July 14, 2020

Dear Temple Sha’arey Shalom Members,

We hope you and your loved ones are well.

The purpose of this letter is to provide you with the requisite ten (10) day notification of a Special Congregational Meeting.

We have received an offer to purchase the Temple Building. This offer will enable us to continue as a congregation.

Our By-Laws require approval of the Congregation to authorize the sale of real estate. We are calling a Special Zoom Meeting for this purpose on Sunday, July 26, 2020 at 10 AM. The Zoom information is listed in the email from TSS Office on July 16th.

For informational purposes, I look forward to discussing the Board’s plans for continuation of our congregation. To create a Budget we need to know how many of you want to continue your membership at Temple Sha’arey Shalom; and how many kids will be enrolled in Religious School. We will have a Rabbi, Cantor and Religious School. We expect services to continue on Zoom for awhile. If possible Religious School will be in person. We are working on a new dues structure which will reflect current realities, and are searching for a location to rent (many options are available in Springfield). Sisterhood, Brotherhood and Renaissance will start up as soon as possible. We are anticipating adding texting as another way to communicate with our members.

Longtime member Vivienne Cohen can’t wait to send out acknowledgments for donations to our Designated Funds in honor of a birthday, an anniversary or other special occasions, or in memory of someone. Sandy has ordered more trees. It is still possible to order scrip (gift cards).

WE have been given an opportunity to look at new ways to do things, If you are interested in helping us create the new TSS or even just to remain a member, please send an email to ediebee@netzero.net, a text to 908-603-9908 or a note to the Temple scroll@shaarey.org .

I hope you are as excited as I am that we have a positive future for our Temple family.

Wishing you all good health. Looking forward to seeing you on Zoom.

Shalom,
Edythe Ben-Israel President