Keruv Korner 

“June is busting out all over” and Keruv is bursting with plans. On Wednesday, June 19th, UJA-Federation of New York is hosting a forum on Engaging Interfaith Families for Westchester. Our own Rabbi Sirner, Beth El past president Marc Klee, and social worker Shari Baum will be providing an afternoon workshop entitled, “Beyond the Nuclear Family” at the forum. This will be an opportunity for other synagogues and Jewish institutions to learn from our experience with Keruv.

The Beth El Keruv Committee has started collaborating with the Kulanu Committee of Temple Israel of New Rochelle to plan a special Scholar-in-Residence program for October. We hope to have the renowned author and speaker Rabbi Steven Greenberg teach about the importance of inclusion in Jewish tradition and texts. As an openly gay Orthodox rabbi, he has a unique perspective to share. It is exciting to be working with the larger Jewish community outside Beth El to further the mission of Keruv.

Within Beth El, the Keruv Committee has been coordinating with the Chesed Committee and the Retirees Committee to better meet the needs of our senior members. Those committee chairs are working with Frankie Shahar to see how our goals dovetail with those of New Rochelle Cares, a fledgling grass-roots program affiliated with Aging in Place. We are also looking at how Beth El can be more welcoming to adult singles in our community and can serve their needs better. The Let’s Talk About It series that was so successful this year will be continued next year with programs that will be held in people’s homes every other month or so. As always, we are eager to hear what more we could be doing to ensure that everyone feels comfortable and embraced by our community. Toward that end, the committee is considering inviting additional speakers who reflect the treasured diversity of our community.

Over the last three years, the Keruv Committee, Rabbi Sirner, other Beth El clergy, staff, leaders, and members have together created an open and welcoming atmosphere at our synagogue. Since our initial steps to update Beth El’s policies and procedures, we have hosted programs on intermarriage, speakers on the gay Jewish experience, leaders seeking solutions for aging seniors, and worshipers who are disabled. Over these years, I have heard nothing but warm and positive responses to Keruv initiatives. Before stepping down at the end of June as a chair of the committee, I want to personally thank everyone who has worked so hard to successfully create a culture of warmth and inclusiveness here. I especially want to thank Bob Sussman, my co-chair, who will continue to lead the committee. I look forward to joining with other Keruv members, under Bob’s direction, to plan programs for the coming year that will build on our progress thus far.

Have a wonderful summer!

Elise Richman, Keruv co-chair