Kesher Israel Board Minutes February 9, 2014 Attendees: Rabbi Freundel, Elanit Jakabovics, Mark Isakowitz, Judah Rose, Matt Horowitz, Debbie Cooper, Stephanie Vidikan, David Plotinsky, Bracha Reznik, Matt Peterson, Andrew Mener, Diana Schemo, Baruch Fellner, Jerome Chapman, Jessica Pelt Elanit called the meeting to order at 9:22am. Dvar Torah (Rabbi) The Rabbi shared that mystical literature notes that there are certain rhythms of the year and that the holidays react to these. For example, we are obligated to give twice during Purim (Mishloach Manot and Matanot l Evyonim) because people have a tendency to draw inward during this time of the year and this encourages them to look outward. The Rabbi encouraged the board to keep this in mind during this time when it s typically more difficult to raise funds. Approval of New Members No new members to approve. Approval of Minutes from Prior Meeting The minutes from the previous meeting were approved by a voice vote. Financial Update The year end fundraising campaigns made a huge difference in the amount of donations Kesher was able to pull in. The next few months will be slow for donations until contributions come in from the dinner in April and May. Report from the Rabbi The Rabbi reported on his meetings from his Israel trip including with the Chief Rabbi. The Centennial volume is complete. Need contributions to publish. Kesher might be able to raise several thousand dollars through this. In Israel, the Rabbi met with Annika Hernroth Rothstein. She is from Sweden and because of some very troubling legislation against things like circumcision and ritual slaughter, and because the government refuses to provide adequate security protection for Jews at Jewish events, she has gone to her own government and demanded political asylum in keeping with Swedish law. The Rabbi has invited her to come speak at Kesher when she is next in the United States. A new kosher restaurant opened in Rockville called Bluestar. The ORA program went well. After the recent DC Beit Din meeting, Kesher welcomed some new members to the community.
After receiving several questions on women and tefillin recently, the Rabbi plans to give a shiur on Women and Ritual Performance. Report from the Executive Director Jessica is compiling an Operational Priorities document from the Shabbat lunch discussion several weeks ago and will circulate and share with the board soon. On a daily basis, she is spending her time on building and streamlining processes for all shul operations, as well as creating a schedule for book keeping and developing a process for procurement and inventory management. Some of the other projects she s looking into include: o Hiring a part time custodian and dealing with our current janitorial service. o D & O insurance o Set up ShulCloud log ins for those who haven t created accounts yet. o Developing revenue streams targeted ways of bringing in donations. Elanit noted that Jessica recently sent out the tax statements and has been working hard to get office operations streamlined. The entire board congratulated her on a job well done and remarked on how much she had accomplished in her short time in the position so far. Rejoining the OU (Elanit) From last meeting s discussion, Elanit had contacted the OU and shared their response with the board prior to the meeting. Since the incident, the OU has implemented standards and a code of conduct for all staff and volunteers who interact with youth and has taken a leadership role in speaking on conferences on this topic. She opened the floor for discussion before voting on whether or not to rejoin the OU: o Concern was expressed about Rabbi Belsky, who is employed by the OU, and his recent position on the Yosef Kolko case. Rabbi Belsky condemned those who reported Kolko and spoke about his innocence. Kolko later plead guilty to sexual assault and child endangerment. Several members on the board felt that this indicated nothing had really changed within OU leadership on this issue. o Some members of the board felt strongly that the OU has not done enough. They felt there should be a public accounting of everyone who enabled the abuse to happen and until that happens, Kesher cannot rejoin. o The benefits of rejoining the OU were raised again: The OU s synagogue support services offers a lot of best practices and help for shul presidents and executive directors that we could take advantage of. Being affiliated with the OU allows Kesher to institutionally be a part of something larger. It gives Kesher a larger voice and influence and allows us to be easily identifiable by others. After extensive discussion on the points above, a motion was made and seconded to vote on whether Kesher to rejoin the OU by a voice vote. Six members were opposed to rejoining, three were in favor and two abstained from voting. Kesher will not rejoin the OU at this time.
