by George Gazarek
Summertime, and the living is easy
Fish are biting, and the cotton’s so high
Your Daddy’s rich and your Ma is good looking
So hush, little baby, don’t you cry
Summertime
— Jane Morgan, 1958
Hot Shabbat, end of school party, graduation, vacation plans, and off we go. Here at Sha’are Shalom, we won’t see many of you again until the start of school and the High Holidays. While you’re gone, we’ll be doing the biannual stripping and waxing of the floors, minor paint touchup, and weeding and mulching of the garden areas.
Your newly elected President will be making plans for the coming two-year term, appointing Committee Chairs, and getting up to speed on what our current issues are. Now is the best time for your suggestions to have the biggest impact. Find time in your busy summer schedule to connect with our new leadership team and offer them your ideas and your support.
As you travel to far-off distant places, remember to take your Judaism with you. At any meal, but especially on Shabbat, you can do a kiddish and a motzi to sanctify the moment. There are many interesting synagogues around the country and around the world. Make it a goal to visit one or more. If you haven’t been to Israel, I can highly recommend it as a great vacation spot. The kids will remember it forever.
Most important of all, come back home safe and rested. We will miss you at Sha’are Shalom and will be waiting to welcome you back with open arms. Enjoy the summer and bon voyage!