“It can’t get any better than this …”

With the weather finally warming up, all we can do now is to hope for rain. I usually don’t think spring has sprung until we have the last snow in April…so I am crossing my fingers and hoping for rain, not snow. If you have a chance to drive by Temple, you will see the daffodil Star of David sprouting up on the hillside below the Temple Judah sign and Religious School wing. Another great project and thanks to Tony for spearheading it!

It can’t get any better than this! What a great turnout for the Purim service. It was such a big megillah (no pun intended!)  Not only were the costumes unique…I met Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Carl Esrkine, there was a famous Yankee, and there was a Ranger fan all in the same room. Also in attendance was a Hamen (boooo!), a Mordechai (yeeeah), a Queen Esther (ooooo), a couple of King Ahasuerus’s, some unknown characters, and once again, the Rabbis shoes!

It has been a while since the upper sanctuary has been filled to the brim with members…parents, grandparents and other family (except High Holy day services.) The presentation put on by the students of Temple Judah’s Religious School was fantastic and it brought down the house! Bravo! It was nice to see so many students on the Bima participating! They told the story of Purim and sang fun songs about the holiday! There were so many family members kvelling with nachas in the audience, too. 

To top it off, the Rabbi did a wonderful job reading from the Megillah. Our congregation is blessed to have a real Megillah (along with so many Torahs.) The Religious School staff needs to be commended for doing a great job with the students. As I sat and looked around, it brought a tear to my eyes as I reminisced how wonderful our Temple Judah family was years ago when we had many more members and so many children in Religious School. I remember the feeling of  Temple Judah being an extension of our family. It really is starting to feel like that again. 

A big thank you to the Ritual Committee for providing plenty of salad, pizza, an hamantaschen to top off a wonderful evening and performance.

I know I say this every month, but I want to thank all those who contribute behind the scenes in making Temple Judah continue to exist and thrive! The Purim service was a great example of how we can come together. Even though we are a small community we continue to be strong with our ties to our Temple Judah family. Come join us in prayer and contribute to keeping the flame alive and burning bright. Don’t sit on the outside, looking in. Donate, participate!!

Shalom,
Brian D. Cohen
President