Steve Bascove's Message

Todah Rabbah, Gracias, Merci, Thank You

My dear friends,
But before I go any further, I want to make some summer announcements.

Please support Let’s Party, by attending one or more, or all of the FABULOUS parties offered this summer. The Let’s Party booklet is enclosed in this issue. Our special thanks to Amy Lipeles and Joanne Ratner Slavitt from leadership, and Sandi Thorpe from our staff, and all our hosts for once again organizing a summer filled with exciting fun parties. Remember, all the proceeds from every party goes directly to the temple, as our gracious party hosts donate all the costs associated with their party.

· The Usher Corp wants to welcome Janice Wood as a co-chair. They are still soliciting volunteers. We will be training our ushers over the summer. You can participate by filling out the enclosed form, or by calling the office to volunteer.

As summer approaches and we all feel the warmth of the season, I want to dedicate my article to some of the people you know, and some you don’t.

Sandi Thorpe - I want to acknowledge our extremely dedicated staff member Sandi, who will be retiring on July 15. Sandi has devoted the last three plus years of her life to Temple Israel. Sandi has a terrific work ethic, is a dedicated staff member, and earned the friendship of many during her employment at TI. Sandi will be moving to Sun City, just outside of Temecula, and will be missed by many. I know all of you join me in wishing her the best life has to offer in her retirement.

Michelle Techau – joined the TI staff on June 6. She comes to us with three years of temple experience at Temple Judea in Laguna Hills. Michelle earned praise from her past president for demonstrating a dedicated work ethic, excellent skill set we so desperately need to serve our congregation, and expressed the fact that she is a kind and thoughtful individual. When you’re in the temple, please stop in the office and introduce yourself. Michelle has expressed excitement about her new position and meeting her new temple family.

At our Annual Meeting on Sunday June 1, the congregation elected new board members. Before I say a few words about the incoming board members, I want to acknowledge our dedicated outgoing board members, who I have had the privilege of working with over the last three and one-half years.

Retiring Board Members

Kendra Cogert – we all know and love Kendra. She has served our temple for six years, many of those years in a myriad of positions, including being a member of the Executive Committee, and most recently as the Vice President of Ritual Practices Committee. Kendra is intuitive, perceptive, and brought great balance to the board she served for so many years. Kendra’s talents contributed to the amazing Installation Weekend for Rabbi Moskowitz, and she chaired the also amazing 25th Anniversary Celebration for Cantor Finnley. As director of our Youth Choir, Kendra should be recognized for inspiring so many of our young people. She does all of this while balancing her family life as a dedicated wife and mother. And let’s not forget how she inspires all of us during those “jumping jam sessions” as the lead singer for the Shabbatones at every Got Shabbat.

Melissa (Cohen) Fox – was one of the first to welcome Tracey and I when we arrived in Long Beach, something neither of us will forget. She continues to be a valued friend. Melissa served for three years, and whom I aptly call “Miss Synagogue” for the countless committees which she served and chaired. Let me see if I can name just a few: Adult Retreat, Mitzvah Day, Family Camp, Confirmation, Chanukah Boutique, all while raising a family of three and maintaining a full time job. Melissa attends Friday Shabbat services regularly, where she met her husband Jack. Jack is following in Melissa’s footsteps where he is now active in the new Temple Men’s Club. Melissa will be missed but not forgotten, because I know she will continue to serve wherever asked.

Kathryn McDermott – served three years, and I’m sure would have continued, but due to the pressures of being a single parent and assuming her new responsibilities as Deputy Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles, there wasn’t any time left to continue to serve on the board. Kathy has always been professional, bringing great depth to the board and chairing the Torah Center B’nai Mitzvah Committee. Kathy was also responsible in part for suggesting the establishment of a Personnel Committee. We wish Kathy all the best in her new endeavor.

Incoming Board Members

While their bios appeared in the May issue of the Kol Yisra’el, I want to welcome and introduce you to your newly elected board members.

Suzanne Brodsley – joined the temple just four years ago, with husband Michael, and daughter Maliena. Suzanne is an LCSW and the director of a Wraparound Program in Orange County. Suzanne showed an interest in becoming involved when she joined the temple and served as co-chair of Family leadership potential, as she and Hank not only redesigned the new Mitzvah Day logo, but also successfully reformatted the Mitzvah Day program. The staff and I look forward to working with Suzanne.

Valerie Condon – is one of the infamous “Torah Tootsies,” but you’ll have to ask her how she acquired the nickname. Since becoming a Jew by Choice just a couple of years ago, she participated in the Adult B’nai Mitzvah class and became a Bat Mitzvah. Valerie has been and continues to be an active member of the Membership Committee. In that capacity, Val became the first chair of our new Ambassador Program. She helped organize, recruit, and train the first Temple Israel Ambassadors. Each of our trained Ambassadors is assigned to a new temple family as mentors for a two-year period. Ambassadors help new members integrate into temple life. Val recently organized one of the most successful temple events: a New Member “meet and greet” hosted at the home of Rabbi and Ana Moskowitz. I look forward to working with Valerie.

Douglas Weinstein – is a long time member of Temple Israel and a proud dad. Doug is a telecommunications professional and was influential in my deciding to change our telephone service. This resulted in saving hundreds of dollars on our local and long distance calling. Doug has other talents not related to telecommunications. When Lisa Rosen became ill (she cooked for Sabbath Fellowship for years), I had to seek other temple members who had culinary skills. Doug was one of the individuals who immediately volunteered to help and continues to share his cooking experience with Chana Ham-Rosebrock and Jackie Fritz. He has been, and continues to be, an active member of the Yad b’ Yad (hand in hand) Committee. This group of dedicated individuals, under the direction of Janice Wood, caters B’nai Mitzvah parties for temple members, who otherwise might not be able to afford a celebration. The committee buys the food (the only cost incurred by the family), prepares the food, Doug is the chef and serves up a great meal. Thanks to our Yad b’ Yad Committee, no temple child has to be denied a celebration. We look forward to continuing to work with Doug.

Have a wonder, relaxing, and safe summer.

L’shalom,