No matter where we live or what language we speak, as contemporary Jews, our connection to the past plays a powerful role in our daily lives. We are ever more mindful of the implications and threats in recent history, making the words of the ancient Talmud significantly relevant today: “...As my ancestors planted for me, so do I plant for those who will come after me.” I believe we have an obligation and a [...]

Are you an armchair pundit? Do you have ideas about ways to grow Congregation Tifereth Israel, expand our programs, increase our membership, and refresh our buildings and grounds? Do you have ideas for new initiatives? Would you like to lead or manage a new program or project? Or facilitate an expansion or renovation? Are you a new member with a fresh perspective, but reluctant to make your voice heard because you do not want to [...]

As the lights of Hanukkah 2022 flicker and fade, and we close down a raucous game of dreidel with more Hanukkah gelt than any of us have seen, I delight in my family celebration. What a treasure that it follows on the heels of our Congregation Tifereth Israel family festivities: Menorah lighting in Mitchell Park, then back to the shul for latkes, donuts, and hot cider shared with a crowd of synagogue and community members, [...]

Look around today. We ponder the parameters of crazy. We watch Twitter teeter, and Nancy Pelosi step aside. At the same time we consider control of the Senate, coupled with a razor-thin majority in the House. And then in the midst of all that come terrorism warnings from the FBI to synagogues in New Jersey and New York. And so it goes. The future looks like the past, and our historical memory helps us define [...]

As the High Holidays end and the experiences of davening in shul on the holiest of days remain with us, I think we are all more acutely aware of who we are as Jews, of our relationship with God, and the very essence of our souls. During the holidays, when we looked around our community room and at the video screen, we witnessed the power of community within our spiritual home. We were praying in [...]

The High Holidays. This truly is a wonderful time of the year to come together with joy and solemnity….with feasting and fasting…and with prayer and inspiration. It is the time of year when we seek out family and embrace our shul community. In celebration of the season, in 2022 we have taken a giant leap in our financial commitment to strengthen and sustain our shul. Our Leadership Donors have responded generously: Gold Leadership Donors have [...]

As I embark upon my third year as president of Congregation Tifereth Israel, I am struck by the ongoing and ever growing excitement our little shul on the North Fork generates among long standing members, new members, and in our local community. Initially, I would have said it is because we have used technology to our advantage by developing great new programs and social media initiatives. We have grown our volunteer pool and attracted new [...]

As Maya Angelou once said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Our shul demonstrates that kind of warmth and vitality with a spiritual camaraderie that embraces members, friends, and the North Fork community with a “feel good” liveliness that has endured and flourished for more than 120 years. Our Congregation Tifereth Israel community depends on the [...]

As I consider our capacity to evolve in ever-shifting times, it becomes apparent that this is, indeed, the strength of our synagogue. Our power is in  the community, in our shul family, in our collective responses to change.  Our ability to embrace new technology, new programming, and new  members enriches all of our lives. It strengthens the synagogue, while stabilizing our fiscal house. Our roster of programs and services grows longer and longer. This past year, we [...]