Dear Community,

 

It’s been a couple of months since I’ve had the chance to sit and write to you. I think these messages from the President of the congregation are vital instruments of keeping you informed of what’s going on at JCO, where we’ve been and where we are headed. Even though it’s been summer, we’ve been extremely busy over these last two months.

 

At the Board level, we’ve been getting oriented as a unit of governance to function better as a group to get the business of the congregation handled in the most efficient way. We have 13 committees and 4 short-term task forces. We are making our Board meetings more efficient and productive by preparing the Board members in advance of each meeting and moving discussion and resolution to the forefront. It’s going to take a few repetitions to fine-tune this process, and we think it’s going to work, ultimately for the benefit of the membership.

 

Of those 13 committees, we still have an opening for someone to lead our Social Action committee. During the past month, there was strong sentiment expressed surrounding how JCO shows up in the Ojai Valley and this committee is specifically devoted to that task. The committee description is:

 

• Identifies programs which JCO can administer that enrich the community at large and demonstrate our membership’s spirit of goodwill  

 

• Executes food Drive at High Holy Days, going to H.E.L.P. of Ojai 

 

• Executes warm clothing drive during the winter months going to H.E.L.P. of Ojai  

 

• Works alongside our Rabbi with the Ojai Interfaith Council

 

Please consider volunteering to help put JCO’s best foot forward through our greater Ojai general community.

 

I also promised that there will never be a committee of one person. There must be at least two people on any committee so when you step up, we will help you find others to help you carry the tasks of this committee.

 

That said, there are also two committees currently operating alone and we are looking urgently for additional volunteers: 

 

•The Safety Committee needs others to assist Larry Steingold in the tasks of arranging security trainings to keep us safe, and working on creating an Emergency Preparedness Plan, tailored to our campus and then to be sure the congregation knows what to do in any emergency. Please consider adding a couple of volunteer hours a month to this important work.

 

• And finally, the Religious Practices Committee, led alone by Sheila Cohn, handles all of the details of the High Holy Days, Sukkot (where do we get a fresh lulav and etrog every year?), our Chanukah celebration, our annual Pesach seder and the acknowledgement of many minor holidays throughout each year. No one should do all of this alone and we are looking for a co-chair and helpers now. 

 

If any of this resonates with you, please write to president@ojaitemple.org or info@ojaitample.org and let me/us know.

 

I won’t enumerate the many events happening every week at JCO. I can’t say 

enough about the work that my predecessor, President Emerita Debe Bloom, did to put a variety of learning and opportunities for enjoyment together for us. They are listed in the newsletter every week and on this website.

 

A special Todah Rabah to Leah Hecker for consistently maintaining both of those platforms and creating our new Facebook and Instagram pages, too (check them out and follow them).

 

Speaking of the website, there is a new tab at the top of the page called “Business Sponsors” It’s a place where you can support JCO and local businesses by patronizing their services. Take a look, support those who support our community and consider becoming a business sponsor, too.

 

If there is one thing I lean into repeatedly it’s the fact that we are a community, united by shared historical roots that tightly bind us together. In times of need, we are here for each other. However, it takes constant ‘watering of the garden’ if we are to grow together. Get involved, meet new people in our temple, support our events, come to Friday night services and stay for dinner afterward; there are lots of ways to get ‘Community-d’.

 

And finally, Debe and I want to wish you, your family and loved ones L’Shana Tova Umetukah – a good and sweet year ahead. We look forward to seeing you and greeting you during these High Holidays 5787.