President’s Message

FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

 

The last of the matzah has been eaten!  Passover can present some dietary challenges, especially with children. This year things seemed a little different at our house.  Jessica, my youngest daughter, became the honorary ingredient police and she was quick to alert us of any stray wheat, corn or other questionable food ingredient we might have overlooked.  My son, Jake, pointed out that the Kosher for Passover cereal was made from potato starch, which is the same ingredient some commercial packing peanuts are made from.  His theory was that the packing peanuts might taste better than the cereal.  Nothing like a little humor to add some “levity” to the situation!  

Passover week at Kol Am had a beautiful beginning.  We held our annual 2nd night Seder which was attended by more than 100 people.  The Ritual Committee did an outstanding job of organizing, cleaning, cooking and serving the food.  I extend my thanks to all the congregants who helped to make this a spectacular evening.  It was as if we were magically able to transport the spirit of our Seders of old from our former Clayton Road site to our new location.  I truly feel “at home” in our beautiful new building. Rabbi Séverine put together a beautiful Seder service using our new Haggadah.  This year Kendra Kaminski found the afikomen.  Each year Rabbi Severine has to work harder to find a hiding place as the population of children has grown larger and smarter.

On May 9th we will have the formal dedication of our new Mishkan T’Filah prayer books.  During the past month we had a series of Learner’s Services where we were introduced to the new format which includes beautiful English readings and a more complete transliteration of the Hebrew prayers.  Kyle Persons will be the first person to celebrate his Bar Mitzvah on June 14th using the new Mishkan T’Filah book. Mazel Tov!

I also want to thank Rabbi Séverine, the Education Committee, and especially all of our Religious and Hebrew School teachers.  Enrollment grew throughout the year and everyone did a great job of incorporating new students into the classes. Our new families have given us very positive feedback, and that is all due to your hard work and teaching skills.  We look forward to expanding our programming even more next year.  Watch for the 2008-2009 enrollment packets which should be arriving soon.

Lastly, I’d like to once again welcome and thank those of you who chose to make Kol Am your new spiritual home this past year.  The decision to affiliate is a serious one involving both a financial and time commitment.  We are honored to share your spiritual journey with you.

Shalom,

 Beth Knight, President