To our precious, wondrous new congregation:

It is with great excitement and keen anticipation that I write you in expectation of our arrival this August. Words cannot profess the gratitude and honor we feel at your invitation to join the Temple Adat Shalom family. I am cognizant and deeply thankful for the invaluable work of love and dedication, by former and current clergy, staff and lay leadership whose efforts on behalf of Adat Shalom have made it a congregation of high esteem and vitality. I am humbled to follow in the sacred footsteps of those before me, and now to take up the charge that you have entrusted to me.

I can think of no greater task than to fulfill the calling that God implants within each of us, and for me, this is now to care for, grow with, inspire and celebrate the Jewish ideal with all of you. In our joining we become family- a sacred covenant made in the name of God. Know that I hold myself to this covenant, and aware of the magnitude that such a gift represents, pledge myself to be available to you always.

As in all relationships, we will take time to come to know each other and many are the opportunities being planned to help accommodate this goal. Adrienne and I sincerely look forward to each and every moment ahead to share with you, learn about your dreams and stories, and share a little of our own. I will make it a point to be in touch with each of our members over the next few months. In addition, I wholeheartedly invite you to write, call, drop in and participate fully in all that is being planned.

Serving Temple Adat Shalom represents, for us, the culmination of a blessed journey through the rabbinate. Many are the relationships we have been graced to enter into, great the work and, beyond measure, the individuals we call friends. With love as our guide, we joyfully await this new chapter of blessing. May God bless each of us as we enter into this sacred relationship together. May Temple Adat Shalom continue to grow and bloom with life and Jewish enthusiasm. And may we, together, continue to weave the rich and many colored tapestry that links us to our past and provides the inspiration to a glorious future.

With all of my heart,

Faithfully,

Rabbi David Castiglione