Letter from the Sisterhood President, Debby Schaumer

“There are those who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who wonder what in the world just happened.”
           
This past year in the sisterhood, we had wonderful people join our team to make things happen.  Some volunteered, some were asked to contribute.  In the end, all who gave to the sisterhood felt like they had made a difference; that they were instrumental in making something special happen.  What is that “something” we are referring to?  We are referring to the supportive programs the sisterhood offers, such as bikur cholim, meals for new moms, hachnasas orchim, the mom and tots playgroup.  We are also including the women’s shiur, Rosh Chodesh events, the Sukkos Tea, Chanuka Boutique, Purim Cards, and Shavuos Flowers for Friends.  As enjoyable and beneficial as these programs are, the women who helped make them happen did more than just contribute to a program, they gave of their time, energy and resources.  They didn’t merely coordinate an event - they made a community.  It is essential for women in particular to feel a sense of belonging, to have a social outlet, to give to others and receive others’ generosity.  Women are givers by nature.  The sisterhood offers opportunities to channel that energy positively.
           
We have just started the new year.  We have a clean slate.  When we look through our empty calendars, we imagine how the days, weeks, and months will be spent.  Are we going to fill up those little boxes with mundane tasks? I hope when we look back at this year we will see our calendars full of visits or phone calls we made to someone not well, meals we made for a new mom, shiurim we attended during the day or at night.  I hope we’ll remember the fun we had Rosh Chodesh events, the time we spent enjoying one another’s company.  Ultimately I hope we feel proud of the way we’ve spent our time this year, enhancing our shul, our community, our family. 
           
So as you flip through your brand new calendar, while it is still clean, ask yourself what kind of person you would like to be this year?  I look forward to working with all of you to make things happen.
           
Your sisterhood president,
                        Debby Schaumer.