CBT President Dale Donchin's Blog

Dear CBT Members,

I hope that you and your loved ones are healthy.

I enjoy seeing many of you online. Thank you for inviting me into your homes. Together we are adapting to a new “normal.” We’re conquering new technology, mastering virtual learning, and, for some of us, now attending services in T-shirts.  Thanks to the Internet, being stuck at home doesn’t mean not being connected.

We continue to offer a wide variety of programs. Each weekly bulletin is packed with information about our interesting and informative events. We’ve been fortunate recently to offer the guidance of many professionals in our membership, including Bob Salsberg (politics) and Charlene McCullough (nutrition). Several members won CBT masks and other prizes at virtual Bingo.

Hebrew school is both different (no Robin-inspired snacks) and the same (expert and caring teachers). Our initial concern about too much screen time turned out to be unwarranted. The kids continue to enjoy learning together.

Celebrations continue as well. In December, we wish a hearty Mazel Tov to the Reith family on the occasion of the Bat Mitzvah of Isabella.

Despite our online activities, we are maintaining the temple. Our costs increased due to installation of touchless soap dispensers and faucets, sanitizing stations, and other necessary safety precautions. On the bright side, we applied for and received several grants that improved our physical security and technology. We are doing what we can to minimize the financial impact of Covid, but, similar to other businesses and organizations, it creates a financial strain. Thank you in advance for your generosity when considering your end-year charitable giving.

Keep an eye out for details of our Hanukkah program that the rabbi has been organizing. The Interfaith group (open to all) made plans as well. There is also a Hanukkah cooking class scheduled. As always, check our web site for details.

I’ll close by repeating my request to invite your family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues to attend our programs and learn about our community. Membership is key; current members are our strongest voice.

Be well and stay well,

Dale