Lazy, Hazy Days of Summer

Happy Canada Day and welcome to the lazy, hazy days of summer!

I find that this is a good time for thought and reflection. With the warm weather comes the opportunity for long walks through parks (with our Solel walking group) and on city streets in my own neighbourhood. It is a time to consider where my priorities lie for the coming year and how best to motivate others to help me make them happen.

For starters I can look back on some of the things that have happened over the past year. Most recently we celebrated a congregant’s special birthday along with her children and grandchildren. We also celebrated Pride with a beautiful and thoughtful service co-curated and led by Zach Harper and Emma Weizenbluth. The last book club session and Lunch and Learn took place, as did the most recent ‘walk in an Etobicoke park’.

When I start to think about the future, work is already in progress for the planning of High Holiday services. It’s never too early to contact the office if you’d be willing to join the Usher team watching over the sanctuary or the Security team watching over our entrance.

The Executive and Board are meeting as we look at various issues that need resolution to make life better at Solel. In that regard, I am pleased to share that David Gordon has returned to the Board of Directors in the position of 1st Vice President and Elsa Kertsman has taken on the role of Board Secretary. Welcome to both.

Finances are, as always, being carefully monitored. As the OLG continues to increase the number of charities who participate in and benefit from volunteering at cGaming, all of the participants are being granted fewer sessions, which means reduced income. As a result, we continue to look at ways in which costs can be reduced and income can be increased. In that regard, everyone should have received their Annual Membership Package, and we very much appreciate your continued support to the best of your ability. Where it is possible to include a supplemental donation, that would be most appreciated.

Finally, as we head into July, I want to extend a very big thank you to our religious committee and Arliene Botnick who worked so hard with the Rabbi to prepare for her Sabbatical this year. Our guest Rabbis and lay leaders have shared different prayers and tunes and dvars. It has been fascinating to be a part of this time and see how many different (and, also similar) paths that services can take when under different leadership each week. For the coming month, we will continue to enjoy the services of our lay leaders, with the Rabbi returning to the bimah on the weekend of August 7 and 8.

May the sun continue to shine, with just enough rain to keep our gardens flourishing. The very best for the summer and I look forward to seeing you around Solel at any one of the services or activities that are of interest to you. As always, if you have an idea for a program, please let us know.

Ruth

Filed under: President's Message

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