An Important Letter to our Temple Israel Family,

As President of Temple Israel, I enjoy sharing the many wonderful stories and events happening in our Shul, when we see each other in person, or through the monthly bulletin articles I generate. I now wish to share with you some important news that affects all of us.

In June, I made a decision in my capacity as President of Temple Israel, to form a Safety and Security Committee. 

Under the leadership of Dick Katz, and with members of our Board of Directors, this committee has worked extremely hard to assess and manage our safety and security needs. This committee has been tasked, as well, to formulate new policies and procedures to ensure our level of preparedness is optimal in the face of uncertainty in this world we live in.

The Safety and Security Committee has met regularly, and includes Geanne Share, Cathy Swerdlow, Natan Brener, and Nicki D’Amato. Each member contributes to the overall goal of the committee, and Daniel Wise, Léa Ahlers, John-Patrick Alexander, and Joe Ihns have also lent their talents and input to the committee’s work. Thank you all.

On August 16, 2016, your Board of Directors met, and the subject of Safety and Security was on the agenda. Your Board of Directors, acting in response to the Executive Board’s recommendation, has unanimously approved a special assessment of $36 a member unit to address our relevant safety and security needs for the balance of the 2016 calendar year. 

This assessment is applicable to all member units, payable in full by the end of September 2016. This assessment, when combined with donations made by many, will allow us to take appropriate steps to keep us safe and secure under a variety of circumstances. 

It should not escape our attention that the events seen in our community and world require action to safeguard our Congregational Family. Other Synagogues in our community charge their families $100 a year, so our assessment is considerably less at this time. No one likes assessments that are mandatory, but your Board will not sacrifice safety and security needs for our Congregation. 

Everyone will receive a statement for this amount, which is due by the end of September, separate and apart from dues and other financial obligations. If you desire to donate more than the $36, we welcome your generosity. Your Board will address our 2017 needs in our impending budgetary process.

On September 11, 2016, we have a Town Hall Meeting. That morning, as well, we have a training event for safety preparedness at 11:30 am. You are all encouraged to be part of this event, whether it prepares you/us for life at Temple Israel, or within our personal homes and communities. Contact Geanne Share (geannefla@aol.com) for more information or other members of the committee, referenced above.

There will be more information and training coming to our Shul. We encourage all to participate in these important events.

Until we see each other again,

Mark Kluger, Temple Israel President
 

First Day of Hebrew School
Meitin Alliance for Growth And Learning
Sunday, August 21 from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm

Save The Date!


Man of The Year

That same Friday, August 19, starting at
8:30 pm we will have a special Oneg Shabbat with Israeli Dancing. You will have the opportunity to dance to your old favorites. Come join the fun!

 

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Saturday, August 20 at 11:15 am Classroom 1 
Bring your friends and meet other families with small children as we celebrate Shabbat with the youngest members of our community! All are welcome, and temple membership is not required. Afterward, stay and join our entire congregation for our Shabbat Kiddush Luncheon.

 

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You Will Be Receiving A Text Message From Temple Israel

Beginning tomorrow, we will be rolling out a text-based alert system using our Google phone number. Every Friday we'll send the below message to the congregation, in groups of 50:

Shabbat Shalom from Temple Israel, Winter Springs, FL! This is a test using our new free Google texting system. If you'd like to opt out, please respond NO.


This will go out to the primary household members and will come from this number: 863.354.1948 (we recommend adding this to your contacts under Temple Israel). We will be using this system for emergency alerts as well as to help announce any last minute cancellations of programs. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Temple Israel office. Thank you.
 

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Sisterhood Membership Tea
 

On Sunday, August 28, from 4:00 pm-6:00 pm, join us for an afternoon of socializing with old and new friends, enjoying “tea time” desserts and, of course, taking advantage of the excellent program to be presented by Penny Polokoff (pictured left), author of Conversations With My Daughter.



All women, both members and non-members of Temple Israel Sisterhood, are cordially invited to attend this annual opening event by calling the Temple Israel office to RSVP (407-647-3055).

 

Delightful Tea Cup
Artwork by Mollie Savage