December 2024
Dear Congregants and Friends,
On behalf of the leadership at Congregation Yemei Teshuva, I want to take a moment to wish you and your family a joyful and healthy Chanukah.
As we near the end of 2024, we reflect on our meaningful High Holy Day services of 5785, and we are truly grateful for the moments we shared with you. This year, we experienced record attendance, with Rabbi Scott Shpeen guiding us in prayer for the second year in a row. We were also blessed to have Cantor Shira Ginsburg enrich our services with her talent.
Looking ahead, I am excited to announce that Rabbi Shpeen, Cantor Ginsburg, and our accomplished musicians will be returning next year to lead our Holy Day services once again. The positive feedback from our Congregation underscores the profound impact they have had during our High Holy Days.
Thanks to our generous donors this past year, we have significantly enhanced our services. The beautiful Ark and Lectern donated by Ed and Fern Rod were dedicated in loving memory of Lou Steiner, a founding member of our congregation. A special thank you to Fran and Buddy Dickman for again printing and donating our Yizkor books. We also wish to express our gratitude to Jerry Glassman for sponsoring the Kiddish Reception after Rosh Hashanah in memory of his wife, Joan, as well as to the Berlents for their donation of the printed Mi Sheberach Books, which will serve our Congregation for many years to come.
We are deeply saddened by the recent passing of Harvey Berlent, and the Congregation has received many donations in his memory.
Furthermore, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Nancy Frydman, Iris and Carol Portnoy, Nancy and Bill Berkowitz, Leonard and Marcia Meyers, Sam and Ina Tuchman, and Lane and Les Klein for their generous contributions that allow us to continue improving our services. We also appreciate the ongoing support from Boca West for Congregation Yemei Teshuva.
Warm regards,
Danny H. Schulman
President
Congregation Yemei Teshuva
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December 2023
Dear Friends:
On behalf of the leadership of Congregation Yemei Teshuva, I hope that everyone had a joyful and festive Chanukah celebration. Unfortunately, with all that is going on in the world today, from Israel to our college campuses, now more than ever do we hope and pray that the lights of our menorah will help to dispel much of the darkness that surrounds us. Please know, as always, that your Boca West Congregation and clergy are always here for you.
As the secular calendar year draws to an end, we wanted to share with you some very exciting news as we are already planning for the High Holy Days next fall.
The feedback and response to our High Holy Day services this past September was overwhelming and extremely positive. With our new Rabbi Scott Shpeen, the transition after ten years with Cantor Stettner, was smooth and flawless. One of the many highlights was the reception after the Rosh Hashanah Morning Service, graciously underwritten by board member Jerry Glassman in honor of his wife.
We are pleased to announce that Rabbi Shpeen has agreed to continue to serve our congregation and will officiate again at the upcoming High Holy Day services in 2024.
In addition, we are pleased to announce that the board has recently solidified an agreement with Cantor Shira Ginsburg, a colleague and friend of Rabbi Shpeen, to officiate at our upcoming services as well. In that capacity, Cantor Ginsburg will work closely with Rabbi Shpeen as well as with our wonderful Congregation Yemei Teshuva Professional Choir.
We are excited with the addition of Cantor Ginsburg knowing that her presence alongside Rabbi Shpeen will greatly enhance our spiritual experience for the High Holy Days. We encourage you to refer to our website (www.cytbw.org) and the links provided for those of you who wish to learn more about both Rabbi Shpeen and Cantor Ginsburg and the illustrious careers they each have had and what they will now bring to our community.
Now more than ever, as Rabbi Shpeen conveyed in his Rosh Hashanah Sermon, we need the comfort, solace and inspiration that being part of a sacred congregational community provides. We look forward to your continued participation as well as sharing the upcoming High Holy Day season with you.
With warm regards,
Lane Klein, President