President’s Message

Four years have passed very quickly! It was just over four years ago, in February 2021, that Steve Shapiro called to ask me if I’d consider becoming first vice-president of Rodef Sholom, with the understanding that I’d then become president in June 2022 for what would be a two-year term (which turned out to be three, but that’s another story!).

That year as first vice-president was not difficult as I learned how Rodef Sholom functions on a daily basis, working with then-president Allen Fraley on guiding the congregation back to in-person services and programs, and then working with our administrator, Radie Maye, on preparing the 2022-2023 budget, which is one of the primary responsibilities of the first vice-president. I even took advantage of an online course in financial management given by one of my museum professional organizations to learn the basics of what I’d need to know about non-profits and their financial operation. But though making sure that Rodef Sholom Temple operates on a sound financial footing is important, what that firm foundation does is give us the resources to do the things we want to do for our members and for the wider community.

Over the past 3 years we’ve marked many milestones – below are just a handful!

• Our return to in-person services and religious school.
• A successful search for a new rabbi, following Rabbi Dror’s retirement in July 2023.
• The welcome return of Tess Goldblatt as our Jane Fairman Director of Congregational Education.
• The congregational recognition of 20 years of dedicated service to Rodef Sholom by Richard and Evelyn Mason and Donald Goddard.
• The completion of critical security upgrades thanks to our receiving funds from FEMA’s Non-Profit Security Grant program.
• The reinvigoration of our Men’s Club, including its first hockey night with the Norfolk Admirals.
• The ongoing success of Sisterhood’s many contributions to the congregation, including its Mishloach Manot project for Purim.
• The continued growth of our religious school, with a new curriculum that incorporates online learning and supports our innovative teachers.
• Educational and creative programming combined with thoughtful speakers through the dedication of our Program Committee and Rabbi Eligberg’s imaginative ideas.
• And the reinvigoration of several committees, including our Education, Social Action, and Membership Committees.

It has been an honor to be president of Rodef Sholom Temple over these past three years. Yes, it has been very challenging at times, balancing personal responsibilities with communal ones. We’ve mourned the passing of long-time congregants and said “goodbye” to friends and family who have moved to other communities. But we’ve also celebrated the B’nai Mitzvah and Confirmation of our students, welcomed new members – now friends – into our Rodef Sholom family, and benefited from the fresh ideas and renewed energy that new beginnings bring.

I thank everyone who is part of Rodef Sholom, in whatever way, for their support and encouragement over these past four-plus years. It has meant a great deal to me, especially when the going was tough. Many thanks to those who served – and will continue to serve – as officers of the congregation and on the Board of Directors. I could not have done this without your ideas and reassurance that it was all going to be OK. Special thanks to Rabbi Dror and Rabbi Eligberg for their guidance and wise counsel as I’ve navigated some of the more challenging aspects of being president. Radie, Robin, Richard, Evelyn, and Donald have always been there: Ready to help ease the way, solve a problem, answer a question, make a phone call, or just make me smile. I am very grateful to them all, because without them, our congregation would not be as vibrant and welcoming; they are often the first people whom our guests and potential members meet, and that makes a real difference.

Finally, there aren’t enough words to thank my family, especially Tsvi, for their unwavering support since that fateful day when Steve called me. Tsvi was there to make early dinners so I could go to meetings; helped with challenges when our home technology went bonkers; answered phone calls when I wasn’t home; and came up with solutions for problems at Rodef Sholom that needed someone with a different point of view to solve! All of our children and grandchildren – Moshe and Ari; Michael, Sarah J., Isaac, and Lucy; and Sarah –encouraged me and offered reassurance when I needed it.

It has truly been an honor to be president of Rodef Sholom Temple, and I thank you.

Martha B. Katz-Hyman

President