High Holy Days Message from Bill Becker

August 14, 2020

Dear Congregants,

As suggested in my High Holy Days message last year, supporting Temple Har Shalom financially is not like paying a utility bill. There is so much more that we experience by participation. And the ways we each may participate are extensive –

· by volunteering in temple and other programs to live a life dedicated to tzedakah,

· by participating in our robust educational programs featuring our Rock ‘N Roll Rabbi and extraordinary Director of Education, and

· by our financial contributions, to the extent we each are able.

Support for our temple in any one or more of these and other ways is essential to the survival of our vibrant Reform Jewish community. That support spiritually nourishes each of us, meeting the needs of our congregants and the larger communities in which we are involved. The importance of our involvement far exceeds the quantitative value of the dollars we commit.

The Board and I urge you to consider responding to our High Holy Days appeal with a contribution that meets your own objectives for the long-term viability of our community. The process is simple. Your HHD cash contribution may be made in advance online at https://www.harshalomparkcity.org/form/HHD20.html. If you wish to volunteer, contact Donna Gordon who heads the HHD volunteers, donnagordon414@gmail.com, or Deb Sheldon, deb@harshalomparkcity.org. Donna and Deb have invested an incredible amount of time and effort in order to make our High Holy Days most rewarding and I thank them for their efforts.

The Rabbi in his greeting and the information available on our website will guide you through the many programs, firmly grounded in our traditions. We’ve created five pre-recorded and other programs so that all of us may have a meaningful High Holy Days experience in these very different Covid-19 times. Most programs will provide for online interaction amongst those participating. With the additional generous support of a congregant family, we have been able to produce these services at a cost similar to that of prior years' High Holy Days programming. Please contact Donna, Deb or me if there’s any help you need accessing the on-line programs.

Our thanks to the many who have contributed so much to maintain High Holy Days and our continuing online programs as an essential element of our lives. And we extend again our thanks to our staff, Deb, Wayne, Richard, Paul and Audrey. Each has been with us now for over six years and we are grateful for their commitment to our community.

Shanah Tovah.

Sincerely,

Bill Becker, for the Board