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A Message from the President of
Washington Hebrew Congregation
 January has arrived! Though it seems like just a short time ago that we ushered in the Jewish New Year, the secular New Year has now begun as well. Each January is a new beginning-of a new month, of a new year, of new hopes and new dreams. This January brings other new beginnings to our home, the nation's capital, as we welcome a new President, Barack Obama, to the White House. As with each new beginning, the future seems bright with hope and promise.
At the same time, the transition of a new year is a serious time, a time for reflection, for contemplation, and for introspection. As we reflect upon the past year, we are acutely aware of the current economic environment and the challenges that confront our community, our nation, and most of the world. Our congregational community has not been immune to these economic trials. While it remains substantial, the Temple's endowment has experienced a decrease in value not unlike many others. While we regretfully acknowledge the detrimental impact experienced by Jewish institutions including many in the Greater Washington community, please be assured that none of Temple's endowment was invested with Mr. Madoff.
For the past several months, the Temple leadership, and the Budget and Finance Committee in particular, have been hard at work addressing and preparing to meet these challenges. We continue to refine our current and next year's budgets, appropriately reducing our expenditures without compromising our mission of serving the Congregation.
The Washington Hebrew congregational community has much to be thankful for. We are blessed with exceptional clergy, teachers, staff, volunteers, and lay leaders, and with beautiful facilities in which to enjoy a wide array of wonderful opportunities for worship, scholarship, and fellowship. We are fortunate to be part of a warm and vibrant community. We are grateful for the many congregants who have fulfilled their annual contributions, especially at a time when doing so may present a challenge. Now more than ever your contributions large and small ensure our future. Dues, fees, and other contributions are essential to maintaining the vitality and financial health of our congregation, enabling us to fulfill our sacred mission.
We embark upon 2009 with understanding and thoughtful consideration of these unique and difficult times. We also embrace the New Year with hope and optimism. May we find good fortune in the things we hold most dear-our connections to our family, our friends, our congregational community, and to God.
With these thoughts in mind, the leadership, clergy, and staff join me in wishing you and yours the blessings of health, happiness, peace and fulfillment in 2009.
Lauren S. Racoosin
WHC President
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