Highlights 2022
Congregation Beth Sholom 2022 Highlights
- Membership
- Welcomed 7 new members and one returning member
- Tzedakah
- Supported the Leesburg Food Bank with $577 in cash donations, 377 pounds of food, and lots of clothing
- Additional cash donations were made directly to the food bank by members of the congregation
- Major Donations
- A generous annuity was bequeathed to the synagogue by Priscilla Reisinger of blessed memory
- Fred and Helen Jacobs donated upgrades to the Zoom system improving audio and visual
- Shalom artwork from Israel donated by Edith Friewirth
- Backward Clock from Prague donated by Roz Wenrich
- Religious Services, Observances, and Festivities – services were hybrid, in person and on Zoom
- High Holiday Services, including Tashlich
- Two Shabbat services most months including special services for Chanukah, Tu B’Shevat, Purim, Yizkor service on Passover Shabbat, Shavuot, new members, board recognition, and patriotic holidays
- Passover Seder chaired by Burt and Andrea Kraft
- Special Kabbalat Shabbat Service
- The Social Club was started by Ben Solotoroff. Their activities included:
- Game Day in June
- Genealogy Presentation by our member, LTC Herbert Siegel in July
- Annual congregational meeting and monthly board meetings
- Leesburg Police provide security at all of our services
- Fundraising
- ‘Honey from the Heart’ Rosh Hashanah Greetings Program chaired by Diane Weinbaum
- Mah Jongg Cards chaired by Andrea and Burt Kraft
- Book of Remembrance
- Yahrzeit plaques
- Shofar Ads
- Donations – cards in honor or memory, Book Fund, General Fund
- Springtime Appeal
- Community
- Leesburg Food Bank
- We collect donations throughout the year
- We donate a portion of our Mah Jongg Card Fundraiser
- Our members, Barry Wright, Francine Rizzotto, and Gloria Blankenship volunteer there
- Education
- Rabbi’s Roundtable
- 4 week ‘Exploring Judaism’ class taught by Marsha Stemerman
- Onegs and Kiddushes were suspended to limit interaction due to COVID except for two special anniversaries:
- June 10th when Dave and Ellen Englander sponsored the Oneg in celebration of their 50th anniversary
- December 24th when David & Yvette Litwack sponsored the kiddush in celebration of their 68th anniversary. Herb Siegel and Sandra Byrne added latkes to the treats in celebration of Chanukah.
- Building and Grounds
- Vents were added to closet doors in the sanctuary and social hall to allow for air flow into those areas.
- Fluorescent lights in the sanctuary and kitchen were converted to LED
- Publicity
- The Shofar newsletter
- Talk of the Villages website
