December 2012/January/February 2013 - Congregation Mishkan ...

Continued from front cover
Reflections from your President
Steve Kurzman
Others raved that Rabbi Plumb’s teaching was warm
and spiritual. Many commented about how smoothly
the ushers had functioned in moving people to and
from the Bimah. I actually received emails complementing
how wonderful the building looked - sparkling
and inviting. Some were kind enough to mention
how handsome the president was (OK, I made that
up). All in all, the congregants who spoke to me had
a wonderful experience and I greatly appreciated the
feedback. So, I had to wonder why no one told me
that they were going to tell all their friends and that
they would be coming to services next Shabbat. Why
are we so eager to tell everyone about an experience
which fills our stomachs but do not spread the word
about an experience which fills our souls? Let me ask
you, did you tell any of your friends or family about
the wonderful experience which you had during Rosh
Hashanah and Yom Kippur? Did you consider coming
back the following Shabbat, or for Sukkot, or to the
minyan one morning or evening? Let me assure you
that the conduct and tenor of the High Holiday service
is not a singular unique occurrence. All of the services
which our Rabbis lead are excellent. Our facilities are
warm and inviting all year long. So I challenge you -
invite one friend to accompany you to Mishkan Tefila
next Shabbat. Come to minyan one morning or evening
next week. Do not miss the joy and spirituality which
you experienced at Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur for
an entire year until next year’s High Holidays -- share it,
capture it, revel in it all year long.
Shabbat Service and a Musical Friday night service
will be offered by Rabbis Audrey Berkman and Jethro
Berkman, followed by an Oneg Shabbat. On February
18, 2013, Dena and Michael Rashes will be hosting our
annual Snowbirds Luncheon – please join us if you are
in south Florida then! On Saturday evening February
23, 2013, everyone is welcome to the Purim Megillah
reading - always a fun family event (be sure to wear
your costume).
I want to thank everyone who has already given to
the Annual Appeal. The initial response was unprecedented
- at the conclusion of Yom Kippur we had
pledges for more than 50% of our goal from 20% of
the Congregation. Larry Fischer and his crew have been
“working the phones” to raise that number even further.
If they have not yet reached out to you, do not fear --
they will --and when they do, please be generous.
With warm wishes for 2013,
You also can enjoy many varied events over the next
few months – to begin with, on December 11, 2012,
the Brotherhood and Sisterhood are co-sponsoring
Menorah Fest, featuring a klezmer band. On January
11, 2013, there are two great programs: beginning
at 6:15PM Rabbi Plumb will lead a Family Kabbalat
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CONGREGATION
MISHKAN TEFILA
CONGREGATION MISHKAN TEFILA December 2012 - February 2013