December/January/February 2011-2012 - Congregation Mishkan ...

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
While the finish line for my term is rapidly
approaching, I look forward to the
challenges that lie ahead in the remaining
six months and plan to remain involved and active in
the next administration. As I mentioned in my Kol
Nidre address, I am truly humbled by the unique
opportunity I was given to serve as President of this
magnificent Congregation. For this privilege and for
the honor of taking part in the process of renewing our
spirit and rebuilding our community, I thank you for
your support, friendship, generosity and certainly words
of advice and encouragement...
Mishkan Tefila has been a bright shining beacon in the
Greater Boston Jewish community for over 150 years. A
congregation of which we should all be proud. We are
lucky and privileged to have a vibrant senior population
who built the very fabric of Temple Mishkan Tefila as
it relocated from Seaver Street to our beautiful setting
in Chestnut Hill, as well as a younger, committed
population who are taking on leadership roles.
We are all responsible for protecting and growing our
community. This community belongs to each and every
one of us, and it is up to us to follow in the footsteps of
our founders as we look to the future.
So let’s take a look at where we are and what our vision
is for the years to come…..
With a dynamic, new professional staff and highly
engaged lay leaders, we are now providing new and
improved gateways for spiritual, educational and social
enrichment. We offer multiple Shabbat services for
members with different interests, exciting programs and
courses for all ages, and several new communications
vehicles including a vibrant and informative website.
We are partnering with outside Jewish organizations,
including CJP and USCJ, who have issued CMT
grants for Leadership Development Initiatives – we are
the only Conservative synagogue in New England to
have been selected for such grants. We have received
other grants from CJP for Shabbat renewal programs,
Gateways grants for services and training for our special
needs students and a grant from Nefesh B’nefesh for
our Year of Israel Culture programming.
We have made improvements and repairs to our
synagogue building, and will continue to make it a
warmer and more welcoming environment for all.
While we have accomplished a lot together in a very
short period of time, significant strides, challenges and
changes still lie ahead. It will take courage, conviction,
insight and tremendous commitment from all of us
to embrace these changes and allow Mishkan Tefila to
remain vibrant.
So what lies ahead – what is our vision?
To begin with, our assets also include an almost 11 acre
developable piece of real estate that could very well
fortify our financial future. Developers have approached
us with many suggestions on future use of this land.
Can you imagine how a Newbridge-like community
would look like in our midst? How new neighbors
could contribute to our community, and we to theirs?
The possibilities are many, and we will be asking
for your help to move this project forward as 2012
progresses.
New relationships forged by our rabbis and cantors
with many of us have infused our synagogue with
great optimism. Our professional and lay leadership
have worked diligently to build the groundwork for
our growth and revitalization. To build upon the
remarkable accomplishments of these past eighteen
months, we must enable our staff to continue offering
exceptional educational, spiritual, and inspiring experiences
for all of our congregational family, from the
youngest among us to the most senior members
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CONGREGATION
MISHKAN TEFILA
CONGREGATION MISHKAN TEFILA DECEMBER 2011 - FEBRUARY 2012