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President’s Message - Lyn Saberg Every month I sit at my computer trying to compose this article—six weeks in advance of its publication. It is never easy deciding where to begin and what to discuss. During the past several weeks I have spent a lot of time reflecting on how Etz Chaim maintains such an incredibly active calendar, and yet despite all that goes on here there are still individuals that have not made their connection with our Shul! I have also been reflecting on a recent conversation with an individual considering joining our Etz Chaim family, and the two-part question that she posed to me, “who our Synagogue actually belongs to, and why do you need it”. I comfortably explained that our Synagogue belongs to those who make substantial financial contributions and to those who can’t. It belongs to those members that donate significant volunteer time and to those members that are employed and have limited free time. It belongs to those congregants that faithfully come to our Shabbat services each and every Friday night, and to those members that choose to come only on the High Holy Days. Our Congregation belongs to our founding long-term members as well as those that just recently joined. Our Congregation belongs to all of us that have made the decision to call Etz Chaim home. We need this Synagogue for those congregants that want a place for spirituality, prayer and closeness with G-d. We need this Synagogue for those that want a place to study Torah and learn about our religion through the classes that we offer. This Synagogue is equally important for those of us who enjoy the friendships we have made and to enjoy the social events and camaraderie with fellow Jews, and most importantly, we need this Synagogue for those of us that are just in need for a place to feel accepted and at home, whether sharing Simcha’s or tears of sorrow, and all points in between. There is nothing any of us would like more than to help those individuals who have not experienced our warm and caring family, to make our Synagogue a part of their lives. As President, I know that we are not a perfect Synagogue. But remember, while not perfect, it’s not for lacking effort on the part of the extraordinarily dedicated members of our Board and the many Committee members that serve. At our core we are a group of caring people doing the best we can to serve Etz Chaim, its members and the Jewish Community. We have a responsibility to reach out to our congregants and to learn what they hope to experience through their membership. We also have a responsibility to take what we learn from those contacts and to translate them into actions to make Etz Chaim a place that provides even more enrichment for the lives of our members. If we aren’t offering what you need, or what you are interested in, let us know so that we can make it happen for you. This is your Synagogue, this is your home and there is no better way to integrate yourself into your “Home” than by getting involved. We pledge to welcome you with open and enthusiastic arms! B’Shalom Lyn
Help Wanted! Like most non-profit organizations, temples, charities,
etc., Etz Chaim is in need of volunteers. Our temple functions around a few
core committees made up of members who give a few hours each month to help
us in our various disciplines. We have immediate openings in our: Social Committee (arranges congregational activities,
outings, dinners, events, and works with the Sisterhood and Men’s Club on
the scheduling of their events). Bikkor Cholim Committee (contacts members who are ill or need
some assistance, consoles those who recently lost a loved on and works
closely with the rabbi). Marketing Committee (coordinates our advertising and public
relations) Fundraising Committee (works on annual Gala and other fund
raising events) Membership Committee (contacts potential members, helps out
at recruiting events, greets new people). TTO Committee (works with local charities and
organizations to assist with their needs as well as outreach programs to let
the community know Etz Chaim cares). House Committee (manages the day to day needs of the
facility, coordinates décor issues, and looks for possible tenants when the
temple is not being used). If you cannot decide which
committee you best fit into, you can always volunteer to help out in
mailings and special event set-ups. If you can spare a few hours each month,
usually on a weekday evening, call the office. We will put you in touch with
the proper committee head. (By the way, the pay is lousy, but the benefits
of knowing you helped someone are fantastic!)
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| Congregation
Etz Chaim 1881 NE 26 Street, Suite 100 Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-564-9232 |
Membership Info |
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