Shabbat Shalom,
When I look out tonight and every night I attend temple services or functions, I spot a sea of faces…some I know, some I recognize, and some I have never met. And yet, each of us has chosen of our own free will to walk into this building seeking something – companionship, comfort, peace, God.
Each of us has come of his own free will, and each of us in our own time. Some have come consistently for more years than I have been on this earth. I personally came to Temple Israel ten years ago on an invitation. Having grown up knowing I was Jewish, but not having a religious background, eating pounds of matzah year round, and celebrating Passover were joys of my youth, and yet that particular engagement immediately set me at peace. In this very sanctuary I felt connected to lost relatives, and felt a calm settle in my being. I was at home. And I am grateful to the congregants who came before me – they had the foresight to be certain this building was here, when I was ready to enter.
And now I must do the same. My husband and I have both agreed to support the Temple Israel Capital Campaign because we know the importance of having a synagogue ready, on the very day that someone desires to enter it. We also know the importance of having a building we can be proud of, one that is reflective of our beliefs, a sparkling house, where one can think clearly, dream largely, and host grand gatherings.
In the book, Pay It Forward, by Catherine Ryan Hyde, young Trevor McKinney sets out to do something that will change the world. With his three acts of kindness, forwarded on by each successive recipient – young Trevor does indeed change the world – one small action at a time. We too, now have the opportunity to change our intimate and modest world. If each of us, young and old, reaches into his pocket, or purse, or investment account, to participate we can rebuild our temple, ensuring this institution will be here on the very day that someone, perhaps unknown to us now, needs to enter our doors.
Currently we have raised more than $4,187,822.00. With the participation of each temple member, I am sure we can attain our goal of $5 million. I ask you tonight, please participate because while indeed you will benefit from our newly renovated building, more importantly you will be Paying it Forward.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Michael & Carol Masters
by Harriette Ellis
If you are among our congregants who have stepped up to be counted as donor/participants to the Capital Campaign – Ki Va Moed — to remodel, refurbish, and revitalize our cherished temple, then you understand exactly how Carol and Michael Masters must feel.
After making a most generous commitment, these long time members spoke to us about why they felt the desire to participate. “The institution must survive,” said Mike, ever the vigorous, from his hospital bed, “without regard to personalities!” Not shy about his feelings, his friends know him as a man who speaks the truth boldly and with resolve. For 42 years, the Masters have taken an active role at Temple Israel, with Carol teaching for 29 years in the religious school’s pre-school and first grade (Carol actually developed the preschool program at temple), and Mike serving on the Board of Education, the House Committee, plus both of them serving on the Religious Practices Committee for many years. Mike gleefully described his experiences serving on the Purim Carnival with John Blumberg: “We were on the Carnival Committee ad nauseam with both of us [slaving] over the hot dogs on a hot stove for 10 years!” Carol and Mike’s son, David, was a bar mitzvah at temple.
Until recently, Mike served on the Temple Israel Foundation, however serious medical problems have made it difficult, indeed impossible, to continue. “But I accomplished what I wanted to do,” he said. “One, I helped [the Foundation] change brokers,” indicating they weren’t meeting the temple’s needs, “and two, we rewrote the rules,” which were not as definitive as they should be, he explained. While Mike found it almost impossible to continue to serve on the Foundation Board, serve he did, for awhile -- by speakerphone, and that gave him the opportunity and satisfaction to truly participate.
The couple spoke with fondness of some of the past Temple Israel projects they were deeply involved in, such as, the “Mensches for Benches” when all the pews in the sanctuary were refinished by a small group of dedicated members. “It was a good project and we worked hard,” reminisced Carol. She also recalled all the hamatashen she instructed the pre-schoolers to bake, and the time Rabbi Lisa took one of the Torahs, unrolled it and the teachers wrapped it around all the little ones so they could see how long it was; thus, another temple tradition was created.
They are excited about the plansfor a temple “new look” that were exhibited during the High Holy Days and now can be seen in the temple foyer. They expressed hope that all of our congregants will feel motivated to make some level of contribution to the renovation. Carol expressed concern about contributors’ names being lost among the many members who give to the Campaign, but an assurance gave her satisfaction that every donation will be acknowledged in several visible areas around the temple. She laughingly said, “I don’t want our name listed near the broom closet!”
With a long commitment to temple and Jewish life, Carol and Mike came to Temple Israel from Temple Sinai in Glendale where their families were members. Both of their families had been very active there, and their fathers’ names are on the temple walls. That’s where Carol and Mike met as youngsters. After their marriage, and when Mike began working in Long Beach at North American Aviation, they joined Temple Israel under a plan just created: new young members would receive a free one-year membership. It was a visionary idea and proved a good investment by our board. Thank you Carol and Mike for your devotion to Temple Israel, and your generosity.
If you are among our congregants who have stepped up to be counted as donor/participants to the Capital Campaign – Ki Va Moed — to remodel, refurbish, and revitalize our cherished temple, then you understand exactly how Carol and Michael Masters must feel.
After making a most generous commitment, these long time members spoke to us about why they felt the desire to participate. “The institution must survive,” said Mike, ever the vigorous, from his hospital bed, “without regard to personalities!” Not shy about his feelings, his friends know him as a man who speaks the truth boldly and with resolve. For 42 years, the Masters have taken an active role at Temple Israel, with Carol teaching for 29 years in the religious school’s pre-school and first grade (Carol actually developed the preschool program at temple), and Mike serving on the Board of Education, the House Committee, plus both of them serving on the Religious Practices Committee for many years. Mike gleefully described his experiences serving on the Purim Carnival with John Blumberg: “We were on the Carnival Committee ad nauseam with both of us [slaving] over the hot dogs on a hot stove for 10 years!” Carol and Mike’s son, David, was a bar mitzvah at temple.
