Beth Israel Board Minutes
Wednesday, April 29, 2008

Present: Finerman, Rashes, Rosenblum, J. Bernstein, Hirshbein, Colton, S. Rubenstein, Liberman-Lampear, Peller, Landau, Adler, Lamm, J. Rubenstein, Winkelman, Sorkin, Dobrusin

The meeting was called to order at 8:04 p.m. by President Finerman. The agenda was unanimously approved.

D'var Torah and Rabbi�s Report: Rabbi Dobrusin gave the Dvar Torah. He spoke about some contradictions between what is expected of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah student, and his or her actual maturity level. Rabbi reported further on the K�vod Habriot: A Jewish Human Rights Network supported by the Rabbis for Human Rights-North American, which actively advocates against the use of torture.

The minutes were corrected and accepted.

President's Report: Finerman spoke of the two Assistant Rabbi candidates brought to Beth Israel. Rabbi Kim Blumenthal from Weston, CT is a strong choice for the position. Each of the eleven candidates was interviewed at great length, and only three were invited to visit the congregation. Rabbi Blumenthal received many positive comments, including from the young people she interacted with her. Hirshbein mentioned that the candidate has experience in areas of pastoral counseling, and that she made a strong impression when she visited Tot Shabbat.

Rashes stated that that the Board should make a recommendation to the Congregation at a Special Congregation Meeting to hire Rabbi Blumenthal.

Motion: The Board recommends to the Congregation that it approve the hiring of Rabbi Kim Blumenthal as Assistant Rabbi of Beth Israel. Hirshbein/ J. Rubenstein. The vote was unanimous.

Treasurer's Report: Liberman-Lampear reports that we are still in the black

Executive Director's Report: Sorkin recommend that the Board approve an expanded list of people eligible for free tickets to High Holiday services:
*Individuals and families with reciprocal letters from other congregations � reform or conservative.
*New residents of Washtenaw County since last Yom Kippur/visiting scholars at Frankel Center
*Graduate students and First and Second Year Residents with I.D.s
*Undergraduates with reciprocal letters from another congregation
*All separate family services
*Children of members beyond the age of 24 with proof of being full time graduate students or first and second year residents.

Motion: To accept the expanded list of eligible people for free High Holy Day tickets." Landau/Lamm. This passed unanimously.

Additional no parking signs have been added to eliminate parking next to building and in driveways. Tuition statements for Religious School have been mailed. Rebecca Kanner has been hired as the new Cemetery Associate. TBE has cancelled their Adult Hebrew classes. Many of the participants have been Beth Israel members, and the congregation is investigating taking over the supervision of the program. A community wide Yom Hazikaron observance will be held at 7:00 p.m. on May 7th at BIC, planned by a number of Israelis who are members at Beth Israel.

New Business: Rashes introduced a number of By Law changes, including changes which allow for an Assistant Rabbi. .
Motion: By-Law changes as specified should be brought to the congregation for approval. Adler/Winkelman.

The Religious School Graduation takes place on Sunday, May 11th and a number of Board members children will be honored: Josh Colton, Ilana Rashes, Judith & Sophia Blumenthal.

Religious Affairs Committee: Bernstein announced that his committee meets on May 6th and will discuss further ideas for encouraging minyan attendance.

Men's Club: Rashes reminded everyone to Light a Holocaust Memorial Candles on Wednesday, May 7th.

The meeting adjourned at 9:18 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,
Sherri Peller
Recording Secretary

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