TBTShoreline

President's Column - June 2026

Dear Friends,

As I write this final column as President of Temple Beth Tikvah, I find myself returning to a teaching that has guided me more times than I can count: “It is not incumbent upon you to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.” Those words from Pirkei Avot have been a steady companion throughout these past two years, a reminder that leadership is never about finishing everything, but about moving the community forward with purpose, integrity, and heart.

Looking back, I am filled with gratitude for what we have accomplished together. We embraced a new era of governance, operating for the first time under our streamlined Board of Trustees. We strengthened our membership, growing to more than 300 households, a milestone that speaks to the warmth and meaning people find here. We expanded our programming, deepened our learning, celebrated Jewish life in all its forms, and launched new initiatives like our Israel Committee and our first-ever Israel Day.

Our schools continued to thrive, with nearly 100 students in our religious school and a preschool so vibrant it often has a waiting list. And after years of uncertainty, we settled our construction lawsuit and made real progress toward financial stability.

And then came the moment I announced at our Annual Meeting, a moment that still takes my breath away: a $1,000,000 matching campaign that gives us the chance to enter our 50th anniversary year nearly debt free. It is a generational opportunity, and one that will shape the next half century of Jewish life at TBT. I hope each of you will participate in whatever way you can. Every gift matters. Every gift is doubled. Every gift moves us closer to a future defined not by what we owe, but by what we can build.

But beyond the milestones, what I will remember most are the people. Our extraordinary staff, Kim, Shari, Rabbi Moss, Ira, Jen Casillo, Chris, and Herman, who bring this building to life every single day. Our teachers who nurture our children with such devotion. Our volunteers. Our Board of Trustees, who embraced change with courage and led with wisdom. And all of you, the members of this community, who show up, give generously of yourselves, and make TBT the sacred home that it is.

Leadership is never a solo act. It is a partnership, a privilege, and, at its best, an expression of love. Serving as your president has been all of those things for me.

As I prepare to pass the torch on June 30, I do so with deep pride and even deeper optimism. TBT is strong. TBT is growing. TBT is ready for its 50th year, and for the next 50 after that.

Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for supporting me. Thank you for believing in what this community can be.

May we continue, together, to build a future worthy of the generations who will follow.

B’shalom,
Josh Broder, TBT President

Temple Educator's Column - June 2026

Have you ever wondered where we got the idea of having a Religious School? Let me tell you about one of my heroes - Yehoshua ben Gamla, who was the High Priest in Jerusalem almost 2,100 years ago. Back then, children would learn Torah from their dads. (This was thousands of years ago. Sorry moms.) If there was no father, or dads were not up to the task, the kids didn’t learn Torah. The rabbis then had the idea to have the dads bring all of the kids to Jerusalem – which for some was a journey of many days. As you can imagine, that was not very effective either.

They tried regional schools for teenagers and apparently that was a HUGE failure – as these kids had no formal learning when they were younger. Finally, Yehoshua ben Gamla ruled that teachers of children should be established in each and every community and kids should start learning around the age we start today. Skip a bit and that is how we come to have a Religious School at TBT!

I share this story to demonstrate how our very-modern-striving-to-be-cutting-edge-TBT-Religious-School is deeply rooted in the traditions of the Jewish people. We take Gamla’s instruction to have teachers where the children are, and we take it further. We had a number of new teachers this past year, and I am grateful that we have found so many that have connected deeply with our children. This connection is further demonstrated by the fact that nearly all of our teachers are returning to us this fall!

Ben Gamla’s advice is not only about putting teachers where the kids are physically. It is about teachers understanding where each child is intellectually, socially, emotionally and spiritually. Each child brings a distinct set of strengths, struggles, and ways of learning. One student may come bursting with questions— we need to make space for their curiosity and, at times, help them find paths to keep exploring. Another may feel hesitant with Hebrew or even English reading. Our job is to help them move forward at a pace that feels possible, building confidence step by step.

Another student may arrive carrying frustration from other parts of their life; they need patience, consistency, and the sense that they truly matter. This is what our teachers do every day—meeting students where they are while guiding them into meaningful engagement with Jewish values. It’s why students feel comfortable here, and their parents tell us so.

