Our Leadership & Committees
Board of Trustees
Barbara Portnoy Spector - President
Jim Brodsky - First Vice President
Norm Bell - Vice President
Jeff Gibbs - Treasurer
Cheryl Kramer - Secretary
Megan Berman
Jonathan Goldweitz
Matt Lehman
Richard Lessans
Laurie Lewis
Jeff Quartner
Ron Rothman
Ron Schechter
Ben Schlesinger - Immediate Past President
Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb
Temple B’nai Israel Board meetings are held at least six times a year. Unless the meeting is in executive session, it is open to members to observe. Meetings are usually scheduled on the third Sunday of the month at 10:00 a.m. at the Temple. If you are interested in attending a meeting, please check the calendar to verify the date of the meeting, and let the Board Chair know you are attending.
Committees
Note: The President is an ex-officio member of all committees.
Advancement (Fundraising) Committee
Co-Chairs: Len Spector and Ben Schlesinger
MISSION: Responsible for fundraising for annual operating needs and special campaigns directed by the Board of Directors.
Building and Grounds
Chair: Arna Mickelson
MISSION: Responsible for selecting and supervising contractors and volunteers to maintain the physical facilities of the Temple building and the surrounding grounds. Prepares and annual facilities budget to be submitted to the Treasurer.
Communications Committee
Chair: Maury Schlesinger
MISSION: Generates all communication for the congregation, including the website, Shofar, email, public relations, and publicity campaigns for events, pictures, and/or articles in local newspapers or other media and weekly announcements.
Investigates potential new vehicles for communication.
Finance Committee
Chair: Norman Bell
MISSION: Advises the Board and the Treasurer on fiscal and financial governance matters. Oversees the work of the Treasurer. Manages Temple's investment portfolio. Recommends cash management strategies. Approves preliminary budget prepared by the Treasurer.
Hineni
Co-Chairs: Randy DeMers and Lynda Heilman
MISSION: Responsible for providing and coordinating volunteer help and support for members in the event of sickness, hospitalization, incapacity or death of family members. Activities include: informing and working in concert with the Rabbi, galvanizing support from other congregational members, and providing for meals and transportation needs when appropriate. Prepare and maintain a checklist for shiva and mourning.
Lifelong Learning Committee
Chair: Cheryl Kramer
MISSION: Responsible for planning the annual adult education program for the congregation. The program aims to deepen our understanding of Jewish religion, culture and history and how we as Jews relate to our community and other religious communities. The program may include themes for year-long study, periodic lectures and/or get-togethers, scheduled Torah study meetings, musical programs and sponsored lectures.
Membership Committee
Chair: Open Position
MISSION: Responsible for identifying and recruiting potential new members and maintaining a list of friends of the Congregation. Coordinates with the Communications Committee the development of appropriate membership and recruitment literature. Coordinates the programming, scheduling and organizing of membership and new members' events.
Governance
Chair: Cheryl Kramer
MISSION: The Governance Committee's responsibilities include nominating Board and Officers for approval by the membership, ongoing Board and Officer succession planning, assisting with Board self-evaluation and orientation, and Policy recommendations and changes as needed from time to time.
Programming Committee
Chair: Norm Bell
MISSION: Oversees planning and organization, in cooperation with the Rabbi and Temple committees, of special social, cultural, membership and celebratory events. Coordinates with the Office Manager the scheduling of those events.
Onegs and Kiddush Luncheons Subcommittee
Chair: Linda Kappesser
MISSION: Recruit and schedule hosts for Onegs and Kiddushes.
Religious School
Chair: Laurie Lewis
MISSION: Responsible for the operation of the Religious School, in consultation with the Rabbi, including staffing, curriculum, educational policies, creation of B'nai Mitzvah classes, human resource policies and scheduling special events for the school.
Ritual Practices
Chair: Rabbi Peter E. Hyman
MISSION: Consults and coordinates with the Rabbi on oversight of the ritual practices of the Temple, including the character and conduct of religious services, Bimah honors and Yahrzeit records.
Funeral Practices Subcommittee
Chair: Rabbi Peter E. Hyman
MISSION: Consults and coordinates with the Rabbi on policies and practices regarding funeral practices, including the funeral and shiva period following Jewish tradition.
Religious Holiday Celebration Committee
Chair: Barbara Spector and Carolyn Amacher
MISSION: Organizes and oversees the assignments and arrangements for the High Holy Days.
Barron Liturgical Music Committee
Co-Chairs Barbara Spector, Karen Schlesinger and Susan Gilbert
Mission: Enhance religious services and holiday celebration with music
Safety and Security
Chair: Ron Schechter
MISSION: To prepare and maintain a security policy for the Temple. To develop programs for habits of safety for people coming to the Temple. To secure the building and grounds to maintain freedom from danger.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Belinda Frankel, our liaison with the Talbot Interfaith Shelter, asks volunteers to provide dinner for 10 to 12 people. As a congregation, we have committed to providing dinner to the shelter on the 25th of each month. Dinner can be purchased and delivered by a restaurant, or you can create a homemade meal and deliver it in person.