SAUL'S LAMENT

A new temple president is taking over this space, meaning the composition of a monthly message in TBE's Bulletin for the next two years. This is a daunting task, so I searched the internet for websites from which to plagiarize the meaningful messages of other temple presidents. That's how I discovered the plight of Saul Rabinowitz, president of the Schenectady Jewish Center in 2008-09. Saul's dilemma is instructive.

Writing his first president's message for the monthly Kvetcher, Mr. Rabinowitz is a beacon of optimism. He describes many creative ideas and outlines a broad range of issues to be tackled during his term. Most importantly, he beseeches the congregation to participate in temple life. The article's final sentence strikes a crescendo: "Get involved! Make a difference! Call me to volunteer for a committee!"

The next month, writing his second president's message, Rabinowitz's words also reverberate with unbridled energy and gush with enthusiasm. By now, one immediately notices that each of Saul's sentences end not with a period, but with an exclamation point. There is no denying it; Rabinowitz is eager to lead. This second installment of the president's message trumpets the same notes as before, and again urges the congregation to get involved. This time, Rabinowitz ends the article by listing his telephone number and e-mail address. "I suggest you get in touch with me; together we will create a better SJC!!!"

In the third Kvetcher article Rabinowitz hammers home the same hopeful tone, and again implores the congregation to get involved. "I didn't hear from anyone wanting to volunteer," he writes. "Maybe it's because the high holidays were late this year. I am again asking for your participation!!!!" In addition to his telephone number and e-mail address, now Rabinowitz also includes his mobile phone number, office number, fax number and the number of his in-law's weekend house in the Catskills.

Another four weeks pass, and still, not a soul has come forward to volunteer to help the temple. How can this be? Rabinowitz wonders. "I have a lot of great ideas to improve our temple, but I cannot do it alone. I need your help. Please call me."

Another month goes by, and still, nobody steps up to volunteer. A hint of desperation seeps into the next president's message. "My number is listed in the temple directory. Would it kill you to pick up a phone?"

January rolls around and nobody reaches out to Rabinowitz. Then February comes and goes, and still, no volunteers. In March, a lonely and exasperated Rabinowitz changes strategy. The president's message for that month's Kvetcher consists of one sentence, printed in 48-point bold typeface with a heavy box border. "Temple Volunteers Needed; Call Saul Rabinowitz."

Nobody volunteers during the month of April, either. That month's issue of theKvetcher is mailed to congregants' homes. "You will now receive the Kvetcher in your mailbox," Rabinowitz writes. "Since nobody is volunteering I can only surmise that you are not visiting the temple website to read the Kvetcher. I have no doubt the additional expense of mailing home the Kvetcher will be offset by increased participation resulting in a more vibrant and dynamic temple community."
 

In May's Kvetcher, in the space reserved for the monthly President's Message, an Editor's Note is published, which reads: "The temple president usually writes in this space, but due to Saul Rabinowitz's resignation we are using this forum to announce the formation of a Search Committee to find a new temple president. Volunteers for the committee are invited to call the office."

I wonder if any volunteers ever called.