Meet Charles S., a lifelong member of Temple Emanu-El, a High Holy Days volunteer, and chairman of the Ushers’ Committee. Charles is also our funeral director.
Charles reflects on a lifetime of serving Temple Emanu-El.
“My favorite part of being a volunteer is interacting with people and providing assistance that they need. That is my reward.
When people come into the Fifth Avenue Sanctuary, they are hit with the grandeur. As a volunteer, you have to sense this and say, ‘May I help you?’ As soon as you say that, all of the anxiety disappears and they relax.
I have been volunteering as an usher since 1970. I was also a past adjunct administrator of Temple Emanu-El and am a third-generation member of the congregation. During the High Holy Days, my grandmother would sit in the sanctuary all day. The whole experience was meaningful to her.
Serving as a High Holy Days volunteer is very rewarding. As mom used to say, ‘You get out what you put in.’“
