Beth Israel Congregation
Minutes of the Board
August 25, 2004

Present: D�Angelo, Berman, Klein, Ahronheim, Bardenstein, Sussman, Kaplan, Rashes, Rosenberg, Schiff, Bernstein, Finerman, Landau, Liberman-Lampear, Tankanow, Dobrusin, Sorkin.

Meeting called to order 8:03PM
Agenda approved
Minutes of June 30, 2004 approved as corrected
D�var Torah given by Peller

Rabbi�s Remarks: Dobrusin reported that High Holiday planning continues. He discussed some of the thoughts he will present on Rosh Hashanah. Dobrusin also spoke about the organization �Rabbis for Human Rights� (RHR). This organization was founded in Israel in 1988. It includes members of Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstructionist, Reform and Renewal movements. RHR has no affiliation with any party or ideology. Several local groups would like to bring Rabbi Arik Ascherman to Ann Arbor to speak in November and Dobrusin requested Beth Israel to co-sponsor this. The Board unanimously passed a motion to co-sponsor Rabbi Ascherman�s speaking in Ann Arbor. The motion was made by Schiff, and seconded by Tankanow.

President�s Report: D�Angelo presented several letters to Beth Israel from other religious congregations expressing support of Beth Israel and the strong belief that picketing religious services is not right. With the end of the renovations, we look forward in October to a celebration and a rededication of the synagogue.

Executive Director�s Report: Sorkin reported that the new staff members, Saper and Berdy, are working well together. Steve Weiss and Charles Weaver have made some changes to the synagogue web calendar which allows the entire office staff to use it on a daily basis for all room set-ups. At Sorkin�s request, the Board passed a motion authorizing the purchase of a professional carpet cleaning machine for $3500, $2000 to come from the Maintenance Fund and the balance from the Building Fund. The motion was made by Berman and seconded by Ahronheim.

Treasurer�s Report: Rashes and Klein reported that we avoided ending the 2003-2004 fiscal year with a deficit by not fully funding the Capital Depreciation Seed Fund. This fund received $12,740 instead of $17,000 as originally budgeted. The Rabbi�s Sabbatical Fund was fully funded as budgeted. Fiscal year 2004-2005 will have one additional two-week pay period for the staff. This occurs every ten years with all organizations that pay bi-weekly. The current fiscal year, therefore, now has a projected deficit of $5,300. We have until June 30, 2005 to rectify this shortfall.

Old Business: Finerman reported that the contractors are working long hours to meet the renovation schedule. City inspectors are requesting a number of changes that were not originally anticipated.

Membership Vice-President�s Report: Kaplan discussed feedback his committee has received from new members. The Board passed a motion recommending that the Finance Committee consider a different dues structure for younger new members. The purpose of this is to offer support and to encourage the membership of our younger congregants. The motion was made by Kaplan and seconded by Tankanow.

Finance Vice-President�s Report: Klein reported we now have a $1,000,000 line of credit with Ann Arbor Commerce Bank. We are transferring all of our accounts to this bank.

Religious Vice-President�s Report: Ahronheim thanked the staff for creating a pleasant environment for worship services at 2010 (GSAC).

Program Vice-President�s Report: Sussman stated that the congregational outing to the Detroit Zoo was a great success. She also reported that Bernstein will lead a meeting following services this Shabbat for all congregants wishing to discuss, express opinions, or ask questions regarding the pickets.

Education Vice-President�s Report: Bardenstein reported that Saper and Berdy have worked well together. The high school has been very well organized for the coming year. Saper has brought a lot of focus to the school. There is a great deal of physical work to prepare for school this year as the school has been used as storage space for the entire upstairs and the kitchen during renovation.

Men�s Club Report: Rashes reported that the Men�s Club has contributed $2000 to the Renovation project. There will be a paving brick honoring this donation. The club will work with Sorkin to purchase a business quality laser jet printer that will be wired to all staff computers.

Sisterhood Report: Peller reported that the Sisterhood has also contributed $2000 to the Renovation project and there will be a paving brick honoring this donation as well. Sisterhood is also raising money for new kitchen accouterments.

Meeting adjourned 9:50PM

Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Rosenberg, Recording Secretary

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