As many of you know, the "Maine Goes to Israel" trip had a rather 'stormy' start due to snow-related flight delays in Philadelphia.  Happily, our Rabbi, his family and our friends are now enjoying our homeland.  We hope that each and everyone on the trip have a wonderful and memorable time and bring back many photos with their memories for us to enjoy.  Their stories and photos will be part of our Yom Ha'Atzmaut celebration in May (lots more to come on this in future bulletins).

We have now successfully converted our kitchen and appliances to natural gas which will save us money and help provide for a "greener" shul.  Thanks to Lynn, the House Committee and John Miller for their guidance.

Our Board of Directors agreed to proceed with commissioning a new representation of the 10 Commandments (in tablet form) which will be mounted above the Aron Kodesh.  We are able to do so thanks to support from Billy Miller and Family as well as the tireless work of Cindy Kubetz.  Cindy has also had an electrician measure the light density in the sanctuary and found it severely lacking over the bimah.  We will be making a few improvements in that area as well in the not-to-distant future.  This will make it even easier for everyone to enjoy the service and see well when doing an aliyah and reading from the Torah.

We are in the midst of our Cantor Search for next fall.  Hopefully Marvin Glazier and his musical committee will have some talented candidates to choose from in the next 1-2 months.

I received a lovely thank you note from Professor Elisa Narin van Court, Director of Jewish Studies at Colby College (our last Coffeehouse speaker).  Elisa spoke on aspects of Jewish culture, trials and tribulations in Medieval Europe.  She mentioned to me that she has seldom found a more congenial and interested crowd for her lectures.

Stay tuned for information regarding our Purim and Pesach activities.  Spring will soon be sprung and we have a lot to look forward to.

If you did not had a chance to follow the exploits of the Maine Goes to Israel trip, take advantage of the narrative and photos by Rabbi Schwarzman
on his blog which can be found at
www.mainegoestoisrael.blogspot.com.

See you at shul! 

Alan H. Wiseman