Dear Temple Beth Am Friends and Family:

Please excuse the length of this article, but I have so much to say and not much time. I can’t believe this is my last month as Temple Board President. I may actually complete my term with some sanity left. How did this happen? I’ll tell you in a minute, but first some important business.

Happenings

Something funny is going on here. On Saturday April 24th 350 of us experienced an evening of fun, mayhem, and craziness – and that was just at the dinner buffet and silent auction. Then the comedian, Steve Solomon took the Bimah and he was really great. Thank you to Ed and Leah Frankel for the vision and providing Steve Solomon, to Howard Freedland for chairing the event, and to Roseann Cherenson, Chef John Marzina, Michelle Borenstein, Anita Tuber, Debby Baker, Rachel Brody, Bruce Cohen, Ed Ragofsky, Branden “the poster artist” Gould, Debbie Baseman, Carol Sleeper, Margot Hauser, Cantor Bruce, Nada, Alfredo, Jake, and Armando for organizing, setting up, decorating, and cooking. It was an entertaining end of the season event and a great way to thank our Phonathon supporters and raise cash for Social Action programs.

A Triple Header. On Friday May 14th the Congregation and guests got to celebrate Rabbi Alon’s 40th Birthday, the 10th anniversary of his ordainment, and Gali and Rabbi Alon’s U.S. Citizenship. Beautiful evening. Thank you to Cantor Bruce and visiting Cantor Debbie Stein, as well as all the guests and friends.

Board Update

The sign of an effective leader is the ability to surround themselves with good people or in my case one might say “being lucky is better than being effective”. In any case – design or otherwise – I had the good fortune to work with some really special people.

I am talking about working on several good boards and leading two very good boards. Have you ever served on a typical Temple Board? Have you ever served on any board made up primarily of Jews and Jewish families? Do you know what that’s like? Well – let me ask it a different way – have you ever served on a synagogue board that did not argue, that respected the opinions of others, that acted in a sure and confident manner, that worked strictly for the benefit of the congregation, that supported each other’s decisions – even if they did not vote that way, that got the job done? Well, I did. And I want to thank the amazing boards that I had the privilege to work with these past years – GREAT WORK!!!

On July 1st, a new Temple board will take over. It will be led by an extremely competent Executive Committee made up of President Bruce Cohen – Brian LaBovick, Pamela Freidman, Liz Denmark, Debby Baker and Mark Slifkin. I want to wish this leadership group a successful tenure. If your experience is half as rewarding as mine was – it will be twice what you ever hoped for.

And I want to especially thank my fellow outgoing Board members from our 2009-2010 Board of Directors – for a job well done:

Dr. Rachel Brody – was our Vice President of Education. Rachel ran every important Temple search committee, found us the best professional staff, facilitated their immersion into Temple life, acted as liaison to the schools, chaired Board meetings in my absence, and never walked away from a tough assignment. Rachel leaves because the by-laws mandated her term is up. Stupid By-laws.

Fredda Steidle – served on two Boards. Was rock solid and strong in her opinions and resolve – yet sweet and kind, always a pleasure to work with.

Jeff “get it done” Lichterman was our Vice President of House for two years. Jeff is the kind of guy who has a vision and makes it happen. The evidence of that is all over the Temple.

Peter Sandquist provided solid validity and support on the Board. His quiet leadership did not need title or recognition. You just knew it was there. I am happy to announce that by unanimous decision Peter will now move to the Temple Advisors Council. It’s the Board’s loss and the Council’s gain. Temple wins either way.

And then there is former President and Ex-Officio Board member Jody Short. Every leader needs a friend on the Board, someone to bounce ideas off, to get ideas from, to mumble complaints to. Jody and I did that for each other for five or so years. It worked very well. Loved working with her. Oh, and of course - Mazel Tov on your wedding, Jody!

The business of the day

Over the past two years I have used the Scribe articles to thank individuals who have helped Temple Beth Am. You may have noticed the same names appearing in articles. That is because some individuals do good things for the Temple over and over. You know who they are. We could not be where we are today without them. They are the best. I’d spend a year’s worth of Scribe articles trying to thank everyone who I counted on, who helped, who was there numerous times. I won’t even try – not nearly enough space. So to the wonderful office staff, custodians, teachers, clergy, directors, aides, volunteers, committee members …. one last time - THANK YOU!!!

But this month – I want to acknowledge some people whose contributions have been less visible, but still no less valuable. In fact – I sincerely believe this Temple would not be in the position it is in without them.

Former board member Gary Isaacs has been our Temple attorney. He works for marshmallow pin-wheel pastries. Not only does he give great advice, but his slightly off beat sense of humor lightened many a tense moment and put things back in perspective. Thank you for keeping me out of trouble and sane – sort of (no small accomplishment) and for being a good consigliore and friend.

And the Temple owes a debt of gratitude to former Prez Tom Ross who handled our insurance issues. Tom is the guy who sought out, negotiated, and recommended programs which have saved the Temple tens of thousands of dollars over the past two years. That’s a lot of marshmallows for Gary.

