The Midrash teaches that All beginnings are hard.

Today’s Torah portion teaches us about new beginnings. Tonight is a new beginning for me as I stand before you as your Executive Director. I thought it might be interesting to compare my beginning at Temple Beth El to THE BEGINNING.

In the beginning there was chaos – when I began as the Executive Director a mere 7 weeks ago, there was chaos. The High Holy Days were a month away and the only decision I had previously made was would we attend the early or late service. I could not have started at a more chaotic time in Temple life. Fortunately, the wonderful staff at the Temple who’ve been through this so many times just kept on going and Arthur was right by my side. It went off without a hitch.

And then G-d said let there be light. The light for me came when I first made the decision to leave my previous career and come home – to the Jewish Community and Temple Beth El where I had spent the last 28 years. The light was the leadership, the clergy, the staff and the congregation. I immediately felt the outpouring of support from all of you, many of whom I’ve known over the years, the complete support of the board and Temple leadership who are so dedicated to this congregation. The light was held by Arthur Kramer who, while he didn’t leave me guide books, shared all the knowledge he’s accumulated over the years. But this was only the beginning. . . .

Then there was water. You may recall Frances, Gene and Ivan. Ivan the Terrible arrived just before the Holy Days. There was much water outside, and there was much water inside. Water dripping down the columns, water dripping from the lights in my office while I was talking with a congregant. And we fixed holes in the roof and made the repairs to keep the water out.

And there was earth and the seas and the earth brought forth grass and plants. We had to get ready for the Holy Days so we had to get our land ready. We cut the grass, trimmed the trees and bushes, spread pine straw and added the white flowers just in time.

And then G-d said Let there be light – small lights in the heaven and the sun and the moon. The light of Temple Beth El is the leadership. The complete dedication of Fred Dumas, the officers and Board of Directors. The time given by many of you and others as you volunteer in the office, at services, in our schools, you are the light of this Temple.

G-d said let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures – Of course I had to deal with our living creatures – geese and the presents they leave us on our sidewalks. One Sunday early on, I even brought my poodle, Sam, to the Temple to try to get him to chase the geese. They left for about a week, but I think they missed us. And then there were more - fire ants on our property, and a few other things which lived in the warmth of our Temple. My goal – to have the living creatures living outside at a comfortable distance from us.

And then G-d created humanity and I’ve discovered the humanity of this congregation. The very good people that are Temple Beth El.

And on the seventh day, G-d rested. Everything we do at Temple leads up to the Sabbath when our community gathers to celebrate the conclusion of our busy lives and welcome the holy day of rest.

I haven’t rested yet – there are so many things I am anxious to do. I want to meet with members of the congregation and hear from you what your wishes are, how you want to get involved. I want to meet with all the leadership to understand their commitment to the Temple and to talk about how we can work together and how I can support them. I want to improve our communication with the membership, to be responsive to the needs of the membership. I want to learn, to study, to take advantage of being surrounded daily by the Rabbi’s and Cantor.

I believe you know that all my life in Charlotte, I have immersed myself in the Jewish Community- both professionally and as a volunteer. It has been my heart, and now I feel I have I have started my new beginning as your Executive Director.

Just as the journey through the Torah is rich with beauty, meaning, fulfillment and success, it is my prayer that my journey with all of you into the future will be equally filled with beauty and success.

Amen

Sara H. Schreibman, Executive Director