I didn't know if I should laugh because I didn't look too much the worse for wear or cry because I had turned the last page in an important chapter in my life. I paused in a moment of near panic and reasoned that there were new joys yet to come. I was not a plant that had borne its fruit and was about to wither. Meanwhile there were the tasks at hand, which had received precious little attention in recent weeks, including a veritable mountain of congregational paperwork. While this was not a novel path to choose, I decided to take this opportunity to recommend it to those of you whose nests may be emptying this fall and who may be tempted to feel a bit sorry for yourselves or need new challenges.
Many congregants withdraw from congregational life when their children have grown.
They evidently think that the congregation is meant only to teach the young. But this is the very moment that Temple membership can offer an abundance of opportunities to you as adults to nurture others and find new forms of self-fulfillment. You might enjoy mentoring an inner city child, making visits to a nursing home, working in the Temple's gift shop, teaching religious school, volunteering in the office, selling Schnucks certificates, chairing a committee, taking an adult education course, attending Bible study on Saturday mornings, planning programs for the Temple Israel Women of Reform Judaism, or singing with Shira. So when the fall Dateline with the Program Guide for the coming year arrives in your mailbox, look for the activities that seem right for you and give one of us at the Temple a call.