2nd Annual Congregational Retreat

This past Sunday, three dozen TSS Congregants gathered at The Swain School for the 2nd Annual Congregational Retreat. These Retreats are important gatherings where wide ranges of issues are discussed that will most likely impact the future of our Temple.

Last year’s Retreat resulted in many successful initiatives coming to fruition. We have a Website, a Facebook Page, a Bulletin … we had a Rabbi conduct our High Holy Day Services … we sponsored many events which created strong bonds between congregants … our business procedures are functioning well … our Services are participatory, warm and friendly … our Religious School is thriving … and we welcomed over a dozen new families to our congregation.

Everyone who attended the Retreat became energized by the experience. If you were unable to participate, please do not worry. Although we have accomplished much and we have much to be thankful for, there is a lot left to do. The outcome of this Retreat will be summarized and sent to the entire Congregation. At that point in time, you can decide where you may want to become involved.

This Congregation is successful because of the many good people who attend Services, help out on Committees, enroll their children into our Religious School, volunteer help when a congregant is in need, support our fund raising events and stay active in Temple life.

Again, we are very lucky. Our Temple is most special and unique. We have a sense of community not found easily elsewhere. Stay tuned for more updates on goals and objectives for the coming year.

Moses and the Court System

This week’s Torah portion Yitro contains the 10 Commandments. We all know how important the 10 Commandments are to the development of civilization. I want to speak however, about another equally important issue brought up by Moses’ father-in-law, Yitro or Jethro.

 

Jethro first hand sees how many people come to Moses to adjudicate their issues. From early morning until late at night Moses has to judge cases of dispute between the Israelites as well as teach them the law. Jethro realizes that the work is more than any one person can do and tells Moses he needs help. It is a monumental task for one person and the cases may not receive the careful and prompt attention they deserve.

 

He therefore, advises Moses to organize a system of courts. There are to be judges who adjudicate the smaller matters and only Moses would be responsible for the major issues. This was the model for our lower courts, Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. These passages in the Torah have been an inspiration for court systems throughout time and geography.

 

Men and Movie Night at TSS

The TSS Men and Movies Club had its first outing – to see The Gangster Squad. Our consensus prediction is that this movie will not win the Academy Award this year. Even the NRA may be impressed by the amount of firepower  employed in this film! Here is a photo of the group throwing down a few beer after the movie. Very successful first outing, thanks to our Sultan of Cinema, Michael Nelson!

Men and Movies - Gangster Squad

Congregational Retreat Thanks!

Thanks to everyone in the TSS congregation who contributed to the excellent, warm, productive retreat on Sunday January 27th. It is good to see that we can have a full and open exchange of ideas in a supportive, respectful, and spiritual setting. This is really accomplishing the hard work of making a congregation, and we thank all for their involvement!