Published June 22, 2025
My synagogue held its annual meeting earlier today. At this event we, the membership of the synagogue, hear presentations on important matters that have come up and vote on various matters, including a slate of members to serve on the board and as officers. This was my last annual meeting as a member of the board.
For the past 8 years I have served my synagogue in a leadership capacity. In 2017 I joined the board of our religious school and in 2018 I joined the board of the synagogue itself. During my time in these leadership roles I participated in many consequential decisions. I have used my voice to advocate for the issues I felt were important, both to the synagogue and to the community at large.
During my tenure on the board we have had 2 rabbis and 2 cantors. We have had 6 presidents (our synagogue allows for 2 co-presidents to help ease the load.) There have been numerous people who served with me on the board and as officers of the synagogue. I feel honored and blessed to have served with all of them.
I do find it somewhat fitting that my last act as a board member (technically the new board won’t start in July 1 so I may be called upon to do something but I tend to doubt that) was to attend today’s meeting, the day after Volunteer Amnesty Day as I give up most of the volunteer responsibilities I have taken upon myself with the synagogue.
I am proud to have served as a lay leader of the Columbia Jewish Congregation and of what we, as a congregation, have accomplished in that period. We have crafted statements on immigrant rights, racial justice, and gender identity. We have conducted 2 successful searches for clergy, working dilligently to find the right person and not just someone to fill the role. We have made hard decisions to ensure the financial stability of the synagogue even as we transitioned from a traditional dues structure to a pay what you can pledge model. We have worked to bring the community at the interfaith center where we are housed closer together, both the Jewish and Christian congregations. We established a religious school with one of the other synagogues that serves the needs and wellbeing of the children of both communities. We weathered the storm that was the pandemic lockdown and came out stronger.
The new board will start their service on July 1 and I wish them all the success in the world. I hope that the find the strength to make the hard decisions that need to be made for the good of our community. And I have faith that with the leadership of our newly elected co-preseidents, our staff, and our clergy, we will always be heading in the right direction.
For me, today marks the end of an era but also the beginning of a new one. I don’t know what challenges are going to lie ahead for me. I don’t know how I will serve my community going forward, only that I will find a way to do so. Thank you CJC for giving me the opportunity to serve.