The Charlotte Jewish News - November 2023 - Page 11 Religious Life
Temple Beth El Embarks on “Our Temple, Our Future” Listening Campaign By Jonathan Friedman, COO As the High Holy Days ushered in a season of reflection and renewal, Temple Beth El came together in the transformative moment to begin its comprehensive strategic planning effort with a series of congregational listening sessions. The initiative, aptly named “Our Temple, Our Future,” aims to reach at least 300 congregants through a series of listening sessions over the next two months. In his Rosh Hashanah sermon, Rabbi Knight emphasized the importance of community, stating, “The essence of community is not found in agreement but in a covenant of mutual respect and
support.” This philosophy serves as the cornerstone of the listening campaign. It’s an endeavor not merely to collect opinions but to forge a shared vision that respects the diverse needs and aspirations of the congregation. The campaign is guided by a Strategic Planning Committee, co-chaired by Robin Leavitt and Lisa Shpritz, and includes congregational leaders Ivy Berman, Eliza Carney, Jenn Clark, David Crane, Zoe Kronovet, Alan Kronovet, Liz Ren, Ron Townsend, and Bob Wolf. The committee is working closely with Andi Stevenson of Stevenson Wallace, a seasoned non-profit consultant, to ensure the campaign aligns
with best practices in organizational development. Temple Beth El has a history of successful community engagement. A previous listening campaign led to the creation of the TriBEs small-group program, which, with support from the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte, has engaged more than 600 members in meaningful relationships over the past five years. The listening sessions are expected to conclude in late November, after which the Strategic Planning Committee will engage in a deliberative planning process throughout the winter and spring. The ul-
Temple Kol Ami Welcomes Back Joe Buchanan By Bonnie Shaw Joe Buchanan will be joining Temple Kol Ami for his Americana Shabbat service on Friday, December 8 at 7 p.m. This event is open to the public and free of charge. On Sunday, Joe will also be spending time with our Religious School students as he shares his unique perspective on Judaism as well as sharing his beautiful voice with our children. Joe has been a longtime friend of Temple Kol Ami and we
are so happy to have him back with us. His storytelling voice recalls a blend of folk, country and old school Americana music. He blends this with the beauty of Jewish music and creates a unique sound that is easily identifiable as Joe. From the moment many of our congregants heard him perform several years ago in Charlotte, with The Ruach, they knew he was something special. We knew that he had to be part of our congregation. Having him
bring his Americana Shabbat to us will be a special treat. Now more than ever we need to come together as a community to celebrate Judaism and remember that song is at the core of who we are as a people. Song can unite. Joe Buchanan does that from the first note. Please join us to pray and remember what makes us, as a Jewish people, so strong. We hope to see you all for Joe’s Americana Shabbat!
Friday invites you to join us December 8th, 2023 for an Americana Temple Kol Ami Shabbat Service with Jewish Americana Artist
at 7pm Free
open to the public
Please join us as we reset and reconnect in a fun and uplifting Shabbat service Philadelphia United Methodist 1691 SC-160, Fort Mill, SC 29708
www.templekolamisc.org | yorksynagogue@gmail.com
timate goal is to develop a dynamic set of guiding principles and pillars that will steer Temple Beth El into a future filled with promise and purpose. As Rabbi Knight eloquently reminded the congregation, “We are the authors of our own story.” The “Our Temple, Our Future” initiative is an opportunity for the Temple Beth El community to come together and write an inspiring new chapter in its collective journey.
Temple Beth El congregants gather on Yom Kippur to collaborate and strategize
