Get involved in a Temple Emanu-El Committee!
COMMITTEE CHAIR(S)
Philanthropy – Shari Berman, Robin Eisman
Membership – Nikki Maizel, Wendy Tucker
Budget – Mark Kabakow
ECE – Tracy Hennes, Cara Tabatchnick
Religious School (YL&E) – Deb Carberry
Tikkun Olam- David Burk, Daniela Shebitz
Religious Living – Jenny Tananbaum, Gail Yudkovitz
Human Resources – TBD
Finance – Linda Liebowitz/Bob Kurtter
Security – Ben Berry
House – Ben Berry
Congregational Learning – Stephen Goldberg
Caring Community – TBD
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Frequency of Meeting:
As needed throughout the year but mostly in December – JanuaryPurpose:
To meet with the Temple’s independent auditors at the conclusion of the audit to review the financial statements, discuss any management letter comments and assist with the presentation to the Board.Description:
The committee will meet with the Temple’s independent auditors at the conclusion of the audit to review the Temple’s financial statements. In addition, it will discuss any management letter comments or recommendations with the auditors and with the Temple’s management to determine how best to address them. It will follow up with Temple management throughout the year regarding any suggested improvements. It will serve as a resource throughout the year for any financial or control questions that arise. -
Committee Members: Varies by year. Jane Berlant, Isabel Berg, Carol Cohen, Genie Einstein, Ellen Harrison, Sherry Kevoe, Hannah Lieberman, Marlene Maderer, Lois Menkin, Sharon Neiss, Meryl Reichman, Esther Rose, Susan Shusman, Andi Wiener, and occasionally others.
Frequency of Meeting: Monthly. One co-chair or active volunteer is asked to attend the Tikkun Olam committee meetings which are held monthly.
Purpose:
This group provides love, warmth and comfort to children/teens with cancer through their gifts of handmade afghans. Blankets are donated to the campers of Camp Happy Times in the month of August for them to receive during their week of sleep-away camp. Blankets of Love meets monthly in the Temple Emanu-El library to knit and crochet together. Bring your works in progress as we mend the world, one blanket at a time.
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Committee Members:
Advisor: John Levy
Members: John Levy, Peter Carlin, Debbie Hayden, Mark Kabakow, Riva Waller, other volunteers
Frequency of Meeting: As needed from December through April
Purpose:
To work in partnership with the Temple Controller and other staff members and the Executive Committee to prepare next year’s budget for presentation to the Executive Committee and Board and approval at the annual Congregational Meeting. Create guidelines and practices that align the budget with the temple’s mission and strategy. Aspire to evolve to a full year committee focusing on financial management (policies, budget to actual, etc.) outside of the budget process.Description:
The budget is divided into several sections. Volunteers, called Budget Buddies, and the assigned Board VP work with the Temple staff person responsible for each area to develop a budget for next year. Together they present their budget and explain needs and assumptions to the budget committee. Budgets are then consolidated, reviewed, iterated and then presented to the EC and Board for feedback and approval. Budgets are ultimately presented to the congregation for a vote at the annual Congregational Meeting. This committee is a great way for congregant volunteers to learn about all areas of the Temple and the Temple’s priorities and culture. -
Frequency of Meeting: One co-chair or active volunteer is asked to attend the Tikkun Olam committee meetings which are held monthly.
Purpose:
Repairing the world often begins at home. Our volunteers serve Temple members in times of need with home delivered meals, challahs on Fridays, Shloshim calls, and companionship.
Description:
Potential volunteers come from three sources:
- Suggestions from Board members or Sr. Staff
- Volunteers coordinate directly with committee chair to participate
The Caring Communitycommittee supports Temple Emanue-El’s focus on health and well-being. The program’s history at Temple is well established. It is the intent of the recently established Tikkun Olam committee to have the program participate in the following upcoming initiatives.
- Update and correct content on our Temple website
- Establish a general social justice email mailbox which will be monitored by one social action volunteer
- Add video testimonials from our committee chairs or active volunteers to the Temple’s website
- Post pictures of committee activities on Temple’s website and social media outlets
- Partner with one (or more) other Temple committees to coordinate a health and wellbeing event
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Frequency of Meeting: Formal meetings quarterly. Meetings with prospective donors are ongoing. Meetings to prepare TEE bulletin are monthly. Meetings to prepare “touches” for sustainability are as needed.
