by Mitch Siegler

Happy New Year. I’m Mitch Siegler. I’m honored to speak with you today as the President of
your Board of Directors at Beth Israel.

I’ve been thinking a great deal about the future of the Jewish community – about Jewish
continuity, especially here at Beth Israel.

My wife, Elizabeth and I have been members of the Temple for about 20 years. Elizabeth cochairs
the Temple’s Caring Community program. Our son, Jake, 20, went through the pre-school
and religious school, was in the Madrichim program and was confirmed. Our daughter, Rebecca,
15, had her Bat Mitzvah at the Temple, is in the Madrichim program and worked at the camp this
summer. Jake had his Bar Mitzvah in Israel and was a counselor at a Jewish summer camp.
Rebecca will visit Israel next summer and attends Jewish summer camp. I’m grateful for the
terrific Jewish values, education and foundation they received here at Beth Israel.

In 1937, when my father immigrated to America at age 12 from Germany, it was crystal clear
what it meant to be a Jew in America. Today, the picture is a bit fuzzier – especially for reform
Jews and in San Diego.

In 2015 in San Diego, about 80% of Jews are not affiliated – they’re not members of a
synagogue. And if a Jewish person is getting married in 2015, they’re likely in their 30s and
there’s a 70% likelihood that their partner was not born Jewish. Many of our congregants fit this
profile and we are honored that so many young families are inspired by our traditions and faith
and raise their children as Jews – by enrolling them in the pre-school, like Elizabeth and I did 20
years ago. These families are a linchpin for a vibrant community. But, the vast majority of
families don’t join synagogues – and those that do do so later in life. And this has profound
implications for Beth Israel and other synagogues.

As you know, the Temple was founded nearly 155 years ago and today more than 1,000 families
are members. About 100 children are enrolled in our pre-school and more than 400 kids are
learning about Judaism – and forming terrific friendships and relationships – in our religious
school. We have a committed clergy – Rabbis Michael Berk, Arlene Bernstein and Jordie Gerson
– and a dedicated staff and Executive Director, Lesley Mills. We have an engaged Board of
Directors and many outstanding committee members. We are fortunate to have this team and
countless, dedicated volunteers working to build and sustain our community.

I could go on about all of the great people and programs at the Temple but I’d like to spend my
remaining few minutes talking with you today about Jewish continuity. First, I’d like to touch
on three other words that also begin with “C” and end in “Y” – I think they’re the foundation, the
building blocks for Jewish continuity. Those words are “Civility”, “Curiosity” and
“Community”.

Civility – the first building block

Our society has become decidedly uncivil. We see it in Washington and in our own community –
the recent debate on Iran is the latest example. We are polarized – we don’t just disagree – we
disrespect, in some cases dislike – those with whom we don’t agree. As we look out on the year
ahead, it is my wish that we try a little harder to treat one other with a bit more respect and try a
smidgen harder to listen to what the other person has to say. In the year ahead, let’s try to think a
bit less about what divides us – and embrace what unites us – because in this Beth Israel
community, so much unites us.

Curiosity – the second building block

A very memorable Torah portions is the story of Jonah and the Whale, which we read on Yom
Kippur. Jonah asks a zillion questions as he questions his faith and literally goes to the end of the
earth into the belly of the whale – to come to grips with who he is and what his faith in God
really means to him.

For Jews in America, the ground is shifting under our feet. What it means to be Jewish looks
markedly different than it did a generation or two ago. In our parents’ day (and my mother is
here with us today), it would have been unthinkable not to be an active member of the Jewish
community, to support the Federation and Israel, to be a synagogue member. Not so today.
Jews have always been a questioning people but today, we are rethinking virtually everything
about our religion: What does it mean to have faith in a modern world? What does it mean to
celebrate the Shabbat? How can we contribute to repairing the world, Tikkun Olam? How can we
lead a more fulfilling life? What are our responsibilities to Israel? What is the appropriate
financial model for a synagogue?

By asking important questions – how to be more inclusive to interfaith families, non-traditional
families, youth, older people – and how to have tighter mini-communities, neighborhood
programming to overcome the disconnected, big city challenges we face as a large congregation
– we can begin to explore what the future might look like. While we don’t know what Judaism in
America will look like down the road – it’s likely that to create the roadmap we’ll need to study
our past, draw from our rich history and traditions and ask tough questions.

Community – the third – and quintessential – building block

A moment ago, I mentioned the hundreds of kids – and families – who are part of the pre-school
or religious school communities. This year, 11 of our 11th-graders will go on the Platt Youth
Trip to Israel; we anticipate a class of 25-30 next year. This summer, 150 kids went through
Temple summer camps and more than 30 participated in B’nai Mitzvah Boot Camps.

We have a vibrant Social Action program with dozens of active participants. Hundreds have
volunteered at St. Vincent De Paul to feed the homeless over the past 30 years. Nearly 150
members/families have joined our Century Club – paying premium dues to enable others – those
less fortunate – to pay what they can afford and take advantage of the many services Beth Israel
offers. Last month, we held our inaugural 18 Shabbat Tables event – with dinners all over the
county, attended by 175 Temple members. Each of these is a community.

For many, Beth Israel is about worship. It’s the spiritual aspect of coming to services on Shabbat
or Rosh Hashanah – listening to the music, reflecting on the past week – or year. Beth Israel has
more than 50 members who have created their own Shabbat Minyan community. More than 300
people are members of 24 Chavurot – groups of friends – who meet regularly, celebrate holidays
and life cycle events with others. In the past few years, we have had a groundswell of interest in
neighborhood programming. Tammy and Louie Vener held Sukkhot celebrations in Scripps
Ranch for many years. Temple members Karen Gruenberg and Jackie Mann have hosted a
Hannukah party for about 100 Jews, many of whom are Beth Israel members in Point Loma and
Ocean Beach for nearly a decade…Each of these is a community.

Which brings us to Jewish Continuity…

I believe that if we build a solid foundation of civility, curiosity and community, we will better
ensure Jewish continuity. And what would Jewish continuity look like?

Well, I hope it means that your children – and grandchildren – are touched by our clergy,
teachers and Torah – and Israel and Jewish camps – like my kids have been. That whether you
were born into or chosen Judaism, you’ll find the lessons of our Rabbis and teachers so inspiring
that it would be unthinkable not to be an active synagogue member, instill these values in your
children and work to build Jewish community.

That in the year ahead, you’ll volunteer in your child’s or grandchild’s pre-school or religious
school class or join the parent’s committee. That in the New Year, you’ll attend an educational
program and maybe commit to participating in lifelong learning – maybe you’ll join a Beth Israel
committee or help organize a lecture, discussion group or educational program.

That you’ll push to enroll your kids or grandkids in our pre-school and religious school – and
they’ll stay involved past Bar/Bat Mitzvah, through confirmation and the Israel trip. That you
won’t miss our next 18 Shabbat Tables event or volunteer to host a Shabbat dinner in your home.
That, in the new year, you’ll look for a way to bring Beth Israel into your neighborhood with a
program to strengthen ties with other Temple members.

May it be a sweet year – one of good health and happiness for you and your families. May it be a
year of peace for America and Israel. May the New Year be one with greater civility, more
curiosity and a stronger community – leading to outstanding Jewish continuity. L’Shana Tova.