Board of Trustees board@bnaisholom.albany.ny.us
Douglas Goldman, President president@bnaisholom.albany.ny.us
Our Board meets the first Tuesday of the month, unless deferred by a holiday. Management and administration of the affairs, revenues, and property of the Congregation are vested in the Board, whose meetings are open to all the members of the Congregation. See our by-laws for more detail.
Administration Committee administration@bnaisholom.albany.ny.us
Jodi Kerper, chair jkerper@pdp.albany.edu
The BSRC Administration and Personnel Committee is a standing committee that develops and recommends policies to the BSRC Board and oversees their administration to ensure clarity of purpose, equity of application, and fair and ethical treatment of its employees and in the conduct of its business.
Adult Education adult-ed@bnaisholom.albany.ny.us
Mark Reeder, Chair markandcheryl17@gmail.com
Believing that "learning-learning-learning: that is the secret of Jewish survival" (Ahad Haam) and "the advancement of learning is the highest commandment" (Maimonides), the Adult Education Committee will endeavor to facilitate, coordinate and create educational programming for the B'nai Sholom community. See our two-page section of this guide for details on this year's programming! In addition to the programming detailed in the centerfold, we will continue our weekly TORAH STUDY. The weekly Torah portion or other text will be discussed. No knowledge of Hebrew is needed or pre-supposed. Open to all, no reservations, no fees. Every Shabbat morning 9:30-10:30. Once monthly, we enjoy “extended Torah study” 9:30- Noon. See calendar for dates.
Art Committee art-com@bnaisholom.albany.ny.us
Cheryl Reeder, chair markandcheryl17@gmail.com
The Art Committee works toward enhancing the building's interior by commissioning original works of art by local artists. We also provide opportunities to learn about Jewish visual arts through exhibitions or trips. Some of the works commissioned by the committee over the past few years are the paper-cuts that adorn the foyer, made by Chana, and the fabric triptych in our lounge, produced by Anita Rabinoff-Goldman.
Bulletin Committee bulletin@bnaisholom.albany.ny.us
Becky Marvin, chair office@bnaisholom.albany.ny.us
Our monthly bulletin is our primary means of communicating with the congregation. If you'd like to help lay out, produce, distribute, or otherwise create this important publication, please join us! And if you have a contribution for a specific bulletin, here are the submission deadlines for the coming year:
- October 2010 September 15
- November 2010 October 13
- December 2010 November 10
- January 2011 December 15
- February 2011 January 12
- March 2011 February 9
- April 2011 March 9
- May 2011 April 13
- June 2011 May 11
Caring Community
Ruth Swift, Chair hswift1@nycap.rr.com
B’nai Sholom’s Caring Community exists to help our congregants in times of crisis. Because unusual stresses, illness, or bereavement can strike at any time, it is important to know that we have people on whom we can depend. The Caring Community program has available, before the need arises, people willing and able to help. As new needs develop, the Caring Community will make every effort to meet them.
Congregants may need help and support when someone is sick or home-bound, a new baby arrives, someone is bereaved, there is an accident, tragedy, or other trauma. Meals can be made available when needed. To request assistance, congregants simply call the synagogue office, the rabbi, or a member of the Caring Community Steering Committee. Allowing the Caring Community to give assistance provides its volunteers to opportunity to perform a mitzvah.
KIT (Keep In Touch), a project of the Caring Community
We would like to Keep In Touch with our young adults who are away from home at college, in military service, etc. Please e-mail or call with current addresses.
Cemetery Committee cemetery@bnaisholom.albany.ny.us
Bill Schwartz taberdar@aol.com
B’nai Sholom’s cemetery is a picturesque and peaceful dedicated section of the Elmwood Hill Cemetery in Troy, New York. The Cemetery Committee coordinates cemetery activity, defines procedures and serves as a point of contact between synagogue members, area funeral directors, monument companies and cemetery staff. For information and to see pictures of the cemetery or to purchase a cemetery privilege, please contact the office.
Finance Committee fincom@bnaisholom.albany.ny.us
The Finance Committee monitors congregational income and expenses throughout the year and prepares the annual budget for consideration by the Board.