Then there is former officer Dr. Marvin Slotkin. What does Marvin do that no one knows about? He checks and keeps in service the defibrillator. No big deal – we never need it – right? Well just wait until we review the budget at the annual meeting – you’ll be lining up for a jolt of Doctor M’s Magic Shock Machine.

Believe it or not sometimes as President you get a complaint or two. I know – Jews complaining – it’s unheard of. But sometimes it happens and when it did – I deserved it. But as I look back there are two people at the Temple who work hard, and no matter what is thrown at them – always seem to smile and have a kind word. I am talking about Margot Hauser and Armando Sisimit. Thank you – for just being nice.

And finally there is Irv Markowitz – don’t get me wrong, we have a great Treasurer in Mark Slifkin, but sometimes you need a sense of Temple history to validate decisions. And there is no one better at that task or calming down a meeting than Irv. Thank you, Irv.

Speaking of history: The Temple board is entering a new chapter after this month. The board will have completely changed over since the arrival of Rabbi Alon and Cantor Bruce. We have many new families that have taken over or are poised to take over lay leadership. This is a very healthy situation, but we cannot forget history. So I want to mention once again: The Incredibles. Our leading benefactors - who stepped up and continue to step up – families like the Barrs, Silvers, Sandquist, Frankels, Parmets, and the never mentioned enough Wisches; and of course the Deakters. There simply is no Temple Beth Am without Paula and Mike. Period. Enough said.

Thank you’s that I can never and did not ever say enough: Temple Beth Am and I lost two good friends in the past couple of years. Board officer, Men’s Club President, and mentor Zach Schneider. You never quite knew what he was going to say or where he got all his facts, but when Zach was in the room, you knew two things were about to happen: 1) people would have a good time and 2) the Temple would benefit. And for many years Seymour Kaplan stood by Zach’s side as Men’s Club Treasurer, as well as finance committees guru. Seymour gave me advice – quietly and otherwise. I really miss Seymour’s humor and friendship. How many guys do you know who would give up their oxygen for someone in need? Who would have thought anything good would come out of those nostrils?

Speaking of friends

I have had the privilege to work with some good people over the years. We truly have a fantastic staff and volunteers – every one of them. But there is something quite special about my friend, Rabbi Alon Levkovitz. To work closely with someone like this is truly an experience. I have learned to trust his judgment and value his friendship. And that is a lot for a cynical guy from NE Philly. I am confident that whatever comes the Temple’s way down the line – we can count on the Rabbi’s insightful leadership and we will be successful.

Speaking of friends 2

Arguably, my term as Temple President ends with a bit of success. I could not have done it without the “words cannot express” support of my loving and lovely wife. If you do not already know that no one works harder, more hours, and does more for this Temple than Debbie Baseman – then you are reading the wrong newsletter. You’re probably looking for that other temple’s newsletter. You know, the depressing one. Debbie has been a leader, extreme volunteer and a teacher for this Temple for over 13 years, often working many of her 55 plus hours per week, well into the night. She is my best friend for 38 years. Anything I did – I did because of her and for her. Thank you, Debbie. I’ll be home soon.

Final thought

In my May Scribe article I agreed to tell you where the Temple Treasure is buried. Aye - t’ is of vital importance to the welfare of the Temple and must be guarded at all cost. With it you have all you will ever need. So pay attention finance committee:

First, you must go to the Temple. Walk through the lobby doors; past the names of the generous benefactors and contributors on the walls and the Dedication Board; walk beyond the office where Carol and the loyal staff efficiently carry on the business of the Temple; enter the Preschool and Religious School wing where Paula and David and their dedicated teachers and team care for, and see that our children receive their Jewish education and experience so much joy; step back out to the Mishpacha Family Center where young mothers meet and interact; walk into the Social Hall where so many good times are experienced with friends at Onegs, parties, events; go past the kitchen where Alfredo and our hard working employees work; into the Youth Lounge where our young men and women meet, have fun, and make friends; then walk through the corridor onto the Bimah, where our sacred traditions are practiced and our children are Bar and Bat Mitzvah’ed; then step through the door to the Clergy’s Studies where our remarkable Rabbi and talented Cantor address the needs of congregants and families; walk back out to the Chapel, a beautiful place of quiet meditation and meeting; then walk back out into the Lobby and into our inspirational Sanctuary; walk down past the Memorial Boards where we honor the memory of friends no longer with us; down past the rows and rows of seats filled to capacity during our great High Holy Days Services, Friday Night LIVE, and Shabbat Services; now walk to the very first row – near the middle –a little to the right, a little more, that’s it; now turn around and face the pews. Stretch out your hand. Put it on your chest.

That is where the Temple’s treasure is buried.

Guard it.

To Temple Beth Am, thank you for everything you did for me this past six years and I hope I can return the favor. May you forever and always fare well.

B’ Shalom,

Na-na-na-na. Na-na-na-na. Hey, hey-ey…