Highlights 2022

Congregation Beth Sholom 2022 Highlights

• Membership
• Welcomed 7 new members and one returning member
• Tzedakah
• Supported the Leesburg Food Bank with $577 in cash donations, 377 pounds of food, and lots of clothing
• Additional cash donations were made directly to the food bank by members of the congregation
• Major Donations
• A generous annuity was bequeathed to the synagogue by Priscilla Reisinger of blessed memory
• Fred and Helen Jacobs donated upgrades to the Zoom system improving audio and visual
• Shalom artwork from Israel donated by Edith Friewirth
• Backward Clock from Prague donated by Roz Wenrich
• Religious Services, Observances, and Festivities – services were hybrid, in person and on Zoom
• High Holiday Services, including Tashlich
• Two Shabbat services most months including special services for Chanukah, Tu B’Shevat, Purim, Yizkor service on Passover Shabbat, Shavuot, new members, board recognition, and patriotic holidays
• Passover Seder chaired by Burt and Andrea Kraft
• Special Kabbalat Shabbat Service
• The Social Club was started by Ben Solotoroff. Their activities included:
• Game Day in June
• Genealogy Presentation by our member, LTC Herbert Siegel in July
• Annual congregational meeting and monthly board meetings
• Leesburg Police provide security at all of our services
• Fundraising
• ‘Honey from the Heart’ Rosh Hashanah Greetings Program chaired by Diane Weinbaum
• Mah Jongg Cards chaired by Andrea and Burt Kraft
• Book of Remembrance
• Yahrzeit plaques
• Shofar Ads
• Donations – cards in honor or memory, Book Fund, General Fund
• Springtime Appeal
• Community
• Leesburg Food Bank
• We collect donations throughout the year
• We donate a portion of our Mah Jongg Card Fundraiser
• Our members, Barry Wright, Francine Rizzotto, and Gloria Blankenship volunteer there                                                                                                
• Education
• Rabbi’s Roundtable
• 4 week ‘Exploring Judaism’ class taught by Marsha Stemerman
• Onegs and Kiddushes were suspended to limit interaction due to COVID except for two special anniversaries:
• June 10^th when Dave and Ellen Englander sponsored the Oneg in celebration of their 50^th anniversary
• December 24^th when David & Yvette Litwack sponsored the kiddush in celebration of their 68^th anniversary. Herb Siegel and Sandra Byrne added latkes to the treats in celebration of Chanukah.
• Building and Grounds
• Vents were added to closet doors in the sanctuary and social hall to allow for air flow into those areas.
• Fluorescent lights in the sanctuary and kitchen were converted to LED
• Publicity
• The Shofar newsletter
• Talk of the Villages website