Rabbi Todd Thalblum
July 2010
Shalom All,
Below you will find my report for Temple Judah’s annual meeting last month. I have thoroughly enjoyed this past year as your rabbi. I look forward to the year ahead of us and, hopefully, to many more.
First, I’d like to thank you all for the opportunity to be your rabbi here at this wonderful congregation. I can hardly believe that I’ve nearly been here for a full year now; the time has just flown by. Because I didn’t start until August last year, it seems like my tenure began at an all out run. We had barely a month to get to know each other and prepare for the High Holy Days and Religious School. But ultimately, we did get prepared.
The High Holy Days, at least from my point of view, were successful and meaningful. We prayed, and sang, and studied together. I was so impressed with your organization and presence as a community. It made a potentially hectic transition at a busy time of year seem smooth and effortless.
The rest of the ritual year moved along at a steady pace and has been similarly successful and meaningful, just as the High Holy Days were. As you have probably noticed, I particularly enjoy music and song as an avenue to prayer. Therefore, the talent and energy of this congregation has been a true source of joy for me. Thank you to all the members of the Musical Shabbat team, especially, for letting me be a part of your group. Not only have you led four wonderful services this year, but many of you added your talents for my welcome service and Simchat Torah. I am so looking forward to another year of worship with all of you.
Other highlights from this past year included the Bar Mitzvah of my son, Noah, the Bat Mitzvah of Shannon Williams and the Confirmation of Melanie Abzug, Miriam Maikon, and Sam Sarasin. In addition to these events, we welcomed two new babies into our tribe with naming ceremonies. I officiated at a wedding last month (and already have two on the calendar for next year), and unfortunately, officiated at 4 funerals.
Outside of these ritual duties for our congregation, I was also honored to continue Temple Judah’s tradition of wider community involvement. I continued to represent Temple Judah on the Inter-Religious Council of Linn County and was even elected to be the Programming Chair for this organization; was a member of the Holocaust Committee (for which I organized the Yom HaShoah commemoration which we hosted in our building); sat on the board of the Local Homeless Coordinating Board and was honored to be a guest lecturer at Coe College for a sociology class, Kaplan University for a class on discrimination, and at the Astronomer’s Club as part of a discussion about creation.
All in all it’s been a wonderful first year. My family and I love this congregation this community, and this city. Thank you for welcoming us into your home.
Shalom,
Rabbi Todd
Shalom All,
Below you will find my report for Temple Judah’s annual meeting last month. I have thoroughly enjoyed this past year as your rabbi. I look forward to the year ahead of us and, hopefully, to many more.
First, I’d like to thank you all for the opportunity to be your rabbi here at this wonderful congregation. I can hardly believe that I’ve nearly been here for a full year now; the time has just flown by. Because I didn’t start until August last year, it seems like my tenure began at an all out run. We had barely a month to get to know each other and prepare for the High Holy Days and Religious School. But ultimately, we did get prepared.
The High Holy Days, at least from my point of view, were successful and meaningful. We prayed, and sang, and studied together. I was so impressed with your organization and presence as a community. It made a potentially hectic transition at a busy time of year seem smooth and effortless.
The rest of the ritual year moved along at a steady pace and has been similarly successful and meaningful, just as the High Holy Days were. As you have probably noticed, I particularly enjoy music and song as an avenue to prayer. Therefore, the talent and energy of this congregation has been a true source of joy for me. Thank you to all the members of the Musical Shabbat team, especially, for letting me be a part of your group. Not only have you led four wonderful services this year, but many of you added your talents for my welcome service and Simchat Torah. I am so looking forward to another year of worship with all of you.
Other highlights from this past year included the Bar Mitzvah of my son, Noah, the Bat Mitzvah of Shannon Williams and the Confirmation of Melanie Abzug, Miriam Maikon, and Sam Sarasin. In addition to these events, we welcomed two new babies into our tribe with naming ceremonies. I officiated at a wedding last month (and already have two on the calendar for next year), and unfortunately, officiated at 4 funerals.
Outside of these ritual duties for our congregation, I was also honored to continue Temple Judah’s tradition of wider community involvement. I continued to represent Temple Judah on the Inter-Religious Council of Linn County and was even elected to be the Programming Chair for this organization; was a member of the Holocaust Committee (for which I organized the Yom HaShoah commemoration which we hosted in our building); sat on the board of the Local Homeless Coordinating Board and was honored to be a guest lecturer at Coe College for a sociology class, Kaplan University for a class on discrimination, and at the Astronomer’s Club as part of a discussion about creation.
All in all it’s been a wonderful first year. My family and I love this congregation this community, and this city. Thank you for welcoming us into your home.
Shalom,
Rabbi Todd