It is an honor and a pleasure to be Temple Beth Or's president. As Ben Zoma said 2000 years ago, "Who is honored? The one who gives honor to others." (Pirkei Avot 4:1)
Our community is as vibrant as ever. At our December, 2009 semi-annual membership meeting, we had an upbeat discussion about who we are and how we describe ourselves. Some of these descriptions are in quotation marks below and I would like to use them to share some of my own thoughts about Temple Beth Or.
“Your extended Jewish family": I consider Temple Beth Or my extended family, given the fact that my own family does not have any relatives living locally. We feel cared for and cared about by our Temple Beth Or community. How is Temple Beth Or like family to us? Your family celebrates your successes and achievements and is there for you in times of need. Your family is not perfect and you should not expect them to be. Sometimes, your family is the hardest one to forgive or accept forgiveness from. No matter what happens, they are still your family. Temple Beth Or is all these things to me and my family and more.
“Celebrating the diversity of Jewish families" and "The Jewish melting pot": We are a diverse group, which is understandable given that we are the only Reform Jewish congregation in a three county region (Snohomish, Island and Skagit). We come from many different backgrounds and from a variety of both Jewish and non-Jewish religious traditions. Many of our member families are inter-faith families. I suggest to you that our diversity is one of our strengths, allowing us the opportunity to learn from each other, which can bring out the best in all of us. Although we may bring different perspectives to our Judaism, we share common visions as Reform Jews.
“Where you are only a stranger once": Prior to my presidency, when serving as Vice President of Membership, I considered all of our members to be a part of our membership committee and I still do. We continue to strive to make Temple Beth Or a truly "warm, friendly, welcoming and inclusive" place.
Please feel free to come and experience our community for yourself.
L'Shalom, Ron Green President, Temple Beth Or
Refer to our Calendar for dates and times of services and other events. Also, peruse our Web site for information about Temple Beth Or and the local community. Consider joining our welcoming congregation and add your own voice to our ever-more-diverse chorus.
