From the President - November 1999

One of the aspects of Congregation Albert that I enjoy most as a congregant is the incredible diversity of our congregants. We are a congregation of all ages and all backgrounds. I have heard of temples in retirement communities and in inner cities that consist mainly of elderly congregants. I have heard of suburban congregations that are Bar Mitzvah mills and the majority of congregants are those with children in the religious school. I know there are congregations for the deaf and congregations for gays and lesbians. In Los Angeles, there are even temples for the stars. Congregation Albert is not any one of these, it is all of these.

One of the aspects of Congregation Albert that I find "most challenging" as President of the Congregation is the incredible diversity of our congregants. We have congregants who care most about instilling a love of Judaism into their young children. Others are seeking spiritual comfort in a Reform congregation, but were raised orthodox and find comfort in rituals performed their whole lives. Many congregants are looking for intellectual stimulation concerning Jewish issues. Not a small number of our congregants seek help integrating Judaism into their interfaith homes. Congregation Albert is asked to meet all these and other needs.

Our clergy and staff do a yeoman's job in addressing the wide diversity in our Congregation. Certainly, clergy and staff at a homogenous congregation have an easier time meeting the needs of its members than staff at a congregation as diverse as ours. More is demanded of the clergy and staff at a diverse congregation, yet we have the same staffing pattern as those homogenous congregations (a full-time rabbi, a full-time cantor, a full-time administrator and a full-time educator).

The point of this month's article is to tell you that your clergy, staff, and lay leaders are working hard to meet the diverse needs of this Congregation. We are continuing the Long-Range Planning Process to fine-tune the priorities expressed at last year's meeting. We are listening to the "complaints" of those who feel our Congregation is not doing enough for their constituency and adjusting some of what we offer as a Congregation. We want all our members to feel welcome and cherished in this Congregation. It is not an easy job given our incredible diversity. Give us your help and give us your ideas.

B'Shalom,
Karen Kahn

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