Transcript of speech delivered at event honoring Flora and Stuart Mason, 2008

WE'D LIKE YOU TO JOIN US IN THANKING THE MOST AMAZING GROUP OF MEN AND WOMEN WHO CREATED THIS BEAUTIFUL, SUCCESSFUL EVENING, & THEN FILLED IT WITH MEMORIES THAT WE WILL TREASURE FOREVER. T y F / ^ f f o e r Z J T f M c U , toeZ-Oi/^ /oq- A F o / e i - r I'D LIKE TO TURN THE FOCUS FROM US TO TEMPLE BETH SHOLOM AND ITS PLACE IN OUR LIVES FOR THE PAST 43 YEARS. WHAT DID OUR FAMILY FIND WHEN WE OPENED THE MASSIVE CARVED DOORS AT THE OLD TEMPLE ON 17? & OAKEY? WE FOUND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES, CULTURAL EVENTS, EDUCATION, SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE, AND SHARING OF TRADITIONS. MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE FOUND FRIENDS, PEOPLE WHO WERE FUN, INTERESTING, AND CARING. THEY BECAME ROLE MODELS OF RELIGIOUS DEVOTION, COMMUNITY COMMITMENT, AND FAMILY VALUES. WE FOUND ENCOURAGEMENT IN TIMES OF CHALLENGE AND SUPPORT IN TIME OF SORROW. THOSE BEAUTIFUL DOORS MADE THE MOVE TO SUMMERLIN IN 2000 AND STILL OPEN TO ALL THESE TREASURES?AND MORE?FOR NEWCOMERS AND OLD TIMERS ALIKE. WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US IN MAKING SURE THAT WILL ALWAYS BE TRUE. ONE OF THE MOST INSPIRING MOMENTS OF THE YEAR OCCURS EACH YOM KIPPUR. RABBI GOODMAN LEADS US IN PRAYER "AS THE GATES ARE CLOSING, AS THE GATES ARE CLOSING." WE STAND TOGETHER, THREE GENERATIONS OF OUR FAMILY WRAPPED IN OUR TALLITS. WE'RE A TIGHT UNIT, AS ARE THE HUNDREDS OF OTHER FAMILIES PRAYING, BUT WE ALSO STAND AS PART OF A LARGER FAMILY IN THAT SANCTUARY?A CONGREGATIONAL FAMILY. AND WE ARE BLESSED TO BE A PART OF THAT FAMILY!