It’s with a great amount of pride, humility, and respect, I accept the presidency of Temple Beth El. Together, we will face the many challenges ahead, and with the help and support of the clergy, professional staff, board and congregation, we will continue to strengthen our Temple and the role it plays in our life!

First, I want to thank Barbara Katz, for her tireless efforts over the last ten years, and especially the last two, as she served as our President. With compassion and dignity, she has efficiently served our congregation’s needs and has helped our synagogue in countless ways.

She helped ink our Senior Rabbi and Cantor’s contracts, securing the stability of our clergy. Her efforts with the challenge grant have moved us a step closer to reducing our long-term debt. She has accomplished much, and we are very proud of and owe her a great deal of gratitude. While she has watched her husband Alan endure a series of traumatic back surgeries, she never missed a beat.

After the graffiti incident that occurred on our premises, and the subsequent creation of our “Wall of Peace” I had the opportunity to read several of the inscriptions. For me, the most powerful message was perhaps the most simple: “We are Family”. These words provided the inspiration for my theme: “The Year of the Temple Family.”
The concept of family involves three distinct universes. First, and foremost, is our immediate Temple family. As with our own families, our Temple provides from cradle to grave. We educate our youth, provide programming to our seniors, minister to the sick and bereaved, and celebrate and share in the joy of all the life cycle events. We take pride in being a loving and compassionate family, and we will always be inclusive and accepting, regardless of the makeup of our family unit, one’s gender, or sexual orientation. We are one big family of over a thousand plus members, and with that, we need a strong clergy. A clergy who can continue to have time to lead, inspire, educate, and build meaningful relationships. We must listen to each other with respect, acknowledging our differences, yet finding commonality in solving our problems. We must and will be proud of our family.

Secondly, we are a vital and important part of the larger universe of Shalom Park. As we continue to proudly expand our Shalom park facilities, we will share resources, space, and staff. The merger of the early childhood development and Charlotte Jewish Preschool is a most recent example of the cooperation needed amongst our institutions. Although the uniqueness of our Jewish community presents many challenges, we must check our egos at the door, and be seen as a cooperative partner while at the same time, preserving our own needs and integrity. Compromise and flexibility are essential in any family.

Finally, our family must have a role in the larger community of Charlotte, our country and world. We cannot be seen as isolationists, but rather as active, and conscientious members of our society. Speaking out on important and social issues of our larger world, and never remaining silent, even when our views are not among the mainstream.
Outreach to the general faith community helps create understanding and dialogue which serves to eradicate prejudice, misunderstanding, and intolerance. Our annual weekend with the Myers Park Baptist Church is an example of this pursuit. The dialogue created with our Muslim neighbors in the wake of our graffiti incident must continue not just as a reaction to a horrific incident, but as a long term attempt to break down unnecessary barriers. Today, the very survival of Israel is at stake. This crisis affects our family abroad - we must show our support!
Spearheaded by our Social Action Committee we proudly sponsor Mitzvah Day, or Friendship trays, Room In the Inn, the Caring Committee and Habitat for Humanity are additional examples of our efforts of Tikkun Olam, creating a better world. My religion and Jewishness which I inherited from my grandparents, parents and family, is a vital part of my life.

So, as they have passed this great gift to me, my request is simple. I ask you today to participate in one of these three dimensions of our family. Whatever speaks to you from the heart, I ask you to be a contributor.
I look forward to a wonderful year!

Larry Farber