Usually when I speak of remaining vigilant, most of you rightly assume it’s about security matters. In this case, however, when I speak of security, I’m referring to the financial type.
If you’ve been following the news, you know about the takeover by FDIC regulators of Silicon Valley Bank, which has triggered a great deal of uncertainty among both business and consumers about many banks’ financial health and stability. The FDIC insures deposits of up to $250,000, but anything above that amount is vulnerable to loss. Our congregation is not immune, especially given CBS’s relationship with First Republic Bank, one of the firms subjected to increasing scrutiny.
While there is no cause for alarm here – as I write this our bank remains solvent and functioning – in an abundance of caution, knowing we have deposits above the $250,000 threshold, the Executive Committee decided to seek a second bank. Our treasurer Fred Goldman led our research efforts, examining three major institutions with presence on the west coast, leading to the selection of JP Morgan Chase as our second bank. Funds were transferred this past Monday; all of our holdings are again safely insured.
Shifting subjects for a moment …
I realize it has been more than six months since we fielded our member survey, and thought it is time for an update on our progress.
To recap, the survey results had a majority of respondents requesting:
An occasional, reasonably priced, catered Shabbat dinner after Friday evening services;
An occasional Saturday Shabbat experience; and,
Quarterly family pizza dinners, before Friday evening Shabbat services.
We’ve responded to the survey in several ways:
We’ve held three Shabbat meals, not to speak of hosting a Yom Kippur break fast in addition to several more-elaborate-than-usual post-service Oneg’s.
In the spirit of addressing the Saturday Shabbat experience request, we’ve introduced adult trope classes, led by our Education Director Leah Savage. Admittedly these are not on Saturday mornings – classes actually are on Wednesday evenings – but so far Leah has guided six people through an initial ten sessions, with three people now participating in a second round of classes. For those who participate, the end goal is to be able to chant Torah as part of a Saturday morning Torah service.
We hosted our first pizza dinner on January 27, in honor of Leah’s engagement – congrats Leah! -- with some 50 people in attendance. We’re now planning our next event, using the proceeds from our recent, very successful Purim Café.
If you took time to answer the survey questions, you again have my gratitude for participating.
Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not mention it has been three very long years since we last gathered in-person for a second-night Seder dinner and celebration. I am pleased to announce we are about to convene again on April 6, with tickets costing exactly the way they were priced three years ago: $65 for adults, $35 for those aged 13-18, with children 12 and under at no charge. Details are on our CBS website (click here now), or by contacting our Director Lauren Snyder.
Stepping back from everything that is occurring in our congregation, our recent activities are a testament to a vibrant and engaged community, something for which I am most grateful!
Until next time,
B’ Shalom, Roberta Solomon
Congregation Beth Shalom Napa Valley 1455 Elm Street Napa, CA 94559
