Beth Israel Congregation
Minutes of Board Meeting
December 11, 2002

Present: D�Angelo, Berman, Vinokur, Ahronheim, Taylor, Rosenberg, Klein, Coran, Finerman, Kraut, Schteingart, Spoon, Gershowitz, Dobrusin, Sorkin

Call to order at 8:10PM
Agenda approved as revised
Minutes of October 23, 2002 approved
D�var Torah given by Ruth Kraut

Rabbi�s Report: Rabbi Dobrusin reported that he and others are working to revitalize the Youth Program. There are many challenges including earning the trust, involvement, and commitment of parents. The Board needs to support these efforts. Elliot Dorf, a leader of the Conservative movement from the University of Judaism in Los Angeles will speak as Scholar-in-Residence for the Zwerdling Lecture series Spring, 2004. This is a biennial program. In the wake of 9/11 a number of congregants have asked the Rabbi about the local Islamic community. He is thinking of asking a local woman involved in interfaith activities in our community to speak to interested members of our congregation about her relationship to Islam. She is not an official representative of the local mosque. She has a reputation as an interesting speaker. Lastly the Rabbi mentioned that while on sabbatical he had written an article, which will be included in a book of collected articles, Matzoh Ball Soup, available through Amazon.com.

President�s Report: D�Angelo thanked those who worked to bring about the Founder�s Shabbat, as well as those who participated in this inspiring and enjoyable event. He also thanked Schteingart and the Nominating Committee for their efforts. Dates for meetings early in 2003 will be: Executive Committee Meeting, January 19; Board Meeting, January 22; Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting and Elections, January 26 (during daytime hours); Board Retreat with newly elected members, February 2. We will schedule the Semi-Annual Meeting to follow the Men�s Club �World Wide Wrap� and we will include food for both events. D�Angelo presented a motion, which the Board passed, to create a Pekuach Nefesh Fund (Health and Safety). Funds raised above those needed to purchase the defibrillator will start this fund.

Financial Vice-President�s Report: Vinokur gave the Treasurer�s Report. The approved budget calls for income of $789,000. Projected income currently is $755,000. Reducing expenses to $769,000, we will still have a deficit of $14,000. Vinokur reported that in our congregation of 475 membership units, the average dues are $1232. The median dues are $1042. If each member unit bore equal responsibility for the revised budget, each would pay approximately $1600. D�Angelo will place these issues on the agenda of the Board retreat on February 2, 2003. D�Angelo requested that Sorkin gather data regarding the amount of dues paid per membership unit in congregations similar to ours. A motion was made to invest a portion of money (currently in a checking account paying 0.5%) in 90 day Treasury Bonds paying 2-3% interest. The motion was tabled pending presentation of specifics regarding cash flow, the exact amount to be invested, and exactly where the money would be invested. A motion was made and passed to accept the Treasurer�s report.

Executive Director�s Report: Sorkin discussed the condition of our Torah scrolls, which are inspected every few years, as detailed by Torah restoration specialists. All six of our Torah scrolls need some work. Machon Ot, the restoration specialists, provided cost estimates of $13,000. Sorkin suggested a fundraiser such as other congregations have used to raise restoration funds. This fundraiser might even raise additional funds needed by the congregation. Various aspects of the fundraiser will take place over a six-month period, including a Torah Festival, educational events centering on the Torah, and a final procession and dedication. With the encouragement of the Board, Sorkin will proceed to form a committee to work on this project. Sorkin also reported that both Yahrzeit donations and sponsorships for the Religious School and Programming Events have brought in additional money.

New Business: Ruth Kraut presented the Kitchen Cabinet Committee�s proposal for fees paid for use of the kitchen. The Board passed a motion setting fees as stated in Part A, option 2, and as stated in Part B as revised by the Board, which raised the non-member rate to $4.50 per person attending the event. Thus, Beth Israel will charge the following fees for use of the kitchen: (1) For people sponsoring an event to which the congregation is invited (examples: bat mitzvah, baby naming) charges are (a) Simple Cold Kiddush, $250 (b) Extended Cold Kiddush, $350 (c) Extended Hot Kiddush, $500. (2)For a private reception (example: weddings) charges are (a) $3.00 per person served (member rate) charged to caterer or to family doing own event or (b) $4.50 per person (non-member rate) charged to caterer or to family doing own event.

Committee Reports:
Building/Construction Committee: Spoon had no updates to report at this time. D�Angelo, and the Board as a whole, took this opportunity to commend Spoon for the attractive fixtures, which significantly increase the light at night to the building entrance.

Men�s Club: Gershowitz reported on activities of the past month such as Carl Cohen�s presentation regarding the U of M�s case on diversity. Gershowitz stated upcoming events include �The World Wide Wrap� and a Yom HaShoah mailing.

Sisterhood: Sorkin read from a note from Peller reporting on the Chanuka Bazaar and the upcoming Sisterhood Shabbat in February.

Meeting adjourned 9:45PM

Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Rosenberg, Recording Secretary

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