Warm greetings to my TBE family. 

I experienced a first time ritual leading up to the High Holidays this year.  Alan Pearlman and Rick Pearlman invited me to help them prepare the bimah.  All of the white Torah covers and the two white pulpit covers were brought out.  They had been neatly folded and stacked in their storage container.  Great care had obviously been taken when they were stored last year.  The items were closely viewed.  An inventory was taken to verify that everything was there.

Next the Torahs were dressed.  The beautiful year round covers were carefully removed and folded.  My first attempt at folding was found wanting. I was shown the proper way.  The point being that anything to do with the Torahs must be meticulous.  I must say, the Torahs look smashing  in white.  So do the pulpits when adorned with their white coverings.  This too prompted a learning  moment.  I was shown in detail how to position them.  Placement, I was informed, is critical.

Once all of the linens were replaced, I thought it was time for lunch.  Not so fast.  Seems that polishing the silver crowns is an integral part of the annual process.  I won't bore you with the specifics of my failed attempt at that.  Once treated by Alan and Rick, however, each piece shown brilliantly.  I will conclude this portion of my message by saying how impressive the guys’ work is and how fortunate we are to have them. I truly admire their commitment to excellence.  

I recently heard a sermon from Rabbi Jacob Herber.  He is my former Rabbi in Milwaukee.  He   spoke of how vital the work of Magen David Adom is.  He shared that he has been on two MDA trips  to Israel.  He lauded the acts of heroism carried out by the MDA frontline responders.  He too has endorsed MDA as the organization for his congregation to support during these challenging times.  Rabbi Herber concluded his sermon by saying that even one life saved is testimony to the  bravery of the men and women of MDA.

Finally, Chanukah is swiftly approaching.  You'll hear more later this month about our annual party.  I can already taste the latkes.  And it's never too early to begin your gift planning.  Don't forget, night one is underwear.  Please check out our ‘Gift Shop’ located in the Multi-Purpose Room.

See you in shul...Dave