Beth Israel Congregation
Minutes of the Board
August 31, 2005

Present: Finerman, Rashes, Ahronheim, Klein, Sussman, Kaplan, Liberman-Lampear, Landau, Rosenberg, Tankanow, Adler, Bernstein, Gershowitz, Peller, Sorkin, Dobrusin

Meeting called to order 8:04PM
Agenda approved as presented
Dvar Torah given by Rabbi Dobrusin

President Finerman started the Board meeting by introducing Judi Lax, Terri Mellow, and Jeff Levine, representatives of the Jewish Community Foundation of Washtenaw County. They presented information on options for charitable giving through the foundation and answered questions from board members. This foundation partners with nine Jewish institutions in Ann Arbor, including Beth Israel. The same investment group that manages the Detroit Federation�s assets manages the assets raised by the Jewish Community Foundation of Washtenaw County. The foundation�s representatives urged Beth Israel to develop a committee to educate our congregants regarding the variety of ways they can make donations using the different charitable vehicles provided by the foundation.

Rabbi�s Remarks: Rabbi Dobrusin thanked the congregation for granting him time to study at the Hartmann Institute in Jerusalem this summer. It was a wonderful time to study and to be exposed to new ideas. The Rabbi will start a class on Monday evenings that is an introduction to Judaism. Part of its purpose is to expose converts to synagogue life. They are not only converting into a faith, but a community as well.

President�s Report: Finerman reported that the weekend of Novemer 18, 2006 has been set aside to celebrate Beth Israel�s 90th year as a congregation. A motion made by Landau, seconded by Peller to provide a $1200 deposit to the Yiddishe Cup band to hold the date passed unanimously. In 2007 there will be a celebration of Rabbi Dobrusin�s twenty-five years in the rabbinate. At this time we also hope to raise money for the Jewish Theological Seminary.

Treasurer�s Report: In the absence of Liberman-Lampear, Sorkin presented the report for the first two months of the fiscal year.

Executive Director�s Report: At Sorkin�s request a motion made by Ahronheim and seconded by Bernstein to spend $2000 from the Margolis Fund to purchase new school furniture passed unanimously. In two weeks Sorkin is expecting a proposal to replace the front door lock.

Old Business: Finerman reported that the purchase of a work of art for the courtyard from the Bobbi and Myron Levine Cultural Art Fund (a fund through the Jewish Community Foundation) goes forward. Installation is expected soon.

New Business: Upon the request of Rosenberg, the board agreed to move the October board meeting from Thursday, October 27th to Wednesday, Novemer 2nd. The date of the previously scheduled November meeting remains November 30th.

Finance Vice President: Klein reported that he has renegotiated some of the terms of our bank loan that finances the renovation. The new terms are more beneficial to Beth Israel. Klein also reported that a new contract for the Rabbi has been finalized.

Religious Vice President: Ahronheim reported on plans for the upcoming High Holidays.

Program Vice President: Sussman reported on the courtyard service in memory of Joey Newhouse and on future youth activities.

Membership Vice President: Kaplan informed the Board of the activities of his committee to welcome new members.

Building Committee: Finerman indicated that almost all of the remaining small details of Phase I have been completed and most of the major work of Phase II has been finished.

Men�s Club: Rashes discussed the efforts of the club to provide ushers for the High Holidays.

Sisterhood: Peller reported on Sisterhood�s activities, including an outreach program to assist congregants with short-term crises. The Sisterhood Gift Shop raised $3600 for the synagogue.

Meeting adjourned 9:58PM
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Rosenberg, Recording Secretary

Please send comments or suggestions to The Beth Israel Webmaster.