Fundraising Committee fundraising@bnaisholom.albany.ny.us
Carol Smith ( committee contact ) & Shelia Schwartz csmith1161@gmail.com
The Fundraising Committee contributes to the synagogue's budget by developing and implementing creative, practical, and interesting activities and events. Along with some tried and true annual activities, there are always new ideas presented and carried out. Among the traditional events are sale of the Entertainment Book and the Party Planning Expo. There have been family activities, such as the Game Night and our Annual Concert. This year we will once again have our Purim baskets fundraiser and the Goods and Services Auction. The committee is always looking for new members.
High Holy Day Youth Services Committee
Hana Zima, Chair
Our goal for this year, and for every year, is to offer meaningful High Holiday services to children from grade 1 through grade 5. We work with the children so that they can lead the service. As well, we design programs that revolve around a variety of concepts in Judaism. We are always looking for people to help design and run these programs!
Historian historian@bnaisholom.albany.ny.us
Bettina Stoller, chair StollerB@aol.com
The boxes of records dating back to the formation of the congregation have been organized over the past couple of years. Our continuing goal is to make our historical records easily accessible and secure from damage, loss, and neglect and to be sure current and future materials are properly documented and archived. If you'd like to help with this effort, contact Bettina!
Hospitality Committee
Babara Devore-barjac@nycap.rr.com, Linda Strohl-rls3772@verizon.net
Want to host an Oneg Shabbat? Call Linda (785-3772) or Barbara (439-8423).
House Committee house-com@bnaisholom.albany.ny.us
Phil Teumim, Chair teumim@aol.com
The house committee works to maintain and improve the synagogue's physical facilities, inside and outside.
Judaica Shop
Karen Simmons, chair SSimm66660@aol.com
The Judaica Shop offers to the members of the B'nai Sholom family a variety of ritual objects and other Jewish-theme items. We do this to encourage hiddur mitzvah (the beautification of the performance of mitzvot) and reinforce Jewish identity. Congregants may purchase items on display whenever the Temple Office is open. Other hours will be posted in our bulletin.
Library Committee library@bnaisholom.albany.ny.us
(looking for a chair!)
B’nai Sholom’s Library is available to congregants whenever the building is open. Most, but not all materials circulate. Please be sure to sign out all circulating materials. Please return all materials promptly.
The Library Committee is a group of B'nai Sholom congregants that sets policy for, oversees and manages the Library and its collection to stimulate interest in, and ensure access to, a vibrant collection of Judaic resources for the membership and the Jewish community.
Membership Committee mem-com@bnaisholom.albany.ny.us
Ron Royne, Chair rroyne@earthlink.net
The Membership Committee develops programs to encourage unaffiliated members of the Jewish community to get to know how B’nai Sholom can meet their spiritual needs. The Committee also sponsors a series of special events for current members, to help them get to know other congregants, to celebrate life cycle events, and to assist them with spiritual, emotional, and practical support.
Typical events planned throughout the year include:
- Rosh Hashanah luncheons
- New Member Shabbat followed by a pot luck dinner
- Longevity Shabbat (for families with 18 years of membership)
- Volunteer Shabbat
- Graduating Senior Shabbat
The Committee welcomes new members, especially those with young children and those who are empty nesters!
Nominating Committee
Hal Rosenthal, Chair halrosenthal@earthlink.net
The Nominating Committee presents candidates for officer and trustee positions to the congregation and Board for consideration and election. The Nominating Committee's composition and mandate is described in our bylaws.
Publicity Committee publicity@bnaisholom.albany.ny.us
Ben Marvin, Chair marvinb@strose.edu
The Publicity Committee coordinates and facilitates external publicity for our committees and for the congregation as a whole. Committees can submit draft press releases or written information, or they can complete and email the "publicity request form" and have our Publicity Professionals assist with the generation of a press release. The form can be found on our web site in the Documents directory (http://www.bnaisholom.albany.ny.us/Documents).
Religious School Comm. rs-com@bnaisholom.albany.ny.us
The Religious School Committee advocates, sets policy for, and supports the congregation’s religious school. It is the committee’s goal to ensure an education program that provides students with knowledge and understanding of Jewish history, tradition, values, and practices in order to promote Jewish identity, participation in the Jewish community, and a life-long love of learning.
