Dear Congregation B’nai Israel Members,

The recent horrific events in Israel have left me speechless and unable to verbalize or write how utterly stunned I am by man’s inhumanity to man. I think Mark Packer, our Temple Vice-President, put it into words best when he wrote his response on our Temple Facebook page.

Mark wrote: “The current crisis in Israel reminds us of the precarious nature of Jewish existence. Whenever Jews are unsafe in their own homeland, we are put on notice about the need for continual vigilance and solidarity. We thank all the members of the Upstate community for their expressions of support during this difficult time.

Let us pray for a quick resolution of the conflict with minimal harm, especially to the civilians on both sides.”

I want to thank Mark Packer for responding within our community through social media, newspapers, and television news in a thoughtful and compassionate way.

Before the crisis in Israel our board was working with our Security Committee to increase security at our Temple. Please read Barbara Leddy’s article in this month’s issue of Temple Topics, which gives an update on our recent security measures and plans for our Temple.

Please be aware security is an ongoing and changing process and we are doing the best we can with our resources at hand.

Even though we are seeing heart wrenching scenes from Israel on television news and the internet, we must continue to be diligent and support each other through our Temple and community.

On a happier note, our Sisterhood will be holding their wonderful Bake Sale this month on Thursday, November 2, 2023. Please be sure to pick up your orders on that day. Also, there will be indoorshopping this year at the Sisterhood Bake Sale. You may stop by on November 2nd and purchase from a large selection of delicious and wonderful items the Sisterhood so lovingly prepares for our community.

I am sure you have received your letter about donating to our incredible 2023 Matching Funds Challenge Campaign. If you have not already given, please consider donating. Every dollar donated

will be matched by a generous anonymous donor up to $100,000. This means if we raise $100,000 in qualifying donations, the donor will match those funds, and our Congregation will receive $200,000. Your support is key in helping our Congregation maximize this opportunity!

If you wish to contribute to the 2023 Challenge Campaign, you can do so by sending a check made out to

Congregation B’nai Israel with 2023 Challenge Campaign on the memo line. If you would like to donate stock or securities, please contact Jan in the Temple Office for specific routing instructions.

You will receive a letter the end of this month with details about our upcoming congregational meeting, including the time and agenda.

I wish us world peace as we progress through the month of November and celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday with our family and friends.

Warmest regards,

Tina Lyon

President