About the Jubilee

Temple of Aaron congregation has occupied its synagogue on Mississippi River Boulevard in St. Paul since 1956. In anticipation of its fiftieth anniversary in this structure and its luminary history as a religious, educational, cultural and social community, Rabbi Laureate Bernard Solomon Raskas suggested a yearlong celebration of events to emphasize each of these areas. Rabbi Raskas suggested a slate of more than 200 individual events that could be considered for inclusion in the celebration. The Board of Directors wholeheartedly agreed with Rabbi Raskas’ concept. The theme of “Yovel,” or “Jubilee” was adopted from Leviticus: “ . . . and it shall be for them a jubilee year.”

Wendy Baldinger	Gerald Frisch	Sally Loberbaum

In order to plan and execute these ideas, a “Jubilee” committee was formed, chaired by Wendy Baldinger, Gerald Frisch, and Sally Lorberbaum, each longstanding members of Temple of Aaron. At Rabbi Raskas’ behest, Karen Engelbretson, a Temple of Aaron member and graphic artist, conceptualized and rendered a logo that captured the theme of the Jubilee: “Remember The Past, Live The Present, Trust The Future.” Members of the congregation were invited to participate on the Jubilee committee according to their individual interests or areas of expertise.

In order to avoid impact upon the daily operating budget, Rabbi Raskas solicited 30 potential donors for major financial gifts. Later, a general fundraising appeal was made to each member of the congregation. As a result, sufficient pledges were made to cover all costs of Jubilee programming. As the multi-year pledges are fulfilled, the Board has begun analyzing options to advance our future, such as the hiring of a program manager, beautification of the synagogue, and potential programming for the 100th anniversary of the congregation, which occurs in 2010.

In February, 2006, our Board of Directors authorized the Jubilee Celebration to commemorate fifty (50) years in our architectural award-winning Synagogue in Highland Park. Phase One included 24 diversified programs, and it ended December, 2007.

Phase One showcased the broad spectrum of our religious and community life at Temple of Aaron. A large percentage of our existing members and numerous past members planned, worked, attended and enjoyed these successful programs. On December 2, 2007, the Temple of Aaron was honored and acknowledged by United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism who bestowed upon the Temple of Aaron the most distinguished “Solomon Schechter Gold Award” for the Best Programming by a Conservative Synagogue in North America for 2007. There are 760 Conservative Synagogues in North America.

Publicity for Jubilee events was accomplished through announcements published in the internal congregational newsletter, The Aaronion; by display advertising in the Twin Cities Jewish community newspaper, The American Jewish World, as well as in the Community Events column therein; by publication on the Twin Cities Jewish Community calendar website, The Jewish Planit; via email notification from Rabbi Alan Shavit-Lonstein or by Executive Director Ken Agranoff to the congregational weekly email list; via fliers inserted into monthly billings; by telephone or mail notification of Jewish community organizations; and by direct mailings. Since a number of events encompassed meal preparation by caterers, printed invitations with response cards were mailed to members to ascertain catering numbers. Computer-generated posters mounted to foam core were prominently placed in hallways and other areas of the synagogue to promote notification of events.

Most programs were presented at no charge to members or the public, with exception of dinner programs that required financial participation by the attendees to defray costs. All other costs were born by Jubilee Fund donations.

The following list includes each scheduled event in chronological (date) order by , name of the event, the name of the event chair, and the attendance range. In general, all events were open to the public and community at large, unless otherwise noted.

Friday, September 15, 2006
Hartford Avenue Co-Named Raskas Road

Tuesdays, September 2006
Book Review & Discussion Series:
“Great Jews & Their Cultural Environment”
In Memory of Elmer L. Andersen

September 17, 2006 and Continuing Five Weeks
St. John’s Bible Exhibit

September 16, 2006 - Selihot 2007
Contemporary Selihot Service Honoring Past Presidents, Board Members, and Installation of New Officers

October 27-29, 2006
Siyyum Sefer Torah

October 25, 2007
New Torah Mantle with Jubilee Logo

December 17, 2006
Jubilee Dinner Gala, “A Night for Nostalgia”

February 9 & 10, 2007
TUSY & B’nai Mitzvah Weekend

January 5-7, 2007
Rabbi Irwin Kula

February 23-25, 2007
Rabbi David W. Nelson

February 16-18, 2007
Men’s Club Shabbat Weekend

May 11-12, 2007
Deborah Hertz, Ph.D.

January 19, 2008
Sisterhood Shabbat
Speaker:      Randy Schwartz, Midwest Branch President, Women’s League

Sunday, March 11, 2007
Hip-Hop Night

March 23-25, 2007
Social Action Weekend
Guest Speaker:            Leonard Fine

June 22,2007
Wedding Recommitment Ceremony

June 23, 2007
Golden Kepah & Confirmand Shabbat

September 16, 2007
Blessing of Pets

September 30, 2007
Torah Walk

Friday, October 5, 2007
“Ties That Bind”

October 14, 2007
Temple of Aaron Time Capsule

October 28, 2007
Jubilee Challah Baking Contest

November 2, 2007
Soviet Jewry Shabbat

March 18, 2007
Tom Bartsch Recognition Shabbat

Commencing 10/5/06 thru December, 2007
Jubilee Movie Series

December 7-9, 2007
Closing Events
Friday, Dec. 7: Multi-generational Hanukah Shabbat

Saturday, December 8, 2007
Adult B’nai Mitzvah service

Sunday, December 9, 2007
Concert by SAFAM