For Your Consideration - Rabbi Mark Dov Shapiro

            I’m thinking this month about taking two steps into our future.

            The first step concerns the plans we are making to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Sinai Temple.  The actual anniversary won’t arrive until 2006, but Liz Leshine and Elliot Greenberg have already signed on as co-chairs of our celebration, and they are in the midst of creating a committee to create the calendar of events for 2006. 

            We last celebrated a milestone for Sinai when the congregation turned 60 in 1991.  At that time, a number of beautiful events took place.  The quilt that hangs in our auditorium was made that year.  If you look closely, you’ll see that the quilt is composed of individual squares made by every student then in our school.  Some squares look as if they were made by a Kindergarten student; others look as if they were made by a 16 year old.  The quilt truly captures a precious moment in time.  Even the youngest of the students who made the quilt has, by now, graduated High School and moved on in life!

            Another highlight of our 60th birthday was the creation of several oral history tapes.  In 1991, some of those who founded Sinai in 1931 were still alive and we captured their recollections on tape.

            The shape of our 75th anniversary year is totally open.  Stay tuned for a fabulous and creative experience.

            Before that time, I hope you’ll join in taking a second step into the future.  Another committee, co-chaired by Leah Berger Sternbane and Marlene Gordon, has been charged with creating a mission statement for Sinai.  Many synagogues have mission statements, but, until recently, I always wondered if the creation of such a statement was worthwhile.  I’ve come to believe that developing a mission statement may be very valuable for us.  Of course, everyone knows we are a synagogue, but perhaps there is real value in articulating what we want our unique synagogue to represent.  Over the next year one of our goals will be to involve as many congregants as possible in shaping the mission statement.  A few people may do the actual writing, but I truly hope hundred of congregants will comment, critique, and add their own ideas.

            As spring arrives in New England, I am looking forward to the better weather plus the future that will be brought to us by these two committees.  If you would like to join the process, please speak to Liz, Elliot, Leah, or Marlene.  We have some excellent opportunities for letting you become a part of this enterprise we call – Sinai Temple.