Above all, what is most striking in our stay at the Gittelman school is the wonderful attendance every single week. Rain or snow, heat or cold, a large number of our members make their way to the makeshift synagogue every Sabbath and thereby show their allegiance to our Congregation and their optimism in our future. We are deep into a transition period and yet, we are more united than ever, our services are thriving and our enthusiasm infectious. All of you, who have made this transition a success, should reap the fruit of your work and earn the first prize for excellence.

I specifically wanted to point out the success of our move in this month of Adar, because soon we shall celebrate the festival of Purim and there is no better time to reach out to all of our members. On that joyful day, we are enjoined to eat, drink and be merry. We are also instructed to give charity to all and to share our meals with our friends. "Shlach Monos", the age-old custom of giving presents of food to friends and family, unites us as we break bread together and raise our glasses to the bonds that bind us. What has happened these past months in our Congregation is only an early installment of the wonderful customs of Purim.

We have continued to give generously to the many funds of our Congregation, we have shared meals and drinks on numerous occasions, we have laughed and expressed our joy at every opportunity and we have joined hands, giving the gift of our hearts and our friendship to our friends and neighbors. It has been said that the original Purim story with its tale of deliverance, that occurred so many millennia ago, was only the beginning of many smaller Purims. Throughout our history, many communities had their own miracle and henceforth celebrated their own Purim. Clearly, we have not gone through any similar event. We should, however, take the Purim customs and make them our own and in this way become one united and happy Congregation. On that, we have made a good beginning these past months.

In this month, I am also extending an express invitation to all the members who have not been with us on such happy days. Take the opportunity of a Purim or of a quiet Shabbat, of a long weekend or a coming festival to come and join us .You will be able to sample the friendship of other members and to join in the joyous atmosphere that distinguishes our services. In this month of Adar and of the festival of Purim, espouse for yourself the customs of Purim and make them your own the whole year round. The unity that we will fashion in such a way will be the basis of our success in our endeavor to build this great Congregation anew. May the month of Adar bring all of you joy and happiness.