Lately when I make a telephone call I often find myself connected to a machine, rather than a human being. I can check the balance on my credit card or mutual fund, reconfirm an airline flight, temporarily cancel my newspaper, and many other tasks, all without needing to speak to an actual person. The automated system works well, without error, and avoids the need to "stay on the line to wait for the next available operator."

Machines have improved the ease of connecting to one another. When I'm not available, or if I'm talking to someone else, a caller is greeted by my friendly voice. Usually, within a short time period, I have received the message and already returned the call. Isn't modern technology wonderful? Aren't machines making our lives more manageable?

Well, yes . . . and no. There are far too many times when I miss talking to a live human being, even if it means waiting a few extra minutes to accomplish this goal. I called a business recently to speak to a customer service representative. I listened to the menu-- "press 1 for billing, press 2 for repairs, etc." I listened, I pressed buttons, but at no time did I get to speak to a person. I called back and tried again. One of the choices was, "press 3 if you are considering canceling your account." Aha--by pushing that button I got some personal attention. But the truth was, I just had a simple question, and there was nobody willing to listen.

I have had similarly frustrating "automated" conversations with doctors' offices, schools, banks, and even a synagogue. I called to speak to a rabbinic colleague. I was greeted with a voice answering system, directing me to enter the extension I was seeking. Not knowing the rabbi's 3-digit number, I dialed the * key to access the directory. I was then prompted to spell out the rabbi's name followed by the # key. After doing so I was informed that "no such person is employed at this office." I finally did connect with my rabbi friend (I sent him an e-mail asking him to call me), and despite the message of his own phone system, he is still employed by the congregation.

I am proud to say that at our shul it is still the norm to have the telephone answered by real people. Like other congregations, we have our strengths and our limitations. I believe that one of the best features of B'nai Moshe is the accessibility of the staff to the needs of the members. Sometimes when you call, you will immediately be connected to the person you are seeking. But even if the connection is not immediate, it won't be long until you are successful. Whether you are calling for the Cantor, the Executive Director, the L.I.F.E. principal, the Family Educator, the bookkeeper, or other valued members of the staff, you will be treated with respect and courtesy, and your call will be handled with care.

I hope that you appreciate how much we strive to serve our members. And now I ask for something from you, in return. I ask that each of you treat the staff member who answers the phone with respect and courtesy. Occasionally we make errors--all human beings do. Information is improperly stated, messages are not delivered, telephones are mistakenly disconnected. But almost all the time, the individuals who work in our synagogue office work hard, very hard, to make your membership more worthwhile, more pleasant, more meaningful.