Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/211425
RELIGION BRIEFS (From left) Joanne Trachtenberg, Paula Spitalny and Patty Schreiber greeted participants at Temple Sinai's recent Mitzvah Day. Contributed photo TEMPLE SINAI MEMBERS SHOW THE MANY WAYS THEY CARE In May 2012, Temple Sinai members "acknowledged the importance of being a Caring Community" by creating a new position called vice president of caring, the Temple says in a news release. The first person to fill this position is Elana Margolis, "who had just rolled off two years of being co-president" of the Temple, the release adds. "We realized that to truly do a good job of showing our members and the community at large that we care required more than a small subcommittee," the release explains. Margolis has a force of more than a dozen Temple volunteers who help with various projects. release notes. "The current efforts go well beyond that." Home-baked mini-challah breads and stuffed animals — Care Bears — are given to members when trained volunteers visit them, the release continues. Fresh flower arrangements have also been delivered to members in assisted-living or nursing facilities during the Jewish High Holidays. "Temple Sinai makes a point of caring for all its members," the release says. Each family with new babies is given a gift, for example, and college students receive Starbucks gift cards at the holidays. A cadre of volunteers hand-write milestone birthday greetings, conTraditionally, caring has been evidenced by dolence notes and congratulatory messages clergy visiting the ill and the homebound, the when special recognition is deserved.