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Cantor's most recent column from our newsletter, Chai Lights

Final Notes from the Cantor

Dear Congregants,

As most of you know, I will be leaving Temple Isaiah at the end of June. Ever since I began serving you in October of 2006 I’ve felt privileged to do so. Though the weekly shlep back and forth from Los Angeles was sometimes tiring, all troubles slipped away during the hour and a half on the Bimah on Friday evenings: singing with, and listening to, an inspiring, fabulous choir and accompanist; receiving Rabbi Sally’s heartfelt words of Torah; and having the pleasure of communicating our sacred liturgy to an intelligent, appreciative and receptive congregation. I wish to thank some of you personally for your support and kindness over the past two years. Please forgive me if I inadvertently fail to personally acknowledge you or anyone else.

First and foremost, thank you Rabbi Sally for your spunk, leadership and wisdom. I have enjoyed learning from you, sharing the Bimah with you, and experiencing your loving commitment to the congregation. Thank you, Alan, Dan, and the choir for creating beautiful moments of music and prayer for and with me.

Thank you, Diane and Lenny for consistently and positively responding to my various needs; thank you, Trudi for warmly greeting me most Friday afternoons; and thank you, Dane, for taking care of my impetuous, last minute needs.

Thank you Don Stein and Rabbi Andrew Bentley for so capably leading services in my absence (or when I needed some extra vocal help!). Thank you, Jack and Roberta for assisting on the Bimah each and every Shabbat morning. Thank you, Miriam, for your sweetness and for your gentle reminders to submit newsletter articles and weekly service song additions promptly.

Thank you, Edie and the entire Board for your warmth and hospitality during my tenure, and thank you, Burt for your amazing generosity and dedication to the Temple and to the Jewish community of Palm Springs.

Temple Isaiah faces challenges in the coming year. I urge you to stay positive, steadfast in your commitment to Jewish values and principles, willing to take chances and make appropriate choices in order to meet the needs of your heart, mind, and soul.

My commitment each Shabbat was to bring the gifts of our musical liturgy to life, to inspire you to know God through prayer and song, and to connect you to being Jewish in a deep and meaningful way. Please join us for services on Friday, June 27th, my final Friday night service, to enjoy favorite settings and songs and to allow us the opportunity to say L’hitraot, “until we see each other again” to one another.

L’shalom,