From The President

Shalom Chaverim,

On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff of CBS I wish to congratulate all of our graduates and wish them Mazel on their journeys to college, graduate school or new jobs. We are all very proud of your accomplishments.

I am happy to announce that we have negotiated a contract with Larry Moldo and he will begin his tenure with CBS on July 1, 2009. Please watch your mail during the next month for welcoming activities we have planned for Rabbi Larry.

I recently received an article from Ray Goldstein, the International president of United Synagogue (see page 3 of the Bulletin). The Conservative movement has been changing over the years, and Ray's letter explains how the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism is reacting to those changes within its organization.

This article is a "must read" because it shows that the USCJ does have some sense of "self awareness" and addresses many of the concerns that have been expressed at CBS about our continued involvement with the United Synagogue. I am therefore yielding my monthly column to Ray Goldstein and ask that you spend some time digesting what he has to say. If you would like to comment on the article (like a Letter to the Editor) or to anything else in the Bulletin, please e-mail me your comments and we can share them in next month's Bulletin or in our weekly e-mail.

Wishing you all a happy and mild summer.

Notes from the Religious School

So summer is here. What are we going to do with the kids on Thursday and Sunday?

Let me share a few ideas that may help out and keep the kids interested (I know I'm reaching here) in their Judaic life.

• Teach the kids about Shavout and make it relevant (even though it will be passed by the time you get this newsletter).
  • The holiday can be called "The Gift that keeps on Giving."
  • We celebrate receiving the Torah in the Sinai.
  • Today over 2 Billion people worldwide believe in the Torah (though most of them call it "The Old Testament").
  • More than 33% of all the people in the world follow the teachings in the Torah.
  • Go to this site and have the kids play games on the computer or get coloring pages for them about Shavuot.
  • Go to this site and let the kids see an online story of Shavuot.
  • Or just search the web for some simple and fun stories.

• Do something together that makes a difference in the world this summer.
  • Visit someone at a retirement home.
  • Clean up a park.
  • Collect bottles and cans to help clean the environment.
  • Sell lemonade and use the money to plant a tree in Israel.

• Come to our Family Services at least once this summer (next one is June 5th!).
  • Services are short.
  • The content is geared towards kids whether we have 2 or 20.
  • There is more English in these services.
  • The kids get to participate.
  • You get to see and hear what your kids really know (and it is more than you think...my kids keep surprising me!).
  • Keep checking the calendar at CBSmodesto.org for times and dates.

As the date draws near for Rabbi Moldo to join us, keep reading this newsletter to learn about the innovations for Religious School at CBS. The Rabbi and I have had several good conversations over the last few months and he is very excited to be a part of our program. He has so many fun and new ideas that will benefit us all.

Thank you for your support this past year as I learned more than I bargained for (and without a Rabbi to lean on!).

Have a great summer!

Mazel Tov!

To Garrett and Liron Heath on the birth of their son Nathan who was born on May 5th. Mazel Tov on your beautiful addition to your family.

To Carole Buchanan upon her graduation from The American Jewish University in Los Angeles with a BA in Natural Science. Carole was recently awarded the AJU Award for Service to the university or greater community. This was presented to her at the senior luncheon prior to graduation.

To Carole's credit she has secured a position with the University as an Administrative Assistant to Dr. Robert Wexler and also event coordinator for AJU. She began her job May 26th. [Editor's note: I recently received an email listing the 50 most influential Rabbis in the United States. Robert Wexler was listed as #6 this year with a 2008 ranking as #3.] Way to go, Carole, and a hearty mazel tov on your good fortune with your job! May you go from strength to strength.

Remember, half of every subscription to J- will go to Congregation Beth Shalom.  See your Bulletin for details.