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What I'm Proud Of I’ve heard it said that if marriages are to last, if children are to be reared in a healthy way or if employees are to be groomed for success, there must always be the magic praise/criticism ratio of 5 to 1. That is, for every one time a person is criticized it needs to be preceded or followed by five praises. I’m sure this holds true in guiding a congregation as well. Although I frequently challenge you all, I’m not sure I praise you enough so here’s a little dose to balance things out.A while back we had an unusual wave of death and what I witnessed, once again, was the kindness and compassion of family and friends, community and strangers filing in, stepping up and taking care of their own. Taking care of one’s community during bereavement is a mitzvah and watching you in action was an honor to witness. Seeing all of those caring souls at the funeral of Chuck Sagan, for instance, is a sight and feeling which will never leave me and a memory which, though painful, also makes me proud to be in this community. There was the second night Pesach seder. Thanks to the work of some hard working congregants, our staff and the musicians who so generously donated their time and energy, we pulled off if not the largest seder in Greater Boston then undoubtedly the most spirited (and no it wasn’t the longest, but we will tighten it up for next year). A few hundred people singing and dancing by the end to the songs of the Haggadah and the sounds of freedom was a moment of inspiration and pride which, once again, will never leave me and makes me proud that we are reclaiming a vibrant Judaism here at CSH. And, perhaps most of all, there was my request to you for donations to Ma’ot Hittin, our annual North Shore synagogue-wide appeal for funds to provide Passover meals to our brethren who might not be able to afford a Pesach meal otherwise. Though competition is not what this is about, I have to admit that once again I’m proud that we raised, far and away, more money than any other shul. All the synagogues are asked to contribute and we delivered threefold what we were asked. There was, most recently, our annual CSH fundraiser where we brought in Rebecca Rosen, my sister, on the Boston stop of her national book tour. I’m proud about this for many reasons. First, for the staff’s and committee’s unbelievable hard work in making this happen. The leadership of Melissa Kaplowich and Jon Dubow and the tireless efforts of so many others is why this was a success. Second, that this was wholly inspired without me (frankly in spite of me, as I said from the outset if this happens it does so because she is who she is, and it’s what this synagogue wants - not simply because she is my sister). That this synagogue is willing to explore the intellectual, spiritual and halachic spectrum of ideas, experiences and possibilities (regardless of what one believes about the issues) is a testament to who we are and what we are all about. Thirdly, I’m proud that, in the final analysis our membership and the larger community, by and large, stepped up and supported CSH. This was a fundraiser, not just a fun-raiser (though it was fun) and we raised some important funds to pay our bills. Finally, I’m proud not just of CSH, but of the JCC. Under the professional and lay leadership at the JCC, and now under the guidance of the Federation, they have certainly turned the ship around. The place is bright, the programming shines and this summer’s redesigned and reinvigorated Camp Simchah on the Hill sounds like their greatest accomplishment yet. I’m proud that this community is rallying behind the J and I’m optimistically proud that the community and CSH members will send their children to this extraordinary summer camp. Make no mistake about it, the JCC is not out of the dark yet. They may look good and offer a great service but now they need us, they need you to join, to invest and most of all TO SEND YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN TO CAMP SIMCHAH FOR SUMMER CAMP! They have done their part - now it is time for us to do ours. But, once, again, I’m proud already knowing that Shirat Hayam-nicks will, as always, open their minds, open their hearts, step up and do what needs to be done. That’s who we are. That’s what we do and that makes me proud to be your leader and your biggest fan as well.
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