Purpose:
To create our own Temple Emanu-El Legacy Program and to secure commitments for the future of TEE and our community
Description:
This is a newly formed committee. Temple Emanu-El is one of 15 area Jewish organizations to be selected by Federation of Greater MetroWest to participate in the Create Jewish Legacy program. It is a national program designed to increase legacy giving throughout our community. We want maintain our vibrant Jewish community, as well as, secure a Jewish future for the next generation and give our congregants the opportunity to express their values via a legacy gift.
We attend training sessions, create marketing materials and conduct private consultations with potential Legacy donors. Working with clergy, marketing and senior staff we create articles for the Bulletin and EBlasts, pamphlets and brochures for distribution, and token gifts for recognizing participants.
If over the next two years we secure 36 member commitments we will receive a $20K incentive grant from the Greenspoon Foundation, the program’s sponsor. Timing is important to gain the funding, but equally important is to have a strong and wide-reaching Legacy group. This is ONGOING work for years.
So many non-profit organizations seek dollars for their cause in many ways including Legacy donations. Temple Emanu-El must have our own Legacy program to insure we remain an important part of our members lives and are included in their legacy plans.
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Chair: Tracy Hennes, Cara Tabatchnick
Committee Members: Open to all parents (at least one class parent from each class is required to attend each meeting)
Frequency of Meeting: Monthly during school year
Purpose:
- To act as a sounding board regarding any issues or policies that arise throughout the year.
- Creating, planning, and running events and fundraisers throughout the year.
- Overseeing the Early Childhood Education Fund and determining when and how the money should be spent.
Description:
Prior to the start of school, families are asked to fill out a survey where they can choose to volunteer to be a class parent and/or to either chair or be on a committee for events or fundraisers that take place throughout the year. Monthly meetings are held Wednesdays mornings with babysitting provided. Meetings are led by the co-chairs with the ECE Director providing a “Director’s Report”. Approximately 20-25 people attend. Agenda each month is based on upcoming events for the month.
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Chair: Ben Berry
Committee Members: David Buckman, Mark Kabakow, Leon Baukh, Gail Yudkovitz, Brian Chartock, Mike Kenny, Others to be determined
Frequency of Meeting: As required
Purpose:
- Provide for the regular maintenance of synagogue buildings and grounds.
- Obtain and present to the leadership estimates for any repairs and improvements in synagogue property above a predetermined amount. If approved, work with Executive Director to review proposed contracts for the work.
- Compile a list of expected costs and dates of replacement of all capital items and work with Executive Director and Budget Committee to insure that funds are set aside each year in the annual budget to pay for these long-term capital needs.
- Propose a set of regulations for the use of the synagogue’s physical facilities, and once they are approved work with Executive Director to enforce. Rule and regulations for synagogue kitchen facilities should be decided by Clergy and Religious Living Committee.
- Develop a scale of service charges for the use of synagogue premises that should include the costs for support staff, cleaning services, use of energy, and other incidental costs.
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Committee: Housing the Homeless (Family Promise)
Co-Chairs: Lauren Gottleib, and Lynda Wald
Committee Members: Varies by year. 20+ volunteers to support each guest visit.
Frequency of Meeting: One co-chair or active volunteer is asked to attend the Tikkun Olam committee meetings which are held monthly.
Purpose:
Twice each year, during the December holiday season and again for two weeks in the summer Temple Emanu-El serves as a host home for several families from our area. Our work with the Interfaith Housing the Homeless program includes providing comfortable accommodations (turning classrooms into bedrooms), meals, companionship, transportation and a variety of necessities and niceties donated by our members.
Description:
Potential volunteers come from three sources:
- Suggestions from Board members or Sr. Staff
- The committee advertises semi-annually prior to hosting families
- Volunteers coordinate directly with committee chairs to establish a schedule to support visiting families.
The Family Promise Committee supports Temple Emanu-El’s focus on homelessness. The program’s history at Temple is more recent. It is the intent of the recently established Tikkun Olam committee to have the program participate in the following upcoming initiatives.
