Chaverim y'karim - dear friends,

It is hard to believe but it is exactly two years since we started to get to know one another. When I began my interviewing process with Temple Sholom we spoke about a host of ideas and projects, which we have consistently worked on and assessed since I started in July 2023.

From music to Israel education, Tuesday Lunch & Learns to welcoming new members, we have been "chipping away" at creating a relevant and meaningful Jewish life together.

In our temple board meeting earlier this month, we reviewed Shabbat scheduling and have decided to cease our year-long trial of Shabbat morning services which we started last May. April 5 will be our last one. It is not that we are ending Shabbat - God forbid! But ... our Shabbat morning services have been, shall we say, lovingly - albeit gently - attended. So what and where can I be of best service (no pun intended)?

Tuesdays are still working well for us as my regular day in the office each week. We will continue the 2x/mo. Friday evening services and special events or occasions as they arise - as with the upcoming Yom HaShoah Event in Southbury on Thursday, April 24 with the Jewish Federation and Guest Speaker, Alan Dershowitz in partnership with the JCC in Sherman on April 27.

In 2025-6, we will place four special Sunday outings on the calendar. Roughly quarterly, we will plan an event to explore Jewish life together. I'll search for something special within about two hours drive from New Milford. Think: the Rare Book Room at the Jewish Theological Seminary in NYC; the Yiddish Book Center in Amherst; special exhibits at any number of colleges or local museums in CT; or even the Hartford Yard Goats (goats are a kosher animal, so why not watch them play baseball?). I'm excited to think about where we can go and if you have suggestions, let me know! As always, it is good for me to know what YOU want to do otherwise, your stuck with my ideas alone!

With much gratitude for the honor to serve as your rabbi and grateful for continued plans and planning - wishing you a shavua tov, a good week ahead,

Rabbi Mark Cohn, 24 March 2025

rabbicohn@tsholom.org

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Pictured above: The Four Sons of the Haggadah, presented in The David Moss Haggadah which will be a source of our Lunch & Learn series in early April.

Remember to vote in the American Zionist Movement's Election as part of the World Zionist Congress.

First, learn a little something: "Billions at stake: WZO vote sees Orthodox-liberal struggle, opportunity for N. American Jews" (11 Feb 2025) by Zev Stub in The Times of Israel.

Then, do a little something: Visit the Elections Website of the American Zionist Movement. There are links to learn about the 21 groups "running." Not surprisingly, the one most closely aligned with our synagogue is the REFORM PLATFORM. You can learn more at the American Reform Zionist Association (ARZA) website. Vote for whomever you wish - just VOTE!!