High Holy Day Appeal

                                                                                                                                            October 1, 2020/13 Tishri 5781

Shana Tova to everyone.  It was wonderful to see so many of you online during our High Holy Day services.

As I mentioned in my remarks, I am so proud of the way that Habonim responded to the challenges of this year.  Starting in March, we continued to do all of those things that define our sacred community, just in a different way – online we have continued to join together for prayer and learning, celebrate births and b’nai mitzvah, and comfort each other in times of difficulty and loss.

No one knows how much longer we may be constrained by the Coronavirus.  But I have no doubt about our community’s ability to meet any challenges that come our way.  That is what Habonim has always done, starting with the generation who founded our congregation 80 years ago.  However, we are only about a third of the way to the goal of our High Holiday Appeal, and we need your help so that our community can write the next page of Habonim's history and ensure that our successors will look back proudly 80 years from now.

A theme that has run through Rabbi Gelber’s teachings since her first days with us has been the importance of our choices.  Choices made intentionally and thoughtfully.  Choices made not because Gd or someone else is watching us, but because we are watching ourselves.  Choices made because we are striving to meet our obligations as members of a Jewish community that is part of a larger world in need of healing.

I hope that one of your choices will be to support Congregation Habonim.  I know that this has been a difficult time for many people – emotionally and financially.  Like many synagogues and other institutions, Habonim is also facing difficulties – we have furloughed some employees and reduced hours for others.  For those that can, I hope you will consider giving a little extra, in recognition of the difficulties facing some in our community and Habonim itself, reflecting the core Jewish values of caring for community and repairing the world.  But whatever you can give, please know that - 

Every contribution is important.

Every contribution is appreciated.

Every contribution will help Habonim respond to the current difficulties and plant the seeds that will sustain our community for the next 80 years.

I urge you to go to the Donate form by clicking here or mail in your check now to contribute to our High Holy Day Appeal.

Thank you.

Richard Verner
President