Many of our wonderful teachers are undergraduate students at Yale. This is a coin with two sides. On one side, they are young, energetic and full of ideas. The kids bond easily with them for all of those reasons. On the other side of the coin, they will only be with us for a short period – at most three more years. I have always believed that having members of the congregation serve as teachers is critical.

You bring something the undergrads cannot. You are part of the fabric of the congregation and the communities in which our students live. It makes a tremendous difference to the kids to see their teachers on a Friday night at temple or at Stop and Shop. And it is the only way one of our students might say to another “It is so cool that your dad/mom/grandma/grampy/aunt or uncle is our teacher.” I invite you to think about becoming a teacher. Talk with me. Let’s have a cup of coffee or tea chat about teaching and maybe try subbing on a Sunday or a Wednesday. You can make a difference!

L’shalom,
Ira J. Wise, D.J.R.E.
Temple Educator

Rabbi's Column - May 2026

Dear Friends,

The Torah teaches that two master artisans, Betzalal and Oholieb, completed the ancient Mishkan (sanctuary) with beauty and breathtaking skill. They were not liturgists, or priests, or rabbis. Rather, they worked with their hands, and their hearts. From this we learn that every member of our congregation brings different gifts to bear, regardless of our backgrounds. And we are all learners, too!

This premise led us to design Kesher, our small groups initiative at TBT. It’s open to anyone who is a member of our congregation.

Do you have a special passion, a particular expertise, or simply a topic you’d love to explore more deeply with others in our community? Consider forming a Kesher group. Kesher, which means “connection” in Hebrew, is TBT’s umbrella for small groups that bring congregants together around shared interests. Our current Keshers cover a wide range of subjects—including cooking, woodworking, spirituality, hiking, young families, and mussar (practical Jewish ethics)—and we’re eager to add more.

Recent ideas include photography, Israeli Folk Dancing, and Jewish literature. If any of those are up your alley, please let us know!

As a Kesher leader, you would:
Choose the focus of your group
Set goals and agendas
Schedule meetings at a pace that works for you and your participants

TBT will provide logistical support and periodic gatherings for Kesher leaders to share ideas, resources, and solutions to common challenges. Whether you’re an artist at heart, a craftsperson, a philosopher, or something else altogether – Kesher is for you!

If you’re interested in starting a new Kesher group, please contact the Kesher Leaders group Chairperson Michael Feldman at michael@mafeldman.com.

Shalom,
Rabbi Danny Moss
Michael Feldman

President's Column - May 2026

Dear Friends,

As we move through May, we find ourselves deep in the Omer, that stretch of time between Passover and Shavuot when we count each day with intention. After the dramatic crossing of the sea, the Israelites didn’t arrive at Sinai overnight. They walked. They waited. They prepared themselves for revelation one day at a time.

There’s something beautifully honest about that. Transformation doesn’t happen in a single moment; it unfolds through steady steps, small choices, and the quiet work of showing up. And this spring, our community has shown up in extraordinary ways.

In April, we gathered for what may have been our largest Temple Passover Seder ever, more than 120 people, spanning multiple generations, sharing stories, songs, and a sense of belonging that filled the room. Watching grandparents, parents, teens, and young children experience the Seder side by side was a powerful reminder of what it means to be a Jewish community rooted in tradition and open to all who walk through our doors. It was joyful, warm, and deeply meaningful. Thank you to everyone who helped make the evening so special.

April also brought moments of celebration and connection in the wider Jewish world. We marked Yom HaShoah, a time of remembrance, and Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, a time to honor the resilience, creativity, and spirit of a place that lives deeply in the hearts of Jews everywhere. In early May comes Lag BaOmer, that joyful pause in the Omer that reminds us that even in seasons of reflection, there is room for light, music, and community. I still think back to the Lag BaOmer celebrations of my childhood, the games, the camaraderie, the sense of belonging, and I’m reminded how powerful Jewish joy can be when we experience it together.

This month also marks a season of transitions. Our students are finishing their school year, our b’nai mitzvah families are celebrating milestones, and our teachers, clergy, and volunteers continue to nurture Jewish learning with such devotion. I am grateful for every person who helps our young people grow into confident, curious, and connected Jews. On May 21, I hope you will join us for our Shavuot / Confirmation service when we celebrate the giving of Torah on Mount Sinai and celebrate our confirmands.

