George’s introductory remarks at the Feb. 14 Shabbat morning service:
We are gathered here today to celebrate Shabbat, to kick off nine months of events celebrating our 25th anniversary as a congregation, to honor the individuals and the families who were and are the founders of Congregation Sha’are Shalom. As President of Congregation Sha’are Shalom, and on behalf of the entire congregation, I want to extend a very warm welcome to the founders, their families, and friends who have joined us here today. And as the current representative of the benefactors of your efforts, I want to offer a really big thank you to each of you for taking that first step.
We honor you, not just for your accomplishments in creating our congregation, but for the traits you must have held dear that drove you to do what you did. It had to all begin with your burning love for Judaism and the Jewish community; a realization that true Judaism requires community. What chutzpah you must have possessed to begin the process of building a community where there was none. You were daring in those early days, but also you were very careful in laying the foundation that could be built upon for generations to come.
And build they did. Today, we have our own building where over fifty families call home. Just a little over five short years in this building and our religious school is rapidly outgrowing its space. If you wonder about the future of Sha’are Shalom, you only have to come to the Sunday morning prayer service led by the children and their parents. The confidence, poise, and enthusiasm in each of our 28 students tells me that your congregation will be in good hands for many years to come.
While it all began with one man going through the phone book, it took the special skills, unique contributions, dedication, love and perseverance of each and every one of you to make it happen. We all here today are especially grateful to you for the Jewish community you have created. May Hashem bless you for the wondrous deeds you have accomplished and may you find satisfaction in a job well done. Thank you!