President's Message

Shalom, friends,

On these sacred days, as we gather to reflect, I am filled with gratitude for the community we share here at Temple Israel. I can tell you many stories of my and my family's time among the people in this room, times full of laughter, learning, joy, feasting and milestones. But it occurred to me while I was writing this speech that the real community miracle for me, the thing that most sets us apart and makes Temple Israel my second home is how we recover from conflicts and disagreements just like the loving family that we are.

No amount of disagreement, insult, misunderstanding, anger, lapse of judgement, mistake, catastrophe or even a terror attack has been enough to put a crack in our communal bond. We just keep showing up for each other in service of something greater than our selves. Our holy, Jewish resolve in service to our covenant and to the next generation of us is a wellspring of love, hope and strength that bonds us into one indivisible house. Thank God.

At the center of our synagogue are our remarkable and insightful clergy, our talented and dedicated staff, and our extraordinary volunteers. Their wisdom, their energy, and their compassion make Temple Israel not only a place of prayer, but truly a home.

But the strength of TI comes from you, from the support and the purpose you supply. Every one of us has the power to build our Jewish future. When you give your time, your wisdom, and your financial support, you empower our clergy and staff to inspire, to teach, and to dream even bigger for us all.

I was reminded of this power just a few weeks ago. I was standing in the lobby after services, and I watched as one of our youngest students ran up to hug their Kesher teacher. At the same moment, a longtime member stopped me to share how meaningful Givah B’Shana had been for their family and that their grandkids can't wait for the full Givah experience come Summer. I was struck by the simple beauty of that moment: from our toddlers to our elders, Temple Israel touches every generation. That’s because of all of you—your support makes those moments possible.

We see the results everywhere. Kesher, our Hebrew school, continues to grow enrollment as word spreads. Givah B’Shana keeps the spirit of Camp Givah alive throughout the year and reached double-chai enrollment for the first time last month. Camp Givah itself is growing so fast that we had to import staff from Israel this Summer, and most of them that CAN return next year can't wait! Enrollment is up, and so is the excitement. We logged over 600 camper weeks this Summer, setting record numbers for camper fun that surpasses each Summer of the past decade. These are signs of a bright, thriving future.

But that wasn't enough for us, so we tapped into The Strauss endowment fund to offer all TI seniors 50% off of our Shalom Shabbat dinners because we just love having you here. That's still not all. I invite you to sit with me at Kiddush or grab a cup of coffee to hear about my first president's initiative. No spoilers.

Want to see more? We cannot stop here. We must keep building—expanding programs for children, for adults, and for our seniors. With your help, Temple Israel will remain a place of connection, learning, and joy for every stage of life.

So as we enter this new year, I ask you to see and flex the power you hold. By giving of yourself—your resources, your time (join a committee), your money, your presence—you ensure that our community continues to flourish for generations to come.

May this be a year of blessing, growth, and strength for us all.

G’mar Chatimah Tovah,

Leonard Goodkin 
President, Board of Trustees
Temple Israel of Albany 
 

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