Presidents Page

Dr. Michael Cohen

The President of Beth Israel Synagogue is Dr. Michael Cohen, DVM. Dr. Cohen grew up in Connecticut and has lived in the greater Cincinnati area for over a dozen years. Dr. Cohen is committed to seeing Beth Israel flourish as a center of Conservative Judaism for Jews of not only Butler County, but also Warren County and Northern Cincinnati. Mike brings energy and commitment to his job as President and the Congregation is fortunate to have such a mench leading our community.

He is interested in hearing from you, what you think about Beth Israel, what you would be interested in for Synagogue programs and how you would like to be a part of Beth Israel. Please contact him through the Synagogue office.

	President’s Message As I write this message we are getting our 2nd bout of snow. We all tend to hibernate to our homes in the winter time . Those of you who fight the elements to make it to Shul and Hebrew School, I commend you. Though our lives are very busy we find and make time for our Beth Israel. Our Shabbat services are going strong and the T.A.'s lead another wonderful service. We will entertain ourselves at Purim with dinner and friends. This month we will celebrate our 10 year anniversary with Rabbi Eric Slaton as our spiritual leader. The economy is taking its time to bounce back and we are feeling the pinch here at Beth Israel. The Board members and financial planner are trying to do what is best for Beth Israel. We will be going through some financial difficulties and we are looking to you for help. Fundraisers, cutbacks and fee increases are all in our near future. In the next few months the Board will be looking for a few new trustees to join us. If you have the time, devotion and desire to see Beth Israel thrive, we are looking for you. If you want to help make a difference let me or the office know. I have been privileged to serve as Beth Israel's President for the past three years. I enjoy listening to everyone’s ideas and suggestions about our Shul. I attend monthly meetings not only with our board but with the other local synagogue’s presidents. Is it time consuming? Yes, but I do it for the love of our synagogue and you. So when it is time to roll up our sleeves and help out Beth Israel, I would love to see everyone do their part. Any concerns, you know how to reach me. Your Prez, Mike Cohen

	Kol Nidre Speech 5770/2009 SEPTEMBER 27, 2009 Now this is what I am talking about. A synagogue full of friends and families coming together to celebrate the holidays . I am Mike Cohen, President of Beth Israel Synagogue. I joined Beth Israel in 1993. In these last 16 years I have grown in many ways, doing things I have never done, or things I never thought of doing. I now attend Shabbat and Holiday services regularly. I study Torah and have traveled to Israel. I have also been studying Hebrew individually with the Rabbi for more than five years. For awhile, we worked on Hebrew of the prayer book, which made me understand the significance of the prayers. Recently, I have been learning how to read Torah. Two weeks ago, I read from the Torah for the first time at my nephews Bar Mitzvah. The cantor even said I did a great job. In another month I will be reading the Maftir from the Torah here at Beth Israel, giving the sermon and sponsoring the Kiddush lunch on the 30th anniversary of my Bar Mitzvah ceremony (yes, it has really been thirty years). I would have done none of these things if it were not for Beth Israel Synagogue. In my life's agenda, I never planned on being a Shul president, but here I am. As President, I deal with Shul business, meet with Jewish leaders from Cincinnati and all over the nation. I give speeches in front of crowds, and present gifts to our Bar and Bat Mitzvah students. These are not things I would have wanted to do sixteen years ago (it sure surprised my family, but they are very proud). However, I want to give back something because of the joy and satisfaction I receive from being part of Beth Israel Synagogue. I have come to realize that it is through my commitment that I have received so much. This commitment to Beth Israel has enriched my life. Beth Israel is a small but mighty Shul. My involvement in Beth Israel over the years has giving me the honor of getting to know you very well. Our Shul is full of smiles and there is no such thing as a stranger. We have fun here too; we eat, sing and dance. However, sometimes it is hard to see what is right in front of us. Beth Israel offers so much to us but most of us really do not take full advantage of what it has to offer. I understand this because until I became committed and involved, I did not know what I was missing. There was emptiness in my life, which I was unaware of. Luckily I have discovered that Beth Israel is a place to fulfill spiritual needs. It is a warm and friendly Jewish community that serves as a place that we can call our 2nd home. Tonight, I want to offer a wonderful opportunity. The same opportunity I have enjoyed for sixteen years. I want to offer you; -The opportunity enrich your life, -The opportunity to fulfill your Jewish needs, -The opportunity to enjoy a second home. Beth Israel’s 100TH anniversary is coming up in two years. It was the commitment and desires to provide for the future of the Jewish community of our past members that ensured that the Synagogue is here for us today. We are a new generation with different needs and ideas. If we are to continue, we can not simply be our grandparents’ Synagogue. I am committing myself to reaching out to every one of you tonight. I will send all our members a blank self addressed postcard to write down a suggestion or idea for Beth Israel to help us meet your spiritual and communal needs. I want to make sure that our commitment and values make it into the next generation, and make it possible for Beth Israel to severe the needs of Jews for the next hundred years. So in the next month look for these self addressed postcards. Please set aside some time and give some serious thought. I know it is not easy, but your input is vital. Without it, there is no future. Beth Israel has been blessed over the years to be in the financial situation that we are in today. Due to the hard work and planning of Morry Friedlander and commitment of some of our congregants, we enjoy a dowry that all synagogues would love to have. Unfortunately, with time comes change. Our investments account for 80% of our budget. We all know how the financial markets have been over the last few years. Like everyone else our investments have been affected too. To assure that we will be here for the next 100 years we will have to re evaluate our financial commitments to Beth Israel . Ask yourself, “What is it worth to me and my family to be a part of this Synagogue? “ I stand up here tonight explaining to you what Beth Israel has done for me. There can and should be more here than just Shabbat services and religious school. Our Shul provides a setting where we can nourish our Jewish needs both socially and spiritually. However, this can only happen if you make the commitment to make it happen. From my own experience, I can tell you, if you are willing to put forth the effort, you will receive far more in return. Not to sound like a cliche’, don’t ask what Beth Israel can do for you, but what can you do for Beth Israel. Tonight I wish that everyone gets written into the book of life for a happy, healthy and fruitful year.