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 When challenged by Rabbi Klein and Ellen Plum Rosenberg last fall, the spirit of participation and support was embraced by our leaders and members in dramatic fashion. We responded with greater participation in the Kol Nidre campaign and more volunteers on many of our committees...particularly those with missions of Tikkun Olam. There is a palpable air of vibrancy at SSTTE as we wind up 2009-10 and begin to plan for next year.
Another example of the energy that now exists within our walls was on April 24th, when over 230 of our members dined together in private homes, enjoyed delicious desserts in our magically transformed social hall, bid on over 80 auction items, were mystified by a remarkable magician and joined in celebrating two very special people, Irving and Ruth Gershon. A spirit of fun, laughter, friendship and generosity made our annual fundraiser a wonderful success and left many of us wondering how Michael Chaut pulled off some of his amazing tricks.
We joined together for a good time and in a good cause and we discovered that we could succeed at both. Thanks to the efforts of a fantastic committee led by Donna Vitale we experienced home cooking and an unending assortment of decadent desserts, and beat the budget by $20,000! Few left early and many were heard talking about how much fun they had. (Some even whispered that intimate dinners followed by a main event were a great idea and that we should try something similar next year....)
The key to the success of this event and every other activity at SSTTE is the hard work, dedication, and good humor of the volunteers who make them happen. I have had the opportunity to work with many generous and dedicated members on Helping Hands, Membership, Sisterhood, and Food Bank as well as Long-Range Planning, Fundraising and the Board of Trustees and I am continually impressed with the commitment of each and every committee member. And as a committee of one, Emily Steinberg continues to raise the artistic level and professional quality of our monthly Shalom. The dedication of every one of our volunteers is as critical to the lifeblood of our community as every dollar that we raise to pay for programs and maintain and improve our facilities.
I want to thank all of our volunteers for the help you have given me and our office, and for the immeasurable value that you have added to the quality of life within and beyond our community.
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