Welcome to the New Year 5769. I want to take this opportunity to thank Rabbi Davis, Martha Elliott, Tony Gowin, and Laura Black for making High Holiday Services both a religious and moving experience to carry us through the year. Thank you to Claudia Blackburn and the Ritual Committee, the Sisterhood and the Brotherhood. And a very a special thanks to Scott Wagner for his 3rd annual High Holiday appeal and a thank you to everyone who responded to our appeal. If you have not yet sent your pledge, please do so as soon as you can.

The Family Committee, with Tammy Wagner and Dana Solomon in charge, did a wonderful job making lasagna and cookies for Sukkot. It was such a treat to see all of the children hard at work in the kitchen.

Please join me in welcoming our newest members. Alisa Arst, a long-time resident of Wichita, and Allan and Linda Grossman and their son, Matthew. Their timing is wonderful as we move into high gear for Deli Day.

At the October board meeting, the topic of strategic planning was raised. Where is our future and how do we want to get there; a relatively simple question with many answers. The first answer is tied very closely to membership. A congregation I visited in Nashville had written in their bulletin that the young adults should join. Why? A sense of obligation. I found this a very sad argument although we all desire the same outcome.

So, for those of you who have not yet joined and receive the newsletter and long-time members who will be asked to revisit your 2009 dues, please consider what is purchased with your dollars.

Sometimes we have a tendency to compare ourselves to other congregations in Wichita. They become our benchmarks – we ask how come we don’t serve 7,000 meals at Deli Day, how come……… fill in the blank. The answers are not out there somewhere; they are in the actions we take to make Wichita a city with a vibrant Jewish community, So, do your part – join, donate, volunteer. The dollars are important. You, your families and your participation are critical.

As we conclude the Holidays, I am reminded of Rabbi Davis’ sermon and the theme “You made me do it”. I would add – it takes two, “you and me.” And yes, with the current trends in reduced participation and support for organized religion, just remember, it doesn’t have to be Congregation Emanu-El they are talking about.

Shalom,
Leah Barnhard