|
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times
In this article, outgoing CSL Board President Karen Lior reflects on her three years in that role.
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” (Charles Dickens, adapted)
In many ways, this quote characterizes the three years I’ve served as CSL Board President. It is amazing to me, looking back, that we are still around, feet firmly planted, gaze looking forward. It’s been a journey.
My background is in community development and I came to CSL with that focus. A month after I started, we were engulfed by a pandemic, and panic. How do we keep this community, who only met at most once a month, alive and relevant? We were acrobats, jugglers, contortionists. We moved online. Speaker series on Sundays? Why not! Dance workshops? Of course! Meditation sessions? Storytelling? Great! Thanks to Loren Blumer, Shoshana Fainsilber, Eden Nameri, Vered Philip, and members of the choir who just kept going, singing, dancing, meditating, and telling wonderful stories.
Many successes
We’ve done much that I count as success. After much consultation and input from the membership, In a consensus decision, the board hired Cantor Wunch as our Spiritual Leader. I am proud of the very transparent and positive process we used.
Cantor Wunch has brought new energy, renewed focus, innovation and creativity to our community. She started a monthly lunch and learn and she is attracting new, young families. We have a huge B’Mitzvah class for this year, and on implementation of an idea that came from former board member Mark Fine, more students are holding their simchot during our services, and all B’Mitzvah students and their families are now members, bringing students and their families into the congregation, and the congregation into the lives of those students and their families.I’m proud that we continued to hold regular services throughout the pandemic and provided members with opportunities to come together for Chanukah, Purim and Sukkot in addition to Shabbat and the High Holy Days. Many thanks to Dan Aviv for his tech support and for making it possible to be both online and in-person at the MNJCC when the time came.
Creating structure
When I became President, one of my goals was to put some basic structures in place. Each B’Mitzvah now gets a kiddush cup with their name in Hebrew made by a local potter. We have Shir Libeynu thank you cards for donors, thanks to Dahlia Klinger. The newsletter is beautiful and well-written thanks to Dahlia, Leslie Wolfe and Lillian Radosevic. Our books are in amazing shape thanks to Mary Wunch, Rebecca Sugarman and Lil. We have a working database with member information so that we can now send yahrzeit reminders for example. We have a communications policy and we have started working on other policies, too. Our Annual General Meetings are now held in combination with an event such as a guest speaker, or a concert, and last year for our 25th anniversary, we conducted interviews of long-time members and new members. Thank you to the interviewees and interviewers and to Noam Lior who put it all together into a brilliant video.
Learning that First Unitarian sold their building, the board embarked on a thorough search for a new venue, and looked at many, many spaces, finally landing at St. Paul’s Trinity United, beginning a relationship that I hope will continue and strengthen. Minister DiNovo came to say hello during our High Holy Day services and Cantor Wunch has been invited to give a sermon there, and we have already given them the dates for High Holy Days, 2023 in hope that we will be able to use the very beautiful sanctuary.
The board members I served with these 3 years deserve a lot of praise. I know, I can be difficult. Thanks to Abbe Edelson for her commitment to working to take down barriers to participation, and to making us more inclusive and accessible. Thanks to Dahlia Klinger for updating and revising the by-laws. Thanks to Ellie Goldenberg for her ability to see all sides of a question and bring a group to a thoughtful decision. Thanks to Dorothy Rusoff and Eden Nameri for bringing us interesting and engaging guest speakers.
Thanks also goes to Karen Franklin for her phenomenal attention to detail and making sure we have a lovely and functional new Ark; and to Jamie Flagal for serving on this board long and well, and especially for everything you did for this year’s High Holy Day services.
Thanks to Rebecca Sugarman, an amazing treasurer who took over our finances with a steady hand and a broad and deep understanding of how non-profits operate.
I think over the last 3 years we’ve made some significant progress as an organization, particularly given the difficult context. Clearly that speaks to the special open and flexible nature of our congregation. May we continue to be flexible, open, accessible, inclusive, diverse, innovative, creative and funny. It will get us through at least the next 3 years.
Although we are facing winter it is no longer a time of despair. We have much to celebrate: surviving the pandemic; and growing our community.
