THIS MONT H HaHodesh AT CHIZUK AMUNO CONGREGATION AND SCHOOLS
JANUARY 2017 | Tevet - Shevat 5777 Engaging Jewish Life & Learning
RABBI’S COLUMN Tu Bishevat comes to Zone 7A! Zone 7A is where Baltimore is located on the USDA map of RABBI DEBI WECHSLER regions of the United States for planting. If you want to know when to plant flowers near your mailbox, when to nestle your tender tomato plants in the earth, or when to start digging to accommodate the root ball of the tree your children will use as a base when they play tag in the yard - knowing we are in zone 7A is key. But Tu Bishevat (the Jewish New Year of the Trees) missed the memo from the garden center because here she comes in the middle of Baltimore’s winter when spring and flower, tomato, and tree planting are far from our minds. In Israel they are on the lookout for the green shoots of the almond tree, in Pikesville we are on the lookout for de-icing salt. When we think of planting and Tu Bishevat, we generally think of planting things in the earth. We think of green shoots and loam, pungent mulch and vegetable seeds. But in Jewish life planting is not just a literal planting of organic material in soil. In Jewish understanding, planting is as much, if not more, about instilling as it is about gardening. With Tu Bishevat falling in the midst of Zone 7A’s harsh winter, Continued on Page 2
MEMBERSHIP MATTERS - RABBINIC TRANSITION As we enter a new year, I want to take a few moments to share some thoughts with you, our valued members. As I stated during the High Holy Days, Chizuk Amuno is a strong, proud congregation that has long been an integral component of the prolific growth of the Baltimore Jewish Community. Our members, lay leaders and clergy have always been held in the highest regard within our congregation and our community at large. As society has progressed, Chizuk Amuno has evolved and grown to continue to meet the needs of our congregation. Chizuk Amuno is now in a position to actively plan for our future, and with this opportunity, we need to clarify where we want to go, how we view ourselves within the Conservative movement and our community, and how we want to function, so that we can then identify the characteristics necessary for our next Senior Rabbi, as well as all clerical leadership for the coming years. This process is a WE process. To that end, the planning and subsequent recruiting process will be based on five principles. First, we need to be strategic, in our goals and objectives, so as to satisfy our needs, while allowing the opportunity to aspire and imagine. Second, the process must be inclusive, so that you, the members of Chizuk Amuno, are active participants in defining our goals and objectives. There will be many opportunities for you to engage, so please be a part of the process. Third, the introspection, transition and search process must be transparent. You will continue to be apprised of the status of the process. Fourth, while encouraging our inner expressions of individuality, we must speak as a unified congregation, so that a prospective candidate has a sense of our direction. Fifth, we must conduct the entire process in a professional manner, so as to exhibit Chizuk Amuno in the most favorable light. The Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees have begun discussing our plans. I am proud to share that Sandi Moffet and Stephen Pomerantz will lead the transition and search. Sandi and Steve are two dedicated members of our congregation who have exhibited their remarkable leadership and vision throughout the years. We are fortunate to have them leading this auspicious endeavor. Over the course of the next several months, Sandi and Steve will be reaching out to all of you to gain your insight and thoughts. Please participate. This is your congregation. The initial step, as I stated earlier, is to earnestly and honestly gain a clear understanding of ourselves, so that we can then determine our goals, and eventually begin the process of searching for our next Senior Rabbi. If we conduct the process in a methodical and efficient manner, then we will have the best opportunity of coming through an exciting and demanding journey successfully. To Sandi and Steve, they can be contacted via search@chizukamuno.org. If you wish to contact me directly, please use president@chizukamuno.org. L’Shalom.
Jason A. Blavatt President