Los Angeles, November 9, 1993, the day before the "Kristall-Nacht" in Germany.

Dear Friends and Fellow-Members:

My name is Judith Whitelaw.  I am sure I am totally unknown to you.  Well, just before the High Holidays, I became a member of "Temple Beth Zion".

The first time I attended services was on Shevuoth.  I stayed for Yizkor and to the end of the Service.  Something unusual for me.  Since a tragedy struck my family, I walked out of every other congregation I went to.  It might be hard for others to understand; I just felt I did not belong there.  But, the moment I entered Temple Beth Zion, I felt a peacefulnesss coming over me, which I so badly needed, and I said to myself, "this will be your 'spiritual' home from now on".  I also promised myself to go back to my roots.  Coming from a very religious family, I decided to attend Shabbos service like we did at home, just the way it was in Breslau where I was born.  The  Holidays were indeed a pleasant experience for me.  I enjoyed the service and the Temple was filled to capacity.  Coming back the following Shabbos, I could not believe what I saw.  There was barely any Minyan.  Where were all the people I saw at the High Holidays?  I talked with Rabbi Tenenbaum about it and asked him if I could do something to increase the attendance and get more people to come to the shabbos service.  He suggested I go ahead.  This is the reason I am writing this letter to you today.  You see, 55 years ago o the exact date all the Synagogues in Germany were burned to the ground.  There wre no more Temples left for us to go to worship.  I was there.  I saw it happen.  I was born in Germany.

Here we are blessed to have a wonderful Rabbi and Cantor and nobody comes.  It is sad.  Attending the Shabbos service is always a learning experience for me.  Not too many Rabbis explain the Torah Readings, the Haftarah or Prayer Book like Rabbi Tenenbaum does.  My message to you is 'make coming to Temple a habit'.  It is a good one indeed.  You will never regret it, and above all you will see the biggest smile on Rabbi Tenenbaum's face.  Then I will be glad I wrote you this letter.

Most cordially,
Judith Whitelaw