Beth Israel Congregation
Minutes of the Board
December 17, 2003

Present: D�Angelo, Berman, Sussman, Bardenstein, Ahronheim, Klein, Schiff, Bernstein, Landau, Liberman-Lampear, Margolis, Finerman, Peller, Gershowitz, Sorkin, Dobrusin

Meeting called to order 8:05 PM
Agenda approved
Minutes of November 4 and November 19, 2003 approved

Scott Littky, Director of Beth Israel Religious School for the last two and a half years, presented a report on the status of the school. Littky is very enthusiastic about the school and the students. He has received many compliments from parents, and he encourages parents to give him feedback. Littky does not think the lower enrollment is a problem or a reflection of problems at the school. This is part of a national trend. Our religious school competes with Hebrew Day School and the Jewish community-wide high school in Ann Arbor. Our Madrichim program is a great success with 25 students participating. Littky also provided the Board with a document detailing the many changes made to the middle school program and an outline of the elementary school program. Littky has enhanced communication with a school open house, a newsletter, teachers� e-mail to their classes, and Littky�s weekly memo to the staff.

Executive Director�s Report: Sorkin reported we are now a member of the Michigan Interfairth Power and Light Organization. This organization offers advice on how to save money and be more �green� in our institutional behavior. There are 26-28 bar/bat mitzvah families in 2006. Sorkin is working with them on scheduling. Via e-mail and HaShaliach, Sorkin has asked anyone else wishing to schedule a reading of the Haftarah during 2006 to notify him. The Board approved a motion to purchase a bench and water pitcher for the cemetery as well as a fully transliterated Shabbat morning siddurim with $2500 donated by Nell Stern. Motion made by Berman, seconded by Finerman.

Rabbi�s Comments: The Middle School retreat was �superb� with 15 families participating. The Zwerdling Lecture weekend takes place end of March with Rabbi Dorff. That Shabbat is also Teen Shabbat. As part of the weekend Rabbi Dorff will meet with the Madrichim for a discussion of sexual ethics and Judaism.

Treasurer�s Report: Klein and Sorkin have carefully reviewed the budget. The forecast is for us to finish this year close to our budgeted figure.

Old Business: Margolis met with Rockind (the architect) to review plans. The roof is complete. The new HVAC units will be installed by January 10th, in time for the first Bar Mitzvah of 2004. The unit over the offices will not be replaced. It still has 10-15 years of life. The next phase of the renovation is scheduled for June 5, 2004 through Labor Day weekend. This will include the sanctuary, social hall, bathrooms, kitchen and entryway. One additional stall will be added to the women�s bathroom. Renovation of the school will occur the following year. As previously agreed, we are ready for the work scheduled this summer given we have secured in pledges 80 percent ($625,000) of the costs. If we raise an additional $75,000, we can also do the parking lot. The Board passed a motion to authorize Phase I construction in the amount of $737,000 subject to congregational approval for financing. The motion was made by Berman and seconded by Bardenstein. Klein reported that three banks are very interested in our business. We won�t need cash until June, so there is plenty of time to negotiate terms.

Campaign Committee: Finerman reported that a letter is going out within days to solicit pledges. She has pulled together a group of five women and developed plans to solicit the second tier of givers. There will be an open house on January 18th to show potential donors the problem areas in the building and to talk about the planned solutions. Finerman�s group has planned a � Super Sunday� telethon on January 25th to contact approximately three hundred families. January 29, 2004 is the full Congregational Meeting to elect new members to replace those whose terms have expired on the Board.

Meeting adjourned 9:57 PM

Respectfully submitted,
Steve Schiff, Secretary pro tem

Please send comments or suggestions to The Beth Israel Webmaster.