MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

I write this article with both joy and sadness. This is my last article as President of the Dix Hills Jewish
Center. I won’t lie to you - writing an article every month is a chore, but having the opportunity to
communicate with you has been a pleasure. As I took on the role of President, I stressed the
importance of community. Your involvement in our synagogue is of utmost importance. Lifelong
friendships are formed at DHJC and our synagogue continues to be a vibrant exciting house of worship.
So I ask myself, what have I accomplished in the past two years? Being a “gym rat” and encouraging all to join me in my love of exercise and sport, I created a
new fun initiative and activity at the DHJC– the Chaiathlon. Also called “Ride with the Rabbi”, on September 18, 2011 our first annual Chaiathlon was held.
The weather was perfect and the participants chose either to bike ride, 5, 10 or 25 miles, or run or walk 5k. There were activities for the children of all ages and
our youth group had their kick off for the year that day. It was not only a fun day, but a healthy one. I have been asked when the next Chaiathlon is being held.
The fundraising committee is in the process of choosing a date. Look for more information in the next several weeks.
The design of a new website has been one of the top priorities on my list of to do items. It is amazing how long every project takes to complete, but I can tell you
with certainty that we are coming close to being online, live with a new beautifully designed interactive website. We are currently gathering pictures and videos to place on this new improved site. Shortly, you will be able to access synagogue events, religious school calendars, committee meetings, the newsletter, billing
information and so much more from your computer. I am hopeful that our launch will be happening in the next several months.
When I became President, the Julian Sandler Minyan Chapel was being planned. Now it is a magnificent addition to our building. I would like to thank Nina and
the Sandler family for their extremely generous donation to make this dream a reality and you, our congregants for being generous in your pledges and donations to help complete the project. The Minyan Room is spectacular. It is a fitting tribute to Julian Sandler’s memory, “zecher tzaddikim levrachah”. Julian was such a vibrant part of our congregation and an integral part of the history of the Dix Hills
Jewish Center. He was a special person. Sitting on the Board with Julian for many years taught me the importance of looking at all sides of an issue before making a decision. He was truly an inspiration. If you have not had the opportunity to enter the minyan room, please take a minute and share in the grandeur of this room. If you have not had the chance to make a donation to help with the cost of the room there are still many items available for dedication.
During my Presidency, our nursery school received two grants from the Jewish Education Project. The grants afforded our teachers special professional
development and training. A component of the grant allowed the lay leadership of the DHJC to meet with professional staff to identify ways to “engage” young
families in our congregation. This committee has brought about special Friday night services for our nursery school families, lectures for the parents, and means
to facilitate parents getting to know each other. Those with nursery school children can attest to the friendships they have made through our activities and hopefully, they will continue to be a vibrant part of our DHJC family. Our newest committee is “Hazak”. Its goal is to create programming in
the synagogue for those 55 years and older. In the past two years, Hazak has sponsored a wide variety of activities including wine tastings, trips to Philadelphia
and sporting events, concerts, square dancing and lectures on various topics. The committee continues to be active and creative in their programming.
The list of wonderful programs and committee activities is a long and varied one. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Board of Trustees and the
committee chairs for all their hard work in assisting me in this difficult job. A special thank you to Rabbi Buechler, who is always available to hear me “kvetch”. Thank you all for your confidence and support. It has been a privilege to serve the Dix Hills Jewish Center as its 22nd President. My goal was to ensure the vitality of our synagogue while creating a facility in which we all feel at home. I hope I have met that goal and with your continued support our synagogue will continue to flourish and be the exciting vibrant facility we have all come to expect and appreciate.

Brenda Rosenberg