PRESENT: Alex Baskind, Davida Adelberg, Howard Fine, Joanne Cornbleet, Lee Hirsch, Marshall Burak, Martin Sherman, Michael Leitner, Michael Schaffer, Nancy Newman, Norm Abramovitz, Rabbi Schonbrun, Rhonda Raider, Ricki Gafter, Ron Ruebusch, Ronnie Gordon, Steve Karel, Tanya Lorien (guest).
Several congregants were present.
DRASH
Relating to Lech L’cha, Rabbi Schonbrun spoke about the journey to find our authentic self. Part of our work as synagogue leaders is helping each other on our respective journeys.
GOOD AND WELFARE REPORT
Susan Murai Raider’s father passed away.
Bob Silver, past president, passed away.
The Lipsons had a grandson.
FINANCE REPORT
- Actuals and budget are very close. Dues are coming in as projected.
- Savings account interest rates are very low. We’re investigating other banks and CDs. We’ll have a report of options in about a month.
- Phone-a-thons: We’re up to $96K, from 238 donors. These same donors donated $78K last year. We have only 30 more calls to make.
- The board congratulated Joanne Cornbleet and Ricki, and their volunteers.
- Major donors: 33 congregants were targeted. Last year they pledged $144.5K. This year we have received $128.9K from 19 people. We have 14 more to go and need $28K more to make our target.
- When can we terminate the temporary assessment? We had stipulated we would when two conditions were met: 1) pay off cemetery debt (accomplished) 2) meet campaign goal
MEMBERSHIP
- We have 564 membership units, and four more membership applications are in the pipeline
- Three resignations this month: two due to moves and one due to priorities
- Membership programs report:
- $17,500 budget
- Goals: Outreach, Inreach, Volunteerism
- Planning a volunteer appreciation event
- Shabbat dinner program
- Described the mission of Chevrat Chesed
- Havurah Program: We recently formed a new havurah with young families, and are organizing another one for people in their 40s. Difficult to match people with existing havurot, many of which are not accepting new members.
- “Havurah Lite”: Considering programs to foster connection with minimal commitment. An example is a women’s coffee group.
- Archives Committee: Developing plan of action and collection policy.
- Jews Next Dor: Holding 6-9 events monthly. The membership list includes 149 people, and 25-35 typically attend each event. Around 50% of participants turn over each year. Won a Schecter Award.
- Young Families: (Kids from 0-5.) Some are becoming members. Approximately 20-30 families. PJ Shabbat usually brings 10-20 families. Increasing demand for Tot Shabbat on Saturday morning.
- Facilities: Painted interior courtyard (doors and windows later); parking lot resealed and striped, thanks to anonymous volunteer; built our new sukkah, thanks to many participants; currently repairing roof.
ADMINISTRATION
- We got the final approval letter for security equipment grant. Tanya is having weekly meetings to plan the consolidation of our separate voice, video, and data networks. Money must be spent by June 30, 2010.
- We will receive our first of two 20-foot storage containers tomorrow.
- Ricki Gafter is working on new website. Had planned to move it to USCJ server, because it’s free, but they have limited space and restrict the number of email accounts. Current plan is to continue using the same host.
- The website will automatically refresh itself with new dates, and accept posts from the clergy, Sisterhood, etc. The “Life at CBD” page will show the latest 20 posts from every group.
EDUCATION
- Upper grades are going to the play “13”
- Mishpacha program on November 13]
- Scott Fried will be talking at Hebrew High about his life as a Jew and a person with AIDS.
- Regarding the new 5th grade teacher, Norm is still researching options. Will bring a motion to next Exec Board meeting.
- Religious School enrollment 90, compared to 95 projected.
- Hebrew High enrollment is 63.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
(Committee chairs provide an update to the board every three months.)
- Pulpit committee is preparing first draft to present to Rabbi Schonbrun next week
- Adult Ed:
- Publicity and calendaring take the most effort.
- Mission: Improve practice of home rituals; Increase knowledge of Judaism; and Increase knowledge of important world issues and events. We don’t do them all; lack of resources/interest
- Programs: Yoetz Ne’eman (not much progress); Lunch & Learn (trying out new time); Conversations in Jewish Learning; Scholar in Residence (none this year due to budgets); Movie Nights; Classes
- Last year we spent $4.8K. This year we’re saving money on Scholar and Residence and Adult Education brochure.
- Committee head says current model is not sustainable: too much work. Proposal: have a policy that if no program organizer comes forward, there will be no program. Marty Sherman has documented other recommendations and will make them available upon request.
- Youth Committee:
- We have a part-time youth director (Lindsay Greensweig) and three advisors, one for each group.
- Last year we had 40ish members in Jr. Kadima, 20ish in Sr. Kadima, and 37 in USY. Events range from social/fun to religious, to national get-togethers.
- Youth commission provides advisory and logistical support to youth groups. Advisors can approach commission for help. Commission also distributes scholarship funds.
- Regional fall kinnus for USY will be hosted here November 13-15. 70 to 80 people.
- Concerns: Not a lot of continuity for advisors, who receive nominal compensation. Looking for jr. and sr. kadima advisors.
- Social Action
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- We have had limited activities over last year because of lack of people willing to lead them. Rabbi Schonbrun has heard from members who were inspired by the High Holy Days sermon to become more involved.
- For next year we are committed to: Project Isaiah, Blood Drive, Xmas Day Lunch at Emergency Housing Consortium, Rotating Shelter, Collection in lobby
- Programming
- Folk Collection concert: 80 people came, netting $350
- Square Dance on November 7th.
- Night of Magic: January 16, 2010 for adults and children
- Mah Jong Tournament: February 21, 2010
- How can we more effectively advertise events like Folk Collection outside the CBD community?
- Sisterhood
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- Currently 140 members. Expect to increase by 18 because of new members, who receive one year’s free membership.
- New programs: Creative Judaic Arts; cookbook; reopening of gift shop; new program for women in 20s, 30s, and 40s;
- Men’s Club
- First planning meeting will be held Sunday
- Have had two events: Shabbaton with Rabbi, and Giants game.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- November
- CBD will host Thanksgiving Interfaith service this year. Many non-Jews in the community will attend, attracted by the opportunity to see a synagogue and because of our reputation for great food! All members are strongly encouraged to attend.
- The November Exec Board meeting is on Wednesday November 18th.
- The November Board of Directors meeting will be at 7:45 PM, Tuesday, November 24 at Beth David. We will be doing board training on Volunteer development.
- December
- The Beth David Annual Meeting is on Sunday, December 6th at 10:30 AM at Beth David. A meeting notice with the Nominating Committee nominations has been mailed to the membership. There are two open positions: VP Membership and Director at Large, Youth.
- We will be having a 30-minute open-mic session for congregant feedback at the December 16th BOD meeting. Feedback/questions/comments will be limited to three minutes each, allowing up to ten people to speak
- January
- Installation has been moved to Saturday, January 30, 2010 to accommodate the calendar of the rabbis.
- There will be a board orientation meeting on Sunday, January 31 for the new board slate that will be elected in the December membership meeting.
- February
- Federation Super Sunday is scheduled on January 31, 2010. (Note: This event was later rescheduled for February 7, 2010.)
Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Rhonda Raider
Recording Secretary