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We Honor What Has Been—and Are Inspired by What Can Be
Remarks (Adapted) from
Jordana Levine, President
Temple Beth-El of Great Neck
2025 Annual Meeting
May 27, 2025 ~ 29 Iyar 5785
Shalom, everyone, and welcome to our Annual Congregational Meeting.
It is truly wonderful to see so many of you here tonight. If I had any nervousness leading up to tonight, standing here and glancing at the crowd quells that immediately. As I look out, I see my friends and people that I connect with on so many levels. So, thank you!!
Gratitude
I want to begin—not end—with a few thank yous, because recognizing these individuals is among the most important things I will do this evening.
First, please join me in thanking our outgoing board members—Larry Khazzam, Philip Ross, and Matthew Moshen:
• Larry has been a tremendous asset to our Board of Trustees—offering insight, dedication, and genuine care for Beth-El’s future. I always appreciate Larry’s input and his desire to make sure we are doing what is right for our community.
• Phil has not only served on the board but also as our treasurer, a role he passed on to Matt. His years of leadership and steadfast commitment to our congregation have been deeply appreciated.
• Matt, a past Brotherhood president and dedicated treasurer, has gone above and beyond in supporting our financial health, working closely with our controller, Larry Michaels. I am so thankful for all that Matt has done.
Larry, Phil, Matt—thank you.
I also want to thank our entire Beth-El staff. They have been essential to the outstanding year we have had. We are so grateful to our office staff and our maintenance team!
Let me add some special words about three of our staff members.
• Stu Botwinick, our Executive Director, is not just the leader of our staff—he is indispensable to me and to all of us. His fingerprints are on everything we do, and everything we do is better because of him.
• Karen Wasserman, Director of our Early Childhood Education Center, has led with grace, incredible devotion and wisdom, and deep humanity—especially as we navigated the difficult decision to close the preschool. Her leadership and professionalism have been remarkable.
• Joy Palevsky, our Director of Operations and Member Liaison, is retiring after more than 11 years of service—though I’m happy to say she will stay on part time. So much of the heartbeat of Beth-El flows through Joy’s work. We have been blessed by her dedication, and I am deeply grateful.
Serving as your president has allowed me to work closely with our rabbis—Rabbi Stoller and Rabbi Megan. The more I collaborate with them, the more admiration and gratitude I feel. A congregation would be fortunate to have either one; we are doubly blessed.
• This year, Rabbi Megan, in partnership with our Religious School Committee, introduced a new educational model that has been a great success. As we look to the future, Temple Beth-El is committed to offering a robust and meaningful Jewish education to the youth of our community. They are a priority for our congregation.
• As for Rabbi Stoller, it’s hard to capture all he has meant to us this year. Our members recognized it most eloquently by voting overwhelmingly to renew his contract and commit to his continued leadership for years to come.
When I think about his vision, I’m reminded of the words of Robert F. Kennedy and his approach to challenges: “Some people see things as they are and ask, ‘Why?’ I dream things that never were and ask, ‘Why not?’”
Rabbi Stoller dreams boldly—but always with his feet firmly planted. He is exactly the leader we need in this transitional moment.
Under the leadership of our clergy and staff, Beth-El’s programming has flourished. Look at our calendar—it’s packed with opportunities for worship, learning, and community building. There is something happening every day! It’s inspiring. It’s energizing. It’s a testament to who we are.
• I also want to thank the members of our Vision Team. The time, thought, and creativity they’ve brought to shaping our future cannot be overstated. They’ve not only generated great ideas—they’ve already begun to bring them to life.
I end my thank yous with the Vision Team—because this year’s annual meeting comes at a turning point. A moment to nurture the roots of Temple Beth-El while reaching toward a bold, exciting future.
A Future Full of Possibility
Yes, we are in a time of transition—and I know that we are feeling a mixture of emotions: pride, anticipation, and even, perhaps, some uncertainty. But as I stand here tonight, what I see most clearly is possibility: the promise of renewal, purpose, and growth.
Think of Beth-El as a magnificent tree. Its roots run deep in our tradition, our values, and our community. But for new branches to grow, and as we prepare for a vibrant future, we must be willing to prune, to let go of some parts of the past in order to thrive.
Guided by Tradition, Rooted in Strength
Our tradition offers profound wisdom in moments like when Abraham hears the words Lech Lecha—“go forth.” He is not given a destination, only a promise. He leaves the familiar behind to build something sacred. It is a story of faith, courage, and vision.
Later, in Genesis, Jacob wrestles with a mysterious being through the night and emerges transformed—with a new name and identity: Israel, one who struggles with God and prevails.
Transformation is not easy, but it is through struggle that we grow stronger.
Like Abraham and Jacob, Beth-El is on a sacred journey. We are evolving—rooted in our identity, and always becoming something new while staying true to our core.
Embracing Change, Cultivating Growth
The journey of transformation involves real change.
You know that the board made the difficult but necessary decision to close our preschool. And, as we have communicated, we are moving forward with a plan to sell our building and lease back the space we need to retain our home within it.
That means we will also need to make decisions about some of our sacred objects—such as our Judaica collection and the Nevelson Wall in the downstairs sanctuary.
These decisions carry significance and memory, and we will be certain to honor them with meaning—individually and as a community—to give space to reflect on the loss we may feel as we move forward.
But, let me be clear: This is not a story of loss. This is a story of renewal—of reimagining our future with courage and care. I am proud that our Beth-El community is stepping forward with intention and passion as we strengthen our foundation.
We are building forward with intention by:
• Renewing Rabbi Stoller’s contract,
• Creating intentional programing and
• Planning for a vibrant, sustainable future rooted in our Reform Jewish values.
Like a tree with strong roots, we will withstand this moment—and flourish.
Thriving Together
Just as a tree with strong roots can withstand any storm and bear abundant fruit, so too can a community with a deep foundation flourish and grow through any transition.
All of this—our inspiring clergy, our robust programs, our commitment to bold thinking—signals a healthy, strong community, and are hallmarks of a strong congregation. And it’s exciting that the leadership is committed to thinking creatively about the future. The best place to find the newest information is on our website—and know that the most up-to-date information will always come directly from Beth-El. As always, do not hesitate to reach out with questions.
All of what I have touched upon tonight will help Beth-El—like Abraham and Jacob—become who we are meant to be, allowing our branches to spread and our community to thrive.
I am excited about our future. But I also know that that future does not depend on any one person—or on a specific group of people. It depends on all of us. It requires all of us.
Some of us can give time. Others can offer expertise or financial support. Everyone can contribute something. That spirit of volunteerism is what has always made Beth-El thrive.
Now is the time to recommit.
Carrying Our History Forward
This is a pivotal moment. We honor what has been, and we are inspired by what can be.
Together, we will carry our shared history forward—nourishing the roots of this community with the values, the relationships, and the sense of belonging that define us.
And, together, we will shape the next chapter of Temple Beth-El—with faith, integrity, and joy.
May we move forward with open hearts—rooted in our past and energized by the possibilities ahead.
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