Shalom Friends,
Several months ago, I asked the Trustees to think about the mission and purpose of our synagogue. There was a consensus that CBI is a place where people come to celebrate Jewish life, and furthermore that the synagogue exists to fulfill the spiritual, educational, and social needs of congregants.
How do we go about addressing so many facets of Jewish life? Through a variety of Committees that help us sustain ourselves and grow in new ways that support our diverse community. Sometimes congregants ask: How can I get more involved with the synagogue? To answer, I have included a list of our major committees along with brief descriptions. Please look at the list and see which of these groups dovetail with your own interests—whether aesthetic, financial, educational, social, or religious. Let me know if you have an interest in serving on any of these committees or in forming new interest groups that will help us fulfill our ongoing commitment to being a thriving center of Jewish life. We have a framework in place, but you are the one who can make it happen.
B’Shalom,
Dr Yona Shulman, President
Congregation B’nai Israel
Major Committees: 2009
Adult Education: Present speakers, authors, cultural programs
Beautification/Building & Grounds: Enhancements to CBI interior and exterior
Board of Education: Policy, hiring, curriculum approval: Gan Yeladim thru Religious School PK -High School
Cemetery: Administration & Maintenance of CBI Cemetery, Tinton Falls
Community of Caring: Support (visits, meals) for congregants in need
Entertainment/Special Events: Comedy Night, Boat trip, Sporting events
Ezra: Monthly education/entertainment programs; donations to community projects
Finance: Budget creation, expense monitoring, financial review and oversight
Fundraising Events: We put the fun into fundraising! Please join and/or help:
-September 10, 2009: Shadowbrook Dinner & Entertainment: “Honor our Past, Celebrate our Future”
-January 22 – 24, 2010: Weekend with “Prince of Jewish Gospel”, Joshua Nelson, Friday night Celebrity Dinner, Saturday night Concert, Sunday Kids & Community program
House: Building maintenance and repair; Security needs.
Israel:
Israel Affairs: special programs and events linking CBI to Israel and its people
Israel Scholarship: yearly award to qualified CBI high school students traveling to Israel on USY or Ramah summer programs
Library: Maintain a diverse collection of books, periodicals, DVD’s. Sponsor special film and education programs. (See page 14 for further details).
Membership:
-New Member Welcome and follow-up
-Membership recognition and appreciation events
-Jewish Journey Groups; Chavurot – study and social groups.
Policies and Procedures: Policy Manual; Employee Handbook
Publicity: Internal & external promotion of CBI events – print advertising, press releases, flyers, new member brochure and trifold. Bulletin and Website outreach.
Religious: Plan holiday & Shabbat observances, special services; Kiddush & Oneg celebrations, B’nai Mitzvah and other life-cycle events.
Youth Commission: Oversee youth programming, spanning Kindergarten - Grade 12:
Sunday Funday (K- grade 2), El Al (grades 3-5), Kadima (grades 6-8), USY (high school).
Organize Purim Carnival and monthly events for kids.
Encampment: CBI scholarship for qualified Kadima & USY students to attend a week of sports, fun and social events at a Jewish camp in Pennsylvania.