Beth Israel Congregation
Minutes of the Board
March 23, 2005

Present: D�Angelo, Berman, Ahronheim, Bardenstein, Rashes, Rosenberg, Bernstein, Finerman, Landau, Liberman-Lampear, Margolis, Gershowitz, Dobrusin, Sorkin

Meeting called to order 8:05PM
Agenda Approved as presented
Dvar Torah presented by Rashes
Minutes of February 23, 2005 approved as corrected

Rabbi�s Remarks: Rabbi Dobrusin reported that the celebration of Purim with the reading of the Megillah was a lively event. Previously there had been a very nice Friday evening Shabbat on March 4th with a cantorial student from the Jewish Theological Society. �The Children of Abraham Project� which we helped to sponsor was sold out. Chabad will celebrate its 30th Anniversary soon at Kensington Court. Rabbi Dobrusin cannot attend, but a member of our board will read written remarks by the Rabbi for the occasion. Mark Snyder from the Political Science Department at the University of Michigan requested the name of a congregant to interview. Bernstein volunteered to meet with him.

President�s Report: President D�Angelo reported that during the past few years we have successfully addressed the need for increased funding, and our revenue is now closer to where it needs to be. Both the budget and staffing committees are meeting, and the Nominating Committee is developing the slate to present at the Annual Congregational Meeting. The Middle East peace statement we voted on at our last meeting has been sent to the Ann Arbor News. Sorkin will look into options for the installation of a video surveillance system for the Synagogue building. Our first Annual Congregational Meeting will be held on June 26th. At that time we will vote on the slate of new officers and the annual budget.

Executive Director�s Report: Sorkin reported that we have paid back a substantial portion ($236,000) of our initial loan ($445,000) from Ann Arbor Commerce Bank. We will, however, need to borrow more when we begin the final phase of the renovation. Sorkin discussed some possible changes in staffing as Sharon Wiegand, Administrative Assistant, will reduce her hours to half time following the birth of twins. Sorkin also spoke about the recent meeting he attended in Israel with other executive directors from North America. He enumerated many activities of Mercaz, the Conservative movement in Israel.
Treasurer�s Report: The current projected budget deficit is $6,800.

Old Business: Finerman reported that the ad hoc committee appointed to review the proposed donation of a relief sculpture for the courtyard wall has found favor with the work of art. Collaborative discussion with the artist continues in terms of color and placement. Finerman also discussed plans to replace the Ark curtains used during the High Holidays. Our present curtains, which have served us so well, have deteriorated with age. We have pledges from two congregants, one to cover cost of materials and another to work on design. Ahronheim made a motion to replace the Ark�s High Holidays curtains. The motion was seconded by Landau and passed unanimously. Finerman will arrange for storage of the new curtains in an archival box with archival tissue for improved preservation.

Education Vice President�s Report: Bardenstein informed us that the recent Read-A-Thon, which replaced the Passover candy sale, raised $850. On March 28th the Madrichim students will leave on their trip to explore Jewish Chicago. Now that Keshet, the community wide Jewish religious high school, will teach only Hebrew courses, there is an opportunity to enlarge the scope of our Madrichim program.

Building/Construction Committee: Margolis stated that our contractor, JC Beal, has requested additional drawings from our architect, Larry Rockind, for the final phase of building renovation. We expect detailed cost estimates from JC Beal in the next few weeks.

Men�s Club: Gershowtiz stated that on April 10th at 10:00AM the Men�s Club meets to pack Yom Ha Shoah candles.

Meeting adjourned 9:15PM

Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Rosenberg, Recording Secretary

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