Synagogue President Howard Rothman
2007 Kol Nidre Address to the Congregation
Before I begin, I would like to mention that when Yom Kippur falls on Shabbat, the importance of the day feels even more elevated. This year, we as a people have reached the milestone of five thousand seven hundred and sixty eight years. This Shul, our own Congregation Agudath Sholom, has also reached another great milestone. This year we are 118 years old. One hundred years plus Chai.
It does not seem like an entire year has passed since I last addressed this Congregation and I am pleased to report that this past year has been a year of growth, productivity and much respect and peace throughout the Shul.
As I have mentioned in previous years, the heart and soul of Congregation Agudath Sholom has and always will be our valued congregants. We are very proud of our diverse Congregation and as we add new members, those members continue to add to our diversity.
Many years ago, when I first joined the Board of Directors of the Shul, it was no secret that this institution faced a challenge filling Board seats and attracting members to leadership positions. Soon thereafter, the Congregation voted to reduce the size of the Board of Directors from 32 to 24 seats. With rolling three year terms, each year our nominating committee recommends eight new Board members to the Congregation for election. I am pleased to report that this year's nominating committee, chaired by Harvey Kaminski, had 16 well qualified Congregants willing to step forward and serve, yet we had only 8 open positions. At our first Board meeting in July, we asked these new members why they were so interested in becoming leaders of our Shul. The answers were very similar and wonderful to hear. They felt our warmth, they were positively engaged with our clergy and they wanted to give back. So tonight, I can say that we have reversed a trend away from Shul leadership involvement, and now it is again a privilege and honor, and not a chore, to serve on our Board of Directors. We are all proud, and express our gratitude, to our Congregants who have stepped up to serve on our Board of Directors.
This year, we have had a few changes in our rank of officers. Paul Allerhand, who has served as Assistant Treasurer, has stepped down from the Executive Committee and we are grateful for his service. Also, after spending some 16 years on the Executive Committee, Michael Rosmarin has retired from his Executive Committee responsibilities, but not from Shul involvement. In the past few months, it became evident that we needed a lay chair to oversee all the aspects of the High Holiday Season. Michael has assumed this role and is finding that his time spent at the Shul has increased since leaving the Executive Committee. I am proud to report that Steven Bodurtha and Simeon Wohlberg have joined our Executive Committee. Sharon Lewis is not only our First Vice President but has graciously agreed to assume some of the responsibilities usually performed by the President, such as managing our vast Committee system, and is researching ways to improve our publications and communications. Sharon is a proven and seasoned leader and has been a steady and integral member of our Executive team for many years.
This year we have also had a change in the Shul office. Naomi Marks joins us as our new Administrative Director, replacing Steven Lander who was with us for seven years. We welcome Naomi to our Agudath family and invite each of you to stop by and introduce yourself to her.
Over the past year, the greatest challenge and frustration has been our inability to secure a long term lease on our Hebrew School building at 159 Colonial Road. We have had serious interest from some well qualified organizations. For example, an established private school in London and New York was close to signing a lease to set up a private school but was unable to secure the necessary financing. Also, the City of Stamford considered moving its charter middle school from Wright Tech to Colonial Road because the State was planning to commence a complete renovation of that property. Regrettably for us, the State has delayed its plans and the Charter School remains at Wright Tech where it enjoys free rent from the State. We continue to search for a viable tenant, but the cold, hard fact is that we have a completely un-rented building and a property that is tired and needs substantial renovations.
As time moves along and the 159 Colonial Road property remains un-rented, the desire to seek opportunities with the ball field, possibly in conjunction with the Hebrew School Building, becomes more pressing.
As I mentioned in the past, our entire campus has been a zoning mess because we have been located in many different zones. Several months ago, the Board of Directors authorized us to file an application with the City to attempt to fix this zoning problem and ultimately have us re-zoned into one favorable zone. This process required us to go before two different city boards, the Planning Board and the Zoning Board, both requiring public hearings on the matter. Our application was heard and approved by the Planning Board in July and a public hearing was held on this matter at the Zoning Board on Monday, September 10th. I am pleased to report that last Monday, the Zoning Board approved our application for re-zoning. Although we have no immediate plans for the ball field, regardless of what we ultimately do or don't do with the land and building, having our entire property located in one favorable zone is a sound objective and gives us additional long term value.
