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.