- Update and correct content on our Temple website
- Establish a general social justice email mailbox which will be monitored by one social action volunteer
- Add video testimonials from our committee chairs or active volunteers to the Temple’s website
- Post pictures of committee activities on Temple’s website and social media outlets
- Partner with one (or more) other Temple committees to coordinate a homelessness education event
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Purpose:
To educate, advocate and provide opportunities to support the people and State of Israel. The Committee presents an annual Israel Documentary Film Festival, hosts speakers to discuss issues relevant to Israel, organizes panel discussions, monitors and protests anti-Israel media bias via letter writing campaigns. The Committee also contacts United States Government officials on issues relevant to its purpose.
Description:
The Israel Support Committee of Central New Jersey has representatives from the following area synagogues: Temple Emanu-El of Westfield; Anshe Chesed of Linden; Congregation Beth Israel of Scotch Plains; Chabad of Union County; Congregation Israel of Springfield; Temple Beth O’r/Beth Torah of Clark; Temple Beth-El MekorChayim of Cranford and Temple Sholom of Scotch Plains.
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Committee: Investment
Co-Chairs: Jeff Peris
Committee Members: Kathleen Stovall, Jeff Sassoon, John Levy, Linda Liebowitz, Walter Simon, Jeff Mazen
Frequency of Meeting: Quarterly
Purpose:
The Investment Committee works to ensure that our investment portfolio achieves long-term capital growth while balancing year-to-year volatility so that it can be used for future purchases, to fund a portion of the Temple’s current operating expenses and to act as a reserve fund for financial emergencies that would be available at the Board’s discretion.
Description:
Investment committee responsibilities include:
- Develop sound and consistent cash management guidelines for the investment of funds which are deemed to be short and intermediate-term in nature
- Develop sound and consistent investment guidelines for funds which are deemed to be long-term in nature
- Select, monitor, and evaluate investment managers to ensure compliance with investment objectives, policies, and guidelines
- Develop and review an asset allocation strategy
- Determine relevant performance benchmark(s) and monitor portfolio performance accordingly
- Evaluate portfolio fees assessed for investment management and custodial services for reasonableness
- Report performance, asset allocations and schedule of investments periodically to the Board of Trustees
The Investment Committee will review periodically the investment policies and make appropriate recommendations to the Board of Trustees. In addition, it meets with our investment advisor on a quarterly basis to review portfolio performance and discuss and determine and investment changes.
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Co-Chairs: Meryl & Barry Reichman
Committee Members: Varies by year.
Frequency of Meeting: Every Tuesday @ 5:10. One co-chair or active volunteer is asked to attend the Tikkun Olam committee meetings which are held monthly.
Purpose:
The Reichman family honors the memory of their beloved daughter Mandy with this weekly Mitzvah project. Bagged lunches of sandwiches, fruit and desserts are prepared on Tuesday at 5:15 p.m. Each Wednesday, our truck visits a neighborhood in Elizabeth, where families have learned they can count on us for help.
Description:
Potential volunteers come from three sources:
- Suggestions from Board members or Sr. Staff
- The committee advertises periodically through Temple bulletins
- Volunteers coordinate directly with committee chairs, Temple staff, and clergy to attend weekly activity hosted at Temple Emanu-El.
The Mandy Reichman Feeding Program committee supports Temple Emanu-El’s focus on hunger. The program has an established history at Temple. It is the intent of the Tikkun Olam committee to have the program participate in the following upcoming initiatives.
- Update and correct content on our Temple website
- Establish a general social justice email mailbox which will be monitored by one social action volunteer
- Add video testimonials from our committee chairs or active volunteers to the Temple’s website
- Post pictures of committee activities on Temple’s website and social media outlets
- Partner with one (or more) other Temple committees to coordinate a hunger education event
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Co-Chairs: Nikki Maizel, Wendy Tucker
Sub-Committees: Chai Lifers (50+): Marcy Lazar
Religious School Families: Riva Waller
Families w/ Young Children: Lindsay Bezalel
Genesis Project – new members: Brett Gerstman
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Chair / President: Ed Lerner
Committee Members:
Officers:
- VP –David Buckman
- Secretary –Dave Lazarus
- Treasurer – Darren Schulman
Chairs:
- Food Delivery Chairperson: David Lazarus
Frequency of Meeting: Monthly, usually the second Thursday of the month
Purpose: The Men’s Club is a service and social organization, connected to the Temple community, as well as our local and global communities.
