Temple Beth Abraham opts to remain independent

While other area synagogues have chosen to regionalize, Canton’s Temple Beth Abraham has decided to remain independent, preserving its unique character while adopting a forward-looking focus.

As part of that focus, the congregation took the bold steps last month of endorsing a new statement of Mission and Values, while changing the way the membership governs itself. Through a long and thoughtful process, TBA has challenged itself to grow beyond the structures of the past while preparing to meet current and future community needs.

“Our warm, embracing and diverse community will continue to thrive on the dedication of its members to keep our synagogue vibrant into the future,” said President Marci Bernotas.

TBA will continue to offer engaging spiritual, religious, educational and social programs, plus a unique two-day religious school. The new governance structure, replacing the decades-old slate of president, vice presidents, and other officers, now features a more inclusive and representative leadership team to focus on priorities, communications, and day-to-day operations. The board of directors will continue to focus on strategy and major decisions. On May 21, the new leadership team was elected, with Dr. Michael Bakerman accepting the position of president.

The congregation has embraced the following new mission statement:

Temple Beth Abraham is a welcoming and inclusive spiritual home. We strive to inspire personal and spiritual growth and foster meaningful relationships with God, Israel and with all people. As a community, we bear responsibility to better our world, to engage in lifelong learning, and to empower ourselves and our children to live Jewishly.

With a clear mission and vision, new governance structure, strong leadership team, and a committed and engaged congregation, all the parts are in place and TBA is ready to embrace the future and move forward.

“It took us a long time to get here,” said Past President Steven Greenberg. “As a few of the community synagogues in our area have decided to regionalize, TBA initially was involved in the regionalization talks. However, we ultimately rallied around our spiritual community and instead voted to stay separate but make ourselves better.”

“My family has always felt comfortable at Temple Beth Abraham, but over the past year, the energy, vibrancy, and congregational involvement has been truly inspiring — it has been great,” remarked David Jacobson, member of TBA’s Visioning Team. “Families are getting to know each other better, and programming has reached beyond our congregation and welcomes the community to engage in lifelong learning.”

“Whatever the program may be, there is something for everyone,” added Bernotas. “Celebrating Shabbat, holidays, personal, family, and congregational milestones, uncovering the secrets of genealogy, learning from celebrated novelists, discussing the latest novel with our Book Club, laughing together at hosted movie premieres, rolling the dough with our religious school kids as they prepare their own Passover Matzo, exploring our Jewish identity through clergy-led discussions, enjoying a ‘girls’ night out’ at our Red Carpet Extravaganza, socializing with other ‘snowbirds’ at a Welcome Home Snowbird Shabbat, developing a greater understanding of Judaism through Bible Babble and Parsing the Parsha education programs,  TBA welcomes members and non-members to enjoy all that our synagogue has to offer.”

Temple Beth Abraham is led by its renowned Rabbi David Paskin. He is an accomplished spiritual leader, singer/songwriter, entertainer, and award-winning Jewish educator. Through religious, educational, community service, cultural, and social opportunities, TBA’s progressive and welcoming congregation serves the many needs of the current and future Jewish community, drawing members from Canton, Sharon, Stoughton, Milton, Easton, Foxboro, Mansfield, Randolph, and beyond.

For information on Temple Beth Abraham membership, services, religious school and programming, go to www.templebethabraham.org, call 781-828-5250, or email theoffice@templebethabraham.org.

Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=21036

Posted by Guest on Jun 13 2013. Filed under News. Both comments and pings are currently closed.