Beth Israel Congregation
Board Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Present: Rashes, Finerman, Bernstein, Kaplan, Hirshbein, Rubenstein, Liberman-Lampear, Peller, Landau, Bender, Dwoskin, Winkelman, Blumenthal and Sorkin.

The D�var Torah was given by Rabbi Blumenthal.
The agenda was approved. Finerman/Winkelman
The February minutes were approved. Hirshbein/Bernstein

Rabbi�s Remarks: With regard to the upcoming program featuring Ruth Messinger, Board Members are asked to attend and help welcome all the participants.

President�s Report: The Dobrusin Deli raised just over $13,000. The entertainment was great! Rashes reviewed a letter being circulated regarding some common problems congregations are experiencing with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Rashes also addressed some concerns regarding decorum at Shabbat Services, specifically use of cell phones, attire, and people leaving the service at inappropriate times. Haran reviewed the names of people who agreed to be on the nominating committee.
Motion: The nominating committee will consist of Blumenthal, Shapo, Finerman, D�Angelo, Zwetchkenbaum, S. Klein, & D, Hamermesh. Landau/Hirshbein.

The Women�s League will meet on Thursday, March 26 at 8:00 p.m. to discuss its future.

Rabbi�s Report: Rabbi Dobrusin spoke of upcoming programming events and on the issue of decorum in the synagogue. The congregation must be tactful and proactive in addressing these concerns.

Treasurer�s Report: Liberman-Lampear reported that the finance committee will meet over Passover to start working on the budget for the coming year. Like other congregations during these times of financial crisis, Beth Israel needs to look at ways to �tighten its belt� over the next year.

Executive Director�s Report: Sorkin reported on the progress of Beth Israel�s Seder Hospitality project, and asked the board to participate in the calling. Sorkin also reported on his attendance at the Naase West Coast Institute, held at the American Jewish University. Rabbi Feinstein from Valley Beth Shalom pointedly spoke about the current crisis in Conservative Judaism and that all the demographics are working against us. He felt that �ideology� was the key to solving the overall decrease in membership. Rabbi Bradley Artson from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies emphasized the important role that synagogues and hence its leadership has to play during the current financial crises.

Program Committee Report: Hirshbein reported on the plans for the upcoming Passover College, which includes a Haggadah Museum and Passover Recipe Book. He also reported on upcoming events including a Beth Israel Courtyard Barbeque on Sunday, Sunday May 3rd . Next year the committee has scheduled another Beth Israel Fun Fair (which will this year charge nominal fees,) a Sukkah hop on a Saturday after services, a Road Rally on November 1, a new Hanukkah program called �Latkepalooza� on December 13, a possible family event at a water park on December 25th, and another Quiz Night. Programs for Empty nesters and other underserved populations will be considered for additional programming.

Religious Committee Report: Kaplan reported that minyan brochures have been sent out to congregants. A sub-committee has met regarding enhancements to the Friday Night service.

Landau reminded the Board of the upcoming JCC Auction �Raise the Roof� to be held at JCC on Saturday evening March 28th. The Torah fund campaign sponsored by Women�s League has raised $2,000.

Meeting adjourned at 9:26 p.m.
Liberman-Lampear/Winkelman

Respectfully Submitted,
Sherri Peller
Recording Secretary

Beth Israel Congregation
Written Reports for
Meeting of the Board of Directors
April 28, 2009
Beth Israel Mitzvah Connection
Beth Israel Mitzvah Connection is meeting with the office staff on April 29 to answer any questions that staff may have about the Beth Israel Mitzvah Connection. Beth Israel Mitzvah Connection is also seeking ways to better interact with the office staff, to make filling the requests easier. We still have some minor tweaking to do regarding the way information is processed with our coordinators, once we receive a request from the office. Before the meeting with staff on April 29, the steering committee will meet to iron out those wrinkles.
Submitted by Carol Finerman
Cemetery Committee
Pam Landau met with Arborcrest regarding several issues. Either Arborcrest or Beth Israel needs to plant bushes to demarcate (l�havdil) our old Section from the rest of cemetery for halachic purposes. We are trying to determine who should take responsibility for this. There are two plots in the old Section which are designated on the maps as �treed.� The trees that may have been there in the past are long dead and removed. There is some question as to whether or not Beth Israel purchased these plots in the past. The bench in the new Section has been moved out of the walkway. The tree planted near in the new section should not infringe on another plot. If it does, Arborcrest said we may use that lot as a tree lot and will be given another (in another location, of course) in its place. Arborcrest has requested that congregants and visitors do not place loose objects or permanent plantings on or near gravesites. This includes stones. An alternative is potted plantings that may be moved and either frames around the headstones or metal �bowls� or containers in the ground for stones or �trinkets.�
Submitted by Pam Landau
Library
A Beth Israel Book Club group has begun meeting. The first book to be read will be A Pigeon and A Boy, by Israeli author Meir Shalev. A discussion of this book will be held on Sunday June 7, at 10:00 am at Beth Israel. The Book Club will probably alternate between fiction and non-fiction books so that everybody�s tastes are being accommodated.
Submitted by Nika Bareket
Men�s Club
Yom Hashoah candles were mailed to all congregants. Todah Rabah to Charles Weaver for organizing the program and to Cindy Saper and the Beth Israel Religious School students who helped pack the candles.
Submitted by Haran Rashes
Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee has met three times so far, and heard from President Haran Rashes and Executive Director Elliot Sorkin. In addition, the chair met individually with Rabbis Dobrusin and Blumenthal to get their input. Of the three at-large members whose terms are up this year, two wish to step down and will be replaced. The Committee is moving ahead on all open positions, and hopes to submit a list of nominees in 3-4 weeks.
Submitted by Robert Blumenthal
Social Action Committee
The Social Action Committee will be volunteering at IHN/Alpha House on May 12 and 14. The matanot la'eyomin was a great success at the megillah reading. This year's three designated organizations received the following: IHN - $159, Avalon - $141 (and another check arrived after) and the Shelter Association - $125. 27 donors were accepted, and 4 turned away, at the Beth Israel Blood Drive on March 1. Social Action Committee will be leading one of the study sessions at Shavuot on the topic of Immigration.
Compiled from Committee Minutes
Women�s League
A meeting was held in March to assess the current status of Women�s League. Ideas were shared . There is strong interest in continuing Women�s League activities, but the support is not there at this time. Women�s League will not be holding a Chanukah Bazaar this year. The Gift Shop and Torah Fund will continue and Women�s League will continue to provide gifts for Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah children. Meetings of the Women�s League Board will be held every month. Current economic conditions are believed to be a contributing factor with regard to the lack of support for Women�s League.
Submitted by Sherri Peller

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