Description:
Membership in the Men’s Club is open to all adult male members of the congregation.
The Men’s Club endeavors to assist the men of Temple Emanu-El becoming closer with one another while encouraging them to participate in the various programs that we conduct during the year. We assist the Temple in promoting programs aimed at encouraging young people to become more informed about Judaism. The Men’s Club raises funds for scholarships to Jewish camps and for youth group conferences and programs.
Each year, the Men’s Club has outings and programs to create and reinforce the bonds of friendship between our members. We go out to dinner, see sporting events, and host our annual Scotch and Steak Dinner, to name a few. We build the Sukkah in the parking lot, and we package and manage food delivery to those in need during the High Holydays, Thanksgiving and Passover. Our Men’s Club Shabbat enables many of our members to help lead the congregation in worship.
We often collaborate with the Temple’s Sisterhood and Religious School on educational and social events. In addition, the Men’s Club is exclusively responsible for the videotaping of events inside the sanctuary and chapel.
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Co-Chairs: Eleanor Peris, Danielle Levitt
Committee Members: Varies by year. Typically 5 – 10 members.
Frequency of Meeting: Quarterly. One co-chair or active volunteer is asked to attend the Tikkun Olam committee meetings which are held monthly.
Purpose:
We grow vegetables in our Mitzvah Garden in the Temple garden which are donated to the Westfield Food Pantry – engaging in the mitzvah of Pe’ah – leaving the corner of our fields for the poor.
Description:
Potential volunteers come from three sources:
- Suggestions from Board members or Sr. Staff
- The committee advertises annually for the upcoming summer
- Volunteers coordinate directly with committee chairs to establish a schedule to maintain the garden, harvest produce, and deliver to local food pantry.
The Mitzvah Garden committee supports Temple Emanue-El’s focus on hunger. The garden’s history at Temple is more recent. It is the intent of the Tikkun Olam committee to have the garden participate in the following upcoming initiatives.
- Update and correct content on our Temple website
- Establish a general social justice email mailbox which will be monitored by one social action volunteer
- Add video testimonials from our committee chairs or active volunteers to the Temple’s website
- Post pictures of committee activities on Temple’s website and social media outlets
- Partner with one (or more) other Temple committees to coordinate a hunger education event
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Co-Chairs: Gene Rosner and Mark Kabakow
Members: Linda Liebowitz, Fred Polak, Harris Freier, Barry Moscowitz, Isabel Berg, Jonathan Gelfand, Gordon Golum, Peter Carlin
Frequency of Meeting: The Committee’s work is intense from September through January and requires frequentconsultation to discuss the draft reviews. The Co-Chairs work closely with committee members and provide guidance when difficult issues arise.
Purpose:
To analyze personnel issues and to provide input and recommendation to the Executive Committee and Board of Trustees as required.
Description:
To prepare Performance Reviews of Senior Staff and other staff with employment contracts in the last year of a contract term. From time to time perform interim performancereviews. PresentPerformance Reviews and recommended contract terms to Executive Committee and Board of Trustees.
Preparation and negotiation of employment contracts and/or offer letters as needed.
Responsible for interpretation of questions relating to Employee Handbook.
Potential volunteers come from three sources:
- Suggestions from Board members
- Direct requests from Chair to congregants with required skill, knowledge and discretion.
- Board members who have expressed interest
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Co-Chairs: Jenny Tananbaum, Gail Yudkovitz
Committee Members: Gail Yudkovitz, Gary Levine, Amy Mesches, Rich Kelner, Susan Klein,Julie Berry, Anthony Williams, Herb Mason, Arlene Burstein, Barbara Eisner
Frequency of Meeting: Quarterly. One co-chair or active volunteer is asked to attend the Tikkun Olam committee meetings which are held monthly.
Purpose:
The purpose and mission of the committee is currently under review. Subcommittees include: Friday Night Ushers, Shiva Minyan, Saturday Morning Ushers, Choir, Shabbat Sr. Citizen Services, Tiny Tot Shabbat, Sunday Morning Minyan, and High Holyday Honors.
Description:
Potential volunteers come from three sources:
- Suggestions from Board members or Sr. Staff
- The committee may begin to advertise periodically
- Volunteers coordinate directly with committee chairs to participate in quarterly meetings.
