A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

When A Simple "Thank You" Won't Do

I guess most of you have either read my messages over the last three years or have heard me speak at functions or services. You know then that I'm very big on saying "thank you" to our members, our teachers, our staff, for a variety of reasons. Whether it's for volunteerism, for jobs well done, for participation, or for your children, I believe that you can't express thanks enough. Many times I do so informally, privately, like the notes I sometimes write on the pay stubs of staff. Most often it's the everyday verbal expression for one thing or another. But there are times when gratitude needs to be expressed in a major way and this is such a time.

The genesis of this statement of appreciation occurred sixty years ago, May 18, 1947. Since then the years have been witness to the development (which fortunately continues within our midst) of a man of extraordinary abilities. He attained a level of education, formal and informal, in subjects ranging from the everyday to the ivory tower, from bowling, golf and card playing to Torah, Talmud and Judaism in all its myriad facets. He plied his many talents in places and to the benefit of the Jewish people from the Northeast to the Southeast and beyond. To our unending benefit he brought himself, his life and family to Brevard County in 1996.

He impacts in the most positive way all of our lives, all of the time. I have neither the time nor the space to detail here all the things he contributes that few know of that make him all the more remarkable. Most of us see only the proverbial "tip of the iceberg" when we witness his wonderful and learned presence and presentation at ritual. I wish I could list all the things he does that make up what lies beneath the surface. Suffice it to say that nobody who needs a place at a Seder table ever is without one at his home, that he contributes tzedakah in an exemplary fashion, and  as a world class player teaches bridge to senior citizens.

For us he never "mails it in". It matters not whether it's a full sanctuary on Rosh Ha Shanah or barely over a minyan on the second day of a festival. His messages and teachings are researched, prepared and delivered with equal and outstanding scholarship and effort. He teaches our children and grandchildren and never stops even though they may be away at college. He teaches us, providing adult education on a sophisticated and intellectual level that elevates not only us, but himself. He learns from our study and delights in both. He brings his knowledge to others on his own free time. There is so much more which I could say, but it will have to do to sum up by stating that we have and will continue to be blessed by a pre-eminent person and scholar who chose to serve our congregation and to live in this community.

So, Rabbi, thank you. And always know that even if it's unsaid it's always an unstated thought.

And Happy Birthday on behalf of a grateful Congregation.

Gary