April/May 2010 Bulletin Message
by Rabbi Mark Dov Shapiro

For Your Consideration
Rabbi Mark Dov Shapiro

This is a "six week" bulletin (April 15 to May 31) – not the usual "monthly" bulletin. Actually, this is the third "six week" bulletin published this year. We moved to the new format in order to save some money. Seven bulletins instead of ten this year.

Speaking of communication, since last year the Religious School has reduced snail mail by doing the majority of its communication electronically. And the Temple has been doing the same. Over the last few months, occasional e-mails have become the weekly "E-vents" prepared by yours truly.

When it comes to these messages, my commitment is that we do our best to communicate only once a week and that the message also be brief. My hope is that, although we are reducing snail mail to save money, our electronic mail can be more than a mere replacement. E-mail may allow us to communicate even better than before.

But why should this matter? Why the concern about communication?

I think communication matters because we are trying to build a community. From the perspective of an individual congregant, it may not seem that way. You may read this bulletin or our E-vents and feel we are basically trying to drag you to as many events as possible. The message seems to be - we want you!

To some extent, I'll admit that is true. It does feel better when 150 people attend an event as opposed to 75. But ultimately attendance isn't the issue. Community is what counts. Every month and every week we offer a variety of options from services to classes to concerts because there needs to be a place where the fullness of Judaism gets expressed.

For a moment, imagine Sinai Temple as a body. Our members literally form a large body of Jews (and non-Jews) with hundreds of interests, needs, and hopes. We're linked, however, because somehow 1100 Dickinson Street isn't just an address for us. It's the heart of our body. It's the place where Judaism beats most strongly. It's the place where we turn for celebration and sadness. It should be the place that reassures us every day we're connected to something bigger than any one individual or family. We've got roots. We've got a historic and holy connection to the deepest mysteries of life.

That's why I care about communicating with you. I care because I think we have a unique and precious purpose. Our message comes from the heart. The message comes from Sinai where the journey of the Jews had its great beginning.

Prior Bulletin Messages from the Rabbi are available on this site.