Similar to the recent work to establish a Tikkun Olam committee, it is the intent of the VP of Religious Living to create a Religious (or Jewish) Living committee to support the Temple’s initiatives around worship, Jewish living, and general Temple practices. It will be the intent of this committee to initiate the following activities.
- Update and correct content on our Temple website
- Establish a general social justice email mailbox which will be monitored by one social action volunteer
- Add video testimonials from our committee chairs or active volunteers to the Temple’s website
- Post pictures of committee activities on Temple’s website and social media outlets
- Partner with one (or more) other Temple committees to coordinate a social action Shabbat service
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Chair / President: Maralyn Lieberman
Purpose: From generation to generation, since 1913, Sisterhoods have been representing the voice of women in Jewish life and humanitarian efforts. We honor our past by continuing to build the community that we inherited.
Description:
Sisterhood Identity
Sisterhood represents the voice of women in Jewish life. It is our mission to bring together the women of our Temple to serve and support our Temple community and enrich our lives through personal growth and friendship. We accomplish this with social and educational programs, community service and involvement with the Women of Reform Judaism.
Commitment to Our Congregation
Sisterhood plays an important role within the Temple supporting its strong commitment to our congregation. We provide scholarships for Temple youth to attend Jewish camps and to study in Israel. We sponsor Jewish leadership programs. We help the Religious School with special projects and are available for the rabbis when special needs arise. We provide for the Bima flowers and Oneg on Shabbat. We decorate the Bima and Sukkah for Sukkot. We funded the furniture in our Temple lobby as well as the couches in the youth community room at the Lavy House. Our Judaica shop, which is staffed entirely by volunteers, offers a wide range of items to enhance Jewish holiday celebrations, life-cycle events, and daily life. All merchandise is discounted and the proceeds go directly to support our Sisterhood’s mission.
Commitment to the Community
Sisterhood reaches outside the Temple community as well. This year we continued our tradition of visiting Jewish patients in hospital bringing challahs during the High Holyday season, assisting residents and participating in a model Seder in a nearby nursing home, and delivering over 120 plants to Jewish residents at assisted living homes during Passover. For children in hospitals, we brought special bears knitted by Sisterhood members.
Women of Reform Judaism
This is our parent organization whose mission is to strengthen the voice of women worldwide. The “WRJ” advocates for, and cultivates progressive Jewish values and has an extensive history of being at the forefront of social action and change. Our contribution to the WRJ and their youth, educational and special projects fund helps support this critical mission. For example, the WRJ Atlantic district was responsible for rebuilding the Chapel on the Hill at our URJ camp, Camp Harlam.
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Chair: To Be Determined
Committee Members: To Be Determined
Frequency of meeting: As needed to deal with issues
Purpose:
To provide technology expertise on IT andrelated issues
Description:
Potential volunteers come from Board members, outreach by Temple President suggestions from Board and senior staff.
Focus has been on Chaverweb. Activities included attending a demonstration and follow-up evaluation. Committee also assisted with evaluation of accounting outsourcing opportunity.
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Committee: Tikkun Olam
Co – Chairs: David Burk, Daniela Shebitz
Committee Members: Open Membership. Currently over 15 active members.
Frequency of Meeting: Second Wednesday of every month. As required.
Purpose:
Our tradition inspires us to engage in Tikkun Olam (repairing the world). We are dedicated to the pursuit of social justice for the betterment of our congregation, our community and our world through direct service, education, advocacy, building alliances and motivating change.
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Co-Chairs: Deb Carberry, Jen Gilman
Committee Members: Jodi Schlitzer, Andi Marcus, Cheryl Lentzner, Amy Eisenstein, Cheryl Young, Barry Moscowitz and
others (open to all)
Frequency of Meeting: Monthly during school year
Purpose:
Partners with the clergy and the education team to examine and enhance our current offerings for youth learning and engagement. Together we will ensure the implementation of our vision for Jewish education, K-12, supporting the work of the Religious School and the youth groups.
Description:
Our responsibilities may include: strategic planning and the transformation of our learning environment, curriculum development, family programming and involvement, social action, event planning, and fundraising.
In order to build a kehillahkedoshah (holy community) we will provide opportunities for meaningful youth engagement in Jewish life both within and beyond the walls of our synagogue.