Summer ‘24/Fall ‘24

As I sat to write this for our new annual magazine, Chai Times, I thought about what I wrote at this time a year ago in our previous quarterly, Connections. I shared what it felt like to come to Florida with my husband, leaving most of our friends and family behind, and how blessed I felt when we came to Temple Beth El and realized we had found our new extended family – the place where we would raise our son and the people with whom we would make our new life. Since then, well over two decades, I’ve enjoyed all I’ve gotten from being a part of this wonderful community and, even more, I’ve enjoyed all I’ve been able to give – as a congregant, a board member, and ultimately as President.

I believe things in life happen the way they are supposed to – that I am supposed to be here at Temple Beth El. I hope as you read this Chai Times you will think about where you are supposed to be – whether you are a current member of TBE or you are looking for the place that makes you feel welcome – and you think it might be with us.

Whether a member or not, the only way to get to know a temple community and feel a part of it is to participate. Come to services, an educational program, a social event. Come to Sisterhood, Brotherhood, Women’s Spirituality Group. All of these things are available to everyone and can help you to feel connected in a very special way. Our temple has so much to offer, but we still only get out of it what we put into it.

Serving as President of Temple Beth El has been one of the greatest honors of my life, and one of the benefits I’ve received is in the opportunities I have to spend time with others. I love seeing all of the familiar faces that I’ve come to know over the years, and I also love getting to meet and know people I hadn’t before. I’m always up for conversation and I want others to come to love our temple as much as I do, so I hope I’ll be seeing you soon.

L'Shalom,

Sha :)