I have been counting down the months, now the days to July 1 — the day a new president takes the reins of leadership at our shul. Little did I know last August, when I had the idea to organize the shul’s library, a small independent volunteer job with little commitment, that I would end up here as your newly elected president.
When I asked how I would coordinate entry to the synagogue building to work on the project, shul president Sara Bloom laughed and said, “Oh, I’ll just give you a key. It’s one of the privileges of rank.” Take note, think twice if I offer you a key!
That decision and mine became the beginning of a good working relationship, and Sara soon asked me to serve on the Board of Directors. A more recent call from the Nominating Committee asked if I would serve as CTI’s next president. I said “Yes” then as I have said “Yes” now. Who could say “No” to Sara? She is our Moses (noble stature, white mane and all), who has brought us out of Egypt and through the desert of these challenging past three years of her leadership.
This journey out of Egypt to freedom is never a one-time deal. The founders of Congregation Tifereth Israel did it for us the first time when they came here to settle, and through the years, each generation has done it over and over. Now, we stand here again. It’s a new beginning for us. We are standing at the edge of the promised land. It is our turn to start over, to continue to stand on the shoulders of all those who have come before us, and to move forward.
I stand before you, Joshua to Sara’s Moses. I present myself. Hineni, I am here to serve, send me. I will venture into this land with this new Board of Directors, 13 of us to spy out the land, but coming back this time with only good reports. We will not see ourselves as grasshoppers unable to build our community in the land to which HaShem has sent us, but we will imagine and re-imagine, vision and re-vision a CTI of this time and this place and this particular set of circumstances.
I extend a hand, an invitation, for any and all of you to join in this grand experiment that we call 21st Century Conservative/Masorti Judaism on the North Fork of Long Island. Whether you are currently a member and involved, or one who may become more involved, or perhaps your membership has lapsed, or you have been a guest at one or more of our events as a friend of the synagogue — all are welcome. It’s a time filled with opportunity and optimism. And it’s going to be fun.
There is no swearing in for this job, but if there were, here is what I would say to you: Our shul has been severely challenged, especially this past year. It’s been tough, but our synagogue is moving forward with commitment, love, respect and friendship. We will grow our Tent of Meeting, our Beit HaMikdash, our place of worship, study and community, one brick at a time — one worship service, one Kiddush lunch, one book study, Shabbat dinner, b’nai mitzvah, wedding — simcha after simcha until we have fulfilled the promise made to us. Torah, and Judaism with its rites, rituals and observances will continue to be our guide. This is what it looks like when the spies come back with a good report and get to work…
Let us begin to build on the strong foundation handed to us by Sara Bloom and this past board. We owe them a debt of gratitude for leaving us in such a strong position to start our endeavors. I am also grateful to all who have agreed to continue on the 2026/27 Board of Directors and the new members who will be joining us. You too, are welcome to come along. Let us begin together the next phase of this journey to freedom.
Thank you for the trust you have shown by electing me to this position. It is an honor.

Shalom u’vracha,
—Suzan E Lipson