So much of our time is spent in the car that I’ve taken to listening to books on CDs. The seriesDon’t Know Much about History” is the latest edition when we hit the road. This series consists of 19 CDs and fills in facts with anecdotes and encourages further research into other books. It is easy to become a walking trivia book while listening to these CDs. For me, I enjoy learning how all of this came to be. How did we become such a powerful nation in such a short period of time? How did B’nai Harim become such a powerful synagogue in 14 short years?

We are almost at the Fourth of July and it’s easy to see the parallels between the struggles our founding fathers experienced and those that Congregation B’nai Harim experienced. We come from different religious backgrounds and customs. We have different political and personal beliefs. We were and continue to be a diverse population of many that somehow must find the way to speak with one voice.

“How can we do that” you ask.” You can share your voice as you did with our surveys, share your time as many do by organizing and/or attending the many exciting social events of this summer such as the Flea Market, Progressive Dinner, Concert, Baseball Game, etc. You can participate in services and share the joy of the Rosenberg, Rivera and Cohen families as they watch their children (OUR CHILDREN) take on responsibility as young Jewish adults. You can watch our B’nai Harim Senior Scholars recite the Torah blessings on the anniversary of the B’nai Mitzvah in August. You can become involved!

Each year, three positions on the board are available for election. This is your opportunity to guide the direction of Congregation B’nai Harim, share your expertise, opinions and help B’nai Harim grow and flourish. I strongly encourage you to contact Monroe Heide, Chairman of the Nominating Committee, and run for a board position. We need new voices and old voices; we need positive forces who continue to make Congregation B’nai Harim strong and welcoming to all. Each Shabbat “Our voices join in song together” as we hold each other and share so much more than motzi. Be generous, run for the board, experience all that B’nai Harim has to offer. May your days be filled with Oos and Aahs of beautiful fireworks and may most days be a picnic. L’shalom,

Honi Gruenberg Grasing