As I reach certain milestone moments during my term as President of Tree of Life, I often think of my Great Grandfather, Louis Gordon, Jr., who served as President from 1920 to 1925. I am sure that I will again be thinking of him (and carrying his pocket watch with me) when I address the Congregation during the High Holidays. I sincerely hope that I am able to live up to his legacy and to your expectations. Much has happened over the past year at Tree of Life. We had many successful adult education programs, including those presented by our own Rabbi Listfield, author Jon Entine, Lynn Cullen, and, of course, the wonderful talk given by Rabbi Harold Kushner. We celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in conjunction with the East End Cooperative Ministry, and we inaugurated a wonderful inter-faith Passover Seder with the Bethel Presbyterian Church. We marched to draw attention to the genocide in Darfur, and to celebrate Israel’s 60th birthday. We prayed together on Shabbat, celebrated the simchas, and attended Minyan to console members of our congregation who have lost loved ones. We have revitalized our religious school, and we have begun an exciting new space sharing arrangement with Or L’Simcha. In short, we have tried to do what a synagogue is supposed to do in and for its Jewish community. Yet, often there was a missing element as we tried to do all of these things. You.

In addition to the significant demographic challenge facing Pittsburgh and our Tree of Life, we also face the added challenge of apathy. Unlike our aging demographics, there is an easier solution to our problem of apathy. Just show up. It is a classic “win-win” situation when you attend services and participate in other events at Tree of Life. You will be happy to be here doing something good, and we will be very happy to have you. Over time, you can develop a connection with our people’s collective past and with our present Jewish community, and enjoy a feeling of commitment, fulfillment and peace. The reflective nature of the High Holidays provides a compelling rationale to start coming here more often. In the famous words of Rabbi Hillel: “And if not now, when?”

Linda and I, along with our children, Ben Beth and David, wish you a sweet new year filled with good health, happiness and the blessing of Shalom in a world filled with Shalom.