Temple Shalom is very fortunate to have such lovely and generous members as Chuck and Laura Von Schmidt! They donated a beautiful Kosher Sefer Torah to Temple Shalom. On October 21, 2011 we had a Siyum Hatorah ceremony where we brought the Torah from the rear of our sanctuary to the bimah under a chuppah so it may receive its righful place in cantorour ark. The ceremony was followed by music, singing and dancing together with the unrolling of the Sefer Torah so that we could read the last aliyah and the first aliyah of the Torah. We had 7 hakafot (circles) with our Torahs in full celebration of Simchat Torah – as we celebrated the Joy of the Torah!

Just before the High Holidays, Temple Shalom received notification from the IRS that its application for official tax exempt status as a religious charitable organization has been approved. Therefore, all donations made in 2011 and hereafter are considered tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

High Holiday Services were held at the beautiful Piquets Lane Pool Club. Over 200 people attended our services and they were warm and uplifting. We had our own Temple Shalom Choir with 9 members sing for the High Holidays led by Cantor Stephen Stein. We opened our doors to the community for Yizkor and many people in the community took this opportunity to join us in prayer.