Summer dress code begins now: no jackets and ties at summer Shabbat services!

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1 Congregation Beth Israel (CBI) Board Meeting Minutes Meeting date: Tuesday, June 13, 2017 Start time: 7:55 pm -- Steve Wiener, President Next meeting: Tuesday, July 11, 2017 at 7:45pm May 2017 Board Meeting minutes approved. Cantor s Report Cantor Axelrod: The Cantor is back from his sabbatical and grateful for the opportunity to have taken the sabbatical time away. He traveled and rested, and he returns to us refreshed, happy to be back, and ready to go. The Cantor recently attended the Cantors Assembly convention where he was installed as an officer of the Cantors Assembly. In addition, he has been invited to present at the USCJ Convention in Atlanta, Dec The topic is "The Bar/Bat Mitzvah Year: Reimagining What Our Kids Learn." Rabbi Tilman will be starting the first week of July. The Cantor is ready to work with him and show him our ways, while giving him the freedom to do things his own way. He has every reason for optimism that this new professional collaboration will be successful Summer dress code begins now: no jackets and ties at summer Shabbat services! Executive Director s Report Davida Berkowitz: Davida stressed the successful community building of the past year, citing examples such as bringing everyone together for second day of Rosh Hashanah, the Chanukah party, our growing school, and the highly inclusive rabbinic search process. She has spoken with Rabbi Tilman and wife, Naomi, and they are very excited to be coming here. She is currently working on the calendar for Many things planned, and the calendar is filling up with dates from the various CBI committees. We are getting a new phone system tomorrow. It is being paid for largely with money ($5000) that Bnai Brith donated in Davida s honor when she won their Ayshet Chayil award. The new phone system will benefit everyone, including the school, which will gain a bell and intercom system, improving both communication and security. Davida praised this year s amazingly successful fundraiser, thanks to the leadership and hard work of Debbie Friedman, Gaby Hecht, and Ilana Margolis. Thanks to all those who helped in the project on it, and to all those who attended and supported it. 1

2 High Holiday packets will be sent out shortly after July 4. The committee under Aaron Kessler s leadership -- is looking at different ideas for JCC next year to alleviate overcrowding. We may need a lottery system, as in years past, or we may go to a firstcome-first-served system. Details will be resolved before the packet goes out and will be clearly communicated in the packet. The annual Bar/Bat Mitzvah orientation meeting was just held this evening. Next year s class has 24, due in part to the large influx of new members last year. The Gold Rush Raffle is tonight: buy another ticket! Educator s Report Gail Buchbinder: Gail sent out the registration packet for next year s school last week. Included was a Summer Jewish Bingo game listing various Jewish home activities to keep students and families engaged through the summer. In the fall, students will receive prizes for their Bingo accomplishments. Gail s report: 120 students had a wonderful year. Here are some of the highlights: Excellent participation at age-appropriate High Holiday services, led by dedicated and enthusiastic facilitators. We carried our theme of Be A Mensch throughout the year, naming more than 20 students who exhibited exemplary behavior Mensch of the Month. In December Kitah Bet students and their families created usable heirlooms during a workshop and Hanukkiah Museum. January saw our participation in the World Wide Wrap, as Kitah Vav and Kitah Zayin students joined Jews around the world who learned about layned t fillin. February s Tu B shvat seders and activities made learning about the Birthday of the Trees delicious. March brought wizards and muggles together to celebrate Purim with a school-wide Purim Megillah video and reading and mitzvah carnival. Kitah Gimmel parents created beautiful siddur covers, which they presented to their children in a very meaningful ceremony. Pesach was celebrated with a successful Gan-Kitah Bet model seder, and Kitah Gimmel students participated in an unforgettable and highly caloric chocolate seder. The Moving Up Ceremony was an excellent of M dor L dor- Kitah Zayin students shared sage advice about their religious school experience with their Kitah Bet counterparts. The Nachas Meter went off the charts as the Kitah Dalet, Kitah Hey and Kitah Vav students led Shabbat services. One of the most heartening parts of the year was the way the students formed bonds. One would not know which students had been at CBI their entire school careers, and 2