Until recently, Mike served on the Temple Israel Foundation, however serious medical problems have made it difficult, indeed impossible, to continue. “But I accomplished what I wanted to do,” he said. “One, I helped [the Foundation] change brokers,” indicating they weren’t meeting the temple’s needs, “and two, we rewrote the rules,” which were not as definitive as they should be, he explained. While Mike found it almost impossible to continue to serve on the Foundation Board, serve he did, for awhile -- by speakerphone, and that gave him the opportunity and satisfaction to truly participate.
The couple spoke with fondness of some of the past Temple Israel projects they were deeply involved in, such as, the “Mensches for Benches” when all the pews in the sanctuary were refinished by a small group of dedicated members. “It was a good project and we worked hard,” reminisced Carol. She also recalled all the hamatashen she instructed the pre-schoolers to bake, and the time Rabbi Lisa took one of the Torahs, unrolled it and the teachers wrapped it around all the little ones so they could see how long it was; thus, another temple tradition was created.
They are excited about the plansfor a temple “new look” that were exhibited during the High Holy Days and now can be seen in the temple foyer. They expressed hope that all of our congregants will feel motivated to make some level of contribution to the renovation. Carol expressed concern about contributors’ names being lost among the many members who give to the Campaign, but an assurance gave her satisfaction that every donation will be acknowledged in several visible areas around the temple. She laughingly said, “I don’t want our name listed near the broom closet!”
With a long commitment to temple and Jewish life, Carol and Mike came to Temple Israel from Temple Sinai in Glendale where their families were members. Both of their families had been very active there, and their fathers’ names are on the temple walls. That’s where Carol and Mike met as youngsters. After their marriage, and when Mike began working in Long Beach at North American Aviation, they joined Temple Israel under a plan just created: new young members would receive a free one-year membership. It was a visionary idea and proved a good investment by our board. Thank you Carol and Mike for your devotion to Temple Israel, and your generosity.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Open Your Eyes by Bill Shafton
If you close your eyes for a moment during Shabbat services and think about what Temple Israel means to you . . . you will undoubtedly feel a sense of joy, a sense of appreciation for everything we have in our congregation:
- spiritual leadership in Rabbi Moskowitz
- musical harmony from Cantor Finnley
- and, the lovely sounds of our choir with Kendra and Barry Cogert
Perhaps you’ll imagine your friends and family from our community, some whose families have been Temple Israel members for generations.
But then when you open your eyes . . . you’ll see the tired carpeting, the cracked paint, and a floor plan that’s like a labyrinth. And that’s not even mentioning the water damage or other deferred maintenance that’s been put off for decades.
If you look around, you’ll see that we’ve been teaching our children that it’s ok to neglect our Jewish home.
But Enough! As a community, we have said “Ki Va Moed,” “The Time is Now.” The time is NOW to have a building that reflects the beauty and richness of our spiritual home. The time is now to nurture our sacred space.
Our congregation members are leaders in our community, both in the Jewish world and in political and social causes. We have given SO much, and will CONTINUE to give of ourselves to fulfill our promise of Tikkun Olam.
But the time is now, “Ki Va Moed,” to shore up our own home, so that we can continue to lead, continue to grow, and continue to enjoy everything Temple Israel has to offer in a space that reflects who we are.
I take great joy and pride in reporting that as of October 19, 2010, 135 families from our congregation have made their gift to the Capital Campaign, and we have raised more than $3.3 Million Dollars.
This is an AMAZING beginning—especially in a challenging economic environment. But it is only a beginning. With everything we need to do, we are still almost $2 million dollars away from the finish line.
This truly is a once in lifetime opportunity to be an example to our children, to show through our commitment the importance of caring for our Jewish home.
That lesson will live through our children, and will be passed on to generations of Temple Israel members in the years ahead.
So when you think about making your gift to support Ki Va Moed, close your eyes, and think about everything Temple Israel means to you - - so that when all the construction is done, you can open your eyes and see the beautiful surroundings and know that you had a critical part in making this a Jewish home of which we can all be proud.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Welcome to the Ki Va Moed BLOG!
You can also read our brochure, case statement, list of committee members and view the most up-to-date architectural renderings of our plans on http://www.tilb.org/campaign
This blog is where you will find the most up to date information on Temple Israel’s Ki Va Moed Capital Campaign and Renovation Project.
“Ki Va Moed” means The Time is NOW and is a call to our entire congregation to step up and become a part of the renaissance of Temple Israel.
TILB, founded in 1923 has
- a renowned and inspiring legacy,
- a vibrant, blended congregation and
- active and talented lay and spiritual leadership.
Our temple building, dedicated in 1941, is due for some restructuring and enhancement.
The Ki Va Moed Project will:
1. Address the curb appeal of the building to reflect more accurately the pride and spirit of our congregation to congregants, visitors and the community
2. Improve the look, utilization and functionality of existing spaces, especially the youth lounge and the social halls
3. Increase the capacity of the sanctuary and Torah Center to grow the congregation.
4. Remodel the sanctuary to be more inspiring spiritually and aesthetically
5. Update outdated facilities, especially the kitchen and library, for better usage
6. Address deferred building maintenance issues that will make our worship environment more comfortable such as electrical and mechanical systems, lighting, roofing, heating and air conditioning
7. Create more welcoming entries and arrival spaces
8. Make the building more accessible for users of all physical abilities
9. Ensure our future by raising at least an additional $2 million in estate and legacy giving to support our Foundation and sustain our temple
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Life Is A Splendid Torch
I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community, and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.
I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake.
Life is no brief candle for me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for a moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.
--George Bernard Shaw
I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake.
Life is no brief candle for me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for a moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.
--George Bernard Shaw
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