I am really happy to introduce myself to you as Shaarey Zedek’s Program Coordinator for 2009; I am filling in for Shira Uretsky, who is on maternity leave for a year.

It’s an interesting and fun job – I get to plan events, meet great people and work with excellent staff. But why does a synagogue need a special person to plan programs? Aren’t’ all the programs we need contained in the prayer book? Well, not always.

There’s a few ways into Judaism – through prayer, but also through food, parties, interesting classes, movies and music. The synagogue has to reach people who have restless toddlers, who are hungry for Jewish knowledge, who want to meet and schmooze, or who want to help repair the world.

Shaarey Zedek tries to make programs that satisfy these needs, so that our members can enjoy all aspects of Judaism: ritual, study, gathering together and tikun olam. I feel honoured to be part of this endeavour.

But truthfully, I can’t do this gig alone. We can always improve, and we need your involvement to do so. So please, let me know if there is something you need and are not getting from what we offer, or if there is something you want to do with the synagogue.

I have really enjoyed the programs that I’ve experienced since joining the synagogue in September, including working with the wonderful volunteers and staff of the children’s High Holiday Program. Our joint Sukkah Hop event with the Rady JCC and Etz Chaim Synagogue was a great success. Planning the West Broadway Christmas Lunch with the Tikun Olam Committee was not only fun, it was inspiring. I especially want to thank Danny and Amy Braunstein, who volunteered as the Chairs for our fantastic Chanukah party and dinner, and helped make it a huge success!

And there are so many great programs coming up in 2009! Purim this year is going to be a blast, with our biannual Purim Shpeil, the annual carnival and our fantastic Gala. For Pesach there is the Congregational Second Seder, where you and your family can enjoy the seder with lots of song and community and none of the clean-up. There are some unique events planned as well: Birkat Ha Chammah, a blessing of the sun that happens every 28 years, new Tikun Olam events in the spring, and a Junior Congregation for kids aged 10 and up.