Rabbi Wolkow's letter from the May-June_July issue of "The Sinai Messenger"

To you all many thanks. I don't think you can imagine how gratifying it is for a rabbi to look out at a full house, all the more so one that participates and appreciates his efforts. If the gala attendences (Yom-tov like) of February & March were not sufficient (dayenu) how much more so this wonderful April "weekend" with 129 in attendance at the Seder and over the century mark for Friday night and Saturday night. I know that May 5th - 7th will be as jam packed, because the year's only Bar Mitzvah and Confirmation are not only individual family events but are community events as well. And Temple Sinai of Lake Charles is one great Community.

But I think that you should know that as much as I like to see you out supporting the services some of my greatest satisfaction derives from your participation in classes and discussion groups. Graduating an adult Hebrew reading class, continuing to peruse a Hebrew language program, the first Thursday evening discussion program, and Fridays for lunch - these really excited me.

Now I know that it is hard to plan your schedule - busy as it is with your own work, your children's needs, etc. - around an erratic once a month rabbi's visit. So let me indicate that next year's schedule is fairly well set.

We will have our first service on Friday, September 1^st and I will be here from August 31^st to September 4^th (Labor Day). Rosh Hashanah is September 29^th-30^th and I will arrive on Wednesday, September 27^th and stay right through to October 10^th the day after Yom Kippur.

Shortly when I am recuperating from my hip replacement surgery (better than emergency heart procedures) I will have plenty of time to set up a fairly tight schedule.

I plan to have - as best we can arrange it - Thursday night adult education, Friday "Lunch and Learn" and Saturday morning Hebrew class and Torah study. Between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur we should have enough time to teach simple Hebrew reading to whoever wants to learn (including those outside our congregational community).

In the spring I would definitely like to see an adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony. And I am exploring the possibility of a ten or thirteen day congregational trip to Israel in March or April. Well one can plan (dream) but your participation is what will make the dreams come true. Let's build on what we have together.

Rabbi Leo Wolkow

P.S. Other "week-ends" - Mark your calendar Oct 19-22; November 9-12, Dec 21-24.

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