Greetings BJBE Community -

On this mid-April day as there is snow on the ground as I look out my BJBE window, the congregation is abuzz with events, activities and new ways to engage in support of our wonderful congregation.

First and foremost,  I want to thank Cantor Frost for bringing together last evening  a delightful performance of song and story of four Cantors and a Rabbi, all dear friends and colleagues of hers. T he concert, Czech Please, was beautiful -- a lovely way to end the weekend. Dollars raised support the Kolin/Israel trip. 

I want to feature as a part of my note this week  two new opportunities.  First, this is the very last week to purchase a tribute ad or organizational sponsorship for the Totally 80s Gala (which is just around the corner). While the original deadline for making a commitment was today, we've extended the due date to Thursday, April 19.  We've already had several very moving tributes purchased by Congregants, and are inspired by what you've created.  Anne Robbin will be happy to design your ad if you get her the text.  Go to www.bjbe.org/gala to learn about the different levels.  The ads are a great way to wish someone a happy birthday or anniversary, celebrate another important milestone, offer your gratitude to another member of our congregation or the clergy, or send good wishes of any type to anyone. We are excited by new sponsorship program underway here, and hope you will help us make the inaugural year of the tribute program a success.  Any questions email Anne, Erica or me.

Second, we have relaunched our art sale, which has already successfully sold several pieces to our congregants and staff.  As you may recall, congregant Harvey Yellen donated a myriad of prints to BJBE, including limited edition lithographs, serigraphs and etchings. There are a number of images from the collection of Marina Picasso, the granddaughter of the world-renown artist, Pablo Picasso.  Each includes an embossed imprimatur indicating it is from the estate collection of Picasso.  There are also works from well-known Jewish and Israeli artists such as David Azuz, Ovadia Alkara and Michael Knigin, whose art has appeared in many museums throughout the world including the Israel Museum. 

I want to be sure to make you aware of these while there is still a great selection. Several of the Picassos have been acquired, as has one of the three lithographs by Helene Guetary, and all the images by Amletto Dalla Costa.  There are still plenty of beautiful pieces available . To arrange for a viewing of the art, please contact Sue Goldstein or Sue Schloss. And the win-win is that you acquire a beautiful print for your home or office (or that of a friend), and BJBE benefits from your support.