“WOW…is all I can say…”
What a great month September was at Temple Judah (WOW)!
I had the opportunity, as president of Temple Judah, to make a presentation of gifts at the Owen Copeland Bar Mitzvah. What a wonderful sight to look out on the congregation and see a packed house! It was almost standing room only (like a Yankee or Ranger game). Owen did a magical job (WOW), and it was nice to be part of welcoming him into adulthood. Tracy and Martin should be proud! At the dinner, I sat with Owen’s grandmother, Sherry Copeland, president of West End Temple in Rockaway Beach, NY. We had a chance to discuss our Homeland Security Grant which is coming to fruition as I write. As Captain Charlie Fields from the Cedar Rapids Police Department told us at the recent Stop the Bleed/Active Threat training, there are a lot of churches in Cedar Rapids, but he knows of none that have done what we have done with the Homeland Security Grant at Temple Judah. We should be proud of our increased security considering recent events in the US and abroad. It was also nice to discuss with President Copeland how another congregation is coping and existing. We swapped stories and had a wonderful and enlightened conversation as presidents of two Jewish Congregations’ miles apart.
This past Wednesday, Terri and I had the opportunity to attend the presentation by Nick Winton, son of Sir Nicholas Winton, MBE, at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library. What a fascinating story of rescuing children from Czechoslovakia to England as WWII was ramping up (WOW). A big shout out to the Thaler Holocaust Memorial Fund for supporting this program!
As we move closer to the New Year, I am reminded of inspiration Sol Maikon used to give me at this time of year. He used to encourage me to attend Selichot Services as it a penitential prayer service that takes place in the lead up to Rosh Hashanah and continues through Yom Kippur. Selichot Services are a time for apologies and forgiveness.
I know, I know, I mention this every month…but I really believe it! I always keep in the back of my mind that, as a member of Temple Judah, we are all one large family. We come together to celebrate wonderful occasions like Bat and Bar Mitzvahs, baby naming’s, conversions, high school graduations and marriages. But we also support those who are ill and sit shiva with our members who have lost loved ones.
Please join the Temple Judah family and do your part and contribute to keeping the flame alive and burning bright. Don’t sit on the outside, looking in. Participate!!
Shalom
Brian D. Cohen
President
Brian D. Cohen
President