Messages from WJC Leaders
Dear WJC Family,
I recently returned from a trip to Amsterdam and the magnificent Van Gogh Museum there. Van Gogh, the creator of so many masterworks, once said, “Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.” In other words, creating something magnificent and moving requires the orchestration of myriad moving parts coming together to form a beautiful, complete whole. This may be even more true for a synagogue community than a painting. While a painting is static, the community is always in motion, moving as a group and as individuals on our Jewish journey.
Like so many precise brushstrokes, the artists of strategic community planning are required to imagine each person, each policy, each committee, each idea, in its proper place to create the great masterpiece that is a thriving, successful Jewish community. Needless to say, it is no easy task. That is why the WJC family is so grateful to our Strategic Planning Committee and its dedicated chairs Joanna Liebman and Jonathan Berg.
For over a year these dedicated volunteers collected data, interviewed congregants and staff, processed information, appreciated who we are and imagined who we could be. Their report and suggestions give us the data points and creative energy to move into the future with joy, care, and authentic Judaism accessible for all. In the immortal words of the great Yogi Berra, “If you don’t know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else.” Thank you to our honorees for pointing us towards our best future and making sure we aren’t wandering in the desert.
I also want to express my thanks to our fabulous Spring Fest committee chairs, Susie Miller and Sherry Thaler. They took the idea of a Gala reimagined for all ages and ran with it. The Spring Fest Gala with something for everyone is, in many ways, an expression of our Strategic Plan. Susie and Sherry brought it to fruition with the assistance of their subcommittee chairs Jennifer Winters – Silent Auction, Susan Lewen – Journal, Scott Aronow and Bea Goldstein – Décor, and Hannah Shoffet – At Large. Thank you to all of you as well as to all the others who have assisted to make this a great day for WJC.
An outstanding community like WJC doesn’t just happen. Like Van Gough’s paintings it is precise and carefully crafted – great artists only make it look easy. Mazal tov to our honorees and chairs for their dedication, drive, and grace that makes this community such a masterpiece.
From a very grateful rabbi,
RJA
And now for something completely different….
Our Spring Fest this year is inspired by our recently completed Strategic Plan which encourages us to find opportunities for the entire community to celebrate together. What better honorees than the two leaders of our Strategic Planning process itself: Joanna Liebman and Jonathan Berg and their incredible team of volunteers.
The event is totally new FUNdraising celebration designed to tighten our connections between our community and the culture of Israel, our homeland. With something for every age group, this will be a full three-ring party that we hope can give us new ideas of how to celebrate as a community.
I’d like to express my congratulations to Joanna and Jonathan who engaged in their strategic planning assignment with seriousness and determination, with a goal of looking forward five years to determine where WJC should be. Their effort took more than 18 months and engaged nearly 100 people and resulted in five key tenants and dozens of recommendations that will drive our efforts for years to come.
Both Joanna and Jonathan have been members of WJC for about 10 years, and have made additional impacts as committee chairs, and as trustees. Jonathan also currently serves as an officer. They are well deserving of special recognition.
It is with deep appreciation to our honorees, to our event chairs Susie Miller and Sherry Gench Thaler, our office staff, our clergy and the entire community that I offer my thanks. WJC is the strong vibrant community it is because we have so many active volunteers and lay leaders. Thanks for everything you do for WJC!
Now, let’s go have some fun!
L’hitraot
Larry
Our Spring Fest this year is inspired by our recently completed Strategic Plan which encourages us to find opportunities for the entire community to celebrate together. What better honorees than the two leaders of our Strategic Planning process itself: Joanna Liebman and Jonathan Berg and their incredible team of volunteers.
The event is totally new FUNdraising celebration designed to tighten our connections between our community and the culture of Israel, our homeland. With something for every age group, this will be a full three-ring party that we hope can give us new ideas of how to celebrate as a community.
I’d like to express my congratulations to Joanna and Jonathan who engaged in their strategic planning assignment with seriousness and determination, with a goal of looking forward five years to determine where WJC should be. Their effort took more than 18 months and engaged nearly 100 people and resulted in five key tenants and dozens of recommendations that will drive our efforts for years to come.
Both Joanna and Jonathan have been members of WJC for about 10 years, and have made additional impacts as committee chairs, and as trustees. Jonathan also currently serves as an officer. They are well deserving of special recognition.
It is with deep appreciation to our honorees, to our event chairs Susie Miller and Sherry Gench Thaler, our office staff, our clergy and the entire community that I offer my thanks. WJC is the strong vibrant community it is because we have so many active volunteers and lay leaders. Thanks for everything you do for WJC!
Now, let’s go have some fun!
L’hitraot
Larry
What a thrill it has been planning this “reimagined” FUNdraising celebration!
We’re delighted to recognize the dedication and accomplishments of Joanna Liebman, Jonathan Berg and the Strategic Planning Committee. Together, they developed a roadmap for our congregation’s future aiming to strengthen connections and foster inclusivity, diversity and belonging within our WJC community.
Joanna and Jonathan each contribute to WJC in myriad other ways. Joanna is a Trustee and Jonathan an Officer. Their contributions to WJC will be felt for years to come.
A huge thank you to our Spring Fest Committee -- To Jennifer Winters for overseeing the Silent Auction, Susan Lewen for managing our Journal, Scott Aronow for building our Tamar bar and, together with Bea Goldstein, for bringing the Israeli flair to our décor and making the building look spectacular. To Evan Schapiro and Katie Schlientz for keeping our communications on track and for your flexibility as we adapted our messaging. To Erica Strongin for your creativity in planning our art project, Hannah Shoffet for your enthusiasm as you pitched in just about everywhere. To our set up crew and everyone that made phone calls and reached out to publicize and ensure the financial success of the event. Thank you!
We could not have this evening without the outstanding work of our WJC team of David Goldstein, Beth Weiss-Dunn, Rachael Candoni, Kim Lewis, Linda Hunter, Ann Pardes, Aleza Kulp, Jose Luis Fonseca, and the entire building staff.
Thank you all for coming out to celebrate and support WJC! Now let’s party!
Enjoy!
Suzie Miller & Sherry Thaler