As we enter another Minnesota winter, we know where you’ll always find a feeling of warmth: inside B’nai Emet. Our building is buzzing with an amazing array of activities and events.

We’d like to highlight a few recent happenings, and look forward to what’s ahead for 2009.

On Nov. 21, more than 140 people celebrated Tiki Kelner’s many years of service to our shul. For once, Tiki got to sit and enjoy as other people did the cooking. Her family and friends, and her extended B’nai Emet family, gave her a well-deserved “thank you” for all that she has done. As was said that night, this was not a retirement party; all of us are looking forward to enjoying her delicious catering skills for many years to come.

Sarah Aronson was our scholar-in-residence on Nov. 21- 23. Her inspiring words and her wonderful session with our teens made us think about some tough issues, and helped our children and grandchildren consider the important choices they make every day.

The annual Men’s Club Latke Dinner on Dec. 24 was another recent success. A big crowd, great food and tray after tray of delicious latkes made for a wonderful evening. Thanks to the dedicated Men’s Club volunteers who spent so many Sunday mornings frying latkes to get ready.

By the time you read this, the new carpeting and seating enhancements to our beautiful Fingerhut Sanctuary should be complete. Yashir koach to everyone on our Furnishing and Fine Arts Committee who helped choose the beautiful new carpet, and thanks to the Gemillut Chesed Committee for helping design new bench seating and wheelchair spaces so that everyone will be welcome and comfortable at services.

Get your tickets early for one of the highlights of our USY’s year. This year’s play will be "Little Shop of Horrors", with performances on Feb. 5, 7 and 8. Besides being an important fundraiser, the play lets all of us kvell at the acting and singing talent of our kids. Watch them shine!

Our beautiful Fingerhut Sanctuary will be hosting more and more simchas in the coming months, with two upcoming bar mitzvahs and several weddings. In fact, the Rabbi is already booking weddings into 2010!

We also want to thank Michael Lurie, who has decided to step down after many years of wonderful service as our Shabbat School director. His dedication and skills made a real difference in our children’s education. Every time we see one of our Shabbat School kids on the bimah—leading services, reading Torah, chanting a haftarah— we can thank Michael for helping make it happen. We welcome and thank Linda Erlich, who has volunteered to serve as Michael’s successor.

The weather may be cold, but it’s always warm at B’nai Emet. We look forward to seeing you at services, at a class, or helping in one of our volunteer programs. Read this Scroll carefully; it’s full of opportunities for everyone.

Don’t forget our daily minyan. Start your morning off at 7:30 on weekdays and 9 a.m. on Sundays, or come for a short 15-minute evening minyan every day at 5:45. You’ll help those who want to say Kaddish, and you will likely find that it enhances your day as well.

And remember that we’re proud to offer a delicious lunch every week after Shabbat morning services. The Paletz Kiddush Fund has generously sponsored these lunches for several years. We invite you to join them by co-sponsoring the lunch to mark an upcoming anniversary or commemorate the yahrzeit of a loved one. Contact the office for details.

Stay warm, and we’ll see you soon!

B’Shalom,

Sari Lederman & Paul Tuchman

B’nai Emet Co-Presidents