Kol Nidre Appeal 2003 One Rosh Hashanah morning, the Rabbi ...

different way to look at this dynamic: if you first feel a sense of community at TBS, you
will naturally want to become involved so as to perpetuate and enhance a tradition that
has become important to you. Therefore, at least in this speech, I am NOT urging you to
volunteer for anything! Instead, in the coming year, take advantage of the many
opportunities that TBS affords you and your family to join a caring, generous, and
welcoming community – really an extended family – and I believe – and perhaps I
shouldn’t tell you this – you will eventually demand a role in the synagogue’s operation.
As you know, a family is always there for you, in good times and bad. If possible, my
children’s B’nai Mitzvot were made even more exhilarating because it was important for
us to share these milestone events with our TBS family. On the other hand, after losing
parents and, this year, a dear friend, we’ve experienced difficult times. The support we’ve
received from our TBS mispoche, however, has helped greatly in dealing with the pain.
We will be there for each one of you, as well – in happy times and in sad. That’s what
families do.
As a member of TBS’ family, I have been blessed with several personal, goose bumpcreating
experiences, including the following: watching the Confirmation Class leave for
Israel and then welcoming them back at Friday night services; my children’s B’nai
Mitzvot; seeing Rabbi Lewis dance with Rabbi Yank Rosenberg at a luncheon during the
latter’s Scholar-in-Residency; attending services when 9 and 10 year-olds read Torah;
hearing “That” sermon on missed opportunities once and, incredibly, brought back by
popular demand, a second time; participating in Mitzvah Day at New Visions; and, of
course, the Torah March into our beautiful new synagogue in January, 1989. I’m certain
that you have your own unique, favorite TBS memories. I encourage you to become a
goose bump-creating member of TBS: join or form a Chavurah; start a Shabbat dinner
group; go to a Men’s Club Breakfast or a Sisterhood event; take an Adult Education
course; attend Shabbat services; join the choir; golf; play softball; attend Morning
Minyan. We’ll be waiting for you.
In conclusion, I would like to briefly quote from a story called the “Magic of Kol Nidre”
by Cantor Bruce Siegel. In it a grandfather explains to his grandson why he thinks Kol
Nidre is sung three times. “The first time it is sung very softly for our ancestors, for our
fathers and mothers and grandfathers and grandmothers, all those who have come before
us and whom we have loved. For those we hold in our memories, a soft Kol Nidre will
do. The second time it is sung a little louder. This time it is for you and me. Not too
softly, because some of us don’t hear as well as others, but not too loudly either, for those
whose hearing is sharp. The final time, the cantor sings Kol Nidre as loudly as he can so
that your children and your grandchildren and all the children yet to be born can hear it.
That is the magic of Kol Nidre.” And that is the beauty of Judaism and the hope of this
synagogue. L’dor v’dor. From generation to generation.
On behalf of the Officers and Board of Directors of TBS, Janet, Julie, Jeff and I wish you
a Shabbat Shalom and Shanah Tovah – may you enjoy a healthy, fulfilling, and
productive year and may all of us be inscribed and sealed in the book of life. Amen.
Art Simons
Temple Beth Sholom
Cherry Hill, NJ