How do you measure the success of an organization over time?  Membership, Fundraising, Programs, these are all obvious.  But it is moments of transition that really test the strength of organizations--because these are the times when we learn what the leaders have created that lasts beyond their tenure.  And this is something at which CBST has excelled. 

I am the 15th President of CBST.  That is a testament to this institution.  I have only been a member since 1999, when Yolanda Potasinski took me to lunch and told me that CBST needed people like me, but that I could only make a difference if I was committed to do the work.  Mike Vine appointed me to the Board in 2002, an act of faith and courage, because the prior year I ran for the Board and lost.  And Lisa Kartzman took it upon herself to dedicate this past year to preparing me for this moment.  I am deeply grateful for Lisa's confidence in me, her patience and care, and her wisdom.  Lisa, thank you, and while my appreciation is personal, I also speak on behalf of the professional staff, the rabbis and interns, the Board of Directors, and the entire congregation.

You have a right to know what is important to me as  President.  Let me begin by saying that it is all about people, starting with your Board of Directors, a group of intelligent men and women who care deeply about our future and who contribute generously of their time, money, and talent. The eighteen people on this Board will contribute nearly 10% of the operating budget of the synagogue this year, and they are among our most dedicated volunteers, active in all areas of synagogue life.  When you see these people, please thank them for their commitment. 

I also want to recognize the contribution of our Executive Director, Ilene Sameth.  Ilene is dedicated to the success of CBST, and brings a wealth of experience and maturity to our community.  I could not accept this challenge without her leadership and support. 

Finally, Presidents come and go, but the real source of our vision is our senior Rabbi, Sharon Kleinbaum.  She has endured, and thrived, for fourteen  years. More than any other single individual, CBST reflects her concept of what our synagogue can be.  It is her spiritual guidance that helped us move beyond a male-dominated shul to a congregation in which people of all genders, sexual orientations, and gender expressions deepen their connection to Judaism in an environment that strives to respect their essential humanity. 

But today we are at a crossroads.  The key question is this: what is the significance of a gay synagogue in the year 2006?  We know that many other synagogues across the denominational spectrum have become far more open to glbt people--a fact for which CBST can take much credit. Does this mean our work is now complete?  I don't think so.  Our work will not be complete as long as there are Jewish children who believe God hates them for being queer.  Our work will not be complete as long as clergy from the religious right can get away with claiming that our love does not matter.  Our work will not be complete until every human being understands that they were created in God's image, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or gender expression.

As most of you know, we have been working on a strategic plan.  Many of you have been involved in this process, through a community meeting, or a focus group, or working on a committee.  There are tough issues for us to address.  We know that mainstream synagogues have more comprehensive children's programs.  How will we fully integrate children into our community, recognizing that the children of gay parents are most likely to grow up straight, and the children of straight parents may very well grow up queer?  I am also convinced that now is time for us to raise the money for a physical home worthy of housing the spiritual home we have created here together. This will be a huge challenge and we must find new sources of money to make it possible.

These are big issues, and they demand big vision.  But it is also vital that we remain true to our heritage as we do this work.  We are a kehilla kedosha, a holy community, and we must never forget that we exist to take care of ourselves and each other in deeply personal and spiritual ways.  I know how important this is because tonight is the first yahrzeit of my mother Dorothy Rosenbaum, who died last April 13.  Many of you came to our living room to help Pierre and me sit shiva.  Your presence that night was a tremendous lesson in the meaning and power of community, and I am incredibly grateful for your support and care through those times.

I thank God for bringing me to CBST, and I'm incredibly proud to have this opportunity, at this particular moment in time, to be President.  I hope and pray for wisdom, a generous spirit, a strong character, and a really thick skin.

May God bless each of us and the work we do together.  Let us always remember that our work makes the world a better place, sometimes in little ways, like the way we show care for each other, and sometimes in huge ways, like when our rabbis are featured on the front page of the New York Times or when 4000 people show up for our High Holy Day services. 

And so I thank you for your support, and I wish each of you a Shabbat of peace, of joy, and community.