I also want to invite you to our Annual Meeting on Wednesday, May 6 at 7:00pm. This gathering is more than a formality; it is a moment to reflect on the year behind us, to look ahead with clarity and hope, and to engage in the shared stewardship of our synagogue. This year, we will also be voting on a full new slate of candidates for the Board of Trustees, an important step in shaping the leadership that will guide TBT into the future. Your presence and your vote truly matter.

As we count our way toward Shavuot, toward the moment when we stood together at Sinai, may we continue to make each day count. May we find meaning in the steps we take, strength in the community we build, and purpose in the journey we share.

B’shalom,
Josh Broder, TBT President

Temple Educator's Column - May 2026

Families at the Center

We are all incredibly busy. Some of us are overwhelmingly so. We sign our kids up for so many activities – the wider community seems to believe that this is a good and important thing to do, so we do it. And if our kids enjoy those activities, and especially if they become passionate about them, we are delighted. We want our kids to find their passions. Some of them will go on to engage in those activities for a long time and at the highest levels. Most will enjoy them until their interest takes them in other directions. These are all good things.

Being Jewish, I believe, is something that to which we should ascribe a high value for our kids. Ideally it will not be about interest, but about identity. It is who we are and always will be. We are part of a people that has been around for over 3,800 years! And we have developed and adapted to the world around us as the world has changed. Reform Judaism is one of those adaptations, begun by Jews who wanted to retain their connection to our people and being fully engaged in the modern world around us.

There have been a lot of people and institutions who were instrumental in making that happen. I could spend hours listing them. I believe, however, that the most significant institution to help children develop Jewish identity is the family and the most important people in making that happen are their parents. TBT is here to help make those connections here on the Shoreline for all of us. Our religious school and our teachers and I are here to help families build Jewish relationships: kids with kids, parents with parents and families with families. I want to invite you – all of you – to engage more deeply with one another and with us. Help us build the school into a Kehilah (community).

We have a variety of opportunities to bring groups of families together throughout the year. Sometimes in groups of classmates and their families, others through shared experiences organized around a value or an idea. We want kids to learn with their parents and for parents to model Jewish learning and connecting. And we want to fashion those opportunities in ways that work for you. Please reach out to me. Let’s grab coffee or tea and talk about what that might look like.

I often talk about how we want our school and faculty to be important and meaningful tools that help you rear connected Jewish kids. We don’t want to be your proxies in doing that. We want to be your partners.

L’shalom,
Ira J. Wise, D.J.R.E., R.J.E.
Temple Educator

Rabbi's Column - April 2026

Dear Friends,

Did you know that the Statue of Liberty has a Jewish story? Our Confirmation Class discovered the statue’s foundations — both literal and figurative — on our recent trip to New York City.

The story begins with a great Jewish American who should be a household name: Emma Lazarus. Born to a prominent Sephardic family in the 1840s, she was already a published author by age 14. By the 1880s, hundreds of thousands of Jews were fleeing violent Russian pogroms. Bearing witness to the plight of her people, Lazarus dedicated much of her life to aiding migrants in distress. She volunteered at New York’s Ward’s Island, which at that time served as a first point of arrival for new immigrants, as well as a hospital for the ill and infirm. She was an early volunteer in the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, today known as HIAS.

Lazarus concretized what became her life’s vocation into a powerful poem. Calling it The New Colossus, she drew a contrast between the imposing, martial Colossus of Rhodes and the welcoming, maternal Lady Liberty. She penned the poem as part of an effort to raise funds for the statue’s completion. Rediscovered some years later, the poem became so popular that it was engraved on a plaque in the statue’s base, where it remains today. You know the famous refrain:

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

Our confirmation class recited these words in New York Harbor as we traced the immigrant stories that unite us. We visited two historic synagogues, as well as the tenement museum, where families of 10 or more routinely shared 350 square feet. So many of us have ancestors who braved these conditions in search of a better life. Do you know your family’s immigration story?

As time goes on, each generation feels increasingly distant from our forebears. On one hand, this is a success: our teenagers feel the comforts of modern life as full Americans. On the other hand, oppression has shaped Jewish identity in profound ways. And even if we are determined to forget this dimension of our history, it seems the world will always stand ready to remind us. When we understand where we come from, we better understand ourselves.

