Temple Brith Kodesh has been at the center of Rochester's Jewish Community for over 160 years. During these years we have provided our community with so many different ways of learning and practicing our Judaism. For some of our young people the next natural step in their lifelong embrace of Judaism is to follow the path to becoming a Rabbi. We are very proud of those who have taken their experience at Brith Kodesh and chosen to serve God and the Jewish people.

On November 11, it was my great privilege to be invited to install one of our TBK graduates who went on after college to complete her studies at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish institute of Religion and be ordained a Rabbi. Rabbi Dena Shaffer, who grew up here at TBK, was installed as Assistant Rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel in West Hartford, Connecticut.

As a congregation we extend our best wishes to her and her parents, Amy and Alan, and grandmother Phyllis Lippman, on this great accomplishment. Rabbi Shaffer - like all of the rabbis who began at TBK - brings great energy and devotion to their sacred work.

At Shabbat service on Friday January 6, Dr. Kevin McGowan, Superintendent of Brighton Central Schools, will speak with us about his trip to Israel with the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester. Please join us.

Later in January we continue to give thanks for all that TBK has accomplished and continues to achieve, as we join with our Women of Reform Judaism/B'rith Kodesh Sisterhood as they mark their 120th Anniversary. Help us celebrate 120 years of great dedication and service to our congregation and the community at Shabbat service on Friday January 27 at 6:00 pm.

And celebration of our core values continues as we welcome our friends from Mount Olivet Baptist Church and Rev. Ricky Harvey back to TBK for our annual weekend - Friday January 13 at 7:00 pm at TBK and Sunday January 15 at 10:45 am at Mt. Olivet. We hope you will join us for friendship and learning.

I am pleased to announce that Dr. Marci Chodroff and Mr. David Sandler have agreed to chair our 2012 Mitzvah Day on Sunday May 6. Details will follow, but please mark your calendars now and plan to volunteer.

Let us give thanks for all we do and all we are called to do. See you in Temple,
Rabbi Laurence A. Kotok