March 1, 2005

Dear Friends,

The bold vision of those who founded Temple Micah and those who later built the congregation its own home was grounded in dedication, determination, and chutzpah. They had big, and seemingly unrealistic dreams, extended their reach, and settled for nothing less than achieving their goals. They imagined and created a congregation that nurtures our community’s spiritual journeys, affords us opportunities to really know one another, engages us in lifelong learning, provides an array of ways we can participate in healing our troubled world, and demonstrates our deep and abiding love for Israel.

Forty years after our establishment and 10 years after moving into our current home we stand at another crossroad.  Our building is no longer adequate to meet the goals of our vibrant, diverse and growing membership.  Adult education programs and religious school  classes are forced to meet out of the building, in rented spaces.  Several members of our outstanding professional staff have no offices.    Lifecycle events and activities--on behalf of the larger Jewish community--frequently need to find alternative venues.  We are in danger of having to say “no” to potential new congregants seeking a spiritual home.  Each time one of these things happens, our sense of community is diminished.

The Capital Campaign that is today being launched provides us with an opportunity to translate goals and values into action. Over the next few months, you will see more detailed design renderings of what the addition will look like and hear about the many ways you can learn about and participate in this critical effort. In the meantime, three important sets of information are accessible on the Temple’s website: the demographic study prepared by Jeff Passel, one of our congregants; the 2004 Strategic Planning Study prepared by Andrea Glazer, a consultant; and user-friendly diagrams of the planned building expansion prepared by Robert Weinstein and Judith Capen, also congregants and the original architects for our building.

The manner in which we meet the challenges and opportunities of growth will stand as a measure of our values and as a tangible statement of our commitment to the future of Temple Micah and the larger Jewish community. We urge you to be a part of the renewal of the pioneering spirit that created Temple Micah 40 years ago and built the wonderful building we are in today.

We are pleased to be chairing this Capital Campaign and are committed to ensuring that it not only reaches its ambitious goals but does so in a way that honors Temple Micah’s values and builds on the foundation created by those who came before.

B’Shalom,

L.C.                                            Celia Shapiro
Capital Campaign Co-Chair        Capital Campaign Co-Chair