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In the midst of challenging times, Congregation B'nai Shalom has been a community working to build bridges, express generosity and kindness, and help our members connect with each other at times of celebration, hope, loss, and learning.
YOU are our community, and you have helped us aim higher. We thank you for your commitment to a community of purpose, and celebrate many of the ways we have connected this year.
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The launch of CBS Cares,
turning a congregation of over 450 households into networks of caring and response to local needs.
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The deepening of our Social Action work,
through family education programs, and teams growing our commitment to the homeless to address local needs in MA, to assist refugees, and to build new interfaith connections.
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Over 380 adults engaged in learning,
including over 180 participating in family education mornings with their children.
Other adult
education included
Introduction to Judaism, the Poetry of the H
igh Holy Days, Scientists in Synagogues, Brotherhood and Sisterhood programs, and weekly Torah study.
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Over 170 students, from grades 2-12 participated in a Youth group activity
including bowling, lazer-craze, shul-ins, regional events, and more.
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Spiritual, educational, and entertaining festival and Shabbat celebrations,
including this year's inspiring Israel youth panel at Succot, the epic Purim lip-sync battle, and over 110 people (aged 6-80) at our first fully-catered congregational Passover Seder.
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103 Life Cycle Events...
22 Confirmations
18 Consecrations
9 Weddings
12 Funerals
31 B'nai Mitzvah 11
Baby Namings
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Over 400 people participating
in new member gatherings, Shabbat Restaurant week, membership meet-up at Margaritas, the Chocolate Ball, the Brotherhood trip to NYC, Mah Jongg and Book Club with Sisterhood, the congregational trip to Cuba, Passover wine-tasting at Julios, and other social and cultural gatherings.
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Over 250 people connecting through music,
by singing in our adult, teen, and youth choirs, playing in our Klezmer or Tefilah Band, being lead singer at a Shabbat service, and attending our Concert for Kindness (raising over $6000 for the ADL!).
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Beautiful new Torah covers and welcoming new lobby furniture
due to the generosity of member donors, Brotherhood, Sisterhood, the Jennifer Lee Levine Memorial Youth Fund... and the tasteful guidance of our art consultant, Mindy Hall.
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And... coming this fall - the launch of PALS
T
he Play and Learn School at Congregation B'nai Shalom for early childhood education will bring new energy and engagement to our congregation. We welcome our pre-school director, Amy Scott, and look forward to this new venture together. With thanks to the Pre-School Task Force, chaired by Steven Goldstein, and to the Lisa Elaine Feingold Memorial Fund for a generous donation.
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Sustaining our Vision
All this, and so much more, is done with a small staff and many members just like you who contribute time and money to help us live our vision. Meeting our budget helps to sustain this work. Your membership and your additional generosity in responding to our fundraising goals enables us to do that. We hope that you will continue to share your lives and gifts with us in the coming year.
We
are committed to being a spiritual home for all. Our annual membership adjustment application enables all to belong at a level of financial commitment that is aligned with income levels. We are also incredibly grateful to members with the means to pledge additional financial support to the congregation, enabling us to remain financially stable while maintaining our commitment to welcome all. If you have the ability to provide a higher level of support through Project Share, we thank you for your consideration and generosity.
As we look toward to the coming year, please know that we, Rabbi Eiduson, our Temple Administrator, Steve Winer, and our Board of Directors are always eager to hear your ideas and feedback.
In gratitude,
Rabbi Rachel Gurevitz and Temple President, Allison Orenstein
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Congregation B'nai Shalom| 508-366-7191 |
Website
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