Dear Friends,

My column this month is to alert all of you about the newest committee established within our congregational family: Tzevet Teshuva The Recovery Team. It is in response to my High Holy Day call to speak openly about the devastation addictions wreak within American society: Jewish and non-Jewish alike. The purpose of this committee is to primarily serve our temple family with educational programs as well as confidential referral information and coping skills for those family members and friends of ours who struggle with addiction and the trail of pain and suffering that it leaves in its wake.

 You will be reading and hearing more of the committee's work as it proceeds within the next few weeks and months. Suffice it to say that its members are striving to make certain that it will meet the needs of a community in pain and desirous of a supporting outstretched hand and heart.

If anyone is in need of speaking with me as to issues of domestic violence, spousal abuse, or any form of substance abuse or addiction, please do not hesitate to contact me. Our temple is a safe place and all conversations with me will be honored with the strictest of confidences. I am here to help and our congregation, your congregation, is here for support.

I am proud, not only of what our committee will be doing, but also of this congregation, that has greeted my words of concern with such support and excitement.

A true family is when a member is hurting and the entire family unit feels the pain. Temple Dor Dorim is a true family and I am proud to be its rabbi and spiritual leader.

Faithfully,