Beth Israel Congregation
Minutes of the Board
June 30, 2004

Present: D�Angelo, Berman, Ahronheim, Bardenstein, Sussman, Rashes, Rosenberg. Schiff, Bernstein, Finerman, Landau, Liberman-Lampear, Tankanow, Gershowitz, Peller, Sorkin, Dobrusin

Meeting called to order 8:07PM
Agenda approved
Minutes of May 19, 2004 approved as amended
D�var Torah given by Sorkin

Rabbi�s Remarks: Rabbi Dobrusin reported he will attend a gathering representing Solomon Schechter Schools on the rabbinic perspective on the teaching of Torah and Talmud in the schools. Shabbat services went well at the Hillel locale. He extended thanks to Hillel and to Sorkin and our staff as well as all who helped to conduct services.

President�s Report: D�Angelo spoke briefly on the important issue of recruiting, nurturing, and developing lay leadership. He passed out copies of a document provided through USCJ, �A Successful Strategy to Engage New Leadership� regarding the experience of Beth Jacob Congregation in Mendota Heights, Minnesota. D�Angelo requested that we read it to prepare for discussion on this topic at our next meeting.

Treasurer�s Report: tabled

Executive Director�s Report: Sorkin stated that unless we have checks come in dated June 30th or before, we will end the year with about a $6,000 shortfall. Nevertheless, we are in much better financial health than we were a year ago. Though all the expenses of the congregation were covered, there will be less money to put aside for the Capital Depreciation Seed Fund.

New Business: D�Angelo spoke about the vigil during Shabbat services. We don�t know when this will stop. We should continue not responding to it. The Board�s responsibility is to our congregants. A committee was appointed (D�Angelo, Ahronheim, Bernstein, Rashes) to draft a letter to our congregants reporting this.

Religious Vice-President�s Report: Ahronheim reported that plans for High Holidays are proceeding. This year there will be only one service on Kol Nidre.

Program Vice-President�s Report: The Committee has hired Geoffrey Berdy as our new Program Director. He will start in August. Berdy has much experience with teens. He has taught in a Hebrew high school, and he has worked on outreach projects for ADL. Sussman thanked the search committee and Sorkin for their hard work.

Education Vice-President: Bardenstein reported that Cindy Saper has brought much energy to the position of Education Director, and that Berdy provides exactly what the search committee was looking for in a Program Director.

Building Renovation and Construction Committee: Finerman reported that as of June 28th the project remains on schedule.

Sisterhood Reprot: Peller reported that Judy Cohen is the new leader of Sisterhood. She reminded us of the many projects that Sisterood provides for the congregation. On September 12, 2004 there will be a kitchen �shower� to help stock our newly renovated kitchen.

Meeting adjourned 9:40PM

Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Rosenberg, Recording Secretary

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