Rise up to work with us: Future programming & a call-out for members of the Board
At the High Holy Day services CSL Board Treasurer Rebecca Sugarman, just completing her first year on the Board as Treasurer, made the following remarks:
I came to CSL because of its unique vision. I grew up in a conservative shul and left as a teenager. Later in life, I joined a “progressive” congregation. When they made the decision to refuse to marry gay or lesbian couples, I realized they were not reflective of the diversity I was looking for.. When I found Shir Libeynu I found a congregation where I felt accepted for who I am and how I want to engage in my spiritual journey. That was 15 years ago.
Why have I stayed? I have stayed because of what is offered here: acceptance and respect. I wanted my daughter to experience a sense that she belongs, and now I want her partner to feel he belongs. I am sure we all want this vision of an open and inclusive community to continue and to grow to meet the needs of our members. We thrive as a community because Shir Libeynu is responsive to who we are as a diverse group of people.
Together, under the insightful leadership of Cantor Wunch, with her new ideas and understanding of the importance of our strong traditions, we are poised to bring together long-time members and new members to embark on new ventures.
Many new programs
We have received a grant to investigate the needs of interfaith couples. If you are part of an interfaith partnership, we hope you will take part.
The Board members were very excited to read the suggestions you made for programming for the coming year: more adult education opportunities; more programs to involve our younger members; more speakers; a ritual committee; an adult B’Mitzvah class, and more.
If we are going to grow our programming, we need members to be more than participants. We need you to help make events happen. When you participate in the planning, programs are what you want them to be!
Programming needs people
It is a truism that it takes a community to raise a child. It is also true that it takes a community to create meaningful programs and opportunities for engagement.
Another truism is that many hands make light work. If we are to thrive and grow, we need more people on the Board, especially as Karen is retiring as president and Jamie is retiring from the Bd. Previous Bd experience is not necessary. All kinds of skills are helpful. Most important is a desire to work with others to keep Congregation Shir Libeynu thriving. The impact will be meeting new people, learning, and the positive feelings that come with giving of yourself.
CSL Yom Kippur volunteer drive in full swing
Board member Karen Franklin speaks to the need for CSL volunteers
In the conservative shul I grew up going to, Yom Kippur was a time for the Israel Bond Drive.
I left that shul behind for many reasons but as I set to thinking about what I wanted to say about the need for members to get more involved in this community, I realized this would be a drive of a different kind. It’s a Volunteer Drive.
It took me about 20 years of attending Shir Libeynu services to finally dip my toe in the volunteerism water. Last year Karen Lior shouted out for volunteers for the venue committee. That spoke to me; I thought I could contribute and jumped in.
Next thing I knew, I was a member of the Board!
As you’ve heard, we have some Board openings, and I encourage you to consider contributing. But if joining the Board isn’t your thing (yet), there are plenty of other ways to get involved. What speaks to you?
Marketing; ritual; secretariat; policy; music; food; special event; family activities; legal; bikur cholim; finances
Anything?
At a minimum, the Board works to support Cantor Wunch to provide meaningful, musical Shabbat and High Holy Day services. The more of us who step up to create, support or initiate programs, events and services, the more Congregation Shir Libeynu can flourish and be what you want it to be.
Please consider contributing some of your valuable time and energy to help your shul continue to be the unique, inclusive, unaffiliated, musical, meaningful community that welcomes individuals, couples and families looking for a special Jewish home.
If you have any questions about joining the Board or other volunteer opportunities, please email slboard@shirlibeynu.ca and one of us will get back to you.
Please watch for our special High Holy Days follow up email coming to your inbox soon!
Annual General Meeting & Celebrations - December 18
All members are invited to attend our
Annual General Meeting/
Volunteer Appreciation Celebration/
Chanukah Celebration/
New Members Reception
and
joyous holiday season celebration
Fun for all!
Sunday, December 18, 2022
Time and location TBA
Save the date!
Saying goodbye to Lillian Radosevic
We are very sad to say goodbye to our fearless and formidable administrator, Lillian Radosevic who is leaving us this month to spend more time with her young family.
Lil has been steadfast in supporting the board and Cantor Wunch in getting things organized, populating our database, working on the books, and doing whatever was needed to keep our services running smoothly..
We are very grateful to Lil for all her work over the past 3 years and wish her only good things in the future.
Thank you Lil, for everything.
CSL Board of Directors
slboard@shirlibeynu.ca
| 