So, for the first time in twenty years, we are faced with the challenge of attempting to balance our budget without any rental income from 159 Colonial Road. Can it be done? We believe so, as long as our members remain committed and generous to our various fundraising initiatives including the High Holiday Campaign and our Annual Dinner Dance. Furthermore, the Board and officers are thankful and most appreciative to our members for approving the dues increase at the last Annual meeting. Additionally, we have secured additional savings to the Shul in the area of payroll and operating costs. Also, we will be receiving higher interest income from many of our fixed Endowment fund investments that have recently matured and been re-invested in higher yielding instruments. In reinvesting our fund we have continued to limit any fixed investment to only top investment grade issues.
While our High Holiday campaign is always important to the Shul, this year we need your generous participation more than ever as we adjust our budget to reflect the reality of the hole left in our budget by the empty school building. If we are able to increase our fund raising, while we reduce our expenses, we will be able to operate without the rental income and this will be extremely healthy for the future of the Shul. As opportunities arise, whether to rent or sell on the adjacent property, we will not be in any desperate or rushed position to potentially accept inferior opportunities. Last June, ninety families of the Shul came forward and contributed at least $600.00 each to our Annual Dinner Dance and we substantially surpassed our goal. With your help and generosity, let us be able to announce that our current fundraiser this High Holiday, the Yom Kippur Appeal is our most successful.
Each year, the President's Kol Nidre speech must speak about finances, but as I have in the past, it should also touch on themes more consistent with the spirit of Yom Kippur and Shabbat. Again, this year, we have some special people, heroes of Congregation Agudath Sholom, who have stepped up and have made such a difference.
Several months ago, the Cantor and I spoke about a simple concept. If one High Holiday choir is special, then how about two High Holiday choirs, one outside professional choir, and one composed of some very dedicated Shul members with some wonderful voices? As we were selecting the individuals for the Shul choir, the Cantor felt that we needed to include someone who not only had a wonderful voice, but who was also a skilled musician. Immediately the name of Joe Gold arose, yet we hesitated; this new choir would have to practice for long hours and over many days and weeks and we wondered if Joe would be up to the task, having recently celebrated his 92nd birthday. I would like to publicly thank all of the members of our choir for stepping up to make this High Holiday Season so special. But, tonight I would like to make a special tribute to one very special man who has been a member of Congregation Agudath Sholom his entire life. Joe Gold is one of our nicest, warmest, and musically talented members and I would like to thank Joe Gold for being part of this year's choir and for his many years of service to this Shul.
There is no question that we are blessed with many volunteers who unselfishly give their time for the Shul. Volunteering is one thing, but giving time and energy to build a new institution for the Shul or the greater Jewish Community is much different and quite daunting. Only a few years ago, the Stamford Little League, which regularly held games on Shabbat, was the only option for our children who wanted to compete in baseball. Yet one individual not only dreamed the idea of a county-wide Jewish Little League , but decided it was time for action. In a few years, the Fairfield County Jewish Little League has become part of our structure. Let me share with you some statistics that will warm your heart. In 2007, 156 kids, representing 20 different synagogues plus 16 unaffiliated families participated in the Little League. This year they added a friendship baseball program for children with special needs and gave six children the opportunity to have a very special experience. The league is self-sufficient and enjoys the financial support of numerous dedicated sponsors. The Shul and the entire greater Jewish community are blessed and richer for the success of the Jewish Little League. Its founder, superintendent and leader is a very special Shul Board member and dear friend to many. In addition to the Little League, Seth Marlowe is always willing to accept an assignment without hesitation, and gave selflessly this past year working tirelessly on our nominating committee. Tonight on behalf of all of us, we thank Seth Marlowe for making such a difference for our youth and being a hero to all of us.
We are very fortunate here at the Shul to have so many wonderful volunteers that are involved with their respective passions, week in, week out, month in and month out. Sometimes they feel their efforts go unnoticed or unappreciated. But, on the contrary, they are the glue that keeps our Shul operating and vibrant. They include our four weekly Gabbaiim, Jeffrey Lewis, Dr. Burt Rubin, Fred Baer and Irwin Niedober. Next are the many members of our Chesed Committee, this year chaired by Janet Bein. Next is the work done by our Chevra Kaddisha, chaired by Bernie Shapiro. Hours and hours on Monday afternoons and evenings are spent by our tired but dedicated Bingo volunteers, currently chaired by Rosalie and Gary Stone. And we cannot forget our Cemetery Committee or all the talented members of our choirs. These quiet heroes are the backbone of this Shul and we are most grateful to all of them for love and devotion to Agudath Sholom.
As we begin the New Year, we look forward with optimism and strength as we move to the Shul's next milestones. Our Congregation remains strong and at peace. On behalf of my wife, Gayle, and our children, Rachel, Hillary and Michael, we wish all of you best wishes for a very happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.
Shana Tova
