Message from the President from Congregational Annual Meeting – June 10, 2021
Irene Metz
What a year this has been! We entered spring 2020 with some trepidation given the many unknowns around what was then a new COVID19 virus. While our congregant’s and staff’s health and safety were always the priority, it was also important for our synagogue to remain a spiritual presence and a place of learning and connection for all ages. I am pleased to report that our congregation was successful in achieving this mission. The herculean effort was accomplished, thanks to our incredible clergy team, Rabbi Gropper and Cantor Cooperman, to our fabulous professional team Glynis Conyer, Dale Oberlander, Amy Rosenbaum, Leah Beck and Brenda Wilkins, our facility staff, Alonso, Sal and Derek, the office support Michelle, Jon, Abby and Jackie, our lay leadership and you, our congregants. Everyone matters and we put that motto into real actions.
Our clergy team and professional staff did not waste a moment last March, quickly pivoting and imagining how best to address our congregant’s needs. Meaningful and creative approaches for engagement, worship, learning and healing were put in place. The Rabbi and Cantor creatively lead Shabbat services on Zoom and Facebook Live so we could pray, sing (as loud as we want), discuss and learn about the Torah portion of the week from our living rooms. Rabbi Gropper and Cantor Cooperman enriched our souls, calmed us when life was uncertain, and were present for us and guided us spiritually. Lifecycles continued. They prepared students, officiated at their b’nei mitzvah services, held baby namings, weddings, and funerals. They lead interesting, thought provoking sessions on topics such as Pikei Avot, Jewish music, social justice initiatives, movies, book clubs and more. We celebrated Jewish holidays together in new ways. The Rabbi and Cantor engaged us so we could remain hopeful when life was unpredictable and challenging.
I am happy to report, Cantor Cooperman committed to remain at CSR, signing a 5-year contract which begins this new fiscal year. We are fortunate to have this fabulous team in place - clergy, professionals and support staff, who work at a consistently high intensity for our community, collaborating and reimagining how to live a meaningful Jewish life.
Glynis, besides having many other talents, is an amazing tech guru, merging our technologies so broadcasting was seamless to the congregants. She kept us up to date on synagogue activities, worked with b’nei mitzvah families to safely hold services in the sanctuary, coordinated and worked with the task force of doctors and advisors to ensure we were following the safest protocols for our ECC, CJL, and staff. She kept our staff, schools and building intact. Glynis, you were our glue – and safety pin. Thank you!
Amy Rosenbaum, our Director of CJL (Center for Jewish Learning), quickly re-imaged a fun, engaging, educational program for our Religious School beginning last spring. She implemented all the protocols recommended by the medical experts on CSR's task force and is happy to report that there were no cases of COVID reported by CJL learners or educators.
The CJL was able to use our beautiful property to create outdoor classroom spaces. With the purchase of canopies, camp chairs, and supplies and thanks to the creativity and flexibility of our educators and teen madrichim, they were able to successfully run CJL classes for our K-7th grade and the CSR Teens. Classes met outdoors until November and resumed in April. When the weather made it impossible to meet outside, the educators pivoted to Zoom, and created innovative, engaging lessons and activities. They punctuated the year with special programs, like a virtual campfire sing-along for kindergarten through 2nd graders, virtual cooking, and virtual improv with the Bible Players. Scheduled virtual field trips to the Tenement Museum, Eldridge Street Synagogue, and the Jewish Museum, enabled them to take advantage of the opportunities of the wider Jewish world.
The 3rd-6th grade Hebrew program was online for the entire year, and our educators found that the format was a successful way to teach Hebrew. The small group sessions (either 1:1 or 2:1) enabled educators to tailor the material to the level and needs of individual children.
Amy and the CJL are looking forward to being able to access the building next year, but she also plans to continue taking advantage of the outdoor classrooms whenever the weather permits. They are also exploring ways to continue the more successful elements of virtual programing, such as Hebrew.
Dale Oberlander, our Director of the ECC (Early Childhood Center), creatively developed a fun, innovative program for our youngest children over last summer to implement for the school year. The kids explored outdoors when weather permitted. The staff remained flexible and adapted to ever changing guidelines. One of the many reasons for the success of the school was communication within the ECC community and collaborative relationships with other nursery schools in the area. Small classroom sizes and proper PPE, outdoor tents and furniture provided a safe environment for the children and staff outdoors and indoors. The ECC kids were excited to be here, and the parents had confidence dropping their children off and in our care. Fortunately, the ECC remained open all year thanks to Dale, our CSR staff and the outstanding ECC educators who bravely took on this challenge while attending to their own family’s needs.
