The Reform Temple President's Announcement

Rabbi Eric: Before we have our closing prayer and song we will have a few words from the Temple President, Sol (the "Zim") Zimmowitz. Sol?

Zimmowitz: Thank you, Rabbi. Shabbat Shalom, everyone. I'd like to acknowledge the Haddasah auxilliary of the Temple Sisterhood for the lovely floral arrangement on the Bimah. Due to some previous episodes and questions that have arisen among a few of the members, I have been asked to remind the Congregation that the Sisterhood disclaims all warranties and liability for any allergic reactions or emotional stress arising from the choice of flowers.

This Tuesday evening at 8:00 p.m., we will have another guest speaker in our continuing series of "Adhering to Jewish Principles in a Post-Religious World." This week's speaker is Morty Weinberg, owner of "Pets are People, Too on Second Street," whose topic is entitled: "How to Kasher your Pet's Feeding Area and Provide Them with Healthy, Kosher Meals." Coffee and hamentashen will be served after the discussion. Please limit two hamentashen to a customer.

The Temple choir is now auditioning for a falsetto, two baritones and a base. Contrary to popular opinion, the ability to read Hebrew and musical notes is not required. However, according to our choir director, Rosie Rosenberg, the ability to carry a tune is highly desirable.

Tomorrow following our morning minyan service at 8:00 a.m. and Torah study at 9:00 a.m., we hope you will join us for the Bar Mitzvah of Christian Prescott Greenberg, III and the Bat Mizvah of An Yang Soo Chi Rosenblatt. Christian has written a commentary on his haftarah entiled: "Was God Just Too Mean to the Egyptians?," and An Yang has also written a commentary entitled "What if Ishmael Were the Chosen One? --Think About It." It's sure to be a fascinating and spiritual morning followed by a joint reception at the Crowne Plaza. The ushers will hand out printed directions as you leave tonight.

The Temple Brotherhood is still collecting used legal pads for the under-privileged in Haiti and collection baskets will be available all week long in the main foyer. Please give generously.

If you are interested in being one of our shofar blowers for the High Holy Days, please remember the shofar-blowing class this Wednesday night in the Sassoon Rec room in the basement. Shofars will be provided, but if you have one of your own, please feel bring it with you. No experience necessary!

As for the High Holy Days, please remember to return your ticket request form -- the teal one mailed to all members last week. If you need babysitting services, please return the double-sided chartreuse form by the 16th, and we're sorry, but red-lining the standard temple Release language and substituting it with your own will not be allowed. If you are bringing non-member children to services, you will need to return the gold form. If you are bringing non-member adults with you, you will need to return the magenta form. The director of our day school, Sandy Berlin, has asked me to remind you that, pursuant to the executive committee vote last week, 26-year olds will not count as children, and tickets will have to be purchased for them.

And while we're on the subject of the High Holy Days, let me remind everyone that our good neighbors at the St. Simon's Episcopal Rainbow Church are urging all of our members to consider that parking on their lawn is not in keeping with the inter-faith spirit of our shared parking lot. If you must drive on Yom Kippur, please be courteous.

A special "thank you" to all who participated in our "World's Largest Challah Bake-off" this past Sunday. A great time was had by all and we raised over $10,000 for the Sheldon W. Cohen Junior Alyiah Trip to Israel, Petra, and the Pyramids next March.

Finally, there is a white Lexus with New Jersey plates in the parking lot whose lights have been on throughout the entire evening, and ...I'm sorry, what's that Syd?... Oh, yes, there are several white Lexi with Jersey plates in the parking lot. That's true. This is the one with a yellow triangle in the rear window that says "Backseat Bubbe on Board."

Well, that about wraps it up. Please join us for the scrumptious Oneg in the Greene Function Room catered by Harriett on the Village Green immediately following our closing Kiddush and Ha'motzi. Thank you for your attention.

Shabbat Shalom.