Planning ahead… If you are like my family, you are thinking about school being out, warm and sunny days becoming the norm, summer vacations, hanging out and eating dinner with friends on the patio or in the park. We are excited, knowing that the daylight will be lasting longer. But before we all head off into the sunshine, may I suggest you take some time to organize your calendar?

I am talking about the High Holy Days that come at the end of September. Calls and requests have begun for members to take on the many parts that make the Days of Awe amazing and beautiful. Havurah Shalom is fortunate to have such a large and creative collective of families. And to our collective of families, I say, come and join the work of preparing and creating our High Holy Days.

Go ahead: put the dates in the sidebar in your calendar for services at the Tiffany Center.

I mention this now because the work of planning the logistics, moving and setting up the bima and ark, placing signs on walls, and putting books, kippahs and tallitot on tables starts in the summer. I encourage you to plan ahead and take time off work, so you can help and connect. People are needed before the Days of Awe, during each day and some evenings of services and even to help pack us out of the Tiffany Center afterwards. We need each and every person to take on the small or large jobs of this season.

Over the past several years, it has been a challenge to find members who would agree to help with moving the many boxes, play toys, rugs and music stands. It has been even harder to find folks willing to be in charge of helping the Rosh Hashanah Dinner go off without a hiccup (it does), or willing to organize the Break-Fast food, or take part in the set-up and break down after. Why? Well, for many years, yes, many years, the Logistics Chair, the Flower Coordinator, the Break-Fast Coordinator, Safety Team Coordinator, and Usher and Greeter jobs, etc., have largely been taken on by our Alter Kockers (elders). And though it is hard to believe, we (yes, me too) are aging beyond the point where we can continue to carry these responsibilities.

Just a little Jewish guilt here, sigh.

So I ask you to step up this year, to agree to help when the congregation’s presidents, Teri Ruch, Rachel Pollak, or an Alter Kocker calls you. We only need about 85 or so people to pitch in. The Alter Kockers will gladly share ideas, procedures, anything to help you.

And just imagine what Rabbi Benjamin will think of his new family and home in Havurah Shalom!

- Susan Lazareck