Artist's rendering of Cherry Tree Groves at Mill River ParkOn the heels of Earth Day and with spring finally springing up around us, we focus our thoughts on our precious and beautiful natural surroundings. Next week, Phase 1 of Mill River Park will be dedicated and opened to the public, and a 12 acre parkland oasis will suddenly bring new life to Stamford's urban core. We will anticipate that opening this Friday night, hearing from TBE's own Arthur Selkowitz, the Mill River Collaborative's chairman, who has been spearheading this project.
During our 7:30 service, Arty will give us a sneak preview of the park and what it means for our community. Sustainability has long been a prime focus of TBE's mission, as evidenced by the new plantings in our Finkelstein Mitzvah Garden. And we are brimming with anticipation at the imminent installation of 846 solar panels on our newly renovated roof, which will soon supply 70% of TBE's energy needs (stay tuned for more about that).
Israel is another prime focus of our mission, and on Friday night we'll be welcoming three IDF soldiers, here as part of the JCC's annual Tzahal Shalom program. The soldiers are being hosted by Beth El members Nancy and Brad Benjamin, Stacey and Eliot Essenfeld and Joy and Barry Schwartz.
We also celebrate this Shabbat the bar mitzvah of Zachary Feinstein, and the ufruf of Liron Sissman and Steve Labkoff, who will be sponsoring Friday night's oneg.
Much to celebrate, with spring finally in the air!
Finally, two beloved people will be remembered this weekend. We'll be hosting a memorial service on Friday at noon for Larry Bloch, principal for a generation of our Hebrew School students. And this Sunday at 12:30, the tennis court at Westhill High School will be dedicated in memory of Stephanie Becker, immediately preceding the "Out of Darkness" community walk to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Rabbi Joshua Hammerman
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