The board suggested that we post a letter on our site explaining why we have decided not to be a part of the OU; Elanit said she would follow up on this and discuss at a future meeting. Action Item: o Discuss posting an explanation on Kesher s site about decision to not be part of the OU. Repair Project Update (Elanit) The boiler needs to be replaced. We are getting 3 bids. The radiators will also be examined to see which ones are working and which need to be replaced. The priorities for the next phase include: heating, windows at the Rabbi s house, and updating the electrical in the bayit. Ideas are being compiled on options to improve the courtyard. This will be presented to the board soon. Matt H. presented information about adding solar panels to the roof of the shul. There is an upfront cost of about $12,000 with savings of $40 60,000 over time. The board agreed we could add this to the list of longer term items to consider for the Capital Campaign. Communications Policy for Political Events (Elanit) This will be revisited in next month s meeting. Social Portfolio Director's Update The Purim schedule will be out soon. There will be a cocktail party Saturday night and a seudah on Sunday. Education Portfolio Director's Update (Bracha) The Rabbi s Breakfast Schmooze had a good turnout. Ritual Portfolio Director's Update (Matt P.) Matt solicited the board for suggestions to encourage people to come for Maariv. We are currently making minyan but barely. The following ideas were discussed: o Creating a schedule of people to come certain nights o Connect Maariv to the weekday classes so it s easier to make a minyan. Would need to make sure gabbaim are on board with this if executed. o Improve the experience for women as a way to encourage more couples to come. o Have the Rabbi announce from the pulpit when we don t make a minyan to encourage people to come. President s Update (Elanit) Nominating Committee: Ari Schuchman has volunteered to be the Chair. We are looking for additional members of the committee. We hope to have it formed in March. Board members
should think about whether they would like to serve again on the board and they should let the committee know. Rabbi Rabinowitz event is on evening of March 2. Gerard Leval and the Rabbi will speak on Shabbos. The Board is encouraged to attend the event. The March Board meeting will have to be rescheduled. Good and Welfare Bracha: When salting around the shul, please remember to also salt the path leading to the Mikvah. And in general, if you see something, say something. Sunday morning breakfast was not cleaned up. Andrew: o Reminder about Shalom's food order. o We won the grant for a defibrillator and we are working on the details of installation, CPR course, etc. Elanit thanked Andrew for working on this. David: Membership dues structure working group will likely have its kick off meeting within the next few weeks, and will report back to the Board in a month or two. Rabbi Freundel: Working on a Georgetown and/or Towson student visit to Kesher. Action Item: o Committee to report new dues structure strategy in March or April 2014 board meeting. (David P) *** Consolidated List of Action Items Discuss posting an explanation on Kesher s site about decision to not be part of the OU. Committee to report new dues structure strategy in March or April 2014 board meeting. (David P) Outstanding Action Items from Previous Meetings Discuss next steps with the Endowment campaign in an upcoming meeting. Andrew Mener to coordinate volunteers to collect pictures, essays and additional information to share about the shul s history and congregation. Current membership numbers to be shared at next month s board meeting. Welcome Committee to share the Google doc of new people with the board. (Elanit) Andrew will make cards for the board to hand out during Shabbat to new people. Information about available plots should be placed on the website so they can be marketed to the community. Security Team will meet again and Andrew will price out the badges for shul leaders. Schedule meeting after Pesach to further discuss membership recruitment strategies. (Elanit)
Add announcement about membership to Digest/SAP. (Stephanie) Plan outreach events to Kesher alumni in suburbs. (Elanit) Trustees will purchase additional plots at Judean Memorial Gardens. Trustees will work with the board to help inform members of the opportunity to purchase available plots. Elanit, Stephanie and potentially other board members will work to better communicate and integrate with other Jewish organizations in the area. Contact new member leads. (All Board members) Include a message soliciting interest in a professional mentoring program in an upcoming Kesher e mail. (Andrew/Stephanie) Present insurance options and pricing at a future meeting. (Debbie)