Beth Israel Congregation
Board Meetings Minutes
Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Present: Rashes, Bernstein, Rosenblum, Kaplan, Hirshbein, Rubenstein, Liberman-Lampear, Peller, Landau, Bender, Dwoskin, Hartman, Leber, Winkelman, Sorkin. Guest: Mary Schuman

Rashes opened the meeting at 8:04 p.m. Minutes were corrected and approved. Liberman-Lampear/Landau. The D�var Torah was given by Sorkin. The agenda was approved.
Liberman-Lampear/ Winkelman.

Mary Schuman proposed some changes to the Saad Fund. The fund�s name would be changed to the Saad: A Helping Hand Fund and would continue to be utilized by some projects overseen by the Social Action Committee such as the overflow shelter for homeless men, the volunteering at Alpha House for homeless families and the Red Cross Blood Drive. In addition funds may be utilized by the Beth Israel Mitzvah Committee which meets the needs of our congregants with meals, visits and other helpful assistance. The Fund would also continue to support projects such as the Religious School's distribution of Purim baskets and in addition, will be available to provide seed money for new initiatives in our congregation and community. Distributions from the Fund would be handled by a representative from the Social Action Committee, the BIMC, and the Treasurer.

Motion: To rename the Saad Fund the Saad: A Helping Hand Fund. The Beth Israel treasurer, one representative from the Social Action Committee, and one representative from the Mitzvah Connection, will approve and oversee the expenditures of the fund. Bernstein/Winkelman. This motion was approved unanimously.

President�s Report: Members of the Social Action Committee have brought up disabilities issue, including Bima and reader�s table accessibility to those in wheel chairs. Larry Rockind has been asked to look into these issues on behalf of the congregation. Dobrusin�s Deli reservations are being accepted. To date $6,000 in donations have come in and the goal is $22,000. Bob Blumenthal has been chosen to chair the Nominating Committee.

Treasurer�s Report: Liberman-Lampear reviewed and discussed the January income statement.

Executive Director�s Report: Sorkin informed the board that he is looking into a video access system for 2010. He has also received a bid on adding air conditioning to one of the units on the lower level which serves the chapel, and on adding another HVAC vent in Rabbi Dobrusin�s new office.

Old Business: None

Executive Vice President�s Report: Bernstein spoke of upcoming evaluation for Rabbi Blumenthal. Committee members are: Rashes, Kaplan, Colton and Bernstein.

Education Report: Colton was absent and had given Bernstein her report.

Finance Report: Rosenblum reported that as is typical for this time of year, expenses are higher than income, however the congregation is still in the black.

Program Report: Hirshbein related various program plans. �Jews on Ice� this weekend includes skating at Yost arena and watching the film �Miracle� at GSAC. Passover College returns on March 29th. Passover recipes should be sent to Mimi Weisberg for publication.

Religious Report: Kaplan announced some ongoing plans to encourage Minyan attendance. One is a brochure encouraging wider participation. Another is a �A Learner�s Minyan� to be held on March 2 & 4 at 7:15 p.m. A new committee is forming to brainstorm ideas for Friday nights to increase attendance at the Kabbalat Shabbat service.

Rashes distributed committee reports sent via email.

Rabbi Blumenthal: She reported that she is seeking a grant fund for a Rosh Chodesh Program which will involve religious school female students. Ruth Messinger, a world expert on the Darful crisis, will speak on March 31st at 7:30 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to attend.

Meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m. by Kaplan and Rubenstein.

Respectfully Submitted,

Sherri Peller
Recording Secretary

Beth Israel Congregation
Written Reports for
Meeting of the Board of Directors
February 18, 2009
Library Committee
This year�s Beth Israel Reads Book is The Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs. A discussion about the book will take place after services this Shabbat, March 28.
Men�s Club
The February 21, 2009 Henry Gershowitz Memorial Shabbat Service went well. Yasher Koach to Charles Weaver for organizing it and to everyone who participated. Yom Hashoah candles will be in the mail shortly. Erev Yom Hashoah falls on the evening of Monday, April 20th. Todah Rabah to the sixth grade class for helping package the candles.
Submitted by Haran Rashes
Women�s League
Women�s League is working at various plans to revive interest and participation in the organization. A meeting of the Executive Committee of Women�s League and Beth Israel President Haran Rashes, Vice President Jeff Bernstein, and the Rabbis will be held on Thursday, March 26 to discuss the future of Women�s League. At this time, all Women�s League events are suspended until the issues are resolved.
Submitted by Sherri Peller

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