The Jewish story is one of outsidership. Abraham, the very first Hebrew, famously described himself as a “stranger in a strange land.” That very word, Hebrew (“ivri”), refers to crossing between places - an identity that passes from here to there, but doesn’t always fit solely in either place.

At Pesach, we sit down with family to tell our freedom story. The Haggadah explains that its own narrative arc proceeds from g’nut l’shevach - degradation to praise. Avadim Hayinu, we cry! We were slaves, and now we are free.

We are further instructed to see ourselves, individually, as if we all came out of Egypt. The collective memory, in other words, becomes our personal responsibility.

Our confirmation students have been examining this history all year, in conversation with their family stories. I hope that they felt the weight of that history on our visit to New York. It is a history that imbues us with privilege, as well as profound responsibility. This year marks 250 years of the American experiment. What a wonderful opportunity for all of us to discover (or rediscover) our own family stories.

Each year Passover bids us remember:

We were slaves, so we must fight for the oppressed.
We know the pain of the outsider. And so, we are called, like Emma Lazarus, to aid the outsiders among us.

This year we are here, next year in the land of Israel.
This year, many are in chains. Next year, may all be free.

Chag Kasher V’Sameach (Happy Passover!),

Rabbi Moss

President's Column - April 2026

Crossing Into Spring, Crossing Into Freedom

Dear Friends,

As April arrives, we find ourselves standing at the threshold of Passover, a holiday that invites us to remember not only the journey from slavery to freedom, but the courage it takes to step into the unknown. The rabbis teach that the Sea of Reeds did not part until one person, Nachshon, walked forward into the water. Only then did a path open for the entire community.

That image feels especially powerful this year. Passover reminds us that transformation rarely happens all at once. It unfolds through small acts of faith, shared steps, and the strength we draw from one another.

I hope you are joining us for our Temple Passover Seder on Friday, April 3. This communal Seder is one of the most beautiful expressions of who we are, welcoming, joyful, and deeply connected. There is something profoundly moving about gathering around the Seder table as one community, lifting our voices in the ancient story that continues to shape us.

Before we turn fully toward Passover, I want to express heartfelt gratitude for the extraordinary energy and generosity you brought to our Third Annual Gala & Auction. What a night. The room was filled with laughter, connection, and a palpable sense of pride in our synagogue’s future. Events like this don’t just happen, they are built with love, creativity, and countless hours of dedication.

A special thank you goes to our Gala Chair, Dayna Brandoff, and to the entire Gala Committee. Their vision and hard work created an evening that was not only successful, but truly unforgettable. I am deeply grateful for their leadership and for every person who donated, bid, volunteered, or simply showed up to celebrate our community.

And speaking of celebrations: next year, in May 2027, Temple Beth Tikvah will mark its 50th anniversary, a remarkable milestone for our congregation. Our 2027 Gala will be shaped around this momentous occasion, honoring our history, our growth, and the generations who have built TBT into the community we cherish today. More details and dates will be shared in the months ahead, but if you are interested in being part of the planning process for this special anniversary Gala, I would love to hear from you. Please reach out to me directly at joshbroder@hotmail.com.

And now, spring is finally beginning to reveal itself, slowly, tentatively, but unmistakably. There is something fitting about celebrating Passover at this moment of renewal. As the world around us begins to bloom, we are reminded that freedom is not just a historical memory; it is an ongoing invitation to grow, to imagine, and to begin again.

May this season bring you lightness, hope, and the joy of gathering with those you love.
May the story of Passover inspire each of us to take our own steps toward freedom, and may we continue to walk this path together as a community rooted in care, tradition, and possibility.

Chag Pesach Sameach,

Josh Broder
TBT President

Temple Educator's Column - April 2026

A Light in Dark Times

A few weeks ago, Karin Beitel - our Kitah Zayin (7th grade) teacher - and I attended the ADL’s Never is Now conference in New York City. It was intense and emotional to learn from so many speakers about their personal stories confronting antisemitic acts and the efforts to combat them. They are genuine heroes doing the work on the ground to analyze situations and prevent attacks.

We heard from allies – people who are not Jewish who feel that the fight against antisemitism and hate is their fight as well as ours. I invite you to visit https://neverisnow.org/ to view recordings of some of the speakers. You can also find ways to connect with people like the ones we heard.

