Words from our Congregation President, Ricki Bauman
October, 2025
Who by fire and who by water? The Unataneh tokef prayer is very familiar to most of us, so in the same vein – who by decisions and who didn’t make a decision; who by complaining and who by affirming; who by abstaining and who by joining in? Most people would say that I will always make a decision, affirm, and join in; right or wrong, I’m usually engaged and involved. Regardless, I’m clearly not one to kick the can down the road. At this time last year, we were reeling from the death of Rabbi Carla and the damage from Hurricane Milton, coming not one month apart. As a kehillah, a community, we didn’t know where to turn. We did know that we needed to do something – and quickly.
And we did! We turned the corner and instead of a downward spiral, we’re heading up, up, up. We received $40,000 in grants – an incredible feat! We have an influx of new congregants and there is an air of vitality – of innovation, involvement, and enthusiasm. Simply put – a can do spirit! And how did it happen – teamwork! Having literally been the wandering Jew, I provide a vision of where I think that we should be based on all of the differences from where I’ve been. But it’s the Board of Directors and all of our worker bees that make it happen, To paraphrase the Yom Kippur Torah portion Nitzavim, from the one that maintains the Yahrzeit to the ones that run the Coffee House, from the ones that do the gardening to the one that sends the thank you cards – it literally takes a village to get it done, as we are an all-volunteer congregation – except for the Rabbi.
Looking ahead down that long and winding road, where do we want to be as a congregation? I envision us with a 300-350 congregation, a fulltime Rabbi, 1/2 or 3/4 time staffed office and a Cantor for Festivals and the High Holy Days. What’s your vision for Beth Israel?
In the spirit of Yom Kippur and the Days of Awe that are approaching quickly – for any I have offended or angered, please accept my apology for that. Wishing all of you and your families Shana Tova – a happy, healthy, and prosperous 5786 – 2025-2026.
