An Installation and a Welcome!

This past Friday, September 8th was a very special Shabbat for Congregation Adas Emuno, for two reasons.  First, we welcomed Student Cantor Alison Lopatin (see our previous post, Introducing Our New Student Cantor) as she took her place on the pulpit to begin her year with us.  And we were indeed enchanted and uplifted by the beauty of her voice.

Second, this was our Board Installation Service, as the new President, Officers, and Trustees of Adas Emuno were called up to the bima, and "sworn in" by Rabbi Schwarz, who had them all declaim Hineni, the ancient Hebrew declaration repeatedly used in the Torah, whose literal meaning is here I am, but whose significance is one of being fully present, and fully responsible.  The Trustees and Officers were then treated to a musical performance by Cantor Lopatin, accompanied by Religious School Director Annice Benamy on the piano.

The new president of Adas Emuno, Lance Strate, quipped that it was as if they were installing a new operating system, OS Emuno, and expressed the hope that each installation represents an upgrade. He also acknowledged the great contributions of past presidents such as Alan Spector, Beth Ziff, and Virginia Gitter, and stated that serving Adas Emuno is an honor and privilege, and a pleasure, and that it is a responsibility both serious and joyous, and a sacred trust.

After the service, an Oneg sponsored by the Board of Trustees featured a special cake that read, Congratulations and Welcome, to mark the double nachas of this Shabbat.

 

Pictured here at the Oneg, standing by the cake is (from left to right) Adas Emuno President Lance Strate, Student Cantor Alison Lopatin, and Rabbi Barry Schwartz.  And to them, and to all of our congregational leadership, we join together to say, Mazel Tov!