Recently, Shaare Shalom, celebrating its 10th anniversary and held its seventh annual bake sale at the beautiful home of Rina and Jack Kamin, in memory of Margo and Morris Zarif, A”H. For the past nine years I have been living in the Madison area, and I have watched how much Shaare Shalom Congregation has flourished. With the weather warming up, everyone was greeted to a clear night and a sunshiny day for the bake sale.
A Tuesday evening cocktail party kicked off the event. The decorating committee created a beautiful ambiance and displayed the many auction items artistically. Along with a split the pot raffle, there were many jewelry tables, a plasma TV, gorgeous fur jackets and lots of packages for the entire family. Proudly displayed were the architectural plans for the renovation of Shaare Shalom, which should be completed in 2010. With hard work and dedication, Shaare Shalom is working towards their gradual expansion, which should also be completed in 2010.
On Thursday, everyone was greeted by a delightful day. Delicious lunches were a big hit, followed by Rabbi Joseph Dweck’s women’s class. Nutritionist Nina Dahan offered her expertise with “Overcoming Overeating.” Susan Horowitz, of Divalicious Cosmetics, gave a helpful makeup demonstration.
Under the leadership of Rabbi Joseph Dweck, Shaare Shalom has thrived and expanded into a close and loving congregation. There is a wonderful youth Minyan run by Rabbi Abraham Ben Hamu, and through the vision of Joey Torgueman, the synagogue continues to grow.
“On behalf of our entire family at Shaare Shalom and committee, we would like to deeply thank Rina and Jack Kamin for going to all lengths for our wonderful shul. May Hashem bless them for many years to come,” said Joey Torgueman, president of Shaare Shalom congregation.
Diana Manopla, Rozie Torgueman, Jeannie Zalta and Alisa Khoudari led this year’s bake sale committee superbly. Since that first bake sale meeting in 2002, many members have dedicated several hours to making sure the bake sale succeeds in raising the funds needed to keep the shul running throughout the year. Everyone adds a component, whether it is baking cookies, donating an hour packaging lunches or soliciting for the Chinese Auction. It is not only working on a bake sale for a few months of the year, but it is closeness between friends that grows from one year until the next.
I hope that Shaare Shalom continues to grow in the future, and I look forward to next year’s bake sale.q
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Randi Shomer is a community member, mother of four children, and a freelance writer for IMAGE Magazine.
