Beth Israel Congregation
Board Minutes
Wednesday, November 29 2006

Attendance: Finerman, Rashes, Rubenstein, Lamm, Sussman, Liberman-Lampear, Landau, Winkelman, Gershowitz, L. Adler, D. Adler, Bareket, Lamm, Bardenstein, S. Peller Staff: Sorkin

Meeting called to order at 8:05 p.m.
Agenda was approved as presented.
Minutes were corrected and approved.

Rashes gave a brief D'var Torah relating to parashah of the week about doing God's will as leaders of the congregation.

Federation Representative Eileen Freed spoke regarding "Super-Week" (11 � 17 Dec. 06) Campaign and the Federation allocations to various local agencies and national organizations.

President's Report: Finerman praised the excellent 90th Anniversary weekend events, with thanks to klezmer group, all the volunteers, and the energized congregants who made the 90th Anniversary Celebration such a memorable success.

On the 28th of Nov., Carol attended the Jewish Strategic Task Planning Force meeting dealing with upcoming senior needs, community capital needs projects, and future needs of the community.

Monthly meetings of the Task Force will be held January through April 2007. Beth Israel Board will be kept informed of trends and plans. BIC will invite speaker to address issues which are being reviewed..

A major topic at the upcoming Board Retreat will be membership.

Treasurer's Report: Liberman-Lampear reported that we are near the dues pledge projections in the budget. In general, congregants have accepted the addition of a Rabbi's Sabbatical assessment.

Executive Director's Report: Sorkin announced hiring of a new full time administrative assistant, Beth Jarvis. An applicant for the part time Rabbi�s Administrative Assistant will be offered a job.

He proposed that Beth Israel purchase a new telephone system to replace our donated, antiquated one at a cost $7,100. (Three separate bids had been presented and reviewed by Barry Margolis, the new House Chair). Rashes suggested adding a speaker system for the Religious School area to be used in case of emergencies
#Motion: To allocate up to $7,500 for new phone system � Liberman-
Lampear, 2nd by Bardenstein and approved.

#Motion: To approve the new "Alfred and Alice Rosenberg Lecture Fund.� Peller, 2nd by Winkelman and approved.

#Motion: Beth Israel to thank Martha Oleinick for 21 years of devoted
service as Administrator � Rashes, 2nd by Liberman-Lampear.

Membership; Gershowitz spoke of developing more activities for pre-schoolers and their parents, in order for Beth Israel to attract new members.

Program Reminder � Police Chief of Ann Arbor will speak to BIC members on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 8:00 p.m.

Religious Report: Attendance at Friday night services has been decreasing. The Religious Committee is working on a variety of ways to attract more people.

Program Committee: Lonnie Sussman indicated that she is still working on the mechanics of a possible sign outside of Beth Israel for messages.

Woman's League: Peller stated that the Chanukah Choopla event will be held on Sunday, 3 Dec, 06 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with new format this year - no outside vendors, but additional attractions for younger families.

Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.. Motion by Rashes, 2nd by D. Adler.

Respectfully Submitted
by Sherri Peller
Recording Secretary

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