We’ve been busy the past few months.  We’ve become better organized, with subcommittees for Shamusim (ushers) and Ritual Objects & Books.  If you’re interested in having the honor of being a shamus, you can now get involved with the shamus program, chaired by _______.  Or, if you’re interested in caring for our Torah scrolls, prayerbooks, tallitot, mezuzot, and other sacred objects, and possibly learning a little about Jewish sacred art in the process, you can get involved with the Ritual Objects & Books subcommittee, chaired by _______.  Everyone is welcome at RPC meetings, which are always open to the community.  The subcommittees meet informally outside RPC meetings and are a way to get involved without committing to attend the regular meetings.

At our June 8 meeting, we voted to endorse the recommendation of _______’s third-grade students, who came to our meeting in May and argued eloquently for mezuzot to be placed on doorways at Temple.  We were thankful to the students for teaching us by their example of community involvement, and we are proud to endorse their leadership in recommending the addition of more mezuzot.  We also thank _______ for his support and encouragement.

We also voted to recommend a change in the Temple’s food policy.  I hope this will settle the current confusion over food by giving everyone clear expectations.  We voted to recommend that if meat is served at a Shabbat morning luncheon, it be placed on a separate table and labeled with the name of the dish.  This will prevent Jews who keep kosher from mistakenly eating a meat dish without realizing what it was, which has happened several times in the past few years.  It also leaves the menu options open for families and potluck contributors.  At Temple Beth Am, we value every person’s choices and understand that our observances are diverse.  I hope this will minimize confusion over food so we can concentrate on enjoying each other’s company.  The matter now goes to the Board for a decision.  And I’ll see you at a Shabbat morning luncheon soon!  (Please consider coming to the service prior to the luncheon as well.)

We’ve now concluded our food discussion, and are starting High Holiday planning for 5767.  To borrow a phrase from our Jewish advocacy organizations, RPC needs your help now, more than ever.  We’re not even asking for money, but for help planning specific parts of the High Holidays experience, and volunteers for the honor of being a shamus (usher) for the community.  Due to the construction, we’ll need more help than usual in managing traffic flow, so now is a great time to try ushering!  We’ll offer training to make sure you’re comfortable, and you might get an extra piece of honey cake on Rosh Hashanah.  If you enjoy it, there are opportunities for shamus service throughout the year.

I’d like to add an appeal for members of a new Safety Committee for the Temple, chaired by _______.  We’re trying to create a group to focus on safety and security, including egress and seating, accommodations for disabled congregants, building security, emergency procedures, and traffic flow.  Safety will be even more important this year, during construction.  In the past, these issues have largely fallen to RPC, but it seems wise to create a group specifically interested in helping develop better policies and procedures around safety.  Please consider joining ____ on the Safety Committee so this important work can begin.

Shabbat services continue throughout the summer, so please join us on Friday nights and at Shabbat morning minyan.  See you at Temple!