First I want to thank everyone who took part in our Warm Hearts Warm Kids fundraiser last Saturday. It was an eamazing evening. Great food, great wine, great people. If you missed it, make sure you don't miss any future events, like this Friday night, when Tsimmes will be playing at services. The last time they played at a family service it was terrific and I am sure that this time it will be no different, so eat an early dinner and come to OPT at 8:00 to welcome in Shabbat.

I hope you were all as excited as I was on Sunday January 25. Our Community Hall was true to its name, a place for “community”. Close to 400 people packed in, ate bagels and voted unanimously to extend an invitation to Rabbi Max Weiss to be our next rabbi. Who would have thought that so many Jews could agree on anything? At that amazing event, we also voted in our new Board of Directors, and awarded very deserving congregants with honors. Thank you all for attending this meeting. I can expect to see such a great turnout at all future events, right? I would also like to thank each of you who helped on this momentous day. Your contributions did not go unnoticed.

Coming up this month is the Annual Retreat at Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute in Oconomowoc, WI. As of this writing there were still a few rooms left, so you’ll need to hurray and find out if any remain if you are still interested in attending but never got around to signing up. It promises to be a fun filled weekend, and don’t forget that it will probably be the last time you can catch Rabbi Gerson leading services in a sweatshirt and slippers!

Speaking of last times with Rabbi Gerson, please mark your calendars for the two events taking place to honor our beloved Rabbi’s retirement. On Sunday June 14 there will be a formal, fundraiser in Rabbi Gerson’s honor taking place at the International Club at the Drake Hotel in Chicago. Ron and Jan Broida and the Endowment Committee are coordinating this evening. Watch your mailboxes for invitations.

On July 31, Rabbi Gerson will be officiating for the last time at a Friday night service as our senior (only) rabbi. (Of course we expect to see him after that, but by then he will be our “Rabbi Emeritus”.) As with any good Jewish event, this occasion has to be celebrated with food! So, plan on attending services that evening, and join us for dinner before hand. I’ll keep you posted on the details as they develop, so watch this column and the one I keep updated on the Website.

Speaking of the Web. A Facebook group for Oak Park Temple is in the works, so watch your emails for an invitation to join. It should be a fun and easy way to keep up to date with the goings on at Temple.

Hopefully by the next time I write this column it will be warm!

B’shalom,
Lauren Levrant