BETH SHALOM CONGREGATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2009-2010

FROM YOUR PRESIDENT

Dear Beth Shalom family,
I originally intended to write this month's column about how wonderful our annual Raffle was and to thank all the very hard working people who made it all happen.I then planned on telling you how wonderful our honoring and thanking of Elaine Furman at servicesall her years of hard work went.I thenplanned on letting everyone know how upsetfrustrated I was at the JCA's decision to have an event at the same time of our Raffle,with our Raffle, which had been on the community calendarfor a year, and how disrespected I felt the JCA's actions were.But, with the passing of Chuck Sussman, I find that, while these other activities and issues are very important, I wanted to instead dedicate my words to honor this very important congregant, leader and friend.

Everyone knew Chuck. He was a large part of Beth Shalom.This was a man who embodied service to the community, his family, and to his Beth Shalom family.He gave to Beth Shalom from the very beginning and never stopped. While small in physical stature, he was large in his heart and what he meant to others and our Beth Shalom Family.From a personal standpoint, Chuck was always there for my family. Whenever the military took me away, Chuck made sure he took care of whatever needs my family had.Most importantly, his relationship with my children, especially Jordan, to make sure Jordan was included in various Mens' Club activities, was very special.For Beth Shalom, he gave countless years and hours - whether it was working on our financials, ensuring our ushers were up to par on the High Holidays, or just being that mainstay of our Bingo games, Chuck was always there to lead and be part of our team. As a former President and as a Yo-Etz, his opinions and concerns were of upmost importance.Beth Shalom had a special place in his heart and his leadership and all his hard work only served to work for the betterment of this institution.

Yes, we unfortunately lose many of our treasured members. And yes, each is very important to us. And while I have only been a member of Beth Shalom for 20 years, and have known Chuck and his beautiful family for most of those years, I feel that we certainly lost part of our institutional strength and part of who we are with his passing. I could go on for many pages regarding this remarkable man and his family, but I'll leave his memories to you and your memories.I've spoken to many of you about Chuck and the one thing that stands out is that everyone has such a wealth of fond memories and while remembering and talking of him, one can't help but smile at those memories. So, I'll leave you thinking of him and ask that you keep this wonderful man and his family in your thoughts and prayers.I also hope that his spirit of service to Beth Shalom leads you to continue to serve of his spirit.

Shalom,

Edward S. Mallow
President

Video presentation by Capt. Ed Mallow while with the Navy Judge Advocate
General Corps at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq. Ed and Rabbi Jon
Cutler, the base chaplain narrate this very moving video where they speak
about Jewish life in Iraq and the life of Jews in the military in Iraq.

Richard Browdy
Dr. George Glossman
Deanna Lissner
Mike Lissner
Harvey Matoren
Chuck Sussman, of blessed memory
Barry Zisser