Al had’vash v’al haoketz, al hamar v’hamatok (the honey and the sting, the bitter and the sweet). So begins Al Kol Eileh, my favorite song of Israeli songwriter Naomi Shemar (z”l). We all understand from our own life experiences the need to navigate these opposing forces on a regular basis. At Temple Sinai we will contend with these forces as a community as we bid farewell to Rabbi Debbi Till on June 30th and welcome Rabbi Or Zohar on July 1st.

We welcomed Rabbi Till into our congregation in 2015, and have been blessed by her grace and wisdom ever since. She has gifted us with engaging sermons, thoughtful teaching, heartfelt pastoral care, loving eulogies for our departed friends and a friendly, cheerful smile for all who approach her. We will surely miss her, but wish her all good things in the future across the northern border, and hope that she will come back to visit.

On the sweet side of things, we are excited and delighted to welcome Rabbi Or Zohar and his family to Temple Sinai. Hopefully, you have read about him in previous bulletins and perhaps had an opportunity for a brief conversation with Rabbi Zohar when he visited this past December. Please take the opportunity to welcome Rabbi Zohar at his first service with us on July 5th at 6PM, and enjoy a special oneg afterwards. We are planning many opportunities to meet the Zohars so please be sure to pay attention to the weekly Snippets online, or visit tsinai.org/rabbizohar.

Not quite so dramatic is the changing of the guard in Temple leadership. Jamie Spiller has held the presidential gavel for the past three years - the first two alongside his Co-President Renee Brownstein. Remarkably he has kept this ship afloat all while juggling his career as a Professor of History at SUNY Brockport and many out of town family obligations, in addition to a few strenuous rock climbing and hiking expeditions. His gentle demeanor, sensitive soul, keen intelligence and exquisite use of the English language are attributes to admire and emulate. He approaches all challenges and “situations” with thoughtful care, and takes the time to listen before responding. There is much to learn from this mensch - inside and outside the classroom. I am certain that you all join me in extending profound gratitude and thanks to Jamie. I appreciate that he will be by my side as Immediate Past President as I follow in his rather large footsteps.

As for me, after serving as your Cantorial Soloist for twenty years, this new position offers many new challenges and a different perspective of life at Temple Sinai. Just when I thought I knew it all! I am honored to be trusted with this responsibility and pledge to put my heart and soul into making sound, ethical decisions. I am blessed with a dedicated and talented group of Vice Presidents and Board members, and I will rely on their thoughts and opinions to make good judgments on your behalf.

No doubt this next year will bring “the bitter and the sweet,” but may we experience them together as a cohesive and loving community.