I offer these thoughts as we approach Chanukah, a holiday that is associated with the sanctity of every synagogue. The Sefer Hamanhig (Hilchot Chanukah 531) suggests that lighting a Menorah in shul is based on every shul being a facsimile of the original Beit Hamikdash. Thus, the public lighting is a reenactment of the original miracle. I take this opportunity to reflect a bit on our Mikdash, with both an upbeat report and a suggestion for further development.

Keter Torah is currently experiencing healthy growth, both in new membership and, most significantly, in the expansion of Torah learning opportunities. The holiness of our edifice is elevated by the participation of the Tzibbur. In the past, aside from one weekly shiur and the successful Mommy & Me program, the shul remained mostly quiet during the day, from the end of Shacharit until the evening. With the introduction of the already thriving Torah in the AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and more participation at the Tuesday and Wednesday Halacha shiurim, we are beginning to create a more balanced Torah epicenter. Rabbi Menachem Meier has been an excellent partner in helping to mold and execute the Torah in the AM program, and a number of Keter Torah members have been instrumental in leading the Navi Chabura. We are now offering family programming on Motzei Shabbat. After just two weeks, Rabbi Leibtag's Motzei Shabbat learning program, which has drawn children ages 6 to 12, has doubled in size, and we are already considering using a bigger room. This learning begins one hour after the end of Shabbat and is appropriate for all ages. In addition, Noah Baron continues the successful Tuesday night Pizza & Parsha program for children in grades 2-5. These are just a few examples of our attempt to broaden Torah opportunities at otherwise “off times” at the Shul. Of course, the new programs bring more administrative work for our staff. I thank Howard and Sabrina for their active support with these endeavors, and Wilfredo and Oscar for always getting the rooms ready.

Individuals and organizations must always strive for improvement and engage in self-analysis. Avot Drav Natan (29) warns of the dangers of too much flattery. While we should take pride in our accomplishments, we need honest analysis to improve upon our weaknesses. While our Shul is typically “davening friendly,” we seem in recent years, to have lost some focus on Shabbatot when a Simcha is taking place. Incomprehensibly, it is often the guests of the Baalei Simcha or friends of the Bar Mitzva boy who contribute most to the somewhat chaotic atmosphere. I believe that it is at least partly the responsibility of the Baalei Simcha to help monitor these situations. The larger Tzibbur should also recognize that, while a Bar Mitzva may be a regular event at shul, this moment is important to the celebrants. In fact, we should never take joyous events for granted.

Best wishes for a meaningful Chanukah, with renewed dedication to family and community life.

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