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President's Message
July 2007

With gratitude and humility, I begin my term as President of our community. It is an exciting time for Kehillat Ma'arav.

For the first time in a number of years, our operating budget ended the fiscal year without a deficit. Our community is at a near record number of member families and we have several new faces joining the Board of Trustees. Most significantly, we are exploring the possibility of adding a second story and redesign of our existing facility (more on that later).

For those of you that do not know me, I have been on the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee for eight years. I have served as Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Vice President for Membership and Executive Vice President.

I live in Santa Monica with my eight year old son, Joseph, and, in my spare time, practice law with a Century City law firm. I grew up in suburban Detroit, Michigan, about ten miles away from where Rabbi Gotlieb spent his early years. I moved to Los Angeles in 1998 and joined the synagogue shortly thereafter. I now cannot imagine worshiping anywhere else and expect Rabbi Gotlieb to deliver my eulogy.

During my time on the Board, I have had the good fortune to observe the leadership of our past four presidents: Sandy Rosenblatt, Richard Krop, Jack Topal, and Sharon Krischer. They are individually and collectively a tough act to follow. Each brought a distinctive style to the presidency and I thank each one of them for their past guidance and leadership.

I have no doubt that I will be calling on their individual and collective wisdom as the year progresses. I trust and know that their advice will be generously offered without reservation. I also thank in advance the incoming Executive Committee, Committee Chairs and Board of Trustees as we embark on the planning of events and programs that make our community thrive.

I would especially like to thank our clergy and professional staff, Rabbi Michael Gotlieb, Hazzan Keith Miller, Executive Director Kathie Rose and Administrative Assistant Rose Piccirilli. Their anticipated intellectual and spiritual support provides me with the confidence to take on the daunting, yet rewarding, task of helping to run a synagogue.

Most of all, I would like to thank the entire KM community. As a refugee from secular Judaism, I never imagined that one day I would join, let alone, help lead, a synagogue affiliated with the Conservative movement. Today, however, I am very thankful to have a social and spiritual home in this community of caring, intelligent and observant members.

I will do the best job that I can and look forward to many wonderful years in your midst.

Jamie Green
President