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This time last year, I wrote that Rabbi Tuffs and I had just attended a meeting where the subject was AIDS orphans in Haiti. One year later, Temple Beth El has formed a partnership with the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, our members have made two trips to Haiti, and we’ve formed relationships with wonderful people who share our passion to help the beautiful children there. We’re making strides to improve the children’s medical and dental care and we’re about to go to Haiti again, to dedicate the orphanage we’ve raised the money to establish and run. Last year at this time, we were making plans for our third annual Mitzvah Day in March. We enjoyed working that day, and the food and clothing we collected went to very worthy community charities. This year, Mitzvah Day will be in April, with some new projects, as well as those we’ve done in the past. Our Mitzvah Day committee is forming now. The Environmental Advisory Committee has an active program and is in need of more members. Meeting for the first time since last spring in November, we focused on “Lighting Up Chanukah with Low Energy Bulbs.” Members of the synagogue were encouraged to purchase a set of eight specially selected low energy bulbs for $36 (twice chai) and to change one bulb in their homes on each night of Chanukah. This program was very successful, thanks to the super-salesmanship of committee members and Religious School parents. For Tu B’Shevat, which occurs on January 22nd, Rabbi Tuffs and the committee are making plans for the beginning of a Biblical Garden. Trees mentioned in the Bible will be planted on the synagogue property, with the professional assistance of one of our synagogue members, and children from our schools. A weekend dedicated to the environment is planned for February 1st – 3rd. You will receive a special announcement of this event soon and we urge you to save the dates. This will be the second annual Philip Shuchman Memorial Sabbath. The guest speaker for the Friday evening service will be Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. He recently appeared before a Congressional committee considering Faith and the Environment. He will bring us up to date on what we, as Jews, can contribute to the campaign to save the environment. Saturday afternoon, we will show Al Gore’s film, An Inconvenient Truth, which will be followed by a brief discussion with several representatives from the city of Hollywood and Broward County. A Havdalah service will follow, to end the Sabbath. On Sunday morning, Religious School families will have the opportunity to participate in a very special environment workshop, conducted by an eco-system scientist, Dr. Orah Rein-Moshe. One of our committee members, who is a Green Building consultant, offered a proposal that we have brought to the Temple Board of Directors. At a meeting, open to the entire congregation, the consultant will introduce the concept of Green Buildings and relate it to the management and future planning of Temple Beth El. Everyone interested in participating in the activities of this committee is encouraged to email Hedvah Shuchman, at hedvah@comcast.net or call 954-342-8355. |
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