Brenda Wilkens, our SAJE coordinator worked closely with volunteers to commission a wide range of talented speakers who presented twice a week to our seniors. The SAJE program has always been a great source of socialization, friendships and learning for its members. This past year proved it was possible to conduct virtually and it was more important than ever for seniors who were isolated at home during the pandemic. Andi Hessekiel, a CSR congregant volunteered to lead many sessions and helped to schedule many interesting speakers at SAJE sessions.
Leah Beck, Director of Youth Engagement began her role at CSR when the pandemic started. While the timing to begin a new position engaging youth was not opportune, Leah was still able to form meaningful, trusting relationships with our teens. Meeting with them outdoors when weather permitted or virtually during the winter months, Leah was awesome. I promise next year will be easier.
We just said goodbye to rabbinic intern Lily Goldstein, and will be welcoming Gabe Miner, our new rabbinic intern in the fall. Gabe has unique skills to bring to our community, one of them is speaking Yiddish.
Our lay leaders and volunteers showed up and helped many in our congregation and in our wider neighborhood. Tzedek Council and Women of CSR collected food and money, we learned about social justice issues and acted on them – such as anti-racism, refugees, voting rights, women facing domestic violence, anti-Semitism, and gun violence. Hesed reached out and helped those in need in our congregation with food deliveries and made phone calls to congregants who were isolated.
Our budget and finance committee led by Seth Rosenfield worked closely with Glynis to analyze and project our financial position. Glynis worked diligently to file the PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loan applying for available government assistance during this challenging time when revenue was unpredictable. Thanks to Glynis, Shara Kimmel, Jeff Moroch and Richard Neiman, we were able to secure the SBA funds, which were also forgiven by the government.
What have we learned from this past year? This past year has demonstrated we are stronger together, compassionate towards each other, and generous to our community.
Thankfully, the vaccine has dramatically decreased the COVID rate and increased our protections. As the CDC guidelines are updated and people are more comfortable coming together, we are slowly transitioning back to in person services and activities. Glynis is continually monitoring the protocols and meeting with the expert Reopening Task Force to determine a safe transition plan and will continue to keep everyone informed.
The clergy, professionals, and lay-leaders are currently discussing how to best serve our congregation for the High Holy Days in-person at 200 Forest Ave, our synagogue home, with virtual options. Stay tuned.
This past year taught us that congregants were pleased to connect virtually from home for Shabbat Services and meetings. You showed up! We probably all agree hybrid is here to stay. In time we will better understand the balance between in-person and virtual attendance. But no matter how you connect, I thank you all for supporting CSR as your synagogue home!
Our clergy team and professional staff did not waste a moment last March, quickly pivoting and imagining how best to address our congregant’s needs. Meaningful and creative approaches for engagement, worship, learning and healing were put in place. The Rabbi and Cantor creatively lead Shabbat services on Zoom and Facebook Live so we could pray, sing (as loud as we want), discuss and learn about the Torah portion of the week from our living rooms. Rabbi Gropper and Cantor Cooperman enriched our souls, calmed us when life was uncertain, and were present for us and guided us spiritually. Lifecycles continued. They prepared students, officiated at their b’nei mitzvah services, held baby namings, weddings, and funerals. They lead interesting, thought provoking sessions on topics such as Pikei Avot, Jewish music, social justice initiatives, movies, book clubs and more. We celebrated Jewish holidays together in new ways. The Rabbi and Cantor engaged us so we could remain hopeful when life was unpredictable and challenging.
I am happy to report, Cantor Cooperman committed to remain at CSR, signing a 5-year contract which begins this new fiscal year. We are fortunate to have this fabulous team in place - clergy, professionals and support staff, who work at a consistently high intensity for our community, collaborating and reimagining how to live a meaningful Jewish life.
Glynis, besides having many other talents, is an amazing tech guru, merging our technologies so broadcasting was seamless to the congregants. She kept us up to date on synagogue activities, worked with b’nei mitzvah families to safely hold services in the sanctuary, coordinated and worked with the task force of doctors and advisors to ensure we were following the safest protocols for our ECC, CJL, and staff. She kept our staff, schools and building intact. Glynis, you were our glue – and safety pin. Thank you!
Amy Rosenbaum, our Director of CJL (Center for Jewish Learning), quickly re-imaged a fun, engaging, educational program for our Religious School beginning last spring. She implemented all the protocols recommended by the medical experts on CSR's task force and is happy to report that there were no cases of COVID reported by CJL learners or educators.
