06/10/2026
Rabbi Goldsmith's Message:
Our goal is to make it look easy, natural, seamless. A service, a lifecycle event, a program, a film night - we want everyone to feel as though these things simply happen through some combination of intention, goodwill, Jewish tradition, and perhaps a touch of Divine intervention. But, of course, that could not be further from the truth. We have an outstanding administrative and facilities staff at the temple who work tirelessly behind the scenes. And next week, we will say goodbye to one of the stars of that staff: Victoria Simmonds.
Vic has been with us for the last four years supporting our Religious School and b'nei mitzvah programs. She assigns b'nei mitzvah dates, coordinates countless communications, registers new students, and handles too many other tasks to count. Vic makes it all look easy. I assure you, it is not.
Take B'nei Mitzvah Boot Camp. This past year, we had 28 students and 35 boot camp sessions. Between our cantors teaching Torah and our tutors teaching prayer, there were 1,330 meetings. Vic scheduled every one of them. She also schedules all of my meetings - family meetings, rehearsals, and speech writing - another 196 meetings. Then, when a student calls in sick, has a lacrosse championship game, or goes out of town for a family simcha, Vic reschedules that student and juggles everything else to ensure that 1,526 meetings go off without a hitch. (By the way, please do NOT check my math on this!)
As wonderful as Vic is at being organized and efficient, she is an even more wonderful person. She is endlessly patient. She cares deeply about every student. She understands the myriad situations that arise for students and families and works tirelessly to accommodate them. She is fun and funny, gracious and kind. We will miss her deeply and wish her nothing but the very best as she moves on to new adventures.
