On my Facebook feed I‘ve been noticing how many people are posting last day of high school and graduation pictures. May is the season of acknowledging achievements and marking important milestones. At Beth Emet it is no different. This Friday night, we’ll thank our long-time choir director, Klaus Georg, for his years of service to Beth Emet. Klaus is a talented singer, conductor, composer, and overhaul mensch. At Beth Emet, we have benefited from his prodigious talents and have thoroughly enjoyed working with him. On Friday night, the choir will sing at services, including a piece that Klaus composed. We are sad that he will no longer be directing the Beth Emet choir, but look forward to seeing him perform in other venues around the city. 

On Monday night, May 15, we will be hosting Sarah Hurwitz, author of Here All Along, the book we’ve reading and discussing together as a congregation. In preparation for Monday night, I’ve had the opportunity to speak with her a few times and even record a short video with her. She is incredibly thoughtful, articulate, and warm. We’ll have an opportunity to ask her questions and to have her sign our books. I’m very excited for this event. 

And in other endings, next week on May 19, we’ll celebrate our Kabbalat Torah (KT) students, our twelfth graders who are graduating high school and finishing their Jewish studies at Beth Emet. It’s always a treat to hear from these amazing young leaders as they reflect on their years at Beth Emet and what they have learned. That evening, we’ll also celebrate our 7th grade Gesher students as they cross the bridge (gesher) from Jewish childhood to Jewish adulthood.  

With blessings that we’ll all enjoy a wonderful May, whether we celebrate personal milestones, the achievements of others in our community, deepen our learning, or express our gratitude to those who have touched our lives and enriched our community.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi London