I cannot believe that we are almost at the end of the year. The days are much shorter, and there seems to be so much more to do before we say goodbye to 2008. I know that you all have calendars filled with activities you plan on attending this month, but I wish to highlight two that are annual events on our Temple calendar. Both the OPTY Spaghetti Dinner & Desert Auction and the Used Book Sale benefit our congregational coffers and build the sense of community & camaraderie that we all need this time of year.

On Sunday, December 7, our teenage members join together to cook and decorate the Community Hall to ensure that everyone has a terrific time and a great meal. They work for months preparing for this event, which has a safari theme this year. (I should know my son Jeff is co-chair, along with Eli Green!) In addition to the fantastic dinner prepared by OPTY members and volunteer Top Chef Jay Arbetman, the dessert auction is always a blast. Where else can you find a pound cake worth its weight in gold? Since the kids do all the work, and I think we can count on Jay as one of them, all the proceeds benefit our Youth Group as is only appropriate.

On the following Sunday, December 14 our Community Hall is covered in books. This is the perfect time to get rid of your unwanted tomes and replace them with gently used ones that have already been read by other temple members. You might even find some that are appropriate for Hannukah gifts. And, while on the topic of Hannukah gifts, concurrent with the book sale is the Maccabbee Market brought to you by our hard working Sisterhood members. Here you have it, one stop shopping while your children are in religious school! Proceeds from the Used Book Sale go towards the purchase of the new Torah Commentaries now in our sanctuary.

So circle these two dates in red, invite your friends and join in the fun!

I look forward to seeing you all this month!

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