Are We More Than Facebook Friends?

by President David Weisberg

Temple Emanuel is like an iPhone. When it’s plugged in, it glows. The iPhone is charging — the green light is on, it’s connected. It can be a beacon in a dark night. However, the phone itself isn’t anything but a chunk of plastic and battery power. It is a vessel for us to find those connections. It’s what you can do with the iPhone that makes it so omnipotent and allows us to make all the connections we want to make.

i-phone

We all use our iPhones for everything from the old-fashioned phone conversations to other features like texting, Facebook, or other social media. It’s not the iPhone itself but rather the features and the content that makes it so enticing. Those apps are what make the iPhone an addictive appendage. It is a way for us to remain more engaged.

The best aspects of Facebook and other social media are that they give us an opportunity to connect and share. We all look for ways to make connections, develop relationships and ultimately make our lives more meaningful. How do we do that? We share pictures, videos, and stories. Why are we drawn to this? Why is this so enticing? We all love to know what’s going on. We all love to hear the latest and greatest. We are curious and we want to make connections.

So if Temple is the iPhone, we the members are the features, content, and apps. Just as Facebook gives us an opportunity to connect with people who we know or may have crossed paths with throughout our lives, we too as congregants can make connections. We can “like” or “share.”

My goal is to find more connections for each of us. The spark. The electric charge. The green light. How can we as congregants get connected? Get charged? What can Temple do to help make your light glow? The members of Temple can become more connected with each other as well as the greater South Hills and Pittsburgh community. Stay tuned as we will be having more opportunities to share and connect. Remember, we’re all Friends.

New board members

Temple Emanuel’s new Executive Committee and Board of Trustees met earlier this month at the home of President David Weisberg. It has become a tradition for the incoming board to hold their first meeting at the president’s home. This casual setting allows the board to get to know one another without the weight of a typical meeting. It’s also a wonderful opportunity for the president to speak of his/her focus for the next two years.

David spoke on the theme of connection. Specifically, the board’s connection to you; the board’s connection to the temple itself, our connection to each of the committees we’re tasked to oversee and chair, our connection to the South Hills Jewish community and beyond, and our connection to the world beyond the communities we call home.

All of us have a special connection to Temple and a special place for both it and our Jewish identity. For some it’s the adult education classes we attend or Torah Study each Sunday. For others it’s the community felt at different picnics and Shabbat dinners. Still others feel it in the children’s Torah Center classrooms each Wednesday and Sunday. Or your connection may be a family friend you’ve had since the founding of Temple (what a unique gift we have that founding members are still young enough to call Temple home!).

There was excitement in the room as we discussed all the connections the board felt and the new ones we want to build. We are all excited about our roles and are looking forward to help plan for the future of Temple. You, though, are the most important link in the chain of connection. Every board member and Temple employee wants to hear from you and learn your opinion. Reach out to use with suggestions for programs or events or worship service ideas. Each board member chairs a committee and volunteers are always welcome. Whatever your interest, there is a committee on which you can serve. You can leave us a note in the mailboxes located in Temple’s offices or you can find us at any of Temple’s various services or events. We’re anxious to hear from you and make this a Temple where everyone’s connection is felt and lasts for generations to come.