tappen Zee Bridge and made my turn. Something was wrong and I could sense it. But being one of God’s creations who was created with testosterone running through his system, I was not going to stop and ask for directions. But as the miles added up and time passed I thought the better of it and I got off the road to ask a gas station attendant how do I get to x. He looked at me and said, “I have no idea.” “Do you have a map I can look at?” “No but you can buy one.” I bought the map and went out to the car to study it. I had made a left where I should have made a right. I was not too lost. I got back onto the road and continued my journey. With my map and my directions, I found the place. As I reflected on the trip, I realized that in many ways it could have been a metaphor for our lives. So many of us are on a journey wanting to go somewhere but we have no map to guide us. We have no directions. Many of us do not even know where it is we want to go. We will soon be in the Hebrew month of Elul. It is the month just prior to the High Holy Days. It is a month of preparation. It is a month of contemplation and questioning. So use it as such. Each morning ask yourself, where it is you want to go? Ask yourself, am I going to get there if I keep going on this path? Then next month at Rosh Hashanah get yourself a map and begin your journey in earnest. Shofar Blowers Wanted: Every year people ask, “Is it hard to sound the Shofar?” It is not easy but it is not hard. So if you want to help at the Shofar service this year or you just want to learn how to play this ancient instrument let the Rabbi’s office know. We will be holding a class on Shofar Blowing. You will need your own Shofar (we can order one for you) and a willingness to spend a few hours learning. We will let you know the class schedule via our email bulletin.

                                        Rabbi Bennett Greenspon

Cantorial Notes

In these weeks preceeding the High Holy Days, it is our tradition to begin our self-reflection so that our t'shuva (repentance, returning to what is truly important) is complete. One of the subjects that we traditionally look at during the High Holy Days is how diligently we tried to keep some form of Shabbat, some form of regular rest so that we can reclaim the things of true value in our lives; family, friends and self-improvement.

The following essay entitled "Listen to the Whisper" by Alan Cohen, illustrates this concept beautifully. If you do not rest yourself, the universe will rest you. It is said that the "surest sign of a nervous breakdown is the feeling that your work is extremely important." Your work is important, but not as important as your spirit. The Forced Rest Program is not always pleasant or gentle, and you may end up wishing that you had chosen peace before life chose it for you. If you are overworked or overscheduled, you may be decked by an accident or an illness that requires you to stop and find yourself. While this is a painful route to take, the long range results are invaluable. Those on the Stop Now Plan are given time to redevelop their relationships with themselves, their loved ones, and their spiritual source. They have the opportunity to read, study, even pray... .listen to their favorite music, and enjoy valued company. They are able to spend more time in nature and learn the language of the wind. What began as an inconvenient or tragedy reveals itself to be a blessing and a gift. Insights may also come in a more dramatic form. Descartes, considered the father of modern science, discovered the scientific method in a vision during a fever. Whether our transformation curriculum is instant or long-term, the results are the same: we are moved to stop being driven by fear and reclaim our spiritual essence. We do not need to wait until we are out of commission to take the time to heed our inner voice to rest. If we pay attention to messages of guidance when they speak to us gently, potentially painful situations will not escalate to the point at which we suffer. We have the capacity to hear and respond at any stage of the attention-getting process. If we hearken to the whisper, the universe will not need to punch us to get our attention.

May we all listen to God's whisper in our lives more and more...and may we be blessed with a year of peace. Shalom

Jan Sheer, Chazanit

Welcome back from the summer! I have the privilege of serving as your President again this year. My wife and I joined Beth Emet in 1983 and we have been active for over twenty years. Our twins began in Mommy (Daddy) and Us at eighteen months, graduated from Linda Klein's Kindergarten, and recently celebrated their B'not Mitzvah. For the past twelve summers, they have attended Camp Beth Emet, where they have (finally) become CITs. Beth Emet is their second home.

Donna and I are proud of our connections to Beth Emet, and we know that many of you have your own strong bonds. I paraphrase our spiritual leader, Rabbi Greenspon. "We hope that Beth Emet will be a House of Prayer, a House of Learning, and a House of Gathering." We want to learn about your individual experiences, and discuss how we can enhance temple life for you.

Great institutions are driven by strong leaders. I am fortunate to have been preceded by two extraordinary men. Seven years ago, Bob Alterman, instead of relaxing on the golf course, decided to build a Temple. For four years, Bob spent every day supervising the construction of over 55,000 square feet of classrooms, sanctuary, social hall, and offices. Three years ago, David Epstein graced Beth Emet with his entrepreneurial skills. David strengthened our business analysis and improved our financial stability. He asked us to imagine Beth Emet ten years in the future with the Synagogue Visioning Process (SVP). Hundreds of congregants participated in creating ideas, which evolved into working committees. Yet, David's most important contribution was the humanity which he brought to our Board and to the pulpit. He reminded us that we must maintain our high ethical standards toward our congregants, our guests, and the South Florida community.

I will strive to continue these dual legacies. We are improving our physical plant, with the swimming pool, new signs, and landscaping. Our Board is discussing the need for additional classrooms as all of our school programs continue to expand. Our Administration will shepherd the SVP committees to shape our future. We will be fiscally prudent, as we work hard to reduce our mortgage-like many of you-allowing us to expand programming for our youth and for all congregants. Yet as we grow, we will maintain our moral compass, and remember that Temple Beth Emet will always be a "hamisha" place.

I look forward to working with you and speaking to you.

Skip Straus, President

Shalom Everyone,
I want to welcome you back and hope all of you had a wonderful summer. I hope the summer gave you the opportunity to relax a little and to get to be with your families. Camp was a tremendous success this year with record enrollment. All of the children had a wonderful time, especially participating and enjoying the swim program at our aquatic center. Thank you Sandy & Joel Lazarus, our upper camp directors, and Robin Sheridan, our new lower camp director, for making this the best summer camp ever. I also want to thank the entire supporting camp staff for doing a wonderful job keeping our children happy all the time.

Our Early Childhood and Day School programs also continue to have their highest enrollment ever. The children in these programs represent the future of our people and the future of our way of life. Our challenge for the New Year, 5768, will be to continue our momentum to be the best that we can be in our community. Our staff worked very hard during the summer planning the new year as well as improving our facility. Every one of us are ready to help you in any way that we possibly can. I look forward to again working with our returning president, Skip Straus, and our new Board of Directors. The new board is comprised of a diverse and dedicated group of individuals that I am sure will help move our synagogue to the next level. Please feel free to contact me, any staff member or board member if you have any questions or concerns. You can reach us by phone, regular mail or email. You can now review the many events we have planned for 2007-2008 at our website www.templebethemet.org. Remember to always check the website for last minute updates to the programs in our calendar. We hope that this year more of you will get involved in our growing community. Bring a friend to any of our programs and they are sure to become part of our family that is very warm and welcoming. Be sure to get your children involved in our youth program with our new youth director, Rayna Engle. Rayna has a full calendar of activities planned that your children will surely enjoy. Please remember to make it a priority as you return from your summer vacations to get involved. I can assure you that you will get more out of your efforts than what you put into it.

Shanah Tovah to everyone reading this article and visiting our website.

Jay Nemes, Executive Director