For Allison – this is now the new normal, with the youngest child off to college. Not that the door isn’t always open for temporary stays between school and work, grand-dog sitting, and as many planned and spontaneous visits as possible. And yet – the years of constant driving, cleaning, in-your-face parenting and just hanging-out chatting any time at all…well, we have now reached a new phase. David seems to be excited about the prospect; maybe that is just a guy-thing. Allison – not so much!
For Ruth Anne – while the children have been out of the house for quite a while, one lives with his family, including fabulous grandchildren, in Florida – better than California, where they used to live – and the other has just moved with her husband from Virginia to Seattle, Washington – a great career move, but not so easy on the Yiddishe Mama. Of course, there’s Facetime and Skype, and retirement on the horizon, which will make it easier to travel. But nothing is the same as being together for holidays and quick weekend visits.
Someone suggested to Allison recently that one way of coping with this new situation would be to get a hobby or volunteer – what??? Neither Allison nor Ruth Anne are lacking for volunteer projects or other worthwhile pursuits. But we will both be sure to turn to our friends – our community – as we move into these new stages of life.
In October, alone, B’nai Tikvah will host, among other programs: Sukkah hopping, the Amazing Kreskin, Ken Abramowitz talking about Israel, the film “A Voice Among the Silent”, and Zebu Jilani (SWAT) – a phenomenal human rights activist. We also look forward to celebrating the B’nai Mitzvah of Rabbi and Ruth-Ann Wolkoff’s twins, Eitan and Yosef; it seems like just yesterday that they were little boys in our congregation. And yet here they are – thirteen year old “men”!
We will rely on all of you to continue to be the wonderful friends and congregants we have come to know and love. We hope to see you at as many events as possible, bringing new friends and welcoming them into our extended family, as well. Participate in a committee if you can, or just offer to help when you are available. We look forward to embarking on these new phases of our lives in the company and comfort of CBT.
Shanah Tovah,
Allison Nagelberg, Co-President
Ruth Anne Koenick, Co-President