Rabbi Pachter’s Top Ten List

If you’ve ever stayed up late in the past decade, you’ve seen, or at least heard of, David Letterman’s Top Ten List. Every night Dave, or more likely a writer, comes up with a new list, including the Top Ten Rejected Top Ten Lists.

With Shavuot just around the corner, we are aware of our own Top Ten (think “Commandments”). If you were to record your personal Top Ten List, you might include what’s most important in your life including family, health, professional success, and God willing, the synagogue.

This month I offer my list of the Top Ten Features of Congregation B’nai Moshe. Put another way, these are among the qualities that make our synagogue special:

  1. Size: The “Goldilocks” of synagogues -– not too big, not too small, just right.
  1. Leadership: Professionals and volunteers who work hard to serve your needs and make a difference in your lives.
  1. Multiple Generations: On Shabbat and weekdays, enjoy the sight of babies in strollers, senior adults, and many others in between.
  1. Joy/Simcha: A place to celebrate birth, Bar/Bat Mitzvah and weddings. A Shabbat service that includes many a mazal tov for a birthday or anniversary. A bulletin which shares your good news.
  1. Comfort: When you are feeling down, the professionals and members will be with you, providing encouragement and a shoulder to lean on.
  1. Tradition: In this ever changing world, B’nai Moshe provides much needed stability by embracing and perpetuating the historically rich practice of Judaism.
  1. Learning: An ongoing series of classes, for all ages and interests, meeting a variety of scheduling needs. In addition, an environment that encourages you to ask questions and seek knowledge.
  1. Community: Whether you attend a daily minyan or a high holiday service, a class or a committee meeting, you will make a connection with people who know your name.
  1. History: Soon to celebrate our 100th anniversary, B’nai Moshe is a home to multiple generations in the same family. In addition, our newest members become linked with our past and look forward to their future with us.
  1. Just like at the Pesach Seder, and throughout the year, One is God. The rest of the list is of no use without our devotion to, and guidance from, God.
I offer this list to remind you, our precious members, that B’nai Moshe serves many important roles in your life, and has been there for you when you needed it most. Your participation in our ongoing Dor l’Dor Legacy Campaign will help insure a vibrant meaningful synagogue for future generations.

Your continued membership is a great gift to our synagogue and to yourself. Many in our community enjoy our services, our classes, our beautiful building, but only you, our members, make sure that we remain a vital Jewish institution in Metropolitan Detroit.

Spread the word!