4/30/2013 

Dear Members of Beth Shalom, 

I am writing to thank you for turning out in such large numbers at Israel Solidarity Day this past Sunday. I know we made huge numbers of announcements, in which we asked you to come to support Israel and to make your rabbi, the co-chair, proud. You certainly did both with well over 100 members of Beth Shalom participating. Your participation is deeply appreciated. 

A big thank you as well to our Israel Committee and its chairs Len and Sue Rubin, to our educator David Barany and to our president Tami Rokni who worked very hard to make our participation a success.

Israel Solidarity Day, however, was not the only wonderful part of an Israel weekend for our congregation. Approximately 160 people came to our Israel Shabbat Dinner of Friday night and heard from members who participate in Volunteers for Israel, a young member who works for Israel’s economic mission, and from participants in the JUF Mission@65 to Israel. Another great event and thanks again to the Israel Committee. 

We can all be proud of what we have done as a congregation for Israel including the fact that when I asked at the Friday Night Dinner how many people had been to Israel, almost everyone in the room raised their hands.

Yes, you made your rabbi, the co-chair, proud but more important we can all be proud of the mitzvah of supporting Israel so enthusiastically. 

Thanks again.

Sincerely, 

Rabbi Carl Wolkin