The CJL was able to use our beautiful property to create outdoor classroom spaces. With the purchase of canopies, camp chairs, and supplies and thanks to the creativity and flexibility of our educators and teen madrichim, they were able to successfully run CJL classes for our K-7th grade and the CSR Teens. Classes met outdoors until November and resumed in April. When the weather made it impossible to meet outside, the educators pivoted to Zoom, and created innovative, engaging lessons and activities. They punctuated the year with special programs, like a virtual campfire sing-along for kindergarten through 2nd graders, virtual cooking, and virtual improv with the Bible Players. Scheduled virtual field trips to the Tenement Museum, Eldridge Street Synagogue, and the Jewish Museum, enabled them to take advantage of the opportunities of the wider Jewish world.
The 3rd-6th grade Hebrew program was online for the entire year, and our educators found that the format was a successful way to teach Hebrew. The small group sessions (either 1:1 or 2:1) enabled educators to tailor the material to the level and needs of individual children.
Amy and the CJL are looking forward to being able to access the building next year, but she also plans to continue taking advantage of the outdoor classrooms whenever the weather permits. They are also exploring ways to continue the more successful elements of virtual programing, such as Hebrew.
Dale Oberlander, our Director of the ECC (Early Childhood Center), creatively developed a fun, innovative program for our youngest children over last summer to implement for the school year. The kids explored outdoors when weather permitted. The staff remained flexible and adapted to ever changing guidelines. One of the many reasons for the success of the school was communication within the ECC community and collaborative relationships with other nursery schools in the area. Small classroom sizes and proper PPE, outdoor tents and furniture provided a safe environment for the children and staff outdoors and indoors. The ECC kids were excited to be here, and the parents had confidence dropping their children off and in our care. Fortunately, the ECC remained open all year thanks to Dale, our CSR staff and the outstanding ECC educators who bravely took on this challenge while attending to their own family’s needs.
Brenda Wilkens, our SAJE coordinator worked closely with volunteers to commission a wide range of talented speakers who presented twice a week to our seniors. The SAJE program has always been a great source of socialization, friendships and learning for its members. This past year proved it was possible to conduct virtually and it was more important than ever for seniors who were isolated at home during the pandemic. Andi Hessekiel, a CSR congregant volunteered to lead many sessions and helped to schedule many interesting speakers at SAJE sessions.
Leah Beck, Director of Youth Engagement began her role at CSR when the pandemic started. While the timing to begin a new position engaging youth was not opportune, Leah was still able to form meaningful, trusting relationships with our teens. Meeting with them outdoors when weather permitted or virtually during the winter months, Leah was awesome. I promise next year will be easier.
We just said goodbye to rabbinic intern Lily Goldstein, and will be welcoming Gabe Miner, our new rabbinic intern in the fall. Gabe has unique skills to bring to our community, one of them is speaking Yiddish.
Our lay leaders and volunteers showed up and helped many in our congregation and in our wider neighborhood. Tzedek Council and Women of CSR collected food and money, we learned about social justice issues and acted on them – such as anti-racism, refugees, voting rights, women facing domestic violence, anti-Semitism, and gun violence. Hesed reached out and helped those in need in our congregation with food deliveries and made phone calls to congregants who were isolated.
Our budget and finance committee led by Seth Rosenfield worked closely with Glynis to analyze and project our financial position. Glynis worked diligently to file the PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loan applying for available government assistance during this challenging time when revenue was unpredictable. Thanks to Glynis, Shara Kimmel, Jeff Moroch and Richard Neiman, we were able to secure the SBA funds, which were also forgiven by the government.
What have we learned from this past year? This past year has demonstrated we are stronger together, compassionate towards each other, and generous to our community.
Thankfully, the vaccine has dramatically decreased the COVID rate and increased our protections. As the CDC guidelines are updated and people are more comfortable coming together, we are slowly transitioning back to in person services and activities. Glynis is continually monitoring the protocols and meeting with the expert Reopening Task Force to determine a safe transition plan and will continue to keep everyone informed.
The clergy, professionals, and lay-leaders are currently discussing how to best serve our congregation for the High Holy Days in-person at 200 Forest Ave, our synagogue home, with virtual options. Stay tuned.
This past year taught us that congregants were pleased to connect virtually from home for Shabbat Services and meetings. You showed up! We probably all agree hybrid is here to stay. In time we will better understand the balance between in-person and virtual attendance. But no matter how you connect, I thank you all for supporting CSR as your synagogue home!
