Rabbi Cosnowsky's Writings

Well, now the secret is out – in order to play my role of “Purim Galore aka Ms. Poppyseed” I had to drop 20 pounds. To do this, I turned to the teachings of Hollywood, and got myself a personal trainer, ate a sensible diet and turned to my love of running. (I love to run, however, as I age, it is more like a jog). Inspired by this love of running, and the wonderful health benefit it provides, we have assembled a wonderful committee of congregants who are graciously providing their time and energy to plan and implement a new program for the congregation. This program will provide an opportunity for our community to become healthier, more active and engaged in a way that we have not had at our congregation in the past. That is, our congregation is going to host a 5k race and/or a half mile family walk on September 8, 2013 (the Sunday between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur). This race will be known as “The High Holiday Hustle” which will benefit the Robert Scott Samuels Memorial Scholarship Fund. In order to put together this endeavor, we need your help!

“What can we do to help, Rabbi Poppyseed?” You ask. We need you to sign up to run the 5k or the family  half mile walk. If you cannot, or don’t want to do either – we will also need volunteers who will come to the race that morning and help set up the tents, the tables, the water stations. We will need people who could come to the synagogue prior to the event and put together the ‘goody’ bags for the runners. (Runners love these bags with goodies – everything from tee shirts to towels, water bottles, coupons, chatchkies, you name it!) We will also need people who can help sponsor the event, in return for exposure for your business or your family. We need your help in spreading the word about this exciting opportunity. In a few weeks, we will go live on the website, and we need your help in getting friends and neighbors to sign up.

And finally, in an effort to pursue this new fitness craze that I am on, we would love to see our congregants join me in training for this endeavor. Watch the EBulletin this spring and summer for the schedule and then come and join me. We hope to hear from you if you are interested in helping us implement this wonderful and exciting event.

This week's Torah portion, Yitro, contains a valuable lesson in taking care of oneself.  Yitro sees his son-in-law Moses working too hard, trying to be all things to all people and like a good father-in-law, he offers Moses some advice:   Delegate and take care of yourself.  This is an important lesson for everyone, not just Moses, to learn. Yet, taking time to care for oneself is not always easy.

Luckily, our congregation offers a unique opportunity to have fun as well as to perhaps gain something for ourselves to enjoy!

Indeed, it's that time of year again, when the Congregation will once again be transformed into a place of gaiety, laughter, entertainment and fun. Yes, it's Gala time, as Congregation Etz Chaim launches its second annual "Puttin' on the Ritz" fundraiser. This gathering is our main fundraising opportunity for the year. But what makes this fundraiser so special is that the organizers of it have really been able to put the "fun" back in fundraising!

This year, we will have another live band, drinks and appetizers, dancing and gambling as well as really wonderful prizes to be had through raffles as well as live and silent auctions. This year's prizes include such things as:  A week in Maui, a week in Union Pier Michigan and a mini iPad.

All proceeds benefit the congregation. This is a unique opportunity to support the congregation as well as treat yourself to something special.  This is a wonderful evening to come and join old friends and perhaps to even meet new people.

The organizers have thought of every aspect of this event:  They even have compiled a list of available teenage babysitters who could watch your children while you have an evening out. Please contact Kathie Bender in order to receive a list of kids who are available.

Please invite your friends, both Jewish and non-Jewish, to our fundraiser. For a nominal $25 a ticket, you and your friends can eat delicious food, dance the night away to a live band and possibly win a host of prizes. All of this will ultimately strengthen the ties of the congregation, as well as provide a necessary financial benefit. As Yitro, Moses' father-in-law, said in essence to Moses, God wants us to enjoy life. We should work hard, but not to our detriment. And after we cease from our labors, we rest on Shabbat and renew and come back to our lives with a new purpose. Therefore, our gala is a great opportunity to show support for our congregation and also to partake in some of the joys of belonging to a congregation. I hope to see you this Saturday evening!