A rhyming invitation brought shul members to the launch of the 2020 Virtual Journal, a stunningly colorful and elegantly designed publication by shul member Joanna Paulsen and office assistant Andrea Blaga. It was a labor of love for the designers as well as the many other hands that contributed to the first virtual journal in the 30-year history of the Journal Dinner-Dance event.

The annual Journal Dinner-Dance, popularly known as the JDD, was not to be this year, owing to the continuing dangers of community spread associated with Covid-19, the coronavirus disease that has escalated into a worldwide pandemic. Nevertheless, our shul was not to be bested by this virus. Instead, thanks to the ingenuity and drive of shul president Judith Weiner, the annual JDD event went virtual. And what a success it was — financially, socially, aesthetically and communally.

On Thursday, Sept. 3, the journal went live online to raves from those who attended the launch party on Zoom. Glasses were raised to the journal and to the 2020 honoree, Susan Rosenstreich — our Suzi, who had led the shul for two years as president. Tributes from friends of long standing and local admirers attested to our good fortune in enjoying the richness of Susan Rosenstreich in our ranks.