Beth Israel Congregation
Minutes of Board Meeting
July 24, 2002

Present: D�Angelo, Vinokur, Ahronheim, Berman, Taylor, Sussman, Rosenberg, Schiff, Elias, Finerman, Kraut, Schteingart, Spoon, Peller, Gershowitz, Sorkin.

Call to order 8:07PM
Agenda approved.
Minutes approved.

President�s Report: D�Angelo reported the following:
The Executive Committee continues to review the revised draft of the bylaws.
It is now possible to make charitable donations online to Beth Israel using a credit card, with no charges assessed the congregation. The push continues for work to begin this fall on a new photo directory of members. The congregational picnic will take place August 18th. Volunteers were solicited to help. Steve Klein will fill the position of Treasurer until the end of the term (January, 2003).

Treasurer�s Report: Vinokur gave the treasurer�s report. We ended the fiscal year (June 30, 2002) with a deficit of $10,271. Interest income decreased as a result of lower rates. Fundraising fell short of its goals. The cost to run the kitchen ended higher than budgeted largely because of more hours expended on the supervision of kashrut. We do expect to begin a capital campaign as soon as we have final cost estimates for the building renovation. Soon Vinokur will send a comprehensive financial report to all members of the congregation.

Executive Director�s Report: Sorkin reported several minor building repairs, but no major repairs to the HVAC in the last two months. The newly formatted Hashaliach will make its appearance in August. The Jewish Journey Groups received positive feedback and will launch new programs in October. On July 20th the congregation held an open house for new and prospective members. Sorkin has received information from Olan Mills photographers and will now develop a committee to work on the membership directory. Sorkin has begun to gather information regarding security companies and hopes to change companies this year. We now have three bids from different insurance companies for the Finance Committee to consider.

New Business: A resolution passed giving D�Angelo, Klein, Vinokur, and Berman signatory power on behalf of the congregation with regard to Beth Israel�s checking account. A second resolution passed permitting the Cemetery Fund to purchase 16 plots at Arbor Crest for a cost of $13,532. This sum is in the Cemetery Fund�s account.
As additional new business, Sussman brought to the board the need for volunteers to help supervise (not lead) High Holiday youth services.

Vice Presidents Reports:
Finance: Vinokur stated the Finance Committee is working to increase dues in the new fiscal year. Plans for fundraising will proceed as soon as the Building/Construction Committee determines the cost of the proposed building renovation. In response to information provided by Vinlokur the board voted unanimously to purchase a defibrillator so it would be available in time for the High Holidays.

Religious: Ahronheim reported the committee is working on High Holiday plans.

Program: Sussman reported the committee is looking for volunteers for the annual picnic scheduled for August 18th. There are also plans for a Founder�s Shabbat which will be held around Thanksgiving.

Education: Taylor reported there are no teacher vacancies. This year the 8th grade program will include conversational Hebrew. Littky, Sussman, and Taylor continue to meet with the goal of generating joint programs between the Religious School and the Program Department. They aim to enhance the students� sense of community beyond the school.

Administration: Berman suggested that in the future we consider a synagogue yellow pages directory as a method of deriving income from advertising.

Committees:
Building/ Construction: Spoon stated that by the end of September we should have detailed cost estimates for the proposed renovations. Finerman reported that the renovation finance sub-committee is working now to develop a campaign cabinet of knowledgeable and committed individuals.

Sisterhood: Peller reported that future activities include a membership tea and an �Empatheater� event.

Kitchen Committee: Kraut has determined, by working with a focus group, that congregants would like to know of all fees in advance. Congregants use more than one catering service and sometimes the family does the cooking for an event. This past year the kitchen coordinator spent fifty percent of her time on synagogue sponsored events. Research shows that many synagogues require a supervisor to be in the kitchen whenever anyone uses it to cook.

Meeting adjourned 9:15PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Rosenberg, Recording Secretary

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