3 which had just joined the synagogue. Kadima blossomed with the enthusiasm of the Kitah Vav (6th gr) students, who enjoyed all the activities together. Thank you to Sisterhood and Men s Club for underwriting our technology purchases. Thank you all for your support and interest this year. I look forward to a successful year next year. In addition, Gail mentioned that she will be forming a new pre-k for theh coming year. She is also working on High School ideas, and looking forward to working with Rabbi Tilman. Rabbinic Transition Report Steve Wiener We have a signed contract. Steve expressed his thanks to David Feldman who helped negotiate the contract, to David Littman who largely wrote it, and to Jason Hoberman who has been involved in the process at each step. Rabbi Nudell ends work on June 30. Rabbi Tilman officially starts on July 5, and his first Shabbat is will be July 7-8. An will go to the congregation so that everyone is aware of this timing. Transition Committee Jason Hoberman The main goals of this committee are: to say a gracious goodbye to Rabbi Nudell, to educate Rabbi Tilman regarding our culture, identity, and traditions, to help Rabbi Tilman build relationships via small group meetings, to integrate Rabbi Tilman and Naomi into the larger community, to monitor the congregation s reactions to the transition, and to plan an installation ceremony before Rosh Hashanah. Jason urged everyone to please help make the transition smooth. Give compliments to Rabbi Tilman where warranted (everyone likes a pat on the back), and let Board know if you see any issues that should be addressed. Rabbi Tilman has found a house on Ramapo Way. Closing is imminent. High Holidays Aaron Kessler Ideas are welcome if you have suggestions for this year. Packets will go out in early July. They may include revised security procedures. The packet will contain full details regarding any changes being made to security procedures, JCC ticketing, or anything else, so all congregants will be fully informed. Safety and Security Committee Steve Garsh This is a new committee for CBI. They have been working on revising all our procedures: exiting in case of fire, handling medical emergencies, handling bomb scares, managing High Holiday entry with packages, etc. Steve successfully filed a $75,000 application to a Nonprofit Security Grant Program. Responding to concerns raised in a police security assessment, this grant request proposed improvements to exterior lighting, front doors, back doors, alarm system, video 3

4 camera system (one with no blind spots), unsecured utilities, and our unsecured dumpster. If we get the grant money, it may be full or partial, specifying which projects it is intended to fund. Steve Wiener commended Steve Garsh and his committee for their excellent work in applying for this grant Budget: Ira Bodenstein CBI dues have increased $125 each of last 3 years. This year s proposal is for increases of $75 for families ($2375 to $2450) and $25 for single members ($1185 to $1210). We are projecting a small increase in membership (4 units) overall. Religious School is projecting enrollment of 138. The Bar/t Mitzvah fee going from $1350 to $1500. There was some discussion regarding office expenses, miscellaneous expenses (room rental, Kadima donations, cemetery sales.). The sale of the rabbi s house is not included in the budget because it hasn t yet been sold, so there is not yet a known income figure. School expenses are increased because of the need to hire additional teachers. Professional salary line going up, despite change in rabbi. Motion to pass budget. Passes without dissent. Nominating cttee Faye Bodenstein This year we have relatively little turnover on the Board. Michael Simon stepping down as Assistant Treasurer; Mitch Siegel is stepping into that role. Thank you to both of them! New Trustees beginning 2-year term: Pam Brownstein Eric Hecht Carol Koransky Stu Levitt Melissa Liebermann Joanne Schwartz Hal Shichman Mike Strug Ryan Teicher Installation will be on 6/23 Rabbi Nudell s last Shabbat night. Motion to accept slate: Passed unanimously. Thanks to Faye for all the work! Aaron Kessler announced that there will be an orientation for new Board members. He is creating an orientation process that he intends to make annual: reviewing roles ad responsibilities, clarifying what to expect, and offering the opportunity to ask questions. 4

5 Gold Rush Howard Koransky (Carol is at the beach!) Thanks to Carol Koransky, Russ Kussner, and Susan Mazursky for the hard work that goes into co-chairing this committee. Thanks, also, to the office staff for their help in creating an ongoing list of all the names of contributing participants. This fundraiser raised $12,300 net. Winners: 3 rd place: Susan and Eli Rauch: $500 2 nd place: Debbie and Alan Halpern: $1000 Grand: Erica and Steve Needle: $2000 Congratulations! Motion to adjourn. Meeting adjourned: 9:00 5