If this kind of work inspires you, I also invite you to get involved with Kulanu, a group of TBT members who work to advocate for and educate about the fight against antisemitism on the Shoreline. Contact Louis King to get involved.

Some of the sessions were disturbing. We learned about places on the internet where young people go to watch footage from mass casualty events and to venerate the killers. We learned about how some are perverting AI tools to create on-line games that teach hate. It was a lot to hear and learn, and I am grateful that the ADL and other organizations are actively monitoring and combating these sites and activities.

A true story. As the Metro North train approached my stop, a woman in the aisle fell right next to me. I got up to help her. When she had finally gotten herself back together, I was surprised to feel the train moving. I had just missed my stop, where my wife Audrey was waiting with our dog Lola to pick me up! I ran to the conductor near the train doors to ask how quickly I could get a return train at the next stop. He said it would be nearly an hour. I called Audrey, explained and apologized. She said she would come to that station to get me.

When she arrived, I walked to the car feeling foolish that I had missed the stop and put her to such trouble. She asked “Where is your suitcase?” I had completely forgotten it on the overhead rack. Having completed an on-line form with MTA in hopes of someday retrieving the bag, we sat down to dinner. When Lola began barking, I opened the front door to see the conductor of the train…with my suitcase!

He said “In nearly thirty years with the railroad, I have never done this. When I took your suitcase from the rack to turn it in at New Haven, I looked at the luggage tag. I know this street! My wife grew up in the next block! I had to bring it to you on my way home.”

I share this story because it fills me with hope and joy. My forgotten suitcase was not a tragedy. It was a nuisance. After a two-day emotional roller coaster, learning of awful things and wonderful people who work to prevent them and help those who have been hurt, the experience ended with a man going above and beyond for another person. Just because he could. And I invite you to join me in looking for opportunities to right some wrongs and do nice things, just because we can.

L’shalom,

Ira Wise, DJRE
Temple Educator

Rabbi's Column - March 2026

Dear Friends,

In 1941, Nazi sympathizers destroyed a window at Chicago’s Anshe Emet Synagogue. In response, Senior Rabbi Solomon Goldman commissioned what is now called the Liberty Window. The beautiful stained glass depicts immigrants peering over a ship rail as they enter New York harbor, in search of a new life.

It was a remarkable decision to include American iconography on the same plane as texts from Torah and the Prophets. But Rabbi Goldman — a notable scholar, Zionist leader, and visionary community-builder — saw it as an opportunity to double down on the congregation’s values. He believed that the American Jewish experience was as significant in the story of the Jewish people as our Biblical origins.

Rabbi Goldman’s grandson, Rabbi Danny Zemel, is an equally bold leader. He is also an important mentor to Susan and me. Many of you remember Rabbi Zemel from the special weekend he spent as our scholar-in-residence four years ago. I am delighted that he will visit us once again for Shabbat on March 20th-21st.

Rabbi Zemel has taught me so much about Judaism, synagogue excellence, and menschlichkeit. Over several decades, he shaped Temple Micah (Washington, DC) into one of our country’s visionary congregations. One of the things that inspires me about Danny is his insistence on a deeply examined, joyfully realized life as fully Jewish and fully American. Grandpa Goldman’s vision lives deeply in him. As a friend of Danny’s who shares his Chicago Jewish pride (though we do differ on baseball teams), Grandpa Goldman’s story lives in me, too. This heritage seeds an insatiable curiosity: who are we? What are we here to do? How does our past inform our future? How can we maintain our pride amid the rising tide of antisemitism? What must we build for the future? What is our Jewish story?

These are some of the questions that Rabbi Goldman confronted boldly, literally placing them front and center in Anshei Emet’s sanctuary. You see, at the same time that the vandalism was repaired, he also commissioned a beautiful skylight. It reads, “All men [sic.] are created equal, a mirror image of the accompanying text from Genesis that proclaims that all humanity was created in God’s image (Genesis 1.26). The Bible and the Declaration of Independence, side by side; two aspirational concepts held in harmony.

The promise of America is a vital chapter in the Jewish story. Over the next year, I hope we will consider that story more deeply as a congregation. I hope we may consider how the privileges and responsibilities of this precious existence ramify for us today. Rabbi Zemel will help us to begin the conversation. I hope to see you there!

Shalom,

Rabbi Moss