Beth Israel Congregation
Minutes of the Board
May 19, 2004

Present: Ahronheim, Bardenstein, Berman, Bernstein, Dobrusin, D�Angelo, Finerman, Kaplan, Klein, Landau, Rashes, Schiff, Sorkin, Sussman, Tankanow

Meeting called to order 8:05 pm.
Agenda approved.
Minutes � April 28, 2004 were approved as corrected (Bardenstein�s position is V.P. for Education); Motion made by Finerman, seconded by Sussman � passed unanimously.

Rabbi�s Report: (1) Shavuot on 5/25/04: giving of the Torah; time for Torah study; congregants will be teaching sessions on the ethics of fundraising, education, medical issues etc. (2) Mission trip to Israel: emailed the congregation while in Israel; many responses; very meaningful experience; had opportunity to teach.

President�s Report: (1) D�Angelo reported that on June 23, 2004 at 8 p.m. at the Garfunkel-Schteingart Center, there will be the last semi-annual congregational meeting � in the future there will be one per year. At this meeting there will be a revision of the by-laws, approval of the budget and the new religious school director; there will not be elections; there will be reports from the Vice Presidents. (2) June 6, 2004 from 4-7pm, the Jewish Federation is sponsoring a Dialogue on Israel.

Executive Director�s Report: (1) Sorkin reported that ads have been placed in the WJNews and Detroit Jewish News for a new Program Director. (2) During the renovation some services will be held at various locations including TBE and Hillel with parking at First Presbyterian Church; (3) the kitchen will be packed up on June 6, 2004 � highlighted by pizza; (4) The new Education Director will be Cindy Saper � who will have an office across from the religious school office. (5) Arborcrest Cemetery has been difficult to deal with as mentioned in last month�s meeting; the Jewish Cultural Society wants to find a new location and wants our support; owner is retiring � we are waiting for comfirmation and implications. The Reconstructionist group wants to stay with whichever cemetery we decide. (6) Sorkin will attend a �Week of Study� at the JTS from 6/13/- 6/19/2004 on the topic of the Jewish approach to sickness, suffering and death; Sussman asked if there are any possibilities of attending any learning institutes at JTS; D�Angelo said that the Board should consider adding something to the budget next year for learning/studying opportunities in the Conservative movement. Rabbi supported this issue of learning and taking advantage of what JTS has to offer.

Treasurer�s Report: Rashes reported that the budget is prepared through the end of April; it is projected that there will be a net loss of $2601. Income: dues and religious school payments � if they come in on time then we will break even. Good news: last year we needed to take a significant amount from the Fundraiser to balance the budget; This year we have decreased expenses and increased dues; Funds: Klein will go over past disbursements from other funds in order to reimburse the Building Fund.
Old Business: none

New Business: none

Vice President for Education: (1) Bardenstein reported that Cindy Saper has been hired as the Education Director; Rabbi supported choice and asked for the Board to support her; she has signed the contract; her role will be different; re-wrote job description; job will now include adult education as well as BI Religious School� she has met with Scott; she will be evaluated in January; (2) Program Director � need to work with Educational Director and others to coordinate programs.

Administration: no report

Membership: Kaplan reported that there will be parlor discussions in July with new and old members about their expectations of BI; Finerman wants Board members to attend; need to contact prospective members; also find out why people leave; committee will call new members and make personal connections. Suggested that perhaps we could get coupons from Hiller�s for new members. Klein asked if the membership committee could help contact prospective members. New members will be given opportunity to ask lots of questions; possibility of having a �student,� or �snowbird,� or �deferred memberships� at reduced dues. Berman suggested that we look into questionnaires with family information.

Building Committee: Finerman reported that we reached and exceeded the $1 million mark. Barry, Larry, and Carol met with the architect; need to pack up the kitchen; lots of cleaning to do. Demolition soon; some caterers are interested in buying some of the old appliances; Sorkin will find out how much to charge; question about working on Saturday- Rabbi says that when the Torahs are out of the building, it is now just a building; Rashes stated that people cannot park in the driveway at GSAC; must park on Brockman. Need to find out the maximum capacity of GSAC. Will there be handicap parking?
Next meeting: June 30, 2004

Meeting adjourned at 9:18 p.m. (Motion by Laudau, second by Finerman).

Respectively submitted,

Roberta Tankanow, (sitting in for Valerie Rosenberg, Recording Secretary)

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