The committee addresses matters that impact the effective running of the religious school including teacher training and support, recruitment and retention of students, communication with parents and ways to enhance students’ engagement in Jewish education beyond their Sunday school classes. This year we will be addressing, among other issues, ways to influence our students to remain active in the religious school after their B’nai Mitzvot, with a focus on fostering that vision throughout their schooling.
Members are welcome to attend committee meetings to voice concerns, present ideas or to become more aware of our issues and process. We meet at 7:30 pm, on the second Tuesday of each month.
Ritual Committee ritualcomm@bnaisholom.albany.ny.us
Mimi Bruce, Chair mbruce53@yahoo.com
The Ritual Committee serves to maintain and enhance the spiritual life of the Congregation. In fulfillment of this goal, the Committee's efforts include:
- Aiding the Rabbi in formatting services for the festivals,
- In consultation with the Rabbi, proposing policy involving life-cycle events;
- Preparation for festival events e.g. Tu Bishevat and Purim;
- Composing and/or formatting services for special occasions;
- Recruitment of lay readers for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
Scholarship Committee camperships@bnaisholom.albany.ny.us
Martha Rozett, Chair rozett@albany.edu
The Scholarship Committee is responsible for allocating student scholarships to Jewish overnight camps and summer Israel trips. The committee does not meet regularly, but only as needed to set policy for the scholarships. The committee solicits applications in early January and meets shortly thereafter to distribute available scholarship funds.
New members are welcome!
Social Action Committee sac@bnaisholom.albany.ny.us
Becky Marvin & Yossi Koren-Roth office@bnaisholom.albany.ny.us & amyossi@yahoo.com
The Social Action Committee’s roles are to:
- educate the congregation and community about social issues of concern from a Reform Jewish perspective;
- provide opportunities for congregants to be involved in direct action to better our community and world
- inform public officials about Reform Jewish positions on current issues and legislation.
In addition to a voter registration and election awareness effort this Fall, the Social Action Committee will be focussing on three issues this year:
- Food/Hunger, continuing the effort begun last year;
- Universal Health Care, continuing our long-term involvement in the local effort promoting healthcare availability for all;
- Energy conservation and reduction of our environmental impact.
Throughout the year, we will present educational materials and programs related these areas and encourage congregational engagement in related activities. Please join us as we tackle these important issues. The congregational interest in each of the topics will determine which we can continue to pursue in the future.
Ongoing projects:
- Blood Drive – our Winter Blood drive this year will be on Sunday, November 18. A Spring drive will be scheduled as well
- Clothing Drive - our Winter Clothing drive will be on the same day as the blood drive. If you haven't worn in it the past couple of years, you probably don't need it. Bring it in! A Spring drive will be scheduled as well.
Technology Committee technology@bnaisholom.albany.ny.us
Sheldon Bosin, chair SMBosin@acm.org
The Technology Committee is a group of BSRC congregants that works on technology systems and tools for use by the BSRC community to more effectively and efficiently use our resources. Included in the Technology Committee's efforts are management of our internal computing resources including both the hardware and software environments, support of our web pages and email lists, and general consulting for BSRC staff on technical issues.
Youth Committee youth-com@bnaisholom.albany.ny.us
Char currently vacant, contact is Elizabeth Alowitz
This committee serves as program support and policy-making committee for youth group. Our Senior Youth Group, YOBS, serves students in grades 9-12, while our Junior Youth Group has activities for students in grades 6-8.
Volunteer Activities volunteer@bnaisholom.albany.ny.us
Glen Charles, chair Gchar67753@aol.com
Now there is an easy and convenient way for you to get involved with the help of our Volunteer Activities Committee. The mission of this group will be to find willing congregants to help “fill in the gaps” for other committees, as well as to assist with special projects or activities that arise within the synagogue during the year. Do you have an extra free hour or two every week or month, or would you be willing to be called upon for a one-time task? Have you been thinking about joining a committee, but don’t feel you have enough time to devote? This might be just what you’re looking for. The time commitment need not be large.
If you’re interested in joining the Volunteer Activities committee to help shepherd this project, please contact Glen.
