FROM THE PRESIDENT

 Greetings!  

As I write this column, snow is covering the ground with more on the way.  By
the time you read this, the days will be noticeably longer, and (hopefully),
crocus flowers will be showing their heads and it will be Purim time.  The
world is making its transition from dormancy back to life!

When I last wrote this for these pages, it was 2009, and the week before the
new year.  In that time, so many things have changed!

Firstly, I would like to thank all the people who have sent cards and notes,
bricks, FaceBook postings and emails following the death of my father.  Your
thoughts have been a great source of consolation for my family in the past
weeks.  

Thank you again to all of you who have made generous donations to the
children of Clarine Pierre, sister of Robert Phillippe, our temple custodian.
 Clarine was killed in the devastating earthquakes in Haiti this past month.  
If you are interested in donating funds for the children, please make your
checks payable to Beth Am Temple, with a memo “Children of Clarine Pierre”.  
All funds will go directly to the family via Robert’s mother, who has custody
of the children.

The past few weeks have seen very interesting developments in our Temple Gift
Card program, new Fundraising events, and a long-term rental agreement.  
While it is still too early to reveal details, we owe a debt of gratitude to
our Board members Howard Weiss, Risa Hoag, and Past President Howard Rindner
for their deep involvement in helping to keep your Beth Am Temple membership
affordable.  Please help by supporting these programs!

The Temple School is in full swing and has been the source of fun times in
the last few weeks, including hamantaschen baking and the Fifth Grade
Wedding, which I had the pleasure of attending.  Marian Kleinman and our
teachers have a wonderful way of engaging our kids and keeping things fun!  
On any Sunday, it is wonderful to be at the Temple with activity everywhere.

So, if you find yourself in the parking lot waiting for your kids, park the
car, come on in!  Perhaps you will find a hamantaschen…..you never know!

Walter Levy