From the Rabbi - May 1999

Dear Friends,

The month of May is bittersweet for all of us at Congregation Albert. Its sweetness is heightened by all of the wonderful special events which will be taking place: Celebrating the "B’Nai Mitzvah" of Jewish Family Services on May 1st, Mitzvah Day on May 2nd, Our Annual Meeting on the 16th, and Confirmation and Shavuot services on the 20th and 21st. And yet, in a real sense, all of these events are overshadowed by the special weekend of tribute to Glenda Orchant, which will take place on the 7th to the 9th.

It is difficult to imagine what our congregation will be like without Glenda in charge of our educational program - hence the bitterness. Although she still will be an integral fixture in our congregation in many areas, she will not be a member of our full-time staff. This will be hard for me personally. In the Mishnah, tractate Avot - the Ethics of our Ancestors - we find it written: "Aseh Lecha Rav u’k’neh l’cha chaver." Loosely translated this means: "When you find yourself a teacher, you have acquired a friend." Glenda Orchant has been a teacher, friend and dedicated professional at Congregation Albert for over 18 years.

During that time she has built a superior Religious, Hebrew and Preschool program that is a model of excellence for congregations throughout the country. She has assumed positions of national leadership. She has been and continues to be a role model and mentor to countless educators and is a wondrous source of information and inspiration to all that know and love her.

During the three years that I have been your rabbi I have cherished working with Glenda. She has been my friend and teacher as well as my colleague. Her absolute dedication to Jewish Education – "from cradle to grave" has inspired and challenged all of us who work with and for her to find the absolute best that we can offer to our students. She loves our congregation and has selflessly given of her time, resources and energy in ways that most of you will never know. I hope that our sanctuary and social hall will be filled to overflowing during all of the events of tribute that will take place on May 7th - 9th.

Another way that you can celebrate Glenda and her wonderful role in our community is to make a contribution in her honor to the Glenda Orchant Scholarship Fund. In this way we can assure that our students will continue to receive the absolute best in Jewish Education.

Finally, I also want to take this opportunity to welcome our new director of education, Leah Schaer. We are all very excited to have her as part of our professional staff team. I look forward to seeing you at all of the exciting events in May.

B’Shalom,
Rabbi Joseph R. Black

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