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Beth Emet Community


Committees do much of the work, and provide much of the fun, that makes Beth Emet such a vital institution. Volunteering for a committee is an excellent way to meet new people, make friends, and get plugged into the life of the congregation.These are only a sampling of the many committees, task forces, music opportunities, and other activities available.

Adult Judaic Studies (Co-Chairs: Helene Rosenberg and Barbara Linn)


Annual Mitzvah Campaign (Co-Chairs: Tina Herpe and Elaine Lev)


College Outreach (Chair: Debra Manheim)


Budget Committee (Chair: TBD)  The Budget Committee works with the clergy and professional staff of the congregation as well as with lay leaders to develop a balanced annual budget.  The Committee meets regularly from January through May each year to gather information and make recommendations to the Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees.


Building Committee The Building Committee’s charter is to address issues involving Beth Emet’s physical plant. We are working on the redesign of Beth Emet’s building spaces to improve the on-site experience for members. (Co-Chairs: Dan Cohan and John Macsai)  


Communications (Chair: Nisan Chavkin)  This Committee is newly formed and is working to review all of Beth Emet's communications, including the Beth Emet website, bulletin, and EmetMail (bi-weekly electronic newsletter).


Downtown Study Group (Co-Chairs: Jim Cahan, Ross Bricker, and Louise Gross)  This Committee coordinates downtown study lunches for those who work and/or live downtown. 


Early Childhood (Co-Chairs:  Tamar Shapira, Tracey Denlow)  The Early Childhood Committee supports and advices the Early Childhood program, which offers part-day pre-school for ages 18 months to five years.


Education (Chair: Lauren Solomon)


Executive (President: Susan Melczer)


Environment (Acting Chair:  Liane Casten) The Environment Committee works to conserve and protect the environment.  Beth Emet has been a leader in an intereligious group called, Faith In Place, which currently works with over 100 congregations. 


Finance Committee (Treasurer: Sharon Ephraim)  The Finance Committee works to create the financial policy and procedures of the Synagogue to present to the Board of Trustees and works closely with the Budget Committee to devise the annual operating budget.


Foundation (President: David Spitulnik)  The Beth Emet Foundation provides support for Beth Emet, its facilities and programs by providing unrestricted funds to endow and to assure the synagogue’s financial stability and to further its religious, educational, cultural and social programs.


Interfaith Partnership Committee The Interfaith Partnership Committee develops, promotes, and maintains relationships between Beth Emet and non-Jewish faith communities and religious organizations.


Israel/ARZA The Israel/ARZA Committee provides links for members of Beth Emet to the State and People of Israel through programs, speakers, and celebrations. The Committee also acts as Beth Emet’s representative to ARZA, the Association of Reform Zionists of America. (Co-Chairs: Dan Cohan and Yossi Tesher)


Leadership Development


Library (Chair: Janet Parker)


Mishpacha (Chair: Chava Alpert) The Mishpacha Committee works to organize events for young families at Beth Emet with children in 3rd grade and younger.  Events include monthly potluck Shabbat dinners on the first Fridays of the month at 5:15 pm, Rosh Chodesh events, and Havdalah celebrations. 


Music (Chair: Sandy Morgan)


Network (Acting President: Eileen Chapman)


Outreach (Co-Chairs:  Jerry & Carol Burin)  The Outreach Committee works to foster a welcoming environment for interfaith households that are members of Beth Emet by working with interfaith households to learn how outreach efforts can meet their needs.


New Member Integration  (Chair: Julie Zaideman) The New Member Integration Committee seeks to find ways for new members to connect with the Beth Emet membership.


Ozerim (Co-Chairs: Simon Anolick, Kathy Kaberon, Debbie Render, Gita Weintraub) Ozerim is Beth Emet's volunteer corps of "helpers" which has been supporting congregants at crucial times in their lives and connecting with members who are older, physically challenged or living with an extended illness.  Volunteer opportunities include leading Shiva minyans, visiting congregants in the hospital, providing rides, or offering Shabbat dinners (through the Shabbat Connections program) for those who could use something special on Shabbat.


Professional Personnel (President: Susan Melzcer)


Simferopol Partnership Committee (Co-Chairs: Jerry Burin, Marvin Levin)  Simferopol Partnership Committee maintains an on-going partnership with Congregation Ner Tamid in Simferopol, Ukraine. Beth Emet provides support (financial and otherwise) to Ner Tamid as a way of encouraging the growth of progressive Judaism in the former Soviet Union.


Social Action (Co-Chairs:  Howard & Lisa Sachs)  The Social Action Committee is working this year on creating a new theme for social action programming at Beth Emet to be implemented for the next two years. 


    Blood Drive - (Chair: Howard Sachs)   


    Unity Day

    Soup Kitchen (Chair: Jessie Macdonald)


    Tzedekah Fund (Chair: Mareon Arnold)


Ways and Means (Co-Chairs: Shari & Stephen Reiches)


Worship (Co-Chairs: Simon Anolick and Eddie Feldman)


Youth (Chair: Emily Nidenberg)


TASK FORCES


7th – 12th grade Task Force (Chair:  Brad White)

Strategic Planning (Co-Chairs: Susan Zukrow and David Graham)


Please contact the synagogue office for more information.