This week - and beyond

Shalom all:

I realize this is getting a little on the late side but tomorrow night we will be having Shabbat services at the Temple in Crescent City at 7:00 p.m.  This Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m., also at the Temple in Crescent City, Rabbi Les will be conducting the sixth and final class discussing the 613 laws of halachah.  It has been a lively and well attended class but now, we need to decide what will be happening after the first of the year.

Unfortunately, I need to, once again, bring up the subject of money.  After this week and going into 2014, we will, at our current balance, only be able to bring Rabbi Les up from Arcata four more times, without further contributions.  I have asked for contributions before, both by email and in person, and we have had a few very generous donations, which allowed us to get to the end of 2013.  Because, folks seemed to want our classes to be scheduled every two weeks instead of monthly, we have spent more than we would have, had we only continued on monthly basis.  However, the attendance and participation was at such a high level in 2013 that this seemed to be appropriate.  Now we need to decide what level of service we want, in the months to come.  We also need to decide what subject we want the next class to be, if there is to be a next class.

So please bring your thoughts (and your checkbooks  ) to services and class this weekend in Crescent City.  As mentioned above, both services and class are in Crescent City this weekend.

Finally, I need to say that we understand if people are a bit "pinched" in these rough economic times and, as always, we never turn people away for lack of funds.  So don't feel that if you haven't been able to make a contribution lately, that you are not welcome.  Everyone is welcome at Temple Beth Shalom.  But if you have been fortunate enough to have financially weathered these last few years and have not made a contribution recently, please consider making one at this important moment.  We have, in the past, asked members to make a $300 annual contribution.  But this year, we recognized that this request has been for couples/families and that $150 would be more fair for single people.  Having said all that, any contribution large and small will go toward sustaining Temple Beth Shalom and allow us to continue providing services and classes into 2014.

All the best to everyone and I look forward to seeing you this weekend and hearing your views.

B'shalom,

  - Marty Grodin (current keeper of the checkbook)