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Dear TBS Family,

Our Erev Shabbat service on June 13 was the pinnacle of our synagogue year.  I hope you were able to be there --- because words cannot adequately describe the magnificence of that
evening.  It began with a processional in which our new Torah was escorted into our midst under a chuppah while the Shira Singers and the congregation sang Rom’mu Adonai Eloheinu. 
We were ceremonially admitted into the Union for Reform Judaism when our beautiful certificate of membership was presented to us by Diane Michaels, President of the South Florida Federation.  Rabbi Linda Joseph, Director of the Southeast Region, and Cantor Ellen Stettner led our worship service.  Jordan Friedman, whose Bat Mitzvah took place the next day, had the honor of being the first to chant from the new Torah --- and she did herself and all of us very proud.  Thanks to several members of Sisterhood, our Oneg Shabbat was elegant --- with delicious pastries and champagne to mark the occasion.

A couple of people need to be singled out for their outstanding assistance as we prepared for URJ membership.  Rabbi Linda Joseph supported our efforts at every step.  Lois Rubin of Temple Kol Tikvah in Parkland is the Secretary of the South Florida Federation and Co-Chair of the New Congregations/Small Congregations Committee.  Lois was our mentor as we went through the membership application process.  Other Southeast Region representatives who honored us with their presence included Dr. Alan Herzlin, our assigned mentor since our  admission to the Union in December; Jay Gellman, Camp Coleman Committee Chair; David Beale, President of the Palm Beach Association of Reform Temples.  There are many others who should be thanked and recognized --- but the list is much too long to detail here. Please know that your efforts and good wishes are gratefully appreciated. 

Our new Torah came to us through the URJ’s Torah Loan Program.  But special recognition and thanks must go to Temple Beth El of Anniston, Alabama.  That historic congregation with roots going back to the late 1800’s gave us that gorgeous Torah to protect, cherish and study. 

If you go to our website, templebethshira.org, and click on Galleries, you will be able to see pictures of our magic evening as recorded by our webmaster Marc Sitkin.

One more Item of congregation business.  On June 11th your Board of Directors reorganized for the fiscal year beginning on July 1st.  Officers are:  Jay Padgug, President; Rick Alovis, Vice-President; Marc Shapiro, Secretary; and Jan Wexler, Treasurer.
Other Board members are:  Jerry Krassenstein, Dan Goldwasser,
David Clayman, Marc Sitkin, Joel Tepper, Irwin Moss (Brotherhood President), and Harriet Yarmis (Sisterhood President).

I hope you are all enjoying your summer, and I look forward to seeing you at our worship services.

L’Shalom,

Jay Padgug
President