Hi everyone,

Thank you everyone for supporting me over the last two years as President.

It has been a privilege and at times a challenge to keep up to speed with all the comings and goings in the community and to know when to ‘step in and when to stay out’, when to take charge and when to delegate. We have a wonderful team of leaders who year after year dedicate their lives to our community.

The Board has been a wonderful source of support and assistance to us all. Every month they put their heads and hearts on the table whilst holding the community and members with respect and understanding of our varying needs.

The Ritual committee led by Harvey and more recently Naomi take my respect to another level. They are dedicated, thorough and knowledgeable and take their duty seriously. They understand their obligation of leading the way for us in regards to spiritual prayer and organize all our services with dignity and integrity.

Debbie Miller is our Educator and so much more. Debbie has become a centre person for us whilst we have no Rabbi and has brought life, knowledge, passion and vitality into the community offering programmes, events, sleepovers, education, comfort, guidance and support to so many people. Thank you Debbie for stepping in where you have seen the gap that is there when we don’t have a Rabbi.

I will be stepping aside tonight and Debbie Swiateck will be taking over from me and picking up the reins. As you will all know Debbie, she needs no introduction we know that she is a wonderfully warm and energetic giver and sustainer here at Beth Shalom who aside from having been on the Board for many years as VP and Secretary has organized all the Pesach sales and puts her hand up to help out or organize whenever she can. I know you are going to be a great President Debbie and I’m thrilled to be able to hand over to you.

Alistair has been the VP for the last two years and often has been my confidant and support. He has been my go to person when I haven’t known what direction to take and I could always count on his sound, non judgemental advice. Ali, you are continuing on as VP and also have the huge job of leading the Rabbinic search committee. After I’ve spoken Ali is going to give you an update of where we are at in regards to securing a Rabbi.

Shane is continuing on as our Treasurer which is a huge ask of us of which he has agreed to. Shane is incredibly busy in a busy time of his life and Beth Shalom takes a lot of energy I know. Thank you for continuing to give space for us and for doing what is probably the hardest and most complicated job of all time.

Olga Bernstein, Sam Dyson, Darryl Grauman, Suzanne Nemeroff, and Julie Dick are continuing on the Board providing skills with intelligence and integrity, they are a great crew and we are lucky to have them.

One Board member, Erik Mass left us late last year as he and Leana and the children returned to New York and I’m sure those of you who knew the family will agree they contributed hugely whilst being with us.

Two longstanding Board members are leaving the team tonight. Judith Hunt bravely came back onto the Board last year after having spent many years as Board member and as President. Thank you for your knowledge and passion that you brought to the table Judith and you will continue to hold the Property portfolio.

Neil Rothbart has been on the Board for many years, he held the Treasurers position and in recent years has been the accounts person assisting the Treasurers role. Neil has worked tirelessly for our community and we are very thankful to him for all that he has done for us. It has been a huge job and I know at times very challenging and I’m sure you will enjoy now being one of us but not the one that everyone is contacting every five minutes for something.

Christine O’Brien has continued to work in our community in a loving, practical and committed manner. Christine and I grew up not far from each other and both of us are rural community girls and we understand each other’s background. It has been a pleasure working with her and we are very lucky to have someone as dedicated to us as she is.

My thank you’s could take too long so I want to quickly acknowledge our lay readers, Bnei Mitzvah teachers (Chris, oh my god, what would we do without you) Terry (wonderful), our shamashim, community care folk, B&B, Conversion committee (amazing Olga) Tali Mozenshon for the Silver Club, Hebrew school teachers, foodie team, garden team…anyone else?

This time last year we took a vote at the AGM as to whether or not we would go ahead with the renovations and as we all know the answer was almost unanimously to go ahead.

It was a stressful time as on one hand we had the wish and want from the community and we also needed to find the money through fundraising rather than taking from the accounts. The day after the AGM I signed the contract with Rob Tulp the project manager and as I signed our life away I was praying that we would get the money and all would be well.

And it was! We have a wonderful facility that I love coming into and it’s looking as fresh and clean as the day it was opened.

A huge success for all of us and one that we will enjoy and look after for many years to come.