Shalom All,

It’s amazing how quickly things can change sometimes. Here we were, moving along at a normal pace for our congregation. We had a lovely Chanukah Dinner in December, and then two months of typical weeks, with Shabbat Services and Religious School, a little Bar Mitzvah tutoring, a couple of board meetings, and a Tu B’shvat Seder. 

Then came March and April. These months are often busier than other months of the year, because of Purim, Passover, the Holocaust speaker and service. All of which went really well as they always do. The Religious School students did a fabulous job putting on “The Megillah of Oz,” and we had over 70 people at our Passover Seder again. I made over 40 lbs of brisket and there were only vegetables left by the end. We had so many people this year, we opened the walls to the larger Social Hall so we could spread out the tables for a little more room.

But these two months were also busier because we had two unexpected deaths of long time members of our congregation. First we said goodbye to our friend and congregational photographer and video guru, Stephen Eckert. Then we lost Herman Ginsberg. A member of our community since his family moved here in 1930 when he was 5 years old, who was 99 when he died on April 20th. Both were not only hugely important to our congregation but also to the larger Cedar Rapids community. Both will be missed in numerous ways. For both, we opened our sanctuary wide to accommodate the number of lives they touched.

Such is the rhythm of any community. Happy, joyous occasions are mixed in with sad and somber ones. While life continues to move along. 

Which brings me to the month of May, which is also promising to be busy with life. It’s going to start out slow, but end with a lot. Throughout May, Davis Derrick and Dathan DeSotal will both be finishing their Bar Mitzvah preparations. At the end of the month, on May 30th and 31st, Davis with be celebrating his Bar Mitzvah. The following weekend, June 6th and 7th, will be Dathan’s ceremony. On the Sunday in between these two events, on June 1st, we will have the President’s Bar-B-Q and Congregational Annual Meeting, followed by Shavuot Services. Like I said, a lot right at the end.

Life may then slow down for the Summer (or maybe it won’t). Either way, it’s been nice to see you all, regularly. I hope to see you again, soon.

Rabbi Todd