Central Reform Temple 2021 Report 

As difficult as 2020 was, 2021 has been more challenging than we could have imagined. All of us at Central Reform Temple remain committed to our community, our values, and our mission as a house of prayer for all people, worshiping in the progressive traditions of Reform Judaism, as we nurture spirituality and learning, and work for justice and peace in our community and the world. We are profoundly grateful for our covenant relationship with Emmanuel Church and know that it is one of the blessings that makes CRT unique among all other Reform Temples in the region. The love and support of Emmanuelites truly has been a source of sustenance and security during an annus horribilus. 
Rabbi Kosovske has led us through this year, keeping us focused on deepening our community, building our programming, and focusing on our search for our next settled rabbi. We joyously returned to in-person and multicast worship in July of 2021 after 15 months of only Zoom services. What delight to embrace our temple family members, some of whom we hadn’t seen in at least 18-months. Our own BK Hipsher has made our multicast service something of a miracle – we have folks on Zoom and in Lindsey, and we can talk with one another as well as enjoy our time of worship and music, challah and wine. 
Holy Days were also in-person in the Sanctuary this year. It was wonderful to hear our musicians live, to enjoy the words of the liturgy and rabbi’s sermons, to take the Torahs from the Ark, and to greet one another in person. Through the ongoing blessing of technology, those who were unable to be with us in person, could be together ‘in person’ – all made possible by our Tech Team with outside audio expertise, led by BK. Covid continues to challenge us as we have returned to masking and social distancing. We recognize for many of us, being in person is just not prudent at this time and continue to be grateful for the ability “to connect” virtually. 
The community is well underway in its search for our next settled rabbi with an 8-person search committee, led by our own Rabbi Devon Lerner. We appreciate what it takes to conduct this work and are always reminded that many hands make light work. We continue weekly communication with all members via our email newsletter. We are revitalizing our music. We have improved and energized our website and started to reach out through social media. Our recent engagement survey to understand how to better address the wishes of our members helped us learn, for example, that a book group was highly desired. This will start in January. 
And great things are continuing to happen at CRT! With Rabbi’s support, our programming includes monthly Torah Study, “Picking from our Garden” where a community member shares an interest, hobby, or talent, movie nights (which we are hopeful to include our Emmanuel family in the months ahead), and the Racial Justice Discussion Group. Our Sisters in Spirit multi-faith dialog community continues to meet virtually and provides us with a powerful connection cultivating relationships that have sustained us over the years. Our Seder was virtual, though deeply meaningful. We lit the candles together every night of Hanukkah, made possible by Zoom. 
We are so grateful for our covenant relationship with our dear friends at Emmanuel Church, the collegial support of Pam Werntz, the clergy team, and the Vestry, and the loving embrace of the people of the Parish. We are enriched by our shared life together. May 2022 be a year of health and hope for us all. 
Respectfully submitted, 
CRT Board (Dick, Lilli, Jill, Marty, Gail, Larry, Bob, Leslie)