As we settle into the time of year when people tend to relax and take vacations, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on some of our accomplishments during the last few months. Our new and improved Youth groups are receiving rave reviews. From the special Lag B’Omer, and Yom Yerushalayim programs to the Shavuout Color War to the regular Shabbat morning groups, our children are looking forward to coming to Shul and enjoying themselves while learning and davening as well. Special thanks to our group leaders and to Valerie Levin and Stuie Reichman as well as the rest of the committee for all the extra time and effort. Thank you once again to Ali Blech for completing another year of successful Tot Shabbat, Parsha Parties and Holiday events.

We continue to put a strong emphasis on encouraging all of our members to increase their regular Torah study in general and to join our communal learning in particular. We completed the Mishnayot for a second time with a Siyum that took place right before Pesach. Together with the Rabbi, a group of members are now learning Mesechta Rosh Hashana with the goal of making a Siyum in the new building around Rosh Hashanah. It is not too late to join in and learn a perek or even a few Dafim. We published Pesach and Shavuout editions of the Mikraei Kodesh and had a wonderful Oleh LaRegel Panel on the seventh night of Pesach with presentations from three members. Of course, this was all topped off by an inspiring Shavuout night of Learning. In addition to the Rabbi’s shiur, we heard shiurim and Divrei Torah from eight of our members. At the peak of the night, there were over 45 people learning, which is a remarkable number for a Shul our size. This Tisha B’Av, we will once again be presenting the Chofetz Chaim video and we have more planned.

Much is happening in other areas of the Shul as well but I don’t have space to write about everything here, so please read all the updates in the newsletter and on the website, including the new building and the dedication updates. Every day as the work continues, the excitement increases as we get closer and closer to our goal of moving into the new building for Rosh Hashanah. Speaking of which, we hope everyone will plan to join us with their families for the Yomim Norayim. More on that in the near future.

Finally as it is summer, on any given week there are a number of families away. Therefore it is incumbent upon the families that are with us to make an extra effort to come to Shul for all our Minyanim on Shabbat and Sunday as well and for the benefit of those saying Kaddish to come on time.

Wishing everyone an enjoyable summer.

Shabsi