Beth David Congregation

In the 97-year history of Beth David, I represent a first: Your first Hispanic-American woman, Jew-by-choice President. To borrow a phrase from Mr. Obama, “Change has come.”

I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge and commend our history: the vision of our founders, the dedication and hard work of my predecessors, and that of our volunteers, members and staff. As a 13-year member and volunteer, I have witnessed first-hand the devotion and commitment so many of us feel for this institution and for this community. Throughout our long, rich and fruitful history, we have experienced growth and prosperity, and a real sense of fellowship, but we have also suffered division, stagnation and strife.

Today, we stand at the threshold of our 100th anniversary, and it is we, here today, who will determine how we will step across it and what legacy we will leave to our next generation of Beth Davidites.

We have choices.

We can choose to continue down our current path with the conviction that our history is evidence of its legitimacy. However, I believe that to do so, given our country’s and our own current economic, social and religious trends, will ensure that we leave a legacy of deficits and debts, of crumbling and antiquated facilities, and of divided and dispirited members who may ultimately close our doors.

Again, to borrow a phrase from President Obama, “If we choose to be bound by the past, we will never move forward.” While I remain committed to celebrating our past, I choose a path of change, and today I am asking you to stand with me.

My objectives are three-fold:

Firstly, the creation of a fiscally viable Jewish community through continued expense reductions, and the exploration of new income and fundraising sources. This will enable us to bring in sufficient funds to cover historic operating short-falls, and to cover emergency repairs and renovations for the short-term, as well as build long-term opportunities for reserves and endowments.
Secondly, the creation of a welcoming spiritual and educational Jewish community through the expansion of services and programs that nurture our bodies, our minds and our souls, and foster mutually respectful and enriching relationships within our Beth David and our South Florida communities.
And thirdly, the development of campus facilities that more appropriately serve the purposes of our community, young and old through the reconfiguration and renovation of our physical plant.

These are not objectives that I can achieve alone. I need your help, and if we choose to leave a legacy of strength and purpose, Beth David needs your help. Complacency and status quo will not get us there. We must determine to be participants in our own change, and we must act on that determination. We must attend meetings, join committees, lend our expertise and provide our insights. We must avoid criticisms that are not constructive, but instead foster negativity and divisiveness. We must respond to surveys and vote on important issues. And we must embrace the potential of a diverse community whose different segments strengthen our whole.

I am calling on you to actively help us build a future for Beth David. A future that we can all be proud of. It will be difficult and we will have missteps, but to quote another American President, Abraham Lincoln, “Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing. Determine that the thing can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way.”

I would like to conclude by thanking our Synagogue Board, our Officers and the members of Beth David for this opportunity to serve. It is my honor. I would also like to extend my deepest appreciation to our Past President, Jay Spieler, as well as to Rabbi Epelbaum, Cantor Jacobs, our Executive Director, Joel Berger and our Head of School, Jody Steele. It has been a privilege to work with these professionals over the last two years, and it is their leadership that inspires and fuels my commitment to Beth David.

Finally, I want to thank my entire family for their constant love and support in this spiritual endeavor as in all aspects of my life. In particular, my daughter, Zoe, whose maturity and wisdom transcend her age, and my husband and soul mate, Alan, whose love, devotion and guidance over the last 24 years has been priceless and unwavering.

Thank you.

Millie Raphael
President