Beth Israel Congregation
Minutes of the Board
March 25, 2004

Present: D�Angelo, Berman, Klein, Ahronheim, Bardenstein, Sussman, Kaplan, Rashes, Rosenberg, Schiff, Bernstein, Finerman, Margolis, Tankanow, Gershowitz, Sorkin, Rabbi Dobrusin,

Meeting called to order 8:07PM
Agenda approved
Dvar Torah given by Kaplan
Minutes of February 17, 2004 approved as corrected

Rabbi�s Remarks: Rabbi Dobrusin reported that the 2004 Zwerdling Scholar-in-Residence Program begins this Friday evening. The topic is �Ethics in Jewish Life�, and we will continue the study of this topic on the first night of Shavuos. Purim was fabulous. Thank you to the many people who participated. The Rabbi and a number of congregants leave April 18th on a 10 day mission to Israel sponsored by the Jewish Federation. A reporter from the Ann Arbor News has interviewed the Rabbi regarding the protesters who stand at our driveway entrance on Shabbat mornings.

President�s Report: D�Angelo reported that we�ve made some excellent progress in fundraising thanks to the committee under the leadership of Finerman and Berman. We are grateful to all who have contributed to the renovation project, and are especially grateful to those individuals and families who have truly stretched themselves in making their pledges.

Executive director�s Report: Sorkin stated that the office will mail the invitations to the spring Yom Ha�atzma�ut fundraiser this week. We have already received $1,000 in sponsorships. The Cemetery Committee continues to work with the managers at Arbor Crest regarding problems there. The committee may begin searching for alternatives to this cemetery. Nine teenagers have received Ladin Scholarships for travel to Israel.

Treasurer�s Report: Rashes warned that the costs of conducting a search and hiring a new Religious School Director as well as a new Program Director will probably lead to a deficit in this year�s budget.

Old Business: (1) Renovation Project--- Finerman reported that there are now once a month meetings with J.C. Beal to work on details of the project. The Open House went well with a good exchange of information between committee members and congregants. The Phone-a-thon raised $65,000 in donations. We now have pledges of approximately $915,000. The Campaign Finance Committee will meet March 31st as fundraising for this project continues. (2) Action Plan-- D�Angelo passed out copies of a chart called the Action Plan, designed to help us reach the Board�s future goals as discussed at the February meeting. Berman stated that we must prioritize the 23 actions listed. Board members listed as leads for each action should not be expected to do all of the work. The job of the lead is to engage others in the actions and perhaps turn some responsibilities over to non-board congregants.

New Business: Schiff presented information regarding a Dialogue Program developed by the Federation. The topic is Israel. The format will be small discussion groups led by trained moderators. A motion was made and seconded to join in sponsoring the Federation Dialogue Project on Israel scheduled for June, 2004. The motion passed unanimously.

Vice President for Education: Bardenstein announced that Scott Littky has resigned as Religious School Director in order to take a position elsewhere. Bardenstein has met with Sussman (V.P. for Programs), Sorkin, and Rabbi Dobrusin to work out a job description for a full time Director of Education that would include the Religious School, adult education, youth education, and family education. The job description for the new Program Director would include developing social and support services for congregants, social programming, and holiday celebrations.

Vice President for Membership: Kaplan reported that the Membership Committee has held its first meeting. Jamie Abelson, Sorkin, and Gershowitz are among those on the committee. All of the members are enthusiastic and have offered feedback and ideas. Among committee members, length of membership in Beth Israel ranges from two to forty-seven years.

Men�s Club: Gershowitz informed us that now that Rashes has joined the board as Treasurer, the Men�s Club is searching for a new president.

Meeting adjourned 9:45PM

Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Rosenberg, Recording Secretary

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