Words from our Congregation President, Ricki Bauman
August 2025
Shalom, Congregants!
I usually don’t talk this way, but there is no other way to explain it–we are blessed!
Last night, I was writing the overdue letter to the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay for the extremely generous grant of $18,500 initiated by Brenda Levy. When I looked at the total grants received–it totaled $40,500. I asked Jeff Ackerman to give me a total of the entire cost of the Hurricane Milton repairs and upgrades–and it came to $41,074; in other words, our net cost was $574!
After we lost Rabbi Carla Freedman in September and we had the damage to the building on October 10th, we were in a sorry state. It was difficult knowing which way to turn! But even that very day in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, we made temporary repairs and explored every opportunity to either get a loan and/or grants. In the end, we were successful beyond our dreams with a modernized, strengthened, and painted building at virtually no cost to us.
We look forward to the New Year 5786 in September with our days of trial behind us. With our renovated building and our new spiritual leader, Rabbi Phil Cohen, I have no doubt that our road ahead will be a road of success.
L’shalom,
Ricki