Greetings and Salutations!! For my first article as President I wish to begin by thanking you all for putting your trust in me, for I am truly honored to serve you as President.  Your support is particularly meaningful to me since I have grown up with BSKI my entire life.  But it’s not just about me, I have a wonderful Board with lots of congregational history, and I am confident that together we can serve the congregation well.

The only thing that is really constant is change.”
This is one of the first things that entered my mind when I started thinking about writing my first column as President of BSKI. There are a lot of ways to look at change. Change allows us to learn and grow and continually challenge ourselves.

Our congregation has experienced significant changes over the last five years. And now, not only have I become your new President, but we welcome back to the Board Jim Rothberg and Susan Cort. Returning members are Joe Burstein, Pat Cohen, Paula Lemerman, Bonnie Levens, Susan Low, Steven Rosenblum, Bruce Sabin and Marcia Sterneck. New to the Board of Trustees are Susan Lew, Barbara Scherer and Linda Mackler. With these changes, we hope to infuse our already experienced and committed Board with new energy and ideas.
“The more things change, the more they stay the same.”

The two questions that I have been asked the most over the last year have been, “Why would you want to take the job of President?” The second question has been “Do you really think you can make a difference?”

My answers to the questions are simply this; since I have grown up at BSKI I was able to watch generations before me build a solid foundation which BSKI now stands upon. I feel it is now incumbent upon my generation to stand up and take the mantel of leadership and help guide the synagogue into the future for the next generation. As far as making a difference, that eternal light of optimism that lies within me and helps guide my path says “YES”. And, along with our new Board and your help I will make a difference. I have worked on several non-profit boards and feel that I know what lies ahead of me and I am prepared.

Again, I thank you all for your confidence that you have placed in making me President and ask that you join with me and keep BSKI a strong and vital synagogue for the next generation to come.
           

B'Shalom
Ricky Kodner

A Rabbi, a Cantor, and a Synagogue President

A Rabbi, a cantor, and a synagogue president were driving to a seminar when they were kidnapped. The highjackers asked the three of them to hand over all of their money and jewellery. When they replied that they hadn't any, the hijackers told them that immediately after their last wishes were fulfilled, they would be killed.

"My last wish," began the Rabbi, is to give a fascinating, complicated, long sermon that I have always wanted to but never been allowed to give."

"We will grant your wish," the hijackers replied.

"My last wish," said the cantor, "is to sing a beautiful, Yemenite style song, one of my own compositions lasting two hours. I have never been allowed to sing it."

"We'll let you sing it," replied the hijackers.

"What is your last wish," the hijackers asked the Shul president.

"Please, please just shoot me now."