The Brotherhood of Temple Chayai Shalom is now almost three years old. Like most others at this age, we’re beginning to make our voices heard. We’re also inventive, at times jealous of our sisters, fans of shiny new toys, and for the most part, so cute you could just scream.
During its short existence, the Brotherhood has strived to offer the male membership of this temple a source for comraderie, bonding, and excuses to get out of the house. And it’s working. The Brotherhood is now over 40 members strong.
Since its inception, the Brotherhood has worked to create events both for the family and the individual. This past summer, we rooted on the PawSox and saw a killer fireworks show, and joined the Sisterhood for a group bowling night. Three times now, we have invaded the showrooms at Allan Waldorf and Jimmy Shapiro’s Audio-Video Intelligence for a day of basking in the splendor of Patriots football with giant high def screens and sleep-inducing recliners, and packed the temple earlier this year for our Job Hunting in the 21st Century breakfast discussion.
In addition to our social events, the Brotherhood has worked to enhance our spiritual selves. Rabbi Smith led a breakfast discussion on Practical Prayer, and we recently held a Red Sox Men's Seder, where the four questions included “Why is this season different from all other seasons?”
The Brotherhood is also continuing our efforts to lend a hand around the temple. Our membership has come together to put on the last two very successful Purim carnivals and have also held two temple-wide Team Trivia Night "fun"draisers.
Lastly the Brotherhood has already awarded two Sol Krummins Memorial Scholarships. As many of you know there was little that Sol loved more than the children of this temple. Therefore, as we wish our graduating High School Seniors good luck in their up and coming collegiate studies and adventures, we present a $500 award each year to the student that best exemplifies service to two other loves of Sol’s, namely; Temple Chayai Shalom and Judaic Studies.
There are a number of events in the works now including the upcoming private sushi making class on October 2nd and the next paid-up Pats Game event on November 7.
As you can see, we’ve come up with some great ideas but we know there’s a lot we’re not thinking of. We hope that those men here that haven’t joined the Brotherhood will take the opportunity to do so, and those that have will become even more involved with the ideas, development and execution of future projects. We’re just getting warmed up, and there is ample opportunity to shape the organization and our place in the community for the future.
Brotherhood board meetings are held at the temple at 8pm on the third Wednesday of every month. The next meeting will be Wednesday, September 15. They are open to all Brotherhood members, and we welcome your attendance and input.
