The famous social critic Marshall McLuhan lamented that he was not able to write a book that was 100% new. If he did virtually no one would be able to read it. McLuhan noted that the purpose of writing is to impart information (true or fictional), and this requires presenting something new. Yet, if everything is new, there is no context or foundation on which to evaluate and absorb the material. McLuhan concluded that books, in order to be generally understood, must be about 75% familiar and only 25% new.

While books are supposed to impart the new, synagogues basically exist to preserve the old. Judaism is, after all, a very old faith. Yet, as books can only be successful by maintaining a certain amount that is old and familiar, synagogues are maintained by being able to change in part; to present something new. Vassar Temple, I would contend, would never have made it into its 162nd year without having the ability to combine the creative with the traditional.

This past year (the Hebrew year 5770) is a very good case in point. There were perhaps more changes in elements and aspects of the congregation than in any other of the ten years that I have been at Vassar. The congregation has a new Educator, Rabbi Shoshana Hantmann. Eliza Dugatkin took on the principal cantorial responsibilities for the High Holy Days. The Religious School instituted a single morning session. The Temple website was redesigned, as was the Shabbat handout. The Reiffler Library's holdings were catalogued on the computer. And then there are the numerous adjustments in committee leadership, presentation of worship, educational offerings, and various areas of program and administration that happen regularly.

All of this, however, occurred in the context of the Temple's singular overall program: Eternal Torah. The program, which has raised funds that ensure the maintenance of the synagogue's five Torah scrolls (thank you, Lou Lewis, but proper kudos will be provided next year), also served to highlight and teach about the single oldest and most enduring object possessed by the congregation. Our scrolls have been in the hands of Vassar Temple longer than anything else: the oldest member of the congregation, or the synagogue building itself! Eternal Torah is a project that celebrates and preserves what is most traditional both to Judaism and to Vassar Temple in particular. Through Eternal Torah, the old as become new.

5770 has been a surprisingly good year, given all the anxiety regarding the state of the economy and its inevitable impact on the Temple's finances. A little anxiety, however, is more often than not a good thing, spurring creativity and action, when we realize that letting things remain as they are is simply not an option. Too much anxiety usually leads to paralysis, and too little to complacency. As I contemplate the coming year, let me try to maintain the minimum but critical level of tension required to keep the congregation moving forward.

The 1990s were a period of growth for the Vassar Temple, but the last few years have been distinguished by a retrenchment. There are waves of this sort of fluctuation in congregational membership; much of it is inevitable as a result of changes in the region's demography. The Temple can and will grow again, if as a congregation, we prepare to make this happen.

Perhaps most central to future growth is the quality of education at the Temple. Almost nothing is harder than getting Jewish education right. Last year in this report, I called for the congregation to engage in a serious evaluation of its Religious School. The call was premature, as Rabbi Hantmann needed the year to become familiar with the congregation and the school. We are quite fortunate to Shoshana Hantmann, an experienced, dedicated individual who is expert in both Judaica and pedagogy, as our Educator.

Religious School, however, cannot be a matter of “top-down.” The term educate is derived from educe: to draw out. In drawing out of students, one must be aware of what is inside: what are one's needs and concerns. The Hebrew term for education - hinukh - makes a similar point, as the term (which is also the basis for Hannukah) means dedication. Thus, the central issue for the Religious School is not teaching (what knowledge is imparted), but rather it is learning (what students are prepared to absorb). And, thus, the central question to ask is: Jewish Education for what?

The Religious School is one of Vassar Temple's most important assets. It needs to be of high quality, very attractive, and - most important - meaningful. Now that Rabbi Hantmann has found her footing within our congregation, I look forward to working with her and the School Committee in engaging with students, parents and all interested parties in creating a vision for our school.

Outside of the relatively small number of us who are paid, Vassar Temple is served by those who volunteer time and expertise. One truism regarding volunteer work is that you could always be doing something else (or nothing at all). We are all honored by those who choose the Temple. I would like to acknowledge only a few congregants, recognizing that there are a number of you I have already mentioned previous reports or hope to cite in future ones.

Muriel Lampell was this year's recipient of the Rabbi Arnold Award. Muriel and Matt epitomize the religious life of the synagogue: Torah, worship, and acts of selfless devotion both to the individuals and the synagogue as an institution. Bob Abrams, who receives this year's Founders' Award, as worn the hats of Board Treasurer, Secretary and Men's Club President. These positions are worthy enough for an award, but Bob also streamlined the financial reporting and increased active management of the Temple Funds, and has managed to activate the Men's Club with both service projects and fun activities. Muriel and Bob represent the very best that Vassar Temple can be.

There are some tasks which are essential in the running of a synagogue, but are not terribly glamorous and bring as much grief as satisfaction in taking on their responsibilities. Many congregations simply pay a staff person, usually an Executive Director, to handle them. For a number of years, Marsha Lowry has overseen both personnel and the use of the building with quiet efficiency. In particular, Marsha saw to a sudden and unexpected change to in a kitchen worker, bringing our new staff up to speed in the middle of the year. In the felicitous words of the Book of Proverbs, Marsha's “price is above rubies.”

I usually cite only adult members of the congregation in this report, but this year's Confirmation class is worth citing. Emily Brundage, Jacob Chernack, Molly DuVall, Rachel Erlebacher, Marissa Gally, David Greenberg, Michael Horowitz, Brad Quackenbush, Lisa Rosenfeld, Joseph Stein, and Ilana Wolf not only make up one of the largest Confirmation classes in many years, but have also been outstanding participants in many activities and projects. Certainly, a good deal of credit can go to parents who include current and former Trustees, Officers and Sisterhood Presidents. Ultimately, however, we all should acknowledge an extraordinary group of students.

Aharon, aharon, haviv [a lovely Hebrew expression for saving the best for last]. Sandra Mamis has many positive attributes, and many of you know of them from direct experience. I wish to focus on her sheer creativity: a constant questioning (more with herself, I would surmise, than of others) whether there is some other way, some other program, some other policy that would improve Vassar Temple, and a constant willingness to promote other congregant's new ideas. In Reform Judaism, Sandy has made sure that we all recognize that Reform is a verb. The result has been in establishing Vassar Temple as one of the most dynamic, spiritually and intellectually alive Jewish institutions in the region. The congregation is immeasurably better off for her leadership.

This Report is not complete until I mention the many congregants who have set aside time for Jewish study in the Temple. They include: Linda Cantor, Andrew Chernak, Doris Cohen, Harriet Fein, Allen Fink, Susan Fink, Adriaan Finnerman, Sam Finnerman, Neil Gould, Joel Kelson, Matt Lampell, Muriel Lampell, Lou Lewis, Elaine Lipschutz, Marsha Lowry, Richard Lowry. Evelyn Partridge (zikhrona liv'rakha), Jim Robinowitz, Mary Ann Robinowitz, Ron Rosen, Bonnie Scheer, Gloria Turk, and Melissa Wall.

I also wish to acknowledge and thank Marty Charwat, Gabe & Cathy Bokor, Miriam Cohen, Doi Cohen, Ron Rosen, Melissa Erlebacher, Sid Plotkin, Tamara Gruszko and Linda Cantor who honored the Temple with their time and talents in teaching or addressing the congregation at a service.

Through their devotion, Torah is kept alive in Israel.

Biv'rakha,
Rabbi Paul Golomb
May 26, 2010