President's Blog: October 2026-

The High Holidays and Sukkot have now passed, and Simchat Torah is approaching shortly.  I wanted to take this time to recap my Kol Nidre Speech and remind everyone what a special place our Temple Kehillat Chaim is.

Our community thrives—and memories are carried from one generation to the next—because of the generosity of our members, both through their time and their financial support. Let’s begin with time. Life is busy, which is why I believe in micro-volunteering: contributing in small, manageable ways.  My example use of micro volunteering is that of a busy couple who could not coach their son’s soccer team but still wanted to help. Because they were already attending the games, they volunteered to take photos for the team’s Instagram page. It was a simple task that allowed them to contribute and feel connected. We hope to incorporate similar methods of micro-volunteering to include all of you in a small but meaningful way.

We would be grateful for any time you can share, whether the commitment is large or small. Volunteering is a meaningful way to support TKC, strengthen our community, and perhaps even make a new friend. 

Now comes the part I find more difficult: asking for donations. I understand that many families are facing financial pressures.  At the same time, membership dues alone do not cover the day-to-day costs of operating our temple. In fact, this past year we used a portion of our reserve funds to fix our gas leak, an added expense to our budget.  To remain a warm, welcoming, and active community for today’s members and future generations, we rely on additional support.  We are also deeply grateful for two extraordinary gifts. Last year, our members raised $120,000 for the capital campaign, allowing us to replace the roof and pave and repair the parking lot. Work on the social hall still remains. In addition, an anonymous donor generously contributed $110,000 toward our $1.3 million mortgage principal. This gift is especially meaningful as we renegotiate our mortgage this year. These generous contributions have made a tremendous difference, but continued support is still needed.

 Every contribution to our High Holiday Appeal helps keep our operations and programs running smoothly. If you are able to donate, please know that every gift, regardless of size, is deeply appreciated. It will help sustain our temple and preserve the community we cherish.  Giving is simple. Through the Easy Shul donation page, you can choose the amount you would like to give or you may also mail a check by placing it in the envelope provided to you at Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur services.

In conclusion, our community is such a special place because of each and every one of you. Together, we create the memories that sustain us, connect us, and carry our temple from generation to generation. May the memories we have made—and the many still ahead—always bring a smile to our faces.