As We Welcome 2021!
I’ve heard many say the year 2020 will be one for the record books. It’s been a year that was anything but predictable.
As I write this, not much has changed on the Temple front since my last article in October. We did however, get to share beautiful productions of the High Holidays, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, and Hanukkah celebrations together.
We’ve enjoyed distanced “meet and greets” with Rabbi Stiel, as well as “drive by” graduations, to name a few. We’ll continue to plan and bring you our many virtual programs, including Shabbat Services, Life Cycle Events, Educational Programs, as well as opportunities for you to engage with our Clergy and with each other. We’ve all worked together to adjust and learn new ways of communicating. Virtual Happy Hours is one of my favorites!
Yes, it’s a new reality and most of us are “Zoomed out”! We miss our family get-togethers, traveling, dining in our favorite restaurants, as well as enjoying our Temple family in person.
What IS different today is we aren’t sure what tomorrow might look like. How much of this ”new normal” will prevail? As things change and evolve, we’ll continue to adapt, as we’ve all done so well.
What we DO know is Temple Solel remains a strong and vibrantly engaged Congregation. We’re grounded in relationships and deeds, elevated by Shabbat and Torah.
Ushering in 2021, we undoubtedly expect to face new challenges that will come our way. As our Annual Campaign winds down, we want to thank all of you for your generosity and support during these times. We have begun our budgeting process for fiscal 2021-2022. Please know your financial support all year long is critical and important to us. We also thank you for supporting the many programs and events Temple Solel presents throughout the year. Attendance has been strong.
For now, we will continue to connect with each other and the Jewish Community, celebrating our Jewish holidays and milestones, mostly in a virtual way. Please be sure to regularly check our calendar at templeSolel.org/events for the many ways to participate. Also, don’t forget to look for your weekly eNUZ emails that are sent on Thursdays. They are full of Temple and Community information.
Sadly, this pandemic has affected so many people in many difficult and tragic ways over the past 10 months. Let us not forget the personal heartache they have endured. Let’s keep them in our thoughts and prayers.
All of us have been tested in many ways, but our resolve is strong! We have each other, and we have Temple Solel. I know you all join me in looking forward to the day we can be together again, in person, in our beautiful Sanctuary.
Stay safe and healthy.
Doreen Feldberg
Temple Solel President
