In this decade, there was much energy devoted to renovation and renewal, both literally and figuratively. The Temple widened its horizons by including and embracing every group within its membership. This was in response to the changing perceptions and makeup of the Reform community.

Women have assumed new positions of leader-ship in the Temple, thus helping to revitalize and provide a sense of all-inclusiveness to the Congre-gation. In 1989, Rabbi Marjorie Slome was officially installed as Rabbi Educator at the Temple. In this capacity, she has upgraded the Temple's Religious School and enhanced congregational life in numer-ous ways. In 1991, Donna R. Kolar was elected to serve as the first female President of the Congrega-tion. Donna Kolar succeeds outstanding Temple Presidents including Jules Hirsh, whose tenure spanned the years 1986-1991; Irwin Lainoff, whose tenure encompassed the years 1984-1986 Benjamin Feldman, who returned to the Presidency in 1983-1984; and George Harris who served during the period 1981-1983. Under the guidance of these dedicated leaders, the Temple has grown in mem-bership and has become the largest and most prom-inent Reform congregation in Brooklyn.

During this decade, there has been a spirit of in-clusiveness. More participation by lay members has been encouraged in worship services. As a result, members now serve as ushers, prayer readers and pulpit sitters. The Temple also established a series of lectures featuring Temple members and other renowned experts who have spoken on current issues affecting congregants as Jews and as Ameri-cans. For example, Burt Neuborne, Legal Director of the American Civil Liberties Union, lectured on religion and the state in light of recent Supreme Court rulings, and Congressmen Charles Schumer and Steven Solarz addressed congregants on issues facing the United States that are of direct concern to the Jewish People.

In this same direction of inclusiveness, the Temple responded to the national Reform Movement's out-reach to intermarried couples with a series of out-reach workshops led by Rabbi Weider, entitled, "Times and Seasons: a Jewish Perspective for Inter-married Couples." The Temple has reached out to Jews-by-Choice, interfaith couples and parents with children in interfaith marriages. Through lectures, discussion groups and experiential exercises, the Temple has focused its efforts on enabling everyone to feel a part of the Congregation.

Renovations of the Temple's beautiful landmark buildings have proven to be equally needed and challenging to the Congregation. In 1982, during George Harris's term of office, the Congregation successfully mounted a "Save Our Sanctuary" cam-paign to restore the ceiling of the Sanctuary. The ceiling's collapse had forced the membership to hold services on a temporary basis in the Temple House. During Jules Hirsh's tenure, Evelyn and Louis Grossman very generously contributed the funds to renovate the beautiful ballroom in the Temple House where special social events are held to benefit our congregation and members. And on the momentous evening of May 15, 1992, congregants are celebrating this historic 130th anniversary occasion in the Temple Sanctuary amid beautifully restored pews made possible through the wonderful generosity of Carole and Irwin Lainoff.

Now Beth Elohim is turning its attention toward the emergency restoration of the facade of the Temple House. The Congregation has had to assume an unprecedented loan of $300,000 for this repair, and will work diligently toward retiring this major debt so that our synagogue can move toward the year 2000 unfettered by a financial burden.

On the 130th anniversary of Congregation Beth Elohim, as changes occur both within and outside the Temple walls, let us remember the following words of Rabbi Emeritus Eugene J. Sack: "A synagogue is not for a generation, but for many generations, and those who will become leaders in the future will be working as we are today."