“So many of our life’s pivotal moments have been marked at this sacred place, with our sacred community.”
Jon and I joined Temple Beth Sholom 30 years ago. Our son Aaron was an infant and we wanted to join a congregation with robust opportunities for children. We had heard that TBS “does kids,” so decided to give it a try. Little did we know then that this decision would give us not only a Temple, but also a community and a foundation for our children that would shape the adults they have become.
I grew up in Miami aware that I was in a Jewish community, but unaffiliated and unengaged in it. Jon also grew up in Miami, affiliated, but not especially engaged in the Jewish community. That changed when we joined TBS. Over time our children, Aaron and Emily, came to know every inch of the Temple, from Foundation School, SLJ (now known as jLAB), BESHTY, Shabbat Club, and summer camp. We participated in Mitzvah Day every year, and visited Israel on the Magical Mitzvah Tour, which was the first time Aaron, Emily and I experienced Israel. With their TBS friends, Aaron and Emily went to URJ Camp Coleman, NFTY and NFTY Israel. We became Shabbat evening “regulars.” As Aaron and Emily started religious school, I decided to learn Hebrew and became an adult Bat Mitzvah at age 37. Two weeks later, Rabbi Davis invited me to chant Torah at a Shabbat service, after which I decided to learn to read trope and chanted Torah and Haftorah during Shabbat and High Holy Day services. Emily was given her Hebrew name on our Bimah, and Aaron and Emily became B’nei Mitzvah and Confirmands in that same space. And we say Kaddish for our parents and other loved ones here. Simchas and sadness, so many of our life’s pivotal moments have been marked at this sacred place, with our sacred community. I always knew that we had an extended family in the TBS clergy, professional staff and congregants, and always felt part of the TBS extended family for others. What a gift that is!
While raising our children here, I became involved as a lay leader. I remember during a High Holy Day service early on, there was an opportunity to check a box to learn more about the temple’s budget. I was curious about how a temple’s budget gets developed, so I checked the box. The next thing I knew, I was on the Budget Committee. And then another committee, and another until in 2006 I had the honor of becoming temple president. Every group of lay leaders with whom I have had the privilege of working has viewed the task as a sacred responsibility, and has given generously of themselves for the betterment of the TBS community. Our TBS clergy and staff are nothing short of extraordinary.
Temple Beth Sholom also introduced me to the Union for Reform Judaism, for which I serve as a vice chair of the North American Board. The largest partner in the Reform movement, the URJ is committed to a more whole, just, compassionate, and equitable world through its work with congregations, youth engagement and camping, the Religious Action Center, and its Israeli and worldwide partners. TBS is an active congregation in the URJ.
Jon and I have supported Temple Beth Sholom philanthropically since we joined 30 years ago. It is important to us that we do what we can to ensure our temple’s ability to thrive, innovate and build community now and for generations to come. We have decided to include TBS in our Estate Plan with a legacy gift because we believe that with the blessings we have received by being part of this wonderful community comes a commitment to help ensure that our children’s generation, their children’ s generation, and all those who follow, also have this special community with which to share life’s journey.
We will forever be